If roses are not in season where you live, there is no reason to buy them for Valentine’s Day. The carbon footprint of a locally grown flower is 5% of an imported stem and most Valentine’s Day roses are imported and have loads of chemicals on them. Never mind, that the hybridized, well traveled, commercially produced roses are often lackluster and all around depressing. Have you ever had one of those burgundy colored roses shrivel up and turn black before it even opens?

Please, purchase locally grown flower stems, plants, or floral experiences for a more sustainable floral gift this Valentine’s Day. Depending on where you live, different flowers will be in season for you so ask your local florist or flower farmer, what is in season where you live. Here are some ideas!

Alternative flowers for Valentine’s Day

Quince branches

Anemone

Tulips

Ranunculus

Daffodils

Hyacinth

Sweet Violets

Crocus

Snowdrops

Primrose

Magnolia

Wild Chrysanthemum

Almond Blossom

Scented geranium (the foliage is beautiful for arrangements this time of year)

Plant ideas:

Sweet pea starts or seeds

Native plants to your area

Primrose

Crocus

Daffodil

Bare root Rose plant (in many climates they can be planted now)

Camellia plant 

Floral Experiences:

Give the gift of a flower arranging workshop

Book a spot in one of our floral retreats for a loved one

Purchase a gift card (we can create custom amounts for different products so get in touch). These can be used for our online flower classes or in person floral retreat experiences.

Also, please remember that as beautiful as romantic gestures are on this holiday, it is also about different kinds of loves. Gift a mother, a sister, a grandmother, a grandfather, or a best friend! Celebrate love of all kinds. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy February, floral friends! 

I wanted to check in and let you know about some promotions and workshops we have available right now to help you with your floral design.

1. For those interested in a career with flowers who have not done any of our career programs, we are beginning a second session of FLORAL DESIGN SCHOOL on February 5th. Find details and book in here. (Use HAPPYNEWYEAR for 25% off full payments). 

2. Arrange flowers together in person here in Portugal, where I live! Join the FLOWER AND GARDEN RETREAT this May. We have two places left.

3. Join us in October for the LISBON GARDEN RETREAT! This retreat will focus on garden design and floral experiences (including flower arranging) here in Lisbon. We are getting a pretty full waiting list for this, so get your name on the list as soon as possible!

4. If you haven’t already, buy my book, FIELD, FLOWER, VASE: ARRANGING AND CRAFTING WITH SEASONAL AND FLORAL BLOOMS. The publisher has a special Valentine’s promotion going, using code HEART40 until February 16th, 2025. 

5. Join me on You Tube, Substack, BlueSky for free floral arranging tutorials and content.

Here’s a quick floral arrangement idea for the beginning of your year. I like combining three varieties of the same color and similar scale for a textured look. I knew when I happened upon this viburnum, heather, and genista at the market that they were the perfect combination. It started raining as I was making this and I really enjoyed a cozy afternoon with flowers while listening to the rain and church bells and nothing else.

Remember that when you have a vase that is not water-tight like this one, you can place a glass jar inside with water and arrange inside of that container. If you get inspired from the video, to create your own arrangement, please let me know! I’d love to see your version. 

Happy New Year! I hope you find some floral therapy during these darker months.