Flowers are beautiful, colourful, and fragrant.

They are a symbol of love, gratitude, and celebration.

But, have you ever considered the environmental impact of the flower industry?

From the pesticides used to grow them to the carbon emissions involved in transporting them, the flower industry can be quite damaging to the environment.

However, there are ways to make flower-giving more sustainable.

In this blog post, we will discuss sustainable flowers and how you can make more environmentally-friendly choices.

What are sustainable flowers?

Sustainable flowers are flowers that are grown and distributed in a way that is environmentally-friendly and socially responsible. This means that they are grown using sustainable farming practices that minimise the use of harmful chemicals and reduce waste. Sustainable flowers are also transported using eco-friendly methods, such as electric vehicles, to reduce carbon emissions. 

How can you choose sustainable flowers?

1. Buy UK grown flowers: Buying locally grown flowers is the best way to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting flowers. When you buy locally grown flowers, you support local farmers and reduce the environmental impact of shipping flowers from far away.

2. Choose organic flowers: Organic flowers are grown without the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. By choosing organic flowers, you support sustainable farming practices that protect the environment and the health of the people who grow and handle the flowers. 

3. Look for certifications: Look for certifications such as Veriflora or Fairtrade. These certifications ensure that the flowers were grown and distributed using sustainable practices and that the workers who grew and handled the flowers were treated fairly.

4. Choose in-season flowers: Choosing in-season flowers means that they were grown naturally and did not require artificial heating or lighting to grow. This reduces the energy required to grow and transport the flowers.

5. Consider the vase life: Flowers that have a longer vase life, such as lilly or chrysanthemums, will last longer and produce less waste than flowers with a shorter vase life. This reduces the number of flowers you need to buy over time, which is more sustainable.

6. Avoid floral foam: Floral foam is a non-biodegradable material that is commonly used to hold flowers in place in arrangements. It is harmful to the environment and can take hundreds of years to decompose. Instead, use reusable vases or biodegradable floral foam alternatives.

Why choose sustainable flowers?

Choosing sustainable flowers is an important way to reduce the environmental impact of the flower industry. By supporting sustainable farming practices and eco-friendly transportation methods, you can help reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. In addition, by choosing flowers that are grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides, you can help protect the health of the people who grow and handle the flowers.

Sustainable flowers are also often fresher and of higher quality. They are grown with care and attention to detail, resulting in flowers that are more vibrant, fragrant, and long-lasting. This means that sustainable flowers not only look and smell better, but they also last longer, reducing the need for frequent replacements and reducing waste.

In addition, choosing sustainable flowers can also support local economies. By buying locally grown flowers, you support local farmers and businesses, creating jobs and economic growth in your community.

In conclusion, sustainable flowers are a beautiful and environmentally-friendly option for flower-giving. By choosing locally grown, organic, and certified flowers, you can reduce the environmental impact of the flower industry and support sustainable farming practices. So, the next time you want to give flowers, consider choosing sustainable flowers for a more beautiful and sustainable world.

British Flowers Week is back!

This campaign run by New Covent Garden Market in London, is returning for it ninth year between Monday 14th and Sunday 20th June 2021.

The week long festivities will celebrate the beauty and variety of British cut flowers, foliage and plants, as well as the florists, growers and wholesalers who make it all possible.

Would you like to get involved?

British Flowers Week Windows

To get involved this year The British Flowers Association encouraging businesses and the public to decorate their windows with British flowers in their home or places of work; preferably where passers-by can enjoy them from 14th to 20th June.

Whether it’s with a single stem, a bouquet made from garden flowers or a spectacular display, a decorated window with show support for the British flower industry this June.

To get involved create a British Flowers Week window with British flowers, foliage or plants, from the garden, a local grower, florist or wholesaler.

Once you’ve created your design take a picture of your British Flowers Week window, share it on social media using #BritishFlowersWeek and tag @MarketFlowers to show support for British businesses and go in the draw to win fantastic prizes.

The Hiden Collective and British Flowers

We love Ethical British Flowers!

Our supply chain is very simple, trackable and energy efficient.

