"The industry is tied to a lot of slave labour, abuse of workers (majorly women), exposure to harmful chemicals causing ill-health and infertility, and a host of other issues."
My love for arranging flowers began with going for walks and foraging, and picking from my garden.
Just working with whatever was growing around me.
I’ve always felt like the beauty of flowers as they are and as they grow, should be honoured when it comes to arranging them. Rather than manipulating them into something very unnatural looking.
Thus, my style could be called ‘nature/garden inspired’.
Just working with whatever was growing around me.
I’ve always felt like the beauty of flowers as they are and as they grow, should be honoured when it comes to arranging them. Rather than manipulating them into something very unnatural looking.
Thus, my style could be called ‘nature/garden inspired’.
Initially, I had no idea that floristry could be anything other than earth-friendly.
But as I researched, I learnt there were actually significant eco and ethical issues within the industry.
But as I researched, I learnt there were actually significant eco and ethical issues within the industry.
Once I learnt that information, it was a very clear, simple choice for me to work in a way that honoured and cared for the environment and people, rather than going with the flow of the industry at large.
It is very important to me as an individual that my work/business aligns with my values.
I made the decision to source local, seasonal blooms and to steer clear of floral foam right from the beginning of my business (in 2019).
I made the decision to source local, seasonal blooms and to steer clear of floral foam right from the beginning of my business (in 2019).
The first time I went to the Adelaide Flower Markets, I had absolutely no idea where anything came from.
Almost nothing was labelled.
Curious to know where all the flowers came from, I did a bit of research.
I found there’s a lot to be said about imported flowers, but the points which stood out to me most and informed my decision to choose local were:
Almost nothing was labelled.
Curious to know where all the flowers came from, I did a bit of research.
I found there’s a lot to be said about imported flowers, but the points which stood out to me most and informed my decision to choose local were:
There are major ethical issues with the cut flower industry in many of the countries they’re grown in and because of the lack of country of origin labelling, you never know what/who you are buying from.
"The industry is tied to a lot of slave labour, abuse of workers (majorly women), exposure to harmful chemicals causing ill-health and infertility, and a host of other issues."
Imported flowers also have to be doused in massive amounts of chemicals to try and avoid the introduction of pests to Australia.
First, they’re sprayed and fumigated in their country of origin (often with chemicals banned here), then up to 3 more times before they reach our shelves. I’d rather not be handling these all the time, or giving them to my customers and clients.
First, they’re sprayed and fumigated in their country of origin (often with chemicals banned here), then up to 3 more times before they reach our shelves. I’d rather not be handling these all the time, or giving them to my customers and clients.
Plus, despite the amount of chemicals imported flowers are treated with, a lot of non-compliance of biosecurity laws still exists, leading to the introduction of unwanted pests that have, and will continue to have a huge impact on our local environment.
Importing flowers has also had a huge impact on the cut flower industry in Australia leading to the loss and closure of many businesses and farms.
Importing flowers has also had a huge impact on the cut flower industry in Australia leading to the loss and closure of many businesses and farms.
As to the use of floral foam (used by florists as a water source for flower arranging); it is a single-use product, made up of non-biodegradable microplastics.
After it has been used once, it ends up in landfill or waterways.
It also contains known carcinogens.
Not much more needs to be said as to why I choose alternatives!
After it has been used once, it ends up in landfill or waterways.
It also contains known carcinogens.
Not much more needs to be said as to why I choose alternatives!
I love being able to celebrate and serve people with a product and service that is not just beautiful, but full of heart and soul, the stories of hard-working farmers, and the simple joy of one of nature’s most beautiful gifts – without harm to people or environment along the way.
My hope for the future...
I really hope the floristry industry gets more and more on board with choosing locally grown flowers – or at least raising the standard for imported flowers (no tolerance for slave labour, mandating country of origin labelling, etc).
I also hope the use of floral foam and other unsustainable practices in floristry become a thing of the past as people get educated.
I also hope the use of floral foam and other unsustainable practices in floristry become a thing of the past as people get educated.
For florists,
there are so many resources out there to help make the change towards eco/ethical floristry and other
florists (like me!) who will happily share knowledge and experience (I’m forever asking questions of others!), books,
podcasts, YouTube, Facebook groups.
Information sharing between florists who are on the same journey is key!
Information sharing between florists who are on the same journey is key!
For those buying flowers or booking a florist for their wedding or event:
ask your florist or
check out their website to work out how they work and what their values are.
Do your research on imported flowers if you’re curious to know more!
Do your research on imported flowers if you’re curious to know more!
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