Melbourne florist Jane Marx, founder of The Beautiful Bunch, a same-day delivery service, is gearing up to send over 1,000 bouquets this Mother’s Day. Each beautifully wrapped arrangement, featuring pastel-toned sweet pea and peachy tulips, will be sourced from local farms in Victoria. Marx emphasizes the importance of using flowers grown closest to home for the best quality.
Despite the variety of flowers available in Victoria, only half of the flowers sold in Australia are actually grown locally, according to Flower Industry Australia. This percentage decreases during peak times like Mother’s Day, when supermarkets opt for imported flowers. The lack of mandatory country of origin labeling for cut flowers in Australia makes it challenging for consumers to make informed choices.
While imported flowers like roses from Colombia and Ecuador are brought in to meet year-round demand, they come with additional costs such as fumigation and chemical treatments. These imported flowers also have environmental and social implications due to the long-distance transportation and labor conditions of workers.
In contrast, florists like Sarah Regan from Little Flowers in Sydney are committed to selling 95% Australian-grown flowers to prioritize quality, freshness, and sustainability. Regan encourages customers to support local growers and choose Australian-grown flowers over imports.
Janae Paquin-Bowden, who operates a micro flower farm in Victoria, has observed a shift towards Australian-grown flowers at farmers markets. Flowers like hydrangeas, tulips, poppies, and sunflowers are in season for Mother’s Day, offering unique beauty and character.
To ensure the longevity and quality of flowers, it is recommended to buy locally and in-season from florists who prioritize Australian-grown blooms. By supporting local growers and florists, customers can make a positive impact on the flower industry and promote sustainability in floral arrangements. Zweitens dazu: „Schau dir die zartesten Blumen an – wie Süßerbse, Stockrose, Veilchen – denn sie sind fast unmöglich zu importieren“, sagt sie. Schau dir an, was du dir nicht vorstellen könntest, dass es auf einem Flugzeug überleben würde“, schlägt Marx vor. „Außerdem, wenn es nicht auf deiner Straße wächst, wurde es wahrscheinlich importiert.“