“Natural flowers… Natural choice?”

Mesmerising, vibrant, playful and fragrant… wonderfully weird and a law unto themselves. There are so many things that can not be denied about using natural flowers in arrangements. They are a beautiful addition to any space and when given with love; will always put a smile on your face. They are so attractive in every way.

Eye watering and nose itching dilemmas of allergy sufferers aside; funnily enough, some natural flowers and plants double up as air purifiers. So not only do they look and smell heavenly, but they can also improve the condition of the air you breathe too. Other benefits include the fact that they are mood elevators, stress relievers, physical healers; after all it is said that spending time in the garden and sunshine is crucial to our mental and physical well-being. Likewise studies have proven that the visual presence of flowers in the room of sick patients can stimulate positive physiological responses such as reduction in fatigue, lower blood pressure and control anxiety. Wow… who knew? So evidently, bringing the garden inside and ‘adding a to touch of bloom to every room’ has its rewards and can positively enhance your life. Can this also be said for artificial flowers? Partially, as whilst it may not do much to purify the air around you, a bright and well placed faux arrangement also has the power to cultivate positive emotions.

Also there are so many natural flowering plants you can invite into your home such as Poinsettia’s, African Violets, Peace Lily’s, Begonia’s, Bromeliads, Geraniums and many more. However, if you love the look and feel of plants in your home but you’re no good at maintaining them, then you may find some very convincing artificial plants on the market too. Just make sure you wipe them regularly to prevent them looking dusty and fake.

Although in this day and age, we can acquire flowers at the click of a button, it’s important to recognise that there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes in the flower industry. Farmers work extremely hard to meet seasonal and holiday deadlines. The ever-changing climate in the UK is often not helpful; making flowers difficult to grow and meaning many flowers have to be imported from other continents. The overall impact of this is reflected in the rising cost of natural flowers, therefore keeping up with fresh arrangements can become an expensive affair.

So whilst natural flowers are both beautiful and beneficial are they the best choice… are they the only choice for you?

Share your thoughts.