Georgianna Lane's London in Bloom (Photos)

Beneath a green awning, the Ivy restaurant storefront is covered in colorful, lush blooms. Above, ornate windows overlook the London street scene — An installation by the floral design studio Early Hours London covers the Ivy Chelsea Garden restaurant in lush color.

“Photographing the floral abundance of London is a joy and a privilege. But equally, I like the rare days when I leave my camera behind and amble through a park with only a pen and notebook, scribbling down details about the emerging plants and flowers, gathering field notes and memories,” writes Georgianna Lane in London in Bloom (Abrams Image, 2020).

We benefit from Lane’s penchant for both imagery and words in her latest book, a companion to New York in Bloom and Paris in Bloom. Between photography-filled pages showcasing the English capital’s gardens, parks, and flower markets, as well as bloom-covered storefronts and homes rich in architectural detail, she treats us to poetic interludes. For instance, the city’s flower stands and markets “infuse the urban landscape with rejuvenating bursts of color and scent, like floral apothecaries dispensing perfumed and petaled concoctions of well-being and cheer,” she writes.

The pink petals of winter magnolia blooms cover trees and garden paths of Greenwich Park in London. An ornate wrought iron park bench along the path invites visitors to sit and enjoy the scene. — Bench in Greenwich Park

Lush purple flowers billow over a black wrougth-iron gate in a scene from the book London in Bloom — Blooming Ceanothus near Regent’s Park

The book offers a practical travel guide for anyone planning to see London in bloom in real life. Lane plans out a tour of spring blossoms, accompanied by a field guide for identifying flowering trees and shrubs. She also includes a list of addresses for her favorite parks, gardens, floral boutiques, and flower markets.

A tree blooms with pink flowers in front of a white, stately London home in Notting Hill — House in Notting Hill

tulips, red post box — Tulips on a vintage post box

If a voyage across The Pond is not on your itinerary any time soon, not to worry. This book transports us without ever having to leave our most comfortable reading chair.