Slow Flowers: Why they matter and why you should buy them

Mar 11

Flowers matter. Whether you are looking to make a beautiful floral statement at your wedding, or simply looking for a bouquet to brighten your home, there’s no question that flowers make any occasion all the more special. But according to Slow Flower advocates, it turns out there are some important things to consider before you make your next floral purchase.

“…sweet flowers are slow…”

William Shakespeare

Slow Flowers

The Slow Flower movement was inspired by the same philosophical tenets of the similarly named Slow Food and Slow Fashion movements. It suggests we take a long hard look at where our flowers come from and who grows them—for the health of the planet and our health as well!

Top 10 Reasons to Buy Slow Flowers

Here are the top 10 reasons for buying slow flowers. Warning: You may never look at those grocery store bouquets the same way again. And that’s a good thing.

Safety
Slow Flower farmers use sustainable, organic growing practices to maintain the overall health of their farm’s ecosystem and the health of their flowers. On the other hand, conventional store-bought bouquets are often laden with cancer causing chemicals. The National Wildlife Federation reports there is virtually “no limit” on the amount of pesticides used by floral importers. Roughly 78% of US cut flowers are imported from other countries. Importers are required to pass strict inspection requirements and as a result, use untold amounts of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides on their flowers to ensure that they get to market as quickly as possible.
Itty Bitty Footprint
Supporting local flower farmers means your flowers’ travel times are relatively small, unlike imported flowers that require large amounts of fossil fuels to get to where they are going, which leads to the next point about quality...
Quality
Because your flowers don’t have to travel far, they are usually cut within a day or so of your purchase, your flowers are fresher & perkier and will likely last longer than conventional bouquets.
Ethically Grown
Most flower farmers grow organically which means happier healthier soils, water, flowers & pollinators. Amy Stewart’s 2007 expose on the flower industry revealed the dark underbelly of what it means to grow flowers hard and fast. Flower Confidential uncovered a plethora of sketchy things including substandard working conditions for laborers, wide scale overuse of chemicals, and a whole lot of genetic engineering to name a just of few.
More Economical
Because there is less cost to factor in (transport, middlemen, etc..) overall, most slow flower farms can offer much more reasonable pricing on their flowers. Many farmers are in a better position to negotiate prices for large ticket items like weddings and celebrations, and some even offer beautiful, on-site venue options. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Locally Focused
Supporting your local flower farmer helps to sustain your local economy. Studies show that 70% of every dollar you spend locally stays local. That’s hard to beat, especially in times like these!
Relationship Oriented
Flower farmers are special people. According to Debra Prizing, author of Slow Flowers and host of the Slow Flower Podcast, developing a relationship with your local farmers is often a natural and “magical” part of the process.
Seasonal
Slow Flowers means seasonal flowers. There is a certain magic that comes from focusing on what nature has to offer in any particular season, whether that’s the fresh colors of spring, or the fiery palette of autumn. People tend to fixate on certain types of flowers, but there is so much more to discover when we think seasonally. You will likely find new beauty in flowers you never knew existed or maybe even rediscover some old favorites from childhood--like the sweet peas in your grandmother’s garden. Remember those fragrant beauties?
Supporting What You Value
Choosing a slow flower bouquet says, “I’ve made a conscious choice. It’s a choice that reflects my support of a healthier lifestyle for my planet and for myself.”
Healthier You
Fresh, chemical free flowers offer serious health benefits to you and your environment. Fresh flowers have been known to decrease depressive tendencies, reduce stress, increase compassion, reduce pain, boost memory, improve your concentration, help you heal faster and clean the air!