Flowers are one of the greatest gifts from Mother Nature. Their beauty, scent, color, shape….all so varied yet stunning. Plus, once a floral design experts get their hands on flowers and create awe-inspiring arrangements, it truly is a remarkable gift. Many of us, though, don’t stop to think where the flowers came from or how they were harvested and if getting them into your hands was in any way detrimental to the environment. Well, we can’t speak for the large, huge-conglomerate nationally operated flower chains, but if you purchased your flowers from a local flower shop like us here at Walter Knoll Florist, the premier florist for St. Louis, they more than likely your flowers were sourced in an eco-friendly manner and by a shop that practices sustainable forestry.

What Is Sustainable Floristry?

Sustainable floristry is a drive that has evolved over several years that encourages florists to environmentally responsible and work to reduce their carbon footprint. The sourcing of flowers from far away countries has a negative impact on the environment. By practicing sustainable floristry, small flower shops are doing their part to reduce and eliminate the harmful effects of bringing beautiful flowers into your home.

How Florists Are Practicing Sustainable Floristry

Sourcing Slow Flowers

Slow Flowers refer to floral products which are grown close to home and done so in an environmentally friendly manner – meaning no harmful pesticides, fair wages, and minimal waste. Purchasing flowers from local farms not only cuts down on the pollution of bringing flowers in from other countries, but it also helps to support local economies.

Avoiding Floral Foam

Green floral foam has been an asset to florists in the creation of the designs for over half a century. However, this one-time use plastic is composed of harmful elements such as black carbon and formaldehyde – items dangerous to humans too. Floral foam is not biodegradable and is clogging up our oceans, killing marine life, and overall is just a very harmful product to the planet. Avoiding it at all costs is paramount. Florists have been using more natural substitutes such as twigs, moss, re-usable chicken wire, and other creative natural product for their designs.

Addition Green Practices of Florists

• Partnering with eco-friendly farms that practice sustainable farming
• Reduce waster through recycling and composting
• Conserve water, electricity, and gas by using energy-efficient coolers and lights and battery-operated vehicles for deliveries
• Reduce the use of plastic by using recyclable materials for wrapping flowers
• Repurpose leftover flowers through shop specials of donation

Why It Matters

It matters because we need to negate the negative impact large farming has on the environment. It matters because we want the joy and beauty of flowers to be cherished by many more generations to come. It matters because all products should be sourced and/or created without significant damage to the earth. Living in harmony with nature ensures the gifts Mother Nature gives us will continue on in the future.

Sustainable floristry is one way to ensure the symbiotic relationship we have with our environment stays balanced and in good shape. Flowers are one of the greatest gifts from the planet and florists who know this practice earth-friendly methods in their business.

If you’d like more information on sustainable floristry or other ways in which we are helping the environment, please contact us.