We order flowers either directly from the grower or from a British flowers wholesaler and in that way the grower will only cut the flowers that are preordered.

We also buy only what we can sell and if we have any spare blooms, we donate and brighten the life of the residents of an elderly home close to our studio.

This process allows us to deliver the flowers to your doorstep in the minimum possible time and for you to enjoy the flowers at their freshest.

Our flowers never sit around in a  very high energy consuming warehouse fridge like in many cases when you purchase imported flowers.

The classic supply chain can keep flowers in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks with the relevant energy use.

Talking about waste… the classic supply chain will waste approximately  1 in 3 stems, and if you scale this up  on a yearly basis you are  talking  about millions of blooms, wasted land, labour, resources and fuel.

We only use seasonal flowers and so we can’t source hundreds of varieties of flowers.

Each season has its own bloom star and we can guarantee that they are looking stunning as ever, like the scented garden rose between early May and late autumn.

We are experiencing an Ethical British Flowers revolutions with lots of new flower growers  opening every month across England.

After many years of decline, the British Floral Industry is starting to truly starting to bloom again and we love being a part of it!

The more the independent flower growing movement thrives within the UK, the more accessible home-grown seasonal flowers will become and the less we rely so heavily on importing. 

Shifting to locally grown blooms to decorate our houses, work spaces and weddings has the potential to lower the carbon footprint of the industry and give us better control over the working conditions in the fields where our flowers are grown.

The days are starting to get longer in early Spring and this is an exciting period for the British cut flowers grower as they start to see some of the result of the previous months planting.

The weather is getting warmer and when you look at the countryside you are able to start to spot bouncing lambs and beautiful blooms like daffodils and bluebells.

Like most growing living things, British grown flowers are affected by the seasons, the weather, and other regional natural changes. 

As a result some of the flowers listed in this early Spring flowers seasonal guides may not be available at a certain time. 

Would you like to know more about  British flowers?

Are you curious to see the difference between emissions of CO2 between British flowers and Dutch flowers?

Have a look at our BEST BLOOMS - BRITISH BLOOMS  blog post and I can promise you that after that you realise how much more CO2 has been produced by the imported flowers you will always want to source British Flowers.

Rainy, windy days are definitely a big feature of winter and you are probably just dreaming to snuggle down with a comfy blanket around a cosy wood burning stove.

Winter in UK can be gloomy at times and definitively cold but at  the same time you can still find some stunning seasonal flowers and foliage to warm the soul. 

Are you wondering which seasonal British flowers are in season during this period?

Like most growing living things, British grown flowers are affected by the seasons, the weather, and other regional natural changes. 

As a result some of the flowers listed in this Winter flowers seasonal guide may not be available at certain times. 

Would you like to know more about  British flowers?

Are you curious to see the difference between emissions of CO2 between British flowers and Dutch flowers?

Have a look at our BEST BLOOMS - BRITISH BLOOMS  blog post and I can promise you that after that you realise how much more CO2 has been produced by the imported flowers you will always want to source British Flowers.

Late Autumn is hands down my absolute favourite season – to be in, to work with and create for!

Late autumn, the nights are drawing in and it's the perfect period for settling down in the evening with a mug of our favourite hot chocolate.

Its nature's last show of colour before winter and the cold weather sets in and it is wonderful to going for walks in the woods underneath the glowing colours of Autumn leaves.

Are you wondering which seasonal British flowers are in season during this period?

Like most growing living things, British grown flowers are affected by the seasons, the weather, and other regional natural changes. 

As a result some of the flowers listed in this late Autumn flowers seasonal guides may not be available at a certain time. 

Other Late Autumn seasonal British Flowers:  

Anemone, Crocus, Nerine, Cyclamen, Blackberries, Zinnia, Snapdragon, Scabiousa, Delphimium, Ammi, Verbena, Hydrangea

Would you like to know more about  British flowers?

Are you curious to see the difference between emissions of CO2 between British flowers and Dutch flowers?

Have a look at our BEST BLOOMS - BRITISH BLOOMS  blog post and I can promise you that after that you realise how much more CO2 has been produced by the imported flowers you will always want to source British Flowers.