Imported flowers are all too common here in Australia, and you’ve more than likely had a bunch in your vase at some point. 

The ABC reported that in the winter months, as much as 90% of cut flowers sold in Australia are imports. So why is this happening when we are surrounded by local flower farms? Are imported flowers better than locally grown in any way?

The main appeal of imported flowers is their much lower price point––made possible by low wages and poor working conditions in countries like Kenya and Ecuador. This makes it incredibly hard for local growers to compete price-wise.

However, while you may have to fork out a little more money, there are so many reasons why locally grown flowers are superior to imports.

Local flowers are fresher

Imported flowers are cut a week or more before you receive them, in which time they’ve been dehydrating on a plane and suffered harsh fumigation in quarantine. Their freshness––colour, smell and energy––will decline rapidly once you get them, if it hasn’t already done so. Locally grown flowers on the other hand can last for weeks with proper care. They are cut not long before arriving at the market, sometimes on the same day, or a few days before. Locally-grown flowers will have more vibrant colours, smell stronger and look in better shape overall.

You get seasonal, native flowers

There are plenty of flower varieties that are native to Australia, and only bloom at certain times of the year. Local growers work with Australia’s seasons to provide stunning seasonal flowers that you simply can’t find among imported flowers. Native flowers like waratahs, banksias, kangaroo paws and flannel flowers have become more popular choices for wedding bouquets, statement arrangements and gifts, so having access to high quality natives is a must.

Buying local is more sustainable

Imported flowers go through a whole supply chain process before a florist ever gets their hands on them. They’re sourced from farms in developing countries like Kenya and Colombia, before making the long flight to Australia, going through quarantine at the border, then making their way to the wholesaler. 

Local flowers on the other hand, are usually grown not far from the market, and have likely been cut within the last 24hrs when you get your hands on them. The whole process from farm to vase is short, simple and easy to track, meaning a much smaller carbon footprint.

Supporting local farmers

When you purchase from a local grower, you’re not only supporting that business, but you’re supporting your local economy and community. Local farmers will also provide that personal touch, going out of their way to get you the flowers you want, compared to the impersonal sales transactions that happen with imported flowers. 

If you’re in Melbourne and looking to support local growers in the area, we’ve put together a list of a few of our fave local growers for you. 

No toxic chemicals

As most of us who’ve travelled internationally before can attest, Australia takes its biosecurity and quarantine laws very seriously, and flower imports are no exception to this. All imported flowers from overseas are subject to extensive fumigation before they ever reach the wholesaler, often involving toxic, damaging chemicals like methyl bromide and glyphosate to kill off any foreign parasites. It’s wise to handle imported flowers with gloves to protect your skin from traces of these.

On the other hand, Aussie farmers are very restricted on what chemicals they’re allowed to use on their flowers, and many local growers are taking a sustainable, chemical-free approach to growing. This means safer, healthier flowers for you and your customers.

It’s easy to see why we prefer locally grown flowers to imports. They’re fresher, healthier, more sustainable and a great way to support the local economy. All up, they’re the better choice by far.

If you’re interested in delving further into floristry and learning more about the industry, check out our online course, Flower Fundamentals. It’s an easy introduction to commercial floristry and we look at how to make a variety of arrangements, always keeping sustainability and local growers at the forefront.

There has been a resurgence of sustainable, “slow flower” farmers across Australia recently. 

The benefits of buying locally and sustainably grown flowers are endless: lower emissions, supporting local farmers, zero toxic fumigation, and less time travelling––meaning the flowers have more time to look their best!

It’s always worth googling for local growers in your area, but here are ten we love from around Victoria.

Scout’s Garden 

Scout’s Garden is an ethical flower farm located in Beechworth, VIC. They are proudly part of the “slow flower” movement here in Australia, consciously producing sustainable, seasonal flowers. Their flowers have all been lovingly nurtured and carefully handpicked, with a focus on environmentally friendly floral designs!

@scoutsgarden

Belle Àme Flower Farm

Belle Àme Flower Farm are artisan eco florists and growers, located in Drummond, in central Victoria. They specialise in old-fashioned flowers that are chosen for their beauty and scent, and might remind you of being out in grandma’s garden! 

