‍Hale and Hound Blooms is dedicated to reducing the damaging impact this industry has on the environment. 

‍For me entering into floristry later in life I was determined to study somewhere which was teaching only environmentally friendly techniques. I feel I was really lucky to have found a school that did have this ethos at its core. By starting my journey in the right way, it gave me the confidence to know I had found the right place and the sky was the limit.  

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‍Personally, I find it a bit mind boggling that weddings and events are still taking place today using what I can only describe as archaic methods. To be selling a natural product surrounded by and constructed by harmful plastics seems off balance to me. Especially as it doesn’t have to be this way at all. 

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‍Below is hopefully some clarification on what being environmentally friendly in the floral world means and what steps we, H&H Blooms are taking, to continue making the right choices for our planet. All the while providing stunning floral creations. 

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‍Designs crafted without using floral foam. 

‍You might have seen it before, floral foam is a chunky, dark green material which for a long time has been used to provide stability for blooms in arrangements and enough water to enable them to last. Sounds great, however it is full of harmful chemicals and when thrown away as it is a one time use mechanic, it breaks down into microplastics - that’s the stuff scientists are now worried human bodies are widely contaminated with. Grim right?! 

‍What’s the alternative? Good old reusable chicken wire, suitable reusable vessels for designs and sometimes a pin frog, (this is a Japanese floral mechanic, created in the 15th century), plus clean drinking water, topped up when necessary. That’s it. When working with a skilled florist who knows how to design, place and care for your flowers a plastic block isn’t needed. 

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‍Sourcing the right ingredients. 

‍Much like a chef or baker florists talk of flowers as ingredients to their creations. Different ingredients are added to make designs stand out. Four sub headings used for different floral recipes, which you might hear your florist use in their design brief are: foliage, filler, focal and textural. 

‍All the ingredients within each heading above we source in their natural state. Meaning, they are not bleached, dyed or glittered. Flowers that have had this chemical process cannot be composted safely and therefore aren’t environmentally friendly.  We opt for dried elements that haven’t had this process and are still very beautiful in their natural state. As a lover of all things textural adding some dried pieces into arrangements, especially in winter when flowers are more limited due to the season, are very delicate and special. 

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‍We also choose to use seasonal blooms and try as hard as we can to use local flower farms to provide all our flowers for our events. Why do we do this? Because by choosing flowers which are flourishing brightly in your wedding season, we believe gives your wedding that extra Oomph! The landscape around you flows better as the flowers don’t look out of place. Seasonal blooms also last longer, look brighter and have healthier stems. We trust flower farmers who know and work with these flowers all year round, year after year. Their advice and knowledge is fantastic and we often bring flowers into designs which aren’t widely known, giving your special day that little extra unique element desired.  

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‍Finally, providing vessels, bud vases and props. 

‍Here at Hale & Hound Blooms we provide vessels in all shapes and sizes, as well as any props needed for our creations to stand on, in or around. These vessels and props are always re-loved and re-used. It does’t mean they look shabby or you are reduced to a limited selection. We have a wide range available and it’s ever growing! (I’ve banned myself recently from attending anymore charity shops and antique fairs!)

‍We keep all our vessels in correct packaging, cleaned after every use and in propers cases, freshly painted if needed to keep everything looking 100%. We are committed to ensuring that every creation of ours is helping make your day a memorable moment and a sustainable one. 

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‍I’m hoping this journal post is really helpful to those who want to use my services or those who are looking for clarity on what the term “environmentally friendly” really means and why it is so important. We know more now than ever and research is telling us we need to make kinder choices for our planet. So please, if I’m not florist, choose someone who is making these right choices for you so you can know that your event doesn’t have a dark and damaging secret. 

‍If you are looking for a florist then, Hi, drop me an email and let’s start bringing your floral designs to life.