Homegirl London’s Shop Snoop: The Boma Garden Centre. The sun is out, so it’s time to get your lovely London garden in shape. There’s nothing better than admiring the plants and picking out a selection for your garden or window boxes. Homeboy and I wanted to buy some herbs, so we popped along to The Boma Garden Centre in Kentish Town. If you’re looking for North West London Garden Centres, this is perfect.
Beautiful Garden Centre
The Boma Garden Centre Plants and More
I love this garden centre which has been trading as The Boma in Kentish Town since 2002. The Boma is a Swahili word to mean central meeting point at a game lodge. The Managing Partner is Sean Dunn, who grew up gardening in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Sponsored by his aunt and uncle, the trio transformed the previous dilapidated garden centre into the magical place it is today.
Tranquil Oasis
Walk in through the front gate, and you will be greeted with an array of blooming flowers and architectural plants. Go through the shop, and towards the back, you will find a greenhouse with a display of indoor plants. Out the back is a large area crammed full of plants with metal animal garden sculptures dotted in between. It’s an oasis of greenery in the middle of a North West London residential area.
Plenty to See
At The Boma, you will find a great selection of garden plants which includes herbaceous perennials, seasonal bedding plants, climbers, roses, shrubs, fruit trees, bamboos and more. You can also find plenty of architectural plants for contemporary London backyards. Those lucky enough to have a pond can buy aquatic plant varieties. For front gardens, you can pick up lavender which is always a popular choice.
Plant Selection
For those who enjoy cooking with herbs, you’ll love the collection on offer here. From sage to mint, basil, rosemary and thyme, you can pick up a couple of pots to liven up your dishes.
Herb Selection
Succulents and cacti are very popular for indoor plants now. Head to the greenhouse at the back of the shop where you will find a selection including Yuccas, Mother in Law’s Tongue and other lush green options. On the shelves are plant pots which include bright pink and lime green to brighten up your home.
Indoor Plants
Outdoor pots include handmade ceramic pots, terracotta pots and glazed pots. If you want rustic versions try the wooden barrels and wooden window boxes. For a contemporary vibe, try the fibre clay, polyterra, zinc and galvanised materials.
Plant Pots
Keep your eyes open for some fantastic statues, which include Zimbabwean animals created from recycled metal. Some of these are very large, like the elephants, giraffes and horse while smaller options include birds. For those with a tranquil garden, try the Balinese Buddhas instead.
Metal Horse Statue
For larger garden projects, you can buy trellis and fencing from timber supplier Zest 4 Leisure. Turf stocked is Rolawn Regal, a general-purpose hard-wearing variety called Medallion Premium Grade. Bags of soil can also be purchased.
The Boma Garden Centre Kentish Town Information
To find out more, go to The Boma Garden Centre Website. The address is 51-53 Islip Street, Kentish Town, London NW5 2DL. The nearest train station is Kentish Town. Alternatively, you can travel to the Kentish Town West Overground instead. If you want to drive, there are car parking spaces available. They are open Monday to Sunday but check online for the opening times, which vary depending on the season. They also offer general garden services should you want to let the experts do all the hard work!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Homeboy, for visiting with me.
