Everyone loves getting flowers.  Especially this time of year, we’re busy buying each other roses by the dozen, orchids to brighten our kitchen tables, or pots of crocuses .

Where we buy our flowers makes a serious impact in the lives of many people.  The commercial flower industry is as horrifying, corrupt, and abusive as the sweatshop-clothing industry.  Not something anyone wants to support!

Katrin Leblond Design celebrates the fact that our clothes are ethically made, and that the people who lovingly stitch the garments actually get paid fairly for their labour.  In this industry, that says a lot.

Buying fair-trade flowers is just as important.   It’s the difference between supporting local farmers, sustainable agriculture, and small businesses, and supporting cheap mass-labour, pesticide use, human-rights violations, and unnecessary fossil fuels.

There are many wonderful florists in Montreal that carry fair-trade, locally-grown flowers.   Here are just a few.   Go visit them as you pick your perfect bouquet!!

Atelier Green Poppies

Eva G.

Terra Folia

You can also pay a visit to Jean-Talon Market and see what local farmers have in store for you there.  There’s something lovely about talking to the people who actually grew and harvested the blossoms themselves.

Enjoy the beauty that flowers add to your home.  Buy someone you love flowers, or better yet, buy yourself a sunny bouquet.  Flowers add magic and enchantment to a space.  When they’ve been grown and harvested with love, I bet that magic’s even stronger.

Express your beauty as you are.  Dance in your kitchen and sing to the stars.

Sarah Pearson