They pride themselves on growing everything from scratch without the use of chemicals, believing that when you care for the soil and the critters in the ground, the rest of the ecosystem will thrive too. Belle Àme sell directly to the public, as well as supplying local florists with bee-friendly, wholesale blooms.

@belleameflowerfarm 

The Rook Blooms

The Rook Blooms is a gorgeous little family run flower farm located in Bullengarook VIC. They provide seasonal, small scale cut flowers to florists and designers, and they specialise in vibrant Dahlias and beautiful Ranunculus! 

@therookblooms

Geelong Flower Farm

Geelong Flower Farm proudly stocks the largest variety of fresh cut flowers in Western Victoria. Their huge range of year-round varieties and seasonal blooms are loved by both the public and the floristry industry throughout Geelong, the Bellarine and the western district.

They are locally owned and operated, and their extensive experience in the horticultural industry means that they are only selecting the best quality flowers!

@geelongflowerfarm

Sunny Hill Flowers

Sunny Hill Flowers is a family owned Aussie business located in Silvan, Victoria. Owner Rob de Wit is a descendant of Dutch bulb growers, and he and his wife Mariske are passionate about producing new and distinct varieties of lilies. 

Their climate controlled greenhouses mean that they are not limited by the Australian climate, so the flowers they produce are consistently the best quality, all year round. Sunny Hill’s emphasis on environmental responsibility and standards of production makes them a popular choice for wholesalers and florists in Victoria.

We love Sunny Hill here at Bloom College, and we even take our Career Change Course students on a trip there as part of our Local Growers tour!

@sunnyhillflowers 

Maxiflora

Maxiflora is a sustainable and holistic flower practice based on beautiful Phillip Island. The van der Zwet family are third generation flower growers, who pride themselves on innovating and utilising new technology to sustainably grow, nurture and harvest their flowers.

They take sustainability super seriously! Back in 1995, Maxiflora was the first to start using recycled water, and in just the last year they reduced their plastic packaging by 90%. They share photos of their stunning roses and hydrangeas on Instagram, so be sure to check them out.

@maxiflora_

Crofters Fold

Crofters Fold is a minimal intervention rose and peony farm, located in the beautiful Macedon Ranges at Pipers Creek – just a short fifty minute drive from Melbourne. 

While they also offer a luxury farmstay and their own Pinot Noir, it’s the bee-friendly selection of colourful roses and peonies that attracts florists Victoria wide.

@croftersfold 

Fleurs de Lyonville

Fleurs de Lyonville is a micro flower farm located just an hour north of Melbourne, right next to the Wombat State Forest in the Daylesford and Macedon ranges region.

Their gorgeous selection of bee-friendly flowers ranges from stunning Australian natives to classic cottage blooms, all without using any harsh chemical sprays. They also employ recycling and regenerative practices in their flower farming operations!

@fleurs_de_lyonville 

302 Flowers

302 Flowers are a boutique, family-owned flower farm located in the stunning Macedon Ranges. All of their flowers are sustainably slow grown and chemical-free (super friendly for all those lovely bees!). 

They produce fresh cut banksias, leucadendrons, proteas, dahlias, natives and special, hand-selected unusual blooms for that special touch to their bouquets!

@302flowers 

Grandiflora

Grandiflora is a family-owned rose breeder and grower that has been in business for 65 years. They are Australia’s largest fresh cut rose company, with a selection of more than 100 rose varieties in all shapes, colours and sizes! 

The Grandiflora team has been committed to innovating and keeping up with industry trends since the 50s, bringing in new commercial glasshouses, a vase life testing room and year-round production technology. They love what they do and their beautiful roses are just evidence of that.

@grandifloraroses 

Now, while it can seem like every florist around you is using cheaper, imported flowers, there is a huge community of us who are supporting our local growers and sustainable growing. Our Bloomers Club is a private Facebook group full of like-minded florists––both hobby and professional––who can offer support and wisdom as you navigate your own floristry journey. Click here to check it out and get plugged in.

 

If you’re still on the fence about purchasing locally grown flowers instead of their cheaper, imported counterparts, have a look at this blog we wrote recently about why locally grown is the better choice.