She grips the fresh green stems with both hands, bringing them toward her face for a deep, appreciative inhale – and smiles. “They’re perfect,” she says.

Mothers, wives, friends and lovers have long been recipients of beautiful blooms whose soft petals and vibrant colors brighten up any room – especially on a could-be-rainy spring day in Chicago. Whether celebrating Mother’s Day, birthdays or anniversaries floral gifts are a go-to favorite. This year, before taking a deep whiff, consider local or organic flowers.

“The final step for a bouquet of roses coming from Colombia,” said local florist Lynn Fosbender, “Is to dip them in fungicide.”

Fosbender, owner of Pollen Floral Design studio in Chicago, has grown her business on sustainable values – focusing on products that were grown in environmentally and socially responsible ways as much as possible – fungicide not included. These criteria are especially important for VeriFlora certification, which lets consumers know that their flowers meet sustainable requirements even when it’s too cold to grow them in the Midwest. Growers in California, the Netherlands and South America are all viable sources for sustainable flowers with the VeriFlora stamp of approval. Certification is administered by Scientific Certification Systems and exists as a third party check on farmers claiming to grow eco-friendly products. Fosbender emphasizes the value of knowing where your flowers have been before bringing them in to your home, as well as the added quality of a locally grown product. Check out the local farmer’s market or the nearest Whole Foods Market for certified stems.

Calling a flower “organic” is a complex issue because flowers are not food items and do not follow the same criteria as USDA organic food. At Blooming of Beloit, a local flower farm in Beloit, Wisc, owner Shlomo Danieli says they focus on growing flowers in harmony with nature.

“We work with whatever nature gives us,” Danieli said, “We do not use green houses, so we end up with a line of products that can grow here naturally and harvest at a natural blooming time.” He explained that the only artificial help they depend on is an irrigation system. This ensures the flowers will not suffer a drought, in the event it hasn’t rained for four to five days.

Eight months of the year, Blooming of Beloit distributes homegrown flowers to local wholesalers in Chicagoland as well as the Whole Foods Market franchise. The blooming cycle starts at the end of April with lilacs, peonies, foxtail lilies and ornamental alliums. By June, hydrangeas will be in full bloom all the way through September. From August to November, expect a large selection of ornamental berries including viburnums, rose hips, crab apples, winter berries and bittersweets that look great around the Thanksgiving table. Lastly as the weather starts to cool, twigs like dogwood and curly willows become popular from November through December.

At the local Whole Foods, find a selection of lilacs, peonies, alliums or twigs that come from Blooming of Beloit farms almost year round. With deliveries three times per week, the quality and shelf life of a domestic flower is greater than anything imported. In addition, the time and energy used to bring a local product to the consumer is minimized, which results in higher quality flowers.

The price difference between conventional and organic produce is often the biggest turn-off for those considering locally harvested food. However, the same is not true for local flowers. The true beauty of the eco-flower is that there’s virtually no price increase to the consumer. Take a comparison of seasonal lily bouquets from two online flower services: 1-800-Flowers.com and OrganicBouquet.com. The bouquets vary in quality and size, but a price comparison will provide a general idea. From 1-800-Flowers.com, mixed bouquets of lilies range from about $29.99 - $69.99. OrganicBouquet.com, based in Florida, ships mixed lily arrangements for about $39.95 - $79.95. Since the price difference is marginal, the real tradeoff between locally grown and imported plants is the availability and selection. For example, you won’t find tropical flowers at the local farmer’s market, but an import could supply virtually anything you desire.

Lynn Fosbender of Pollen Floral Design says she doesn’t charge extra for her eco-friendly floral services, while some florists may boost the price tag for the tedious task of tracking down sustainable blooms in the off-season. Getting into wedding season, eco-conscious floral services could run the average couple on a modest budget anywhere from $1500 - $2500 with Pollen, which is comparable to other area florists. As the season continues, Fosbender says to look for an abundance of hydrangeas in Chicagoland.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, consider stopping by a local market or the neighborhood Whole Foods to scope the selection of local flowers. The number one item coming from Blooming of Beloit farms will be French hybrid lilacs – available in seven colors. Other local options this spring are ornamental alliums, snowball viburnums, lilies and peonies.

Get More Info:

Blooming of Beloit, Wisconsin
www.da-sh.com

Pollen Floral Design Studio
www.greenfloristchicago.com