Simone’s success blooms
A BOUTIQUE grower of sustainably grown plants on the Bellarine Peninsula is at the edge of change in the cut-flower industry.
Simone McKenzie’s locally grown produce represents the slow flower movement, which taps into demand from more ethically-aware consumers.
The movement promotes environmental practices such as only growing seasonal varieties outside with low or no use of chemicals, efficient water use and no plastic packaging.
Locally grown flowers are at the opposite end of the environmentally-friendly scale to imported varieties, which account for about a quarter of Australia’s massive cut-flower market.
Flower imports, which have increased dramatically in the past decade, are heavily treated by chemical processes to be eligible for import under Australia’s biosecurity safeguards.
They are also wrapped in plastic to help preserve them and the travel comes with an associated increased carbon footprint.
At 50-80 bunches a week, Ms McKenzie’s microbusiness, Bella Flora Cut Flowers, produces only small volumes but it is growing on the back of increased interest from florists and consumers at farmers’ markets.
“In the last financial year, the business has tripled,” Ms McKenzie said.
In addition to delivering bouquets to organic stores in the region, opportunities are growing in the wedding market with floral designers interested in creating chemical-free bouquets.
Ms McKenzie started growing sunflowers in a paddock at her Curlewis property less than two years ago.
She was encouraged by local florists who took on her produce and she extended her range to “old-fashioned flowers coming back into style” such as tulips, foxgloves and sweet peas.
“They went really well. We didn’t use any chemicals at all and they were all perfect,” Ms McKenzie said.
“We started going to farmers’ markets and have been selling out.”
Ms McKenzie said that as all her produce was chemical free, it could be returned as compost and reused in the soil. “And you are not bringing chemicals into your home,” she said.
She hopes to increase awareness of the cut-flower industry, and in particular the level of imports, by encouraging consumers to ask florists one question: “Where do your flowers come from?”