Recently, I had the delight of designing and delivering centerpieces for an end-of-the-year celebration elementary school teachers. This was special for a few reasons; it was an honor to be a part of this event for my alma mater and it was gratifying to be a part of the entire process for every stem from seed to vase. Here are just a few advantages of going local with your blooms.
1. Only the Freshest Flowers Blooms are harvested the day before your event and can be harvested at the ideal stage for extended vase life, not prematurely for a long shipping journey. This means your guests can take arrangements home to enjoy for days after the festivities.
2. Unique Colors & Varieties
Farmer florists can include local flowers and fragrant foliages that don’t ship well - think lemon basil, mahogany splendor, mint, cosmos, dahlias, and zinnias.
3. Invest in Your Community
When you buy locally, the sales tax collected benefits your immediate community. Local growers also support the economy by purchasing growing media, crop protection, fuel, supplies, and more from other local businesses.
As a side note, locally grown event florals are a great fit when you have a flexible color palette (soft pastels, bold & bright) versus one must-have color (dusty rose). The availability of specific flowers also follows the seasons and individual farm growing schedules. While some varieties such as sunflowers are available throughout the season, others have a shorter blooming window, like fall dahlias. Your farmer florist can choose the best colors and textures available at the time to complement your theme. If you have a must-have bloom or color, your farmer florist may be able to source those from another grower or wholesale importer for an additional fee.