Here in the Nation’s Capital, we saw the newspaper of record shining a spotlight on flowers in the days before Valentine’s Day. Perhaps that is no surprise, since the holiday is number one in floral sales in the United States. What was interesting was the information presented on the environmental impact of imported flowers, as well as suggested alternatives both to imported flowers and to giving flowers at all.
In two opinion pieces published on February 12, 2024, readers of The Washington Post learned about the damaging carbon footprint from flowers grown in other countries and imported by air to us. A story on February 12th and another on February 14th offered alternatives to imported flowers, and highlighted a retail shop that features only locally grown flowers and foliage.
Visual Opinions Journalist Amanda Shendruk, in her essay, “Why giving roses on Valentine’s Day – or any day – is really a bad idea,” cited a study on the carbon dioxide equivalent of various consumer good. The study found that a mixed bouquet of cut flowers from Kenya and the Netherlands used nearly twice the CO2e as a steak raised in Brazil. The article is accompanied by clear illustrations by Michelle Kondrich depicting the process of importing flowers, along with the CO2e impacts of flowers, steak, rice, strawberries, and bananas, in descending order of impact.
Drew Goings in his article, “Your Valentine’s bouquet is killing the planet. XOXO!” echoed those statistics, and, in a short interview with Shendruk, we learn that the perishability of flowers necessitates they be flown to the United States. Other goods with a longer shelf-life can go by ship, which has a lower environmental impact. Goings suggests giving gifts other than flowers, or seeking out local flowers, or even growing your own flowers, although that might be tough for the novice to do in time for a winter holiday like Valentine’s Day.
Continuing the idea of alternative to imported flowers, Reporter Karen Hugg, advises living plants, in “5 fragrant, flowering houseplants for your Valentine.”
Last, Local Reporter Emily Davis highlights Little Acre Flowers, a retail shop in Dupont Circle that sources only flowers and foliage grown locally. Amber Flack, owner of Little Acre, is a member of IFDA. The article focuses on winter-grown tulips produced by Katie and Daniel Burke of Port City Flowers in Alexandria, but also mentions other local flowers currently available such as white forsythia, ornamental kale, and snapdragons. Davis gives fun snapshot of the journey of tulips from grower, to the designer, to the customer.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/02/14/dc-tulips-valentines-day-alexandria-basement/
Reading all four of these articles suggests that consumers are interested in the environmental impact of their purchases – so interested, in fact, that they will consider altering their buying practices by seeking other local flowers or changing what they give entirely. That spotlight may shine ever brighter as more people become concerned about the health of our planet.
What’s Available Locally in February: This list is by no means comprehensive, just a sampling of what growers in our area may have this month.
Dusty Miller, Eucalyptus, White Forsythia, Yellow Forsythia, Ivy, Ornamental Kale, Paperwhites, Quince, Salix, Snapdragons, Stock, Tulips, Sweet William. Also ask your local growers about dried flowers!
Care Tips for Tulips – Thanks to two Northern flower farmers, Little Farmhouse Flowers and von Trapp Flowers, many growers have learned how to produce winter tulips through their training course called The Tulip Workshop. With winter grown tulips as well as field grown, here in the DMV, local tulips can be purchased from January into May. Tulips come in all colors and varieties, including doubles, fringed, singles, and parrots. Floral preservatives are not needed, and vase life is typically a week. Tulips can be stored for up to two weeks dry, with the bulb attached. Tulips continue to grow after being cut, even in the cooler. If you are storing them for an extended period, keep the cooler at 32 to 35 degrees F to slow the growth.
Lisa Derx serves as the Local Flowers Liaison for IFDA.