In nature, flowers exist for reproductive purposes. But, for humans, they’ve been a source of awe and inspiration for centuries. For Georgia O’Keefe, they were her ever-generous subjects. In “A New Earth,” spiritual teacher and author, Eckhart Tolle, writes: “When you are alert and contemplate a flower, crystal or a bird without naming it mentally, it becomes a window for you into the formless. There is an inner opening, however slight, into the realm of the spirit.” The giving and receiving of flowers has traditionally symbolized love and a positive gesture towards intimacy. But, as with anything that is produced en masse, the floral industry has negative implications on human health and the health of our planet. So, the next time you go to the bodega, or the supermarket or even your local florist to buy flowers, I invite you to ask - where have these come from?
That mystery is revealed this week during my conversation with Elena Seegers, a designer, botanist and florist, and an advocate for slow flowers, a movement started by florist Debra Prinzing for people who are interested in supporting local, domestically-sourced flowers. In this episode we discuss the dark side of imported flowers, why most conventionally grown roses don’t have a scent, the little-known, but toxic monopoly that is floral foam, the slow flower movement and the leaders of sustainable florals who are making a difference, and how to shop for flowers in an ethical way. You’ll also learn why Valentine’s Day is actually the worst time to buy flowers.
This conversation blew my mind in the best way and I know you’ll appreciate this knowledge the next time you have the power to choose what and how you buy flowers!
QUOTES:
“You have to be a very peculiar person to work with flowers and not be fundamentally nice.” - Elena Seegers
“If you have a band around the center of the world, that’s where most of the floral production happens.” - Elena Seegers
“If you want a peony in January, they all come from Australia.” - Elena Seegers
“Scent is costly to a flower in that it takes a lot of energy for it, so that the more a flower smells, the less long it will last.” - Elena Seegers
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SHOW NOTES:
- On growing up in a small town in Southwest France
- The story behind the creation of her blog - Le Fleuriste
- How an internship at the Ritz turned Elena away from traditional floristry
- Botanical Agency - Elena’s artistic practice working with plants on an exhibition-type basis
- An introduction to the Slow Flower Movement
- What’s floral foam? And why is it so toxic?
- How the American government encouraged the rose industry in Columbia in order to dissuade people from cultivating cocoa for cocaine
- Why the global rose industry is detrimental to local populations
- Why most conventionally grown roses don’t have scent
- The most wasteful parts of the design and agricultural aspects of the floral industry
- How Garbage Goddess is creating a low waste option for floral design
- How Elena ensures that she wastes as little as possible when she produces events
- Why there isn’t more of a public outcry about waste and pesticide use in the floral industry
- How to shop for flowers in a sustainable way
- The Slow Flower Movement and the American Grown dinner series
- Floral foam - the worst!!!
- Little known facts about indoor plants
- Flowers make us feel good
- Why buying flowers during Valentine’s Day is the worst time to buy flowers
- Did you some flowers are GMO?
- Elena’s hack for inexpensive, sustainable flowers
- Elena’s favorite flower
- Where to go if you’re interested in learning more about slow flowers and the Slow Flower Movement
- Elena and Simon’s original idea for Le Fleuriste
- The difference between native and non-native flowers and where to find them
- The Last Five Questions!
THE LAST 5 QUESTIONS:
1. What is your favorite place in nature? My parent’s in the south of France.
2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most? Salt!
3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives? Use the greens on the top of your vegetables.
4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you? Interconnectivity. The fact that each being is a big multicellular bag of different organisms and bacteria.
5. Nature brings me…Home.
