This article is a summary of the podcast conversation 38 “When Sustainable Floristry Means a Return to Simplicity with Bec Humpris from Not Just a Pretty Flower“. Listen to the full episode on Spotify podcasts or Apple podcasts, and go here for the relevant links mentioned in the podcast. Read on for the summarised topics from the episode.

When Sustainable Floristry Means a Return to Simplicity

We’ve become so used to having flowers available year-round, that we rarely stop to think about where they come from, or what happens to the packaging and the presentation waste.

In this episode, I’d love you to meet Bec Humphris, florist and founder of Sydney-based florist Not Just a Pretty Flower. Her business exists to inspire and nurture reconnection to nature. She’s a proud member of the Sustainable Floristry Network and applies sustainable floristry design and principles in her work.

This conversation is about the importance of collaboration and good communication across every part of a business. And how that shared care, passion and collaboration positively impacts the joy that flowers bring to all of your senses. You’ll find out that there’s so much more to floristry than a pretty flower on the table.

One of the biggest joys is the intuitive power of flowers to connect us to place, memory, people, community.

Overview of the Conversation

What is sustainable floristry?
The carbon footprint of flowers: why many supermarket and retail flowers come with a huge environmental toll due to international travel and logistics
How customers and florists can make better flower choices

Image: Bec Humphris at East Coast Wildflowers, Mangrove Mountain NSW

Defining local by exploring whether locally grown flowers are limited to Australian natives
Why the relationship between grower, florist and are essential for creating better sustainable practices.
Examples of floristry industry challenges such as soft plastic packaging, floral foam, vase reuse, reconsidering wet wrap
Stories of how transparent communication about sustainable business practices can strengthen relationships with customers and growers
How working together allows the industry to take small steps towards big system change

When I see the passion behind the growers, creating these beautiful flowers and the love and care that’s gone into these flowers, all I want to do is to share that with the world.

The importance of asking better questions and having important conversations during the design phase of event planning and flower purchasing
Balancing the sustainable ideal with the practicalities of business operations
Innovative ways to design flower arrangements without using floral foam, such as with Kenzen, flower frogs, frames, chicken wire, agri wool
Shifting customer focus from a specific flower type to an overall look and feel

Understanding the licensing and labelling requirements for selling protected species wildflowers such as Waratahs and Gymea Lilies
Bec and Mardi share their favourite flowers based on memories and senses
Reframing the thought that flowers aren’t worth buying because they die
Practical, quick ways to care for cut flowers and extend their life at home

Bec shares two simple tips when thinking about sustainable flowers and floristry…

✓ Whether you are looking for a personal bouquet or managing a large-scale event, visit the Sustainable Floristry Network website. It offers a wealth of resources to help you source and select more sustainable floral options

✓ Visit your local florist for a chat. Learning their story and asking questions is a great way to connect; most florists welcome the opportunity to engage with their local community who share their passion.

This episode of The ReNewy Living Podcast was recorded on Awabakal and Gadigal and Bidjigal country. I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and waters in the Lake Macquarie and Sydney NSW region of New South Wales.

I hope you’re feeling more confident about doing better for our people and planet by taking a start where you live approach to living sustainably. If this episode has spurred you into action, please feel free to share the episode with your friends. It would mean the world to me!

Listen into the stories and voices of this story on Spotify podcasts and here on Apple Podcasts… And you can also sign up to my regular emails here… I look forward to sharing more stories with you next time.

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When Sustainable Floristry Means a Return to Simplicity (S5 Ep38)

Links from the Podcast Episode (S5 Ep38)

Not Just a Pretty Flower – online floral studio based in eastern Sydney
SECNA Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT – member led peak body for social enterprise
Sustainable Floristry Network Independent education organisation for florists in Australia
Sydney Flower Market – Sydney’s largest wholesale flower market
Randwick City Council waste and recycling information
Service and Creative Skills Australia jobs and skills council for the arts, personal services, retail, tourism and hospitality
Flowers Growers Group of NSW Inc – association representing flower growers in NSW
Jonima Flowers – southern highlands family-owned farm (to podcast)
Vinnies or other op shops for donations
Reverse Garbage Creative reuse centre in Sydney
Shop for floral foam free design – kenzan for Ikebana design or a glass flower frog or a ceramic flower frog (#affiliate #etsy I may receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase)
Agra wool degradable basalt and sucrose floral blocks
For Good: the Campaign for Sydney by University of Sydney will run through to 2032
East Coast Wildflowers at Mangrove Mountain on the Central Coast NSW
Wildflowers Australia – national industry association supporting the commercial wildflower industry
Pearsons School of Floristry experts in florist education
Books by author Anna Pavord, who wrote The Tulip (#affiliate #qbdbooks I may receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase)
BnB Flowers – growers of old style garden roses and fancy foliages. Stand 6 Sydney Flower Markets
Crop Swap Australia facilitating the swapping of homegrown produce, seeds and edible plants through local, cashless markets.