florapedia / flower-facts / where do flowers come from
March 31, 2011
Overview
While many plants flower in order to reproduce, flowers for bouquets and floral arrangements are grown specifically for that purpose.Flowersfor cutting are grown in a variety of locales, depending upon the type of flower and the season. Major flower markets and suppliers import flowers year-round, enabling them to sell early spring blossoms and those that thrive in summer’s heat all year.
Shop Best Selling Flowers
Fiesta Bouquet
$95$60 - $128
Shipped in a Gift Box
The Fiesta Bouquet is composed of a lively mix, fit to celebrate any and every moment. With a combination of vibrant flowers, this florist–designed arrangement brings a pop of color and a burst of excitement as soon as it arrives.
Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
Light of My Life Bouquet
$80$50 - $105
Shipped in a Gift Box
The Light of My Life Bouquet blossoms with brilliant color and a sweet sophistication to create the perfect impression! Pink Lilies make the eyes dance across the unique design of this flower bouquet, surrounded by the blushing colors of orange roses, lavender cushion poms, hot pink carnations, and lush greens. Presented in a clear glass vase, this fresh flower arrangement has been created just for you to help you send your sweetest thank you, happy anniversary, or thinking of you wishes.
Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
Beyond Blue Bouquet
$55 - $92
Shipped in a Gift Box
There is something about the shade of blue that brings a sense of calmness and serenity. Our Beyond Blue bouquet is designed with billowing white blooms and pops of bold florals to deliver just the right sentiment for any reason.
Please Note: The bouquet pictured reflects our original design for this product. While we always try to follow the color palette, we may replace stems to deliver the freshest bouquet possible, and we may sometimes need to use a different vase.
Evolution
Flowering plants are the dominant plant type on the planet, ranging from plants that we harvest for cut flower bouquets to those that we eat, like wheat and corn. The fossil record shows evidence of flowering plants 136 million years ago, according to paleobotanist James A. Doyle in a 2009 “New York Times” article by Carl Zimmer. Flowers diversified approximately 120 million years ago, leading to many of the varieties we recognize today.
Climate and Location
Most cut flowers are grown in warm climates that allow flower production through much of the year. Domestically, 75 percent of cut flowers are grown in California, with a small percentage produced in Washington, Florida, Hawaii and other states, according to AboutFlowers.com. Significant numbers of cut flowers are imported, particularly from Colombia and Ecuador. Climate and soil conditions in South America are ideal for flower production, but you may find Dutch tulips or even local wildflowers at some flower sellers.
Labor Conditions
Labor standards have been an issue in the flower trade, with concerns about long working hours, poor housing conditions and transportation, and sexual harassment. Reputable sellers and growers, like those used by ProFlowers, implement fair working standards and conditions. ProFlowers maintains a code of conduct for flower sellers, setting out and promoting guidelines for subsidized food, adequate transportation and adequate compensation for overtime work, as well as banning child labor.
Protecting the Environment
Growing flowers, like other forms of farming, comes with some degree of environmental risk. Good floriculture practices, like those encouraged by the ProFlowers Code of Conduct, reduce the potential for environmental damage while protecting the safety and health of the workers on flower farms. Water use, fertilizers and pesticides can all impact the health of the region and community where flowers are grown for commercial use.
