Growing flowers organically

Until recently, there were limited interactions between the cut flower industry and the organics movement. With the exception of dedicated plant breeders, the mainstream and popular flowers were largely grown in chemically treated soils with the assistance of toxic insecticides and spreading agents. In the flower plantations of developing nations, many of these materials are applied so indiscriminately that there is an adverse impact upon the local environment.

There are international health surveys which detail neurological and respiratory problems caused by elevated levels of chemical exposure. With the knowledge that some overseas flower plantations utilise child labour, the ethical consumer is obliged to consider purchasing an alternative product. If requested, reputable florists can provide flowers which were raised organically, in healthy soils. These will often be sourced from local producers who specialise in growing small quantities of native or well acclimatised plants. Due to variable demand, consumers of organically certified flowers should be prepared to pay higher prices and to accept a modest range compared with those grown conventionally.

The obvious alternative to cut flowers is an abundant supply of living blossoms. These can be planted as decorative ground cover, feature items, as potted specimens, and indoor arrangements. It’s only a decade ago when it was difficult to locate good quality nursery stock with organic certification. This is no longer apparent, since most popular flower varieties can be purchased directly online from organically certified plant breeders. Many of the specialist plant societies now contain members dedicated to organic principles. In open competition, organically grown orchids, roses, and tulips, all compare favourably against their rivals. While conventionally grown specimens produce large flowers which are brilliant in colour, they sometimes lack the genuinely healthy appearance and smell of organic flowers.

Flowers have the ageless appeal of luxury and sensuous pleasure. During certain periods of human history, flower gardens were perceived as the exclusive privilege of ruling classes. While peasant farmers toiled for humble grain crops, aristocratic overlords developed private estates decorated with rare and exotic blooms. In Victorian times, the art of floral arrangement was developed into an elaborate and ritualised form of social communication. Today, flowers continue to provide symbolic meaning at significant occasions such as weddings, funerals, christenings, and remembrance ceremonies. A North American study investigating links between flowers and life satisfaction found that flower recipients reported feeling less depressed, and received a boost in their self esteem scores.

Choosing to grow flowers is the surest way to invite an additional dimension of form, brightness, and fragrance into the organic garden. A selection of flowering annuals and perennials can be tailored to suit almost any garden situation. They are widely used to develop the shape and structure of a decorative garden. Flowers can provide definition for selected areas, or draw attention away from others. With careful planting, they will influence the perception of distance, making an area seem larger or smaller than it actually is. A warm colour scheme with arrangements of red, orange, yellow, and gold flowers is invigorating and cheerful but tends to advance toward the eye and make an area appear smaller.

Cool schemes with lots of blue, green, purple, and violet flowers are calming and reflective. These colours retreat from the eye and make an area appear more expansive than it actually is. Flowering plants should be chosen for the shape and texture of their leaves, perhaps developing some interesting contrast between broad and coarse as against fine and feathery foliage types. The most appropriate selection will also depend upon coordinating appropriately with the colours, shapes, and textures of nearby buildings, pathways, fences, and other decorative features.