You’re likely familiar with sustainable food and energy sources because you hear about them in the news all the time. But did you know that, depending on the grower and florist, some flowers are more sustainable than others? At Bice’s Florist, we’re committed to providing Fort Worth and the surrounding communities with stunning floral designs comprised of responsibly grown and sourced blooms.

Are Some Flowers Really More Eco-Friendly Than Others?

The sustainability of a flower depends on the way it’s grown, sourced, and shipped. Rapidly grown blooms are produced with artificial lights, harmful pesticides, and unnatural fertilizers. These flowers are a drain on natural resources, energy, and can be harmful to the environment and people. When these flowers are shipped over long distances, they generate an exacerbated carbon footprint.

Eco-friendly flowers are grown naturally with regular sunlight, safe pesticides, and natural fertilizers. Sustainable growers also tend to maintain a smaller distribution radius to reduce the overall impact of shipping.

How Eco-Conscious Is Your Florist? 5 Sustainable Floristry Practices

1. Promotes Seasonal Blooms

When flowers are naturally in-season, they’re at their freshest, most beautiful, and most affordable price. They’re also more sustainably grown.

2. Sources Flowers Locally

Sustainable florists order their stock of flowers from local suppliers to minimize shipping impact.

3. Refills Vases

Eco-conscious florists are always happy to refill vases and other containers. We also encourage our high-volume clients (businesses and events) to either reuse their vases or return them once their flowers are spent.

4. Uses Recyclable Materials

Eco-friendly florists use recyclable materials whenever possible. For example, wrapping bouquets in paper instead of plastic and delivering corsages and boutonnieres in compostable containers rather than plastic clamshells.

5. Never Wastes Flowers

Rather than throw away unused blooms, sustainable florists donate leftovers to hospitals and nursing homes.

What You Can Do to Improve Your Bouquet’s Sustainability

With regard to sustainability, the more use you can get out of anything, the better. You can enjoy your beautiful bouquets for years if you preserve them. We recommend either pressing your flowers or hanging them to dry and then displaying them in a safe, moisture-free place in your home. If you’d prefer not to dry your flowers, then it’s best to give them a second life through composting. Every part of your flowers and foliage are fully compostable. Use them to fertilize your own garden or drop them off at a community garden plot.

The biggest thing you can do to ensure the sustainability of flowers you purchase as a gift or for an event is to order from a local florist. This will significantly reduce the impact of your flower delivery and guarantee you receive the freshest flowers available in your area. Plus, you’ll be bolstering the local economy and can rest easy knowing you’re supporting a florist you can trust. To learn more about how Bice’s Florist practices sustainable floristry, we welcome you to contact our flower shop.