top of page

Sustainability

Our business is run with the environment at the forefront of everything that we do. Flowers from Featherstone's are grown using methods which enhance the land they are grown on, increase biodiversity, use only a fraction of the carbon that imported blooms do and you can be sure the people that grow them are treated well. 

Featherstone_s-377.jpg

We have looked at every aspect of the business from banking and supply chain to our energy consumption and deliveries to ensure that we are doing the best that we can. There's a lot we do already but there are always improvements to be made. If you would like to read more you can view our sustainability statement here and our strategy for further improvements here. 

​

We are members of The Sustainable Wedding Alliance and working towards accreditation.

Here's what we do to ensure the flowers you use are kind to both you and the environment

​​

  • Use wood-chip where possible as ground cover which is excellent for

    • regulating soil temperature and moisture

    • breakdown slowly improving the organic matter in the soil creating much healthier soil.

  • Avoid digging the soil over which releases carbon into the atmosphere and destroys soil life

  • By protecting and enhancing the soil and building soil life we reduce reliance on fertilisers and water.

  • We do not grow with additional heat after propagation – most of our plants are grown outside, and some in the polytunnels.

  • Grow a wide range of flowers which means that if one does not suit the weather and quality is not high enough¸ we always have another option without having to resort to buying in flowers.

  • Log piles for insects

  • Only use organic approved fertilisers

  • Use composted local green waste to mulch beds

  • Wrap flowers in used newspapers for wholesale sales.

  • Responsible sourcing of materials and equipment from suppliers whose ethics are aligned with ours. 

  • Repurpose old yoghurt tubs by cutting up and using for plant labels

  • Buy secondhand extra rigid propagation trays which have already been around many years and will do us decades to come

  • Use organic peat free compost – looking into UK made as currently ours is coir based.

  • Choose to restrict the number of single use bulbs – we do not grow hyacinths and are reducing the number of tulips that we grow and reducing our reliance on them.

  • Increasing the proportion of perennial crops which we grow. These require less water & food, are more tolerant of drought and floods and are excellent for the soil as their roots prevent the breakdown of the soil and create a healthy environment for the soil flora and fauna.

  • Working at ways to reduce our reliance on plastic ground-cover materials which slowly breakdown over time, increase ground temperature and create an excellent habitat for pests.

  • Our delivery partners use electric vehicles for zero-emissions deliveries.

  • Have a selection of items for hire meaning they can be used over and over again.

  • Pay staff above living wage and run an inclusive, positive and supportive atmosphere.

  • Office is a recycled shed.

  • Use second-hand furniture.

  • Committed to only purchasing re-conditioned or second-hand electronics.

​

As well as all this you know that our flowers have no air miles and very few land miles - only from us to you. 

​

We have many plans to continue to enhance the environment of the land on which we are custodians and improve all of our working practices as much as possible. 

bottom of page