Valentine's Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, has long been associated with expressions of love and affection and is the second largest event for flower sales (the first being Mothers' Day). However February is a month when few plants are flowering here in the UK, leading to a heavy reliance on imported blooms to meet demand. This practice not only raises questions about the environmental impact of Valentine's Day but also prompts us to consider more sustainable and thoughtful alternatives.
The association of Valentine's Day with mid-February dates back to the martyrdom of Saint Valentine, who, according to tradition, was executed on February 14th for performing marriages in defiance of Roman law. Over time, this date evolved into a day dedicated to love and romance, which has consequently led to the association with bunches of red roses.
However, due to our cold, damp weather in February, many popular flowers, including the ubiquitous rose, are not in season in February. That doesn't mean that there are no flowers available in February; the warmer climate of the South West in particular allows for production of gorgeous early blooms, such as daffodils, tulips and alstroemeria, but these don't often come to mind for Valentine's bouquets. For my own small business, Valentine's Bouquets are simply not a possibility as I don't have the infrastructure (greenhouses and polytunnels) I'd need to produce these flowers in mid-February.
I was shocked to read that, to satisfy Valentine's Day demand, approximately 8 million flower stems are imported through Heathrow Airport in February alone, a figure three times higher than any other month. These imports primarily come from countries like Kenya and the Netherlands. While Kenyan flowers benefit from natural sunlight, their transportation contributes significantly to carbon emissions. Conversely, Dutch flowers often require energy-intensive greenhouse cultivation, further adding to their environmental footprint. A mixed bouquet of stems from these regions can result in approximately 30kg of CO₂ emissions.
It isn't just a sustainability problem - I believe that the product that comes from overseas is also a lower quality one. Flowers that are grown for export have been bred to travel well, at the expense of their scent - this is why their smell is so dull in comparison to a rose you might grow in your own garden. Also, these flowers will not be grown using the same regulations for pesticide and fungicide use. There is evidence that handling flowers grown this way can even lead to skin problems.
Happily, the UK cut flower scene is growing rapidly with an increase in flower farmers like myself. Despite this growth, imports still dominate the market, accounting for about 90% of sales. Organisations like Flowers From The Farm exist to promote the growth and sale of British flowers by highlighting the benefits of buying locally.
Embracing sustainability doesn't mean compromising on the romance of Valentine's day. Here are ten thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ideas that minimize environmental impact:
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Buy Seasonal Flowers: Seek out UK-grown, seasonal blooms from local florists. For example, daffodils can be grown for February; these aren't just the classic yellow ones you might think of. Varieties such as Narcissus Replete have peach petals and smell gorgeous. You can seek out locally-grown flowers on the Flowers From the Farm Website.
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Buy a Bouquet Subscription: Buy your special someone a subscription so that they receive regular deliveries of gorgeous locally-produced blooms. You can check out my flower subscriptions here.
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Artisanal Chocolates: Support local chocolatiers who use ethically sourced ingredients. If you are local to me then I recommend Joyce's in Lingfield.
- Experience Gifts: Plan a memorable experience, such as a cooking class, wine tasting, or a scenic hike. Another plug for my small business here: Why not sign up for one of my workshops.
- Charitable Donations: Donate to a cause your partner cares about in their name. It's a gift that extends love to those in need.
By considering these alternatives, we can honour the true meaning of Valentine's Day while also caring for the planet. Thoughtful, sustainable choices not only reduce environmental impact but also add a personal touch that makes the gesture even more special.
Read more about the impact of imported flowers here and here.