My dilemma (warning - it is definitely a 1st world thing)

I don't have flowers in the house unless someone gifts me them.

A number of good pieces of advice given above.

No flowers in the house for me as I am subject to hayfever. On the other hand I have arranged the garden so that the best flowers and bushes are planted where they are seen from the windows. A visual delight while doing dishes or on the computer.

I don't buy cut flowers, but if I was faced with your dilemma I would continue to alternate between the florist one week and the supermarket the following week. Then you have the pleasure of both cheaper flowers and a friendly chat.

Before my kate dh became incapable of shopping, he always bought flowers, usually from the local supermarket. When I had to take over the shopping, he would always remind me to buy them! We have a lovely general store in our village, selling lots of local produce sourced mainly from the local farms that surround us. I try to support then when I can but last week I bought a bunch of alstromerias and nearly fainted at the price, nearly four times what I usually pay in Aldi for a same size bunch, and they did not last a week! ALDIs usually last about three weeks! I won’t be buying flowers there anymore, will stick to buying just my veggies!

We buy flowers from both the local florist and Waitrose. But if push came to shove it would be Waitrose: supporting local shops is good but florists are less essential imho than, say, the co-op.

The florist can, as some have done, buy flowers from a chain and re-sell them at a slight profit, thus encouraging buyers to not go as far as the chains.

I meant to add that you really need to find out what day your local florist gets their deliveries or collects from a flower market. If they've had them a week that is a week less time for you to have them in your own home.

When I want to send flowers to anybody I always try to find something I like from the Waitrose or M&S flower selection, or failing that I track down a good local florist in their area.
Personally I usually buy supermarket flowers if they look fresh, someting simple in large quantities!

Have you got space to grow your own?

The florist in our little town has closed down after many years. I always supported her, but she could no longer make ends meet. Such a shame. It’s sad to see an empty shop too.

I too love flowers of types in my homes, normally, unless a special occasion bought from one of many supermarkets as better value and last longer.

No advice here though, just do what you think is best for you.

I feel I should not help it on it's way, gsm. They do seem to have a good trade in Weddings, funerals etc.

Stansgran, I have been doing that - the foliage last long enough for a couple of weeks at least.

Your florist’s business is going down the drain kitty. It’s not your duty to save it.

Compromise? Buy bunch of flowers from Waitrose ,split in two with cheap filler in foliage from the florist. They always have leafy stuff or gypsophila to bulk out bouquets. Though I’m so out of touch with the price of flowers from the florist that I may well be wrong. I rely on daughters who forget special days so I get a lot of remorseful bouquets from blooms are us and similar.

Remember seeing a documentary with Queen Camilla in her ‘cutting’ garden at Highgrove.

I expect she and the King have flowers all over the house.



And not from the local Tescos!

Charles always has one in his buttonhole.

grumppa

If you buy your flowers from Waitrose you will have something left over to spend in your village store. Your flower purchases on their own will not be enough to keep it going, anyway.

Oh, grumppa, I wish it was that simple.

The flowers from the village are from the florist who has, to boost her business, started selling gifts, cards, jewellery etc - right next door to a really long established shop selling, gifts, cards, jewellery etc which I would not want to stop using.

Seems to me that the only answer is for us to move somewhere else!

Asparagus is one of my favourite vegetables, I will only buy English in season as I find the imported varieties usually from Peru or Mexico have little or no flavour just a bitter aftertaste.

We have a tiny garden with no scope to grow flowers for cutting. I do snip bits and pieces for tiny vases but I love loads in the hall and kitchen.

I cut flowers when the garden has plenty. I buy daffs , tulips to brighten the house

Mostly I would get stuff from the garden but sometimes I buy a cheap bunch at Aldi and ‘supplement’ it with nice leafy things we have growing.

Flowers for the house are my one real extravagance, bought from our local florist or whichever supermarket I happen to be in, topped up with something from the garden of there is anything suitable. DH was a flower giver so I am keeping up a tradition which started before we were married and reminds me of him as well as giving me daily pleasure.

How about a cutting garden if you have room. So flowers are grown in a particular out of the way space simply for cutting for the house.

That way they are totally seasonal and your conscience is happy. 🙂.

When mum was dying I made sure she had a little vase of flowers by her bedside every day. The last one was a simple small vase of snowdrops which her face light up with delight over.

Flowers in the house are an absolute delight and bring me so much joy, but I never pick at too much expense to the garden.

I am afraid flowers are my one extravagance. I have a fortnightly delivery from Freddie’s Flowers. They are magnificent and last at least 2 weeks.
When we lived in Holland the house was filled with flowers as they were so cheap.
I also love white asparagus which is difficult to get.

I was interested in your comment about asparagus Calendargirl. A farm in a neighbouring village grows it and sells it for £4 a bundle. In Morrisons £2.50 and much more tender, but not English.

My DD in Australia has just sent me some beautiful Sweet Williams (Mothers Day over there) via M&S.

They are lovely, but goodness knows what they cost compared to Tescos at £3 for a bumper bunch.

I have them on display in two vases but apart from days such as MD, never buy flowers for the house.

On the subject of supporting local shops, we have a small organic fruit and veg shop, but so expensive. Local asparagus at £3.50 a bunch, being sold at the farm where grown for £2.50.

You want to help local businesses, but the price difference…

(I realise that buying at the farm is still supporting local, unlike the supermarkets. And that of course the shop has to make a profit).