Consumer spending has risen significantly, with the average person now spending £28 a year on flowers, up from just £8 per year in 1984. Despite the fact that 90% of cut flowers sold in the UK are imported, interest in being able to source flowers closer to home is gaining momentum. Consumers are increasingly prioritising environmental sustainability in their purchasing decisions, focusing on reducing waste, choosing eco-friendly products, and supporting sustainable and local businesses.

3 reasons to buy UK-grown flowers

1. Carbon footprint – British flowers travel a fraction of the miles covered by their imported counterparts, substantially cutting down on refrigeration and transport emissions – leading to a much lower environmental impact.
2. Fresher flowers – Locally grown flowers can be harvested at their peak and placed directly into water, avoiding the need to dry travel through the commercial supply chain. This ensures they reach the consumers fresh without unnecessary plastic packaging.
3. Supporting UK flower farmers – Buying local flowers supports UK flower growers and preserves traditional skills. This not only strengthens the local economy but also promotes environmentally responsible farming practices.

The UK’s soil and seasons play a significant role in determining the types of flowers that can thrive locally. The temperate climate allows for a diverse range of flowers to bloom throughout the year, including varieties such as roses, lilies, tulips, daffodils and sunflowers. Understanding the soil type on farms can significantly enhance flower cultivation. Roses thrive in clay soil, tulips in loamy soil, lavender in sandy soil, rhododendrons in peaty soil, and irises in silty soil. By matching flowers to soil types, growers can look to maximise a vibrant, profitable, and sustainable flower production.

According to Defra, UK cut flowers and bulbs increased 8.5% in value between 2022 and 2023. At the same time, UK imports of flowers fell from £869.1 million in 2022 to £761.8 million in 2024 confirming a gradual move away from imports. As the demand for UK-grown flowers from florists increases so will the requirement for suppliers. "Flowers from the Farm" is an online directory helping to connect consumers with local independent flower growers nationwide, with a network of over 1,000 members all a part of a growing movement to promote locally sourced, sustainable flowers.

As with many sectors of farming, UK flower growers face significant challenges. Weather conditions in the UK can be unpredictable, with the risk that heavy rainfall or droughts can impact the quality and quantity of flowers produced. Additionally, the lack of infrastructure and financial incentives for sustainable practices further complicates the growth of the local flower industry. Anecdotal evidence suggests growers believe more robust support from government is required. Despite these challenges, the benefits and diverse opportunities for expanding into flowers is compelling.

3 reasons to grow flowers

1. Environmentally-friendly farming – Growing flowers can support biodiversity by creating habitats and food sources for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
2. Extension of what you already provide – Farmers can diversify their income by growing flowers alongside traditional crops.
3. Opportunity – The fall in imports of flowers to the UK presents a unique opportunity to develop UK cut flower production for the domestic market. It is a growing market that needs more suppliers to thrive.

Furthermore, there are valuable opportunities for flower growers to diversify the enterprise by integrating the flowers into a tourist attraction. Tulips, which flower from late March to May depending on the variety, provide an opportunity to open beautiful displays of tulip fields to the public, offering a vibrant and colourful experience and photo opportunities. There are examples of growers combining street food and music for a festival experience.

After the festival, the flowers can be cut and sold, generating further income. An additional opportunity in flower growing is to create a ‘Pick Your Own’ experience where people can visit a flower field to pick their own flowers for a price per bouquet/bucket. Savills recent Spotlight on the tourism, leisure and events sector confirms there is a growing appetite for nature-based outdoor events that align with strong environmental values. Experiences like these are particularly appealing to the environmental conscious Gen Z demographic.

For the UK flower market to continue to flourish, wholesalers, florists and consumers must be encouraged to support UK growers. With British Flowers Week fast approaching from 16 - 22 June, it's the perfect time to explore the potential of British-grown flowers.

Further information

Contact Jordan Rimmer or Simon Foster