A bouquet of flowers is always a lovely gift, but have you ever wondered how far it had to travel to reach your vase?
For today’s episode of Ours to Protect, Live 95’s Aislinn travelled to Elton to meet Fiona Cloherty to see her business Doonmoon flowers that sells Irish grown flowers as a more sustainable alternative to an industry heavily dependent on imports.
Why should I buy Irish flowers as opposed to imported ones?
- 80% of flowers sold in the western world are imported from Kenya, Columbia, Vietnam and Ecuador. This is because these counties have long hours of daylight, good growing conditions and the right weather for growing.
- This dependency in importation results in air miles, pesticides, water usage and plastic packaging, meaning your bouquet has had an incredibly high-energy and high-carbon just to get to your vase.
- Imported flowers are not regulated the same way as food products, and toxic chemicals are often used in their production. These pesticides cause destruction to soil, water and the viability of the land.
- Irish grown flowers focus on seasonally-grown and sustainably produced flowers.
- Buying a locally grown flower ensures your bouquet has a much smaller carbon footprint, as well as supporting local growers, thus benefiting our local economy.
What flowers thrive in an Irish garden?
- Sunflowers- a spectacular bloom that benefits the birds alongside guaranteeing to put a smile on your face, once watered regularly they can grow up to six feet to ten feet high if supported with bamboo.
- Tulips– while they aren’t native to Ireland, these striking blooms come in an array of varieties and colours, alongside lasting up to 10 days when cut
- Sea Asters are a beautiful Irish wildflower, commonly found along the coastline and bodies of salty water. These hardy little blossoms can grow on cliff faces and are known for their blue colour on daisy-like blooms with a striking yellow centre.
- Easter Lilies are an iconic flower with a distinct sweet smell. This bulb produces large white trumpet shaped flowers and can grow up to ammeter high, thriving in the moist Irish soil.
Keep reading!
Learn more about Doonmoon Flowers
Learn more about the flower farming industry in Ireland with theFlower Farmers of Ireland
