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Community Corner

Searching for Fresh Flowers at a Great Deal

Palisadians take a field trip to Los Angeles' downtown flower market.

My neighbor Marilyn and I became instant friends while conversing about our love of gardening and how dear our plants were to our hearts.

We had been talking about going to the Los Angeles flower market for a year. I had never been. 

The only thing that kept me from jumping at Marilyn’s offer was the fact that the flower market opens at 6 a.m. and closes at noon, which means getting up at the crack of dawn.  

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But I finally decided that wasn’t going to be a deterrent. We put a date on the books. I had been looking forward to the day. Then the weather report came in. 

What do you know, it was set to pour on the day of our field trip downtown. 

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I assumed the trip would be canceled  because flowers are outside and it’s going to be raining. However, Marilyn e-mailed and wrote, “No worries the flowers are covered.” 

“Oh terrific," I thought. "But we’ll still be walking in and out of the rain.”

I also thought maybe it was like the flower market in Paris.  I thought my day would be ruined if I was cold. So I bundled up in my rain hat and scarf.  The rainy morning turned out to be a drizzle, but you never know, and I was prepared for the weather to change.   

It was kind of fun acting like it was a rainy day in Paris. We made it in no time: 15 minutes from the Palisades to Downtown L.A. 

Marilyn, our tour guide, instructed us to park on the roof.

Hmm—I had no idea what that meant. But of course, she was right. It was the perfect place to park, right at the elevator, how convenient. 

Once we entered the flower market we were amazed by the vast colors and varieties of blooms and delightful fragrances. And better yet, not only was the market covered, it was in its own building. What a great concept. 

I was relieved that it wasn’t 100 percent like Paris, just enough. The market houses spectacular cut flowers, orchids and succulents, all with unbeatable prices. There is something for everybody, even children. You can’t lose. We bought a few beauties at terrific prices. 

If you’re planing a celebration large or small, this place will get your creative juices flowing and you’re sure to find something rare and unusual.  Upstairs there is an added bonus: loads of plant containers, ribbons and plant cutting tools. 

The market is also a great destination to take out of town guests. What I love best about the market is the experience of feeling the crowd all united in joyful expressions of awe and amazement.  

As much as we love our fair Palisades, we also like to travel and that definitely includes field trips. 

This field trip was a blast, especially since I have heard repeatedly from other Palisades friends and neighbors who love to make the trip down to the flower market. 

Looking forward to seeing you on our next excursion!

For more information and hours on The Los Angeles Flower District visit  laflowerdistrict.com.

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