Go Locavore This Valentine's Day With Slow Flowers

Make it a slow flowers holiday by sourcing your honey's blooms from these recommended sustainable floral designers around the country.

By: Felicia Feaster

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Photo By: Farmgirl Flowers

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Photo By: greenSinner

Photo By: Sellwood Flower Co.

Photo By: FarmGal Flowers

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Photo By: The Protea Store

Photo By: pot + box

Farmgirl Flowers, San Francisco, California

Want to both celebrate a loved one this Valentine's Day, but also do your part in supporting a more sustainable floral industry? Read on for slow flowers expert Debra Prinzing's picks for Valentine's Day bouquets, some available for shipping, others, just for local buyers. One of her favorites: San Francisco-based Farmgirl Flowers, is a trendsetter known for their burlap-wrapped bouquets. Prinzing advises buyers to go with the Grown-in-the-U.S.A. option.

Go Slow!

Seattle-based author and educator Debra Prinzing has helped drive the slow flowers movement with initiatives like SlowFlowers.com an online resource where consumers can find American-grown flower sources.

Urban Succulents, San Diego, California

Try something different for Valentine's Day with a succulent gift from California's Urban Succulents. "Owner Marialuisa Kaprielian creates succulent floral arrangements for every occasion, including bridal bouquets, wearables (flower crowns, boutonnieres) and planted succulent gifts and home decor," says Slow Flowers author Debra Prinzing.

California Grown

"Easy-care succulent planters and heart-shaped succulent wreaths can feature a tapestry of locally-grown succulents and last long after February 14th," says Slow Flowers author Debra Prinzing.

Stargazer Barn, Northern California

Local farmers grow tulips, irises and lilies for Stargazer Barn. "I love the Tulips on the Bulb option," says Prinzing. "When displayed in a clear vase filled with water or in a bowl as show here, this is a fascinating floral gift for garden lovers."

Tulips Are the New Roses

Author Debra Prinzing says tulips are a wonderfully bright and colorful alternative to roses for Valentine's Day. "Tulips feel seasonally appropriate, have a longer vase life than roses and make a modern statement of romance," says Prinzing.

Pink Beauties

"Long-stemmed tulips presented in a galvanized flower bucket are quickly surpassing the now-passé South American one-dozen red roses," says Prinzing.

greenSinner, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The owners of the Pittsburgh floral design studio greenSinner source many of their flowers from their own garden and urban farm. Available for Pittsburgh-area flower fans, greenSinner's arrangements often use vintage or repurposed containers for even more sustainability.

Sellwood Flower Co., Portland, Oregon

Unfortunately not available for shipping, Sellwood Flower Company specializes in European and garden-style floral design. Sellwood Flower Company owner LauraLee Symes is also a font of floral wisdom says Prinzing: "Be sure to ask LauraLee Symes for her recommendation about what's in season. She even has a few secret sources for American- and Oregon-grown roses!"

FarmGal Flowers, Orlando, Florida

You don't have to just live in the paradisiacal weather of California to experience lovely flowers. Florida residents (FarmGal doesn't ship their blooms) have some bespoke floral options too. If you are looking for organic, seasonal cut flowers, then the Florida purveyor FarmGal Flowers is a great choice.

Casablanca Floral, Seattle, Washington

For area residents only, the bespoke floral design studio Casablanca Floral (they don't ship across the country) specializes in lush arrangements that look like a 17th century Dutch still life. Prinzing's favorite is the "Stunner" arrangement, "presented in a special vase such as mercury glass, unique metal or ceramic with glorious blooms."

The Protea Store, San Diego, California

Is your special lady or fella the march-to-their-own-drummer stylish, chic type? Specializing in the stunning, exotic flowers proteas that originated in South Africa, San Diego's family-owned The Protea Store is a great option for anyone who wants a truly unique floral gift. "I love the Protea "King" Bouquet," says Prinzing, "a great gift for guys, featuring a fabulous combination of one red-blooming King Madiba protea, Fiesta and Venus proteas, Blushing Bride, Leucadendron, seeded Eucalyptus, Calycina and Banksia foliage."

pot + box, Detroit, Michigan

For Detroit-area residents, pot + box is another Prinzing favorite. Prinzing calls out owner Lisa Waud's dedication to local endeavors, using "floral design and horticultural decor to interact with its community." For Valentine's Day, all arrangements "will be delivered in a locally-made ceramic vessel, and include special details about the Detroit area artist," says Prinzing.

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Go Locavore This Valentine's Day With Slow Flowers

Related To:

Shop This Look

Farmgirl Flowers, San Francisco, California

Go Slow!

Urban Succulents, San Diego, California

California Grown

Stargazer Barn, Northern California

Tulips Are the New Roses

Pink Beauties

greenSinner, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sellwood Flower Co., Portland, Oregon

FarmGal Flowers, Orlando, Florida

Casablanca Floral, Seattle, Washington

The Protea Store, San Diego, California

pot + box, Detroit, Michigan

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