Being a sustainable florist means making choices that protect the health of people, the earth, and the environment. These are the earmarks of a sustainable florist:

• buys local
• uses seasonal blooms
• uses organic farms
• reduces plastic consumption
• is responsible about waste

Sustainable flowers are produced locally and by season. Spring, Summer, and Fall are ideal times for the purchase and use of sustainable flowers. Most local farms do not grow flowers in the Winter due to weather conditions.

Sustainable flowers may be 1.5% more expensive than mass-produced farm flowers imported from overseas. This is because most domestic flower farmers grow on a much smaller scale, so there may be smaller quantities. Additionally, local flower farms grow seasonally, which limits what is grown and when.

A wildflower is a flower that is grown in the wild and was not intentionally seeded or planted. Most wildflowers are protected. Picking and gathering wildflowers is dictated by the laws of the local city/county. 

However, there are Asheville flowers that are grown in flower field that can be substituted for wildflowers.

Around 70% of the flowers in the grocery store are from South America and Holland. The flowers can be flown 3,000 and trucked even further. They can contain harmful pesticides that cause a multitude of problems. They have a huge carbon footprint.

Local, organic farms do not use harmful pesticides. They employ locals and help stimulate the local economy. Plus, since they are closer, less energy is used transporting them for your Asheville wedding or event.

At Why Not Wildflowers, we use seasonal and locally grown flowers. Ever season has it’s own unique blooms. All flowers are dependent on Mother Nature, so flower availability can vary by season. Here are a few examples of flowers that are typically grown on Asheville flower farms:

• Sunflowers
• Zinnias
• Cosmos
• Strawflowers
• Dahlias
• Snapdragons
• Scabiosa
• Marigolds
• Sweet Annie