What are slow flowers?
Slow Flowers is the name of a movement, a book, and now, an online resource to connect floral customers with American floral designers who take the “no imports” pledge.
Why is this important? Increasingly, people are asking: Where were these flowers grown? How far did they have to travel to get here? I want to meet the farmer!
When you choose locally-grown, American flowers, they are in-season and definitely more sustainable than any product that was shipped here on jumbo jets from another continent. We want to help you find the best U.S. floral designers who are committed to sourcing from American flower farms. Together, we can Help American Flowers Flourish!
Photos from Dandelion Ranch: All about drought tolerant low-water displays from local growers.
Your Options Are Blooming
Reprinted from LA Times by
Slowflowers.com is the brainchild of garden and design writer Debra Prinzing, author of the book "Slow Flowers: Four Seasons of Locally Grown Bouquets From the Garden, Meadow and Farm." (Prinzing also is a Los Angeles Times contributor.)
Prinzing said she was inspired to create the database after receiving repeated requests at her speaking engagements for sustainable florists. "People are always asking me, 'How do I find these florists so I know that their flowers are seasonal and, preferably, locally grown?'" Prinzing said.
Prinzing said the launch of SlowFlowers dovetails with the shift in consumer attitudes toward more conscious buying habits.
"You should be able to know the origins of the flowers you order for a loved one," Prinzing said. "You should be assured that the bouquet you carry down the aisle was grown by an American flower farmer. You should know that jobs are being created and nurtured in your community through your floral purchases."
Prinzing is financing the site with her own funds and from money raised on the crowd-funding platform Indiegogo. She said she will not be charging users or taking a cut or percentage of purchases. She hopes to unveil a Beta version with a database of 100 florists by Valentine's Day.
Eco-conscious flower-buying: A guide to sources
More eco-conscious, American-grown sources for Valentine's Day:
California Blooms: Farm-direct roses grown on California's Central Coast. www.californiablooms.com
California Organic Flowers: Valentine's Day offerings include a mixed bouquet of field-grown anemones and Tazetta narcissus. www.californiaorganicflowers.com
Dandelion Ranch: Drought-tolerant and low-water displays from local growers, made with environmentally friendly materials. www.dandelionranch.com
Farm Girl Flowers: Seasonal flowers from local growers located within 200 miles of San Francisco. www.farmgirlflowers.com
Lila B. Floral & Events: Sustainable, often locally grown plants and flowers from a certified San Francisco Green Business. www.lilabdesign.com
Lily Lodge: Pesticide-free organic flowers from small growers in Chino, Camarillo and Goleta. www.lilylodge.com
Marigold and Mint: Seasonal flowers, often with products from the florist's organic farm in Seattle. www.marigoldandmint.com
NYC Farm Chic Flowers: Modern "farm chic" arrangements made with seasonal, domestic only (local when available) flowers. www.nycfarmchicflowers.com
TerraBella Flowers: Seattle eco florist, sourcing local, sustainable and organically grown flowers. www.terrabellaflowers.com
