why sustainability?
If flowers are a organic material, why do we need sustainable floristry? After five years of working in the floral industry, I've seen first hand the waste and misuse of industry materials. Traditional floral foams are never truly biodegradable, leak toxins and are harmful to aquatic life. There is excess plastics in flower packaging, and unnecessary chemicals used daily. I recognize that a lot of the modern materials, while a commodity, aren't good for our planet. My goal is to have as minimal an impact on our environment as possible while still showcasing the beauty of flowers. Read further to see what I'm doing different!
"no" to foam
Since floral foam is so harmful to our planet, I feel strongly it shouldn't belong with your flowers. I may use an alternative foam made from corn by-products, which is biodegradable in 60 days. I also use traditional mechanics, such as flower frogs, kenzans, and chicken wire. I am proudly #nofloralfoam!
Photo: Good Co Studios
local flowers
To combat transportation related carbon emissions and chemical and plastic waste, I choose to support local flower farmers. Most farms I partner with grow organic flowers, with no chemicals. During the summer months, I grow a large variety of flowers on our own flower farm and prioritize buying local, seasonal blooms. This also means fresher, more reliable flowers that haven't traveled thousands of miles!
composting
Instead of throwing our organic waste in the garbage to go to landfill, I choose to compost leftover stems and foliages. I return this compost to the land on our micro flower farm, as a natural fertilizer.
chemical-free
From seed to bloom, the flower industry uses a lot of chemicals to bring flowers to you. Many of these are shipping related, to combat decay and promote longevity. However, it leads to excessive chemical waste. I use organically grown flowers whenever possible, and choose not to process or finish my designs with treatments. I have found no noticeable difference between treated and untreated flowers, so I made the decision to go chemical-free!
Photo: Kemper Mills Fant Photography
rentals
I offer many rental items to reduce single-use waste that often generated from celebrations. This also reduces your costs up front. Available to rent are budvases, centerpiece containers, pedestals, arches, and more!
Photo: Good Co Studios