The Real Cost of Flowers – And Why Local, Seasonal Blooms Matter
🌹 “They’re just flowers”… or are they?
We all love the joy that fresh flowers bring — the colour, the scent, the beauty. But what if the bouquet sitting on your table has travelled thousands of kilometres, been sprayed with harsh chemicals, and been picked by someone working in unfair or unsafe conditions?
That’s the reality behind many imported flowers.
At Blossom and Blaze Floral, we do things differently. And here's why it matters.
✈️ The journey of imported flowers — at what cost?
Most imported flowers (especially roses) are grown overseas in countries with lower production costs. They’re often flown thousands of kilometres to reach your local florist. That long-haul journey involves:
Massive carbon emissions from air freight.
Refrigerated storage and chemical preservatives to keep them from wilting in transit.
Packaging waste, including single-use plastics.
By the time these blooms reach you, they may already be a week old and stripped of their natural fragrance — not to mention their environmental toll.
🧪 The hidden chemicals
To meet strict biosecurity standards, many imported flowers are fumigated or dipped in chemicals before entering Australia. These may include fungicides, pesticides, and preservatives — which also pose health risks to the workers handling them.
Even once in your home, those residues may still be present. That’s not exactly the kind of magic we want flowers to bring.
🤲 Who picked your flowers?
Many overseas flower farms rely on labour practices that wouldn’t be acceptable in Australia:
Low wages and minimal job security.
Lack of protective equipment when working with chemicals.
Inadequate health and safety standards.
As highlighted in this powerful ABC article, the cost of cheap flowers is too often paid by someone else — with their health and wellbeing.
🌸 Why Blossom and Blaze Floral is different
At Blossom and Blaze, we believe florals should be wildly beautiful and deeply meaningful — not wasteful or unethical. That’s why:
We only use local, seasonal flowers, grown here in Australia — often from nearby farms and trusted growers.
Everything is made to order — so nothing is wasted, and your blooms are fresh from field to vase.
We reuse and repurpose materials, avoiding floral foam and opting for sustainable design methods.
We know our growers personally. We know their practices, their love for the land, and their care for their workers.
Our bouquets aren’t just pretty — they’re ethical, intentional, and crafted with care.
🧠 What you can do:
Ask where your flowers come from.
Support local florists who prioritise seasonal and ethical blooms.
Think beyond the bouquet — consider the story behind your flowers.
When you choose Blossom and Blaze Floral, you’re choosing flowers that feel good, look beautiful, and do better for the planet and the people behind them.
📖 Want to dive deeper?
Read more: The Real Cost of a Rose – ABC News