Cool Market Photo: Lillies of the Valley from John Durr Farm

Lilly of the Valley from James Durr Farm

My mother’s wedding bouquet was made of Lillies of the Valley. The last time I had a bouquet of them in my own hands was in Paris a couple of years ago. On May Day, or May 1, vendors sell small bunches of lillies of the valley on street corners. And ladies in the farmers market on Av. Richard Lenoir sell them in large bouquets.

This weekend, we found them under the James Durr Farm tent at the Union Square Greenmarket. They have tiny, delicate bell flowers and lush, shiny leaves, and they are incredibly fragrant. Surprisingly hearty too. We also picked up some of my very favorite peonies, irises and pale green viburnum.

We gave the lillies to our friend Karen last night. Today my tightly packed peony buds are turning into giant pink balls of cotton candy. The season for these late spring flowers isn’t very long. But if I had to choose a favorite time for flowers, it’s right now.

You can find James Durr Farm at Union Square on Saturdays. Get there early for the best bunches, although in the late afternoon this past Saturday, all the flowers were still gorgeous and healthy.