Valentines….but better!
Until I fell in love with growing cut flowers and learnt more about the global cut flower industry, I was a devotee of the red rose for Valentine’s Day. A key symbol of romance, in early February, the high street florists and supermarkets are full of swoon worthy blooms that we’ve been drawn to for over a century and I was no different.
However, armed with the knowledge I have gained over the past few years, imported roses don’t have quite the same draw as they used to. I won’t labour the point but a quick google or scroll through instagram and you’ll soon discover both the environmental and social issues surrounding overseas rose production. This is before considering the chemicals, refrigeration and transport required to fly them around the world.
So, how can we celebrate Valentine’s Day and share the love in a sustainable way?
The good news is there are myriad options!
What’s more they might even be far better than a bunch of red roses…
British Tulips - I’m not talking your average supermarket bunch! There are amazing fringed, parrot and double petalled varieties. Symbolising ‘perfect love’, there couldn’t be a better switch. Top left was my Valentine’s gift last year, my hints to my husband paid off! I’m offering stunning Smith & Munson tulips this Valentine’s after being super impressed with my visit to see the tulips growing last year.
British blooms - Spring is on the way and British anemones, ranunculus, and narcissi are all now available along with fragment foliage to make a stunning bouquet.
British flower subscription - If you really want to get in the good books, this is the gift that keeps on giving. Not just one delivery of flowers but regular deliveries throughout the growing season. They may have to wait a while for the flowers to get going in April/May but the best things in life are worth waiting for! Many flower farms offer this and you can find your local grower through Flowers from the Farm.
Ask your florist what they have available or if your local to me you can find all options here.
Dried flowers - Dried flowers are having a bit of a renaissance having fallen out of favour for a while. Thanks to people like Bex Partridge of Botanical Tales, they are firmly back in the limelight. A great value for money option that will last long beyond a fresh flower gift. Everlasting flowers have surely got to be a good omen for everlasting love!
Workshops - If you think your Valentine would like to grow, pick or arrange their own flowers, a workshop could really put a smile on their face. Make a date of it and come together or get together with friends and book your partners on together. You can choose for them or buy a voucher. You’ll find lots of options up and down the country. Mine are all listed here.
Bare root roses - If you really must buy a rose, a bare root plant is a great idea (as long s you have somewhere to plant it!) English garden roses are a wonderful addition to any garden. Full of incredible scent and available in hundreds of different colours and styles, this way your Valentine will have beautiful roses every year. If you really want to earn some brownie points, plan a trip to David Austin roses when the roses are in full bloom, its a treat for the senses!
Whether you’re celebrating Valentines or not, hopefully this provides you with a bit of inspiration for planet friendly alternatives to imported blooms.
