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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Leah Harper

Roses are dead … how to choose a more ethical and original bouquet this Valentine’s Day

A Valentine’s Day cyclamen bouquet by SSAW, which also recommends snowdrops and quince as alternatives to roses.
A Valentine’s Day cyclamen bouquet by SSAW, which also recommends snowdrops and quince as alternatives to roses. Photograph: SSAW

The last couple of years have seen flower fans branch out (pun intended), with plant and bulb sales booming during the pandemic. Yet, when it comes to Valentine’s Day, traditional red roses can be harder to resist than the lure of a forbidden love affair. A dozen of these long-stemmed flowers might once have signalled the height of romance, but after a quick look at the environmental impact they don’t smell quite as sweet for UK-based buyers. So how can you make sure you are giving an ethical bunch on 14 February?

The bloom is off the rose

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