03.Alternatives
The huge spike in demand for cut flowers for such a short window of time means increased use of carbon-intensive means to control temperatures [and] synthetic chemical use.
- Tanya Ha, environmentalist
When it comes to Mother’s Day gifts, Tanya Ha’s approach is to think outside the bouquet. “The huge spike in demand for cut flowers for such a short window of time means increased use of carbon-intensive means to control temperatures, synthetic chemical use and so on. And the more humans intervene, the greater the environmental impact.”
Lodi Pameijer agrees. “We accept that imported flowers have their role in the marketplace, especially to match peak demand times around Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. But growers would prefer to have all-year demand rather than just a few spots in the year.
“Buy flowers for birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, special occasions, any time you can – and go straight for the Australian-grown flowers and foliage, both all year-round and seasonal. The NSW Christmas Bush is a highly dense evergreen shrub that appears around spring and summer. It loves sunshine and open fields but can also tolerate frost and filtered sun.”
Ha suggests giving your mum a rose bush instead of a bouquet of roses. “A friend of mine was being courted and a few suitors brought her roses. The winner, however, gave her a ball of dirt with a stick pointing out of it – and it’s been giving her roses ever since.”
She argues that while this may be a little less conventional, it’s a healthier and more sustainable option.
Like Pameijer, Ha also suggests considering a native Australian flower, and recommends checking out growinggifts.com.au for plant-based gift alternatives to cut flowers.