How to Sustainably Buy Flowers Online

Buying flowers online is a hassle for most people who want to get the best quality at a reasonable price. Among so many florists promising more or less the same services in a bucket, it is very difficult to choose the right offer for your genuine gesture. At a time when sustainability is a very common goal of most companies, it is important to realize the truth behind this idea in the flower industry.

Photo by Tiina Arminen

If you want to deliver flowers, you should always remember that the flower industry has its ugly side. Aside from the waste of water, the use of pesticides, the potentially improper working conditions and the long transportation routes that flowers have to travel, they are also products that have a short expiration date. All these aspects have an impact on the field of sustainability.

With this in mind, buying flowers online must be a conscious decision. To make things sustainable, keep a few simple tips in mind.

Buy what is in season.

Whenever possible, try to buy flowers that are in season from local florists who source their flowers from local farmers and growers. I personally turn to local growers like Viragos Pagony, Karol and Blase among a few.

Photo and arrangement by flowerMe

Look for recyclable packaging.

Buy flowers that are packaged in recyclable materials such as paper or burlap. Avoid shiny plastic packaging that may look very fancy at first glance, but is detrimental to nature and overshadows the overall beauty of the flowers.

Photo by Tiina Arminen

Buy dried flowers.

Cut flowers are beautiful, but if they are not preserved, they will eventually wilt. Wreaths and dried arrangements and bouquets are already perfectly preserved, and they are comparable in price to fresh supplies. This is a more sustainable option.

Photo and arrangement by flowerMe

Search for local florists.

National and international big flower delivery services cooperate with local florists, but they sell the flowers at much higher prices in some cases. So it is better to look for the local florists directly. You will be amazed at the price difference and personalized service. Besides, with your gesture you will support the small and local flower stores.

Photo by Tiina Arminen

Look for a sustainable way for delivery.

Check how the flowers are delivered to your loved ones. Flower delivery by bicycle is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than delivery by car or mail.

Photo and arrangement by flowerMe

I wish you a happy and sustainable online flower shopping!

Mihaela

How to dry hydrangeas to achieve long lasting beautiful designs

We all love hydrangeas with their big heads full of beautiful tiny flowers. They come in different colors from pink, grey, blue, purple, red or light green. Once their fresh looking beauty fades away, you can still enjoy their presence for a longer time.

Hydrangeas are one of the flowers that take almost no effort to preserve—they dry in about two weeks' time and can last more than one year.

Wreath Loop with hydrangeas and berries.

Methods for an ideal preservation

You can preserve hydrangeas in several ways, but the water-drying method helps the flowers retain their color best and last the longest.

1. Cut the hydrangeas blossoms in September to October. Leave a 12 cm in stem and remove all the leaves.

2. Place the flowers in a vase with fresh water and to cove half of the length of their stems.

3. Keep the vase in a cooler place and avoid direct sunlight. Do not add more water. Allow the water to evaporate completely from the vase. This process will usually take about two weeks—at the end, your hydrangeas should feel dry to the touch and the stems should snap off easily. At this point, they are ready to use.

You can use also the air-drying method by hanging the individual stems upside down in a cool, dry location. Air-dried hydrangeas tend to be a bit more brittle than their water-dried ones, but they still turn out beautiful.

The above wreath was designed with freshly cut hydrangea kept in the water for 2 days. After few days off the water they are drying nicely in the arrangement for a long lasting natural home decor.

Hydrangeas in a bucket filled with water left in a cool, dry place to dry naturally for one to two weeks.

Use of dried hydrangeas

There are many decorative ways to display your dried hydrangeas. They're beautiful by themselves in a vase, but you can also mix them into seasonal wreaths, as wall decorations, to cover imperfections on the walls or add them alongside other dried berries and foliage.

Installation using dried hydrangea

Different ways of displaying dried hydrangeas

Dried hydrangea heads are great in designs, especially where you do not have access to water that easily.

I would be thrilled to see your own designs with dried hydrangea. Just tag me on your Instagram posts by using the address account @flowerme_bouquets

Mihaela

The mini fresh jungle in my kitchen - the herbs garden!

A bit of green is beneficial when you are stuck in an upper floor flat, without a balcony or even a tiny terrace. The kitchen, where I am pretty sure you are spending most of your time in the pandemic days, can be the escape for most of us.

Lately, we cook more. We even, discover that we have got talents of chefs. We explore new recipes and tastes and we feel like we were the queens and kings of our kitchen. But, a royal kitchen would not be complete without fresh herbs. But where does that leave those of us with no garden? Bring one inside.

Choosing the herbs

Florists and grocery shops have a large selection of potted herbs. Most of them can be grown indoors, but those that tend to really resist inside include no-fuss picks like basil, chives, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary and thyme.

Any container will do as long as it has drainage

You can plant herbs in just about any container so long as it has some type of drainage. The pots also need something to protect the surface underneath them like a porcelain or wooden tray tapped with some plastic bag.

Give herbs as much light as possible

Most herbs prefer a lot of sunlight. That means you'll want to give your indoor herb garden at least six hours of sun per day to make it longer in the pot.

To maximize their exposure, place plants as close as possible to your brightest window–the bright light of a south-facing window is best.

Water it with care

You'll be surprised by how little water it takes to sustain a small herb. To make sure your plant grows, keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. A small watering can or a drizzle under the sink would be enough. If the leaves begin to wilt or turn yellow, reduce quantity of water.

The herbs garden makes cooking at home easy–whenever you need some herbs, just clip a few sprigs to use in a recipe or as a pretty garnish.

Pinch leaves with your fingers

Great tip: Regular cutbacks encourage new growth. Avoid removing more than a quarter of the plant at a time, which will cause chaos and could even destroy the plant.

More ideas for your indoor herbs garden

Click the image bellow and check my Pinterest selection of simple, yet very chic solutions for your indoor herbs garden.

Happy crafting and happy cooking!

Mihaela