Bumble Bee Sleeping in Morning Dew Photo by Tamara's Design

Why Local Flowers?

Why is growing and designing field-grown flowers so important to me, and why is it the best choice for you if you care about quality and sustainability? Supporting our local merchants and farmers is good for every community. But when it comes to buying flowers there are so many other reasons to buy local.

j ellis photography

They Are Truly Local and Fresh

Almost 80 percent of fresh flowers sold in the United States and Canada are not grown in North America. You can easily find wonderfully fresh, long-lasting flowers from local farmers. I make every effort to use local flowers if I don't have all the flowers growing in my own gardens that I need for a particular event, and at the very least that they are American Grown.

They Are Unique

Simply put, commercially produced flowers do not offer the array of varieties that the local flower farmer can. The Local cut flower growers are a passionate group and grow an incredibly diverse selection of flowers, foliage, stems, and fruits. Some flowers such as dahlias, do not ship well.

They Are Responsibly Grown

Every grower I have ever known loves the land, pollinators, and environment as much as they love cultivating a beautiful blossom. It's certainly true in my case. Using integrated pest management, diverse cropping systems, and low-input fertilization programs are in our best interest and yours as well. Our gardens encourage important biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation.

They Smell Better

Just like many vegetables have been bred for mass production, commodity-type flowers have been bred for uniformity and to fit into a box, often losing their natural fragrance in the process. Locally-grown flowers are produced in greater varieties, providing a wide range of colors, forms, and scents.

Monarch on zinnia in the Riverside Garden

~ Photo by Tamara's Design