Best of British blooms

How many times have bought cut flowers, or even been gifted them and thought about where they were grown?

We like to support every sector of the British farming industry so we don’t just focus on the origin of the food we eat, but also the impact of our day to day decisions, including flowers.

Fresh cut flowers play an important role in the British farming industry contributing to 16,000 jobs and providing £750 million to the economy every year. UK grown flowers have experienced a surge in demand and this year 14% of the flowers sold in the UK were grown here. However, it is still the norm for supermarket cut flowers to be imported, with many bunches travelling over 3000 miles.

You may ask well why does it matter?

• British flowers do not have to travel such long distances to get to you, resulting in a fresher product which will last longer in the vase looking beautiful.

• Reduced distances to market mean the flower miles are far lower, having a reduced environmental impact on transport and refrigeration. The average Valentines bouquet travels 4365 miles.

• There are lots of beautiful seasonal flowers in the UK to make the most of. All of which will support biodiversity and provide food and habitat to a huge variety of butterflies, bugs, and bees.

• Just like food, we should care about where our flowers are from and ethical production. By buying local flowers you support the economy and those closest to home.

• British flowers smell as nature intended unlike mass-produced varieties that have been selected and bred over many years for their longevity, colour and shape.

What varieties should I buy to support British flower growers this Summer?

All these growers are suppliers for our friends at Freddie’s Flowers:

• Sue Lamb – Stocks & Phlox*
• Simon Redden – Iris*
• Henry and Charles Robinson – Sunflowers* & Sweet Williams*
• Lance Whittington – Alliums*
• Gordon Flint – Peonies

* Bee friendly