March 18, 2025, 1:23 p.m. | Reading time: 7 minutes
London is an urban jungle. You can take that literally! The British capital is considered one of the greenest cities in the world. The metropolis on the Thames offers more than 3,000 public parks and green spaces. But the parks are not just great for strolling or picnicking - you can also discover spectacular flora in London. From huge palm trees to tiny orchids: London expert Doris Tromballa reveals her five insider tips for flower fans.
I love the lively chaos of big cities! London, New York, Bangkok – every city has its own, lovable bustle. But I also need a break from the hustle and bustle. And then I'm drawn to the quiet splendor of the parks and botanical gardens. In London, where business and shopping first come to mind, there is a secret world hidden for botany lovers. Here are my top 5 flower lover's paradises in London:
5th place: Kenwood House – a garden paradise on Hampstead Heath
4th place: Barbican Conservatory – tropical flair in the middle of London
3rd place: Chelsea Flower Show – garden art at the highest level
2nd place: Orchid Festival in Kew Gardens – exotic beauty
1st place: The rose garden in Regent’s Park – fragrant flowers
5th place: Kenwood House – a garden paradise on Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is familiar to many who frequently visit London. The park in north London is a popular destination for walkers and those seeking peace and quiet, especially at weekends. Gentle hilly landscapes alternate with cool forests, here and there there is a hidden gardener's cottage. But there is much more than just greenery here: Kenwood House sits on the eastern edge of the park - a former country house that is now one of England's national cultural monuments. The pretty house is embedded in a spacious garden with ancient oaks and beeches and picturesque ponds where ducks and swans paddle around.
But the real stars of the garden in London are the hedges and flowers: in spring, bright pink rhododendrons, light yellow daffodils and deep blue harebells bloom here. In summer, copper beeches and sessile oaks in the heathland have their full foliage, and marsh marigolds, carnations and irises bloom by the ponds. Up to 21 different species of butterflies dance around the floral display of Kenwood House. In autumn the park transforms into a shimmering sea of colors. The American sweetgum tree in particular is a stunning sight with its purple, yellow and orange autumn leaves. If you need a break: There is a small café in Kenwood House itself where you can get snacks and cakes.
4th place: Barbican Conservatory – tropical flair in the middle of London
Most people know the Barbican Center in the eastern part of the City of London as a cultural and conference center. Given its massive architecture (the style is called “Brutalism”), it is difficult to imagine that behind the mighty concrete walls lies one of London's most hidden treasures for flower lovers: the Barbican Conservatory. This huge greenhouse garden is the second largest winter garden ensemble in the city and is home to more than 2,000 different plant species from all over the world.
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Palm trees, ferns and exotic flowering plants such as hibiscus and bougainvillea thrive here. Particularly impressive are the hanging vines and aquatic plants that decorate the conservatory's ponds. They literally spill over the parapets and wrap around the concrete. This creates a captivating contrast between the modern brutalist architecture and the tropical plant diversity. Admission is free, but tickets must be pre-ordered online.
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3rd place: Chelsea Flower Show – garden art at the highest level
The Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most famous garden events in the world. Tickets are hard to get and not cheap (around €100 per person). But you also get a lot on offer: every May since 1912, the garden area around the Royal Hospital Chelsea is dug up and transformed into a spectacular plant show. Everything here revolves around indoor, balcony and garden planting. When I got a ticket for the Chelsea Flower Show in 2024, I was almost overwhelmed by the diversity and imagination that can be admired here. In a tiny house, all rooms were planted with flashy 70s furniture and even flashier cacti and succulents. Even the toilet (see photo)!
In the themed gardens you could stroll between Roman sculptures and water lilies and marvel at dozens of different types of orchids in the large pavilion. If you want to take a souvenir with you, you can buy almost all of the plants on display here. I bought a “Hippeastrum Clown” bulb for 10 pounds (approx. 12 euros) – and it actually bloomed well at home! There are also garden tools, summer fashion and all sorts of art objects to purchase for your own garden. If you need a break after all the splendor, you can sit on the champagne terrace in the north of the site and listen to the Dixie Orchestra - or bring your own. You can picnic anywhere on the premises.
London's botanical garden of superlativesKew Gardens - a park paradise even in autumn and winter
Wonderful world in the glass palaceKew Gardens in London - greenhouse of superlatives
2nd place: Orchid Festival in Kew Gardens – exotic beauty
While we were talking about orchids – an absolute highlight every year is the Orchid Festival in the Royal Botanical Gardens (also “Kew Gardens”) in London. The Royal Botanical Gardens are located in the southeast of the city and are a plant paradise of superlatives. Not only are they home to the largest flowering plant (the titanium arum, whose red flowers reach a diameter of up to three meters but unfortunately smell like carrion) and the smallest water lily in the world, but also the largest collection of living plant species in a botanical garden in the world. Kew even made it into the Guinness Book of Records! Almost 17,000 different species can be admired here.
An absolute highlight is the annual orchid festival, as the orchid collection in Kew Gardens, which is considered the oldest in the world, includes more than 5,000 species. Every spring, the greenhouse is decorated with thousands of orchids, artfully arranged in vibrant color patterns. Visitors can discover an incredible variety of orchid species here: orchids with dozens of tiny flower clusters, huge, serrated leaves, with deep calyxes or freaky tiger patterns. Out of this world! The orchids hang from the greenhouse ceilings, spill out of pots or are stretched over artistic arches - you are literally immersed in the full tropical splendor.
1st place: The rose garden in Regent’s Park – fragrant blossoms
Despite the cactus disco and orchid frenzy: My number 1 flower in London is a garden that is not that easy to find on the map of London: The Queen Mary's Rose Garden is located in the southeastern part of Regent's Park. It was first planted in 1932 and for me it is an absolute must on every trip to London. The roses bloom mainly between May and September and leave me speechless every time. There are more than 12,000 of them in the relatively small garden, with a total of 85 different varieties. From the deep red “Ingrid Bergman” to the red and white “Nostalgia” to the pale yellow “Creme Caramel” – your eyes will be overflowing with this splendor!
Some have wildly curled petals, some look as if they were made from marzipan by a confectioner. A rose garden fan even took the trouble to write down all the varieties. The roses are planted in dense beds and surrounded by begonia bushes and lavender bushes. There are benches between the paths (with rose arches, of course) where you can rest and admire the sea of colors in peace. It is best to visit the garden after a few days of drought, then the flowers smell particularly intense.
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