What Are Sustainable Flowers?

In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, the concept of sustainability has permeated various aspects of our lives, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. As consumers become more eco-conscious, the demand for sustainable flowers has risen significantly over recently years, and with it, it has become easier to source sustainable, locally grown flowers no matter where you are in the country. But what exactly are sustainable flowers, and why should we care about them?

Defining Sustainable Flowers:
Sustainable flowers are blooms that are cultivated in ways that minimise environmental impact and promote social responsibility. There are many factors that contribute towards sustainability, and honestly, I’m not sure its possible for all businesses to be perfect from every angle. There are aspects of sustainability that I apply to all my work at WilderBlooms and there are aspects that I apply where possible, but with difficulty. There are also aspects that either don’t apply to the work I do, but apply to other florists and flower farmers. So lets take a look at what makes floristry sustainable.

Key Practices of Sustainable floristry and how I apply them to WilderBlooms:

1. Organic farming - One of the main pillars of sustainable flower farming is the use of organic methods. This means avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which can pollute soil and waterways.
   
   WilderBlooms: Myself, and the growers I work with opt to use methods such as crop rotation, composts, farmyard manure to maintain soil health.  At WilderBlooms I also opt for no-dig beds to maintain the structural integrity of the soil, and protect all the organisms which live below the surface.
   
   
2. Biodegradable Packaging – Traditional floristry is often associated with floral foams and single use plastics such as polyester ribbons, plastic cellophanes etc.
   
   WB: I opt for plastic free packaging. I use paper to wrap my bunches, or present them in glass jam jars collected from local recycling groups. Jute twine is used to tie bunches together, and 100% cotton ribbon is sometimes used as a decorative touch. I opt for stamps instead of stickers as sticker glue usually contains small amounts of plastic. The only plastic I have not been able to eliminate is the glue on the back of my paper tape. I have yet to find a plastic free alternative to glue that is sustainable. If you have any ideas, please get in contact and let me know.
   
   
3. Locally grown – The flower industry here in the UK heavily relies on flowers shipped in from abroad. Did you know your Valentine's day roses are most likely to come from Kenya, Columbia or Ecuador. Transported thousands of miles, packed full of preservatives for their journey. Roses sent from each of these countries could be combined in the same bouquet. Pause for a moment and think of the associated air miles and carbon footprint of this one bunch of flowers!? 
   
   WB: All my flowers are British grown by independent growers. I grow some myself, and work closely with three other flower farmers here in Ayrshire. At the tail ends of these season, or where the Scottish climate is struggling, I also work with some growers in England to ensure I have enough supply to meet demand. You could argue that flowers grown in the England and dispatched by me in Scotland for UK delivery isn't exactly "local", and I would agree. But in the grand scheme of things, when you weigh up everything, the carbon footprint is significantly smaller than your regular bunch of imported flowers. 
   
   
4. Water conservation – less of an issue here in Scotland, we could probably do with a bit less water sometimes. But globally, a lot of flower production takes place in some of the sunniest, hottest and driest countries in the world. It’s a water intensive farming process in these parts of the world where water can already be scarce.
   
   WB: On the agenda for WilderBlooms this year is setting up a poly tunnel. Here in Scotland this is something that still requires irrigation. I have been looking into drip irrigation, which is far more efficient in terms of evaporation and water loss than overhead irrigation. I have also been looking into water butts for the collection of rain water.
   
   
5. Energy efficiency - Many flowers are grown in greenhouses that require significant energy for heating and lighting. Sustainable flower farms invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, and employ energy-efficient technologies to reduce their carbon footprint.
   
   WB: I try to avoid heated greenhouse crops for the most part. Last year I didn't sell any fresh flowers between October and March. Choosing to focus on Christmas wreaths and British grown dried flowers.  I'm unsure how to proceed this coming Winter. I feel that every choice I make for WilderBlooms is a moral debate of sustainable values, and some that I haven't really done the research on year. Are heated greenhouse crops grown in Winter in the UK more sustainable than crops imported from warmer climates? Should I offer the option of heated greenhouse grown blooms in November? I'm sure I will end up writing a blog post on this subject at a later date, once I've done my research.
   
   
6. Biodiversity - Monoculture, or the cultivation of a single flower species over a large area, can lead to soil degradation and increased vulnerability to pests. Sustainable flower farming promotes biodiversity by growing a variety of species, which helps maintain ecosystem balance and resilience.
   
   WB: I work with very small scale growers, with plots varying from 1/2 acre, up to tens of acres. All of these growers don't focus on one crop. They grow multiple varieties of flowers, foliage and herbs. Even the larger scale flower-farms I work with don't have fields of a single crop.
   
   
7. Fair Labour/ payments for goods -Sustainable flower farms ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for their workers. Certifications like Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance help consumers identify flowers that meet these ethical standards.
   
   WB: All my flowers are grown in the UK by independent growers who set their own prices. I buy directly from the growers, with no middlemen. Which provides a very fair and adequate income for the growers. It does mean however that sometimes the flowers I sell can be a little pricier, as the cost of goods involved in production in the UK, particular for small business can be a bit higher than overseas. 

In Conclusion
Sustainable flowers represent a thoughtful approach floristry, one that prioritizes the health of our planet and the well-being of those who cultivate these beautiful blooms. By choosing sustainable flowers, you can enjoy the beauty of nature without damaging the environment and soils that allow these beauties to grow. Next time you buy a bouquet, remember that your choices do make a difference, and do encourage a movement of more and more florists, wholesalers and growers towards sustainable practices.
 
You can check out my weekly availability of sustainable British flowers here, or keep up to date by following me on facebook and instagram. By buying flowers from WilderBlooms you will be supporting a number of small independent growers in our movement toward increasing awareness of sustainable floristry.