The Long Journey of Imported Flowers

Roughly 80% of the flowers in most florists and grocery shops are imported. On the U.S. east coast, flowers primarily come from South America. How can a flower cut in Colombia travel over 3,600 miles before blooming in Virginia?

A few years ago, I followed the story of how flowers are imported to the U.S. in an article for Florists' Review Magazine called "The Journey of A Flower." I chronicled the timeline, from cut to corsage, of wedding flowers destined for renowned wedding florist Holly Chapple.

It's an interesting tale of the race to fight time. Whether you buy imported flowers or join the grassroots movement for fresh locally-grown flowers, knowing your food and flowers' provenance matters.

I hope you enjoy it.

The Journey of a Flower article by Jennifer Howard