News
On this page you’ll find updates from our research network. Subscribe to our Email list for updates on new findings, industry trends, and tips to support eco-friendly practices. Join our growing community and stay connected with cutting-edge insights delivered straight to your inbox! For inquries, please email us.
The General Synod backs Sustainable Church Flowers motion
The General Synod has backed a Dioscean Synod Motion from the Diocese of Worcester encouraging churches and cathedrals to explore environmentally responsible approaches to flower arranging. Sustainable Flowers Research Project co-lead Dr Jill Timms features in a short video on the need for such a motion.
Say it with flowers: Working with industry to reconsider the ethics of the cut-flower supply chain
Weddings, funerals, Valentine’s Day – we buy flowers to show that we care on all sorts of occasions. But where do these flowers come from? Who has produced them, what are their working conditions and what are their impacts on the environment? What information is available to consumers to make informed choices? These are the kinds of questions that the Sustainable Flowers Research Project have been asking for the last decade.
Introducing: Researcher Dr Anna Bogush
Dr Anna Bogush is certainly not new to the Sustainable Flowers Research Project, but we would like to take this opportunity to shine a light on her knowledge and expertise. A leading researcher on pollutants and sustainable design, read more about Anna’s work here.
Calling all British Florists – An opportunity to share your views!
We are asking all British florists to complete our quick 5-minute survey. Tell us your views on British flowers and sustainability issues.
Petals with a Purpose – an evening of judgment-free conversations around sustainability
Project co-lead, Dr Jill Timms, hosted an exciting evening of panel discussions and live demonstrations at Guildford Cathedral, as part of the ESRC’s Festival of Social Science.
Project co-lead Jill Timms speaks to Radio Surrey
Project co-lead, Jill Timms, speaks to Radio Surrey’s James Cannon about upcoming Festival of Social Science event ‘Petals with a Purpose’. The event will take place on Monday 20th October at Guildford Cathedral.
A Wicked Challenge for a Beautiful Industry
Pleased to share a recent media feature written by David Bek in the September edition of Floraculture International Magazine on the urgent need to tackle plastics, packaging, and waste in the floriculture industry. In the piece, David writes about the scale of the...
Petals with a Purpose: Rethinking Flowers for a Greener Future | Free event
Join us at Guildford Cathedral on the 20th October for our 2025 Festival of Social Science event. Project co-lead Jill Timms will be joined by a panel of local innovators, flower farmers, florists, composting pioneers, and community organisers in revealing how growing, selling, and arranging flowers can harm or help our planet.
Project researcher Angela Coulton speaks to Radio Lancashire’s Farmwatch
Flower farmer and project researcher, Angela Coulton, speaks to Radio Lancashire’s Farmwatch. Now available for listening on BBC Radio Sounds.
Parliamentary recognition for sustainable display at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
In the spirit of British flowers week, MP Sarah Dyke acknowledged the hard work of the Farewell Flowers Collective, whose sustainable display earned a gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, in Parliament.
Is Colombia’s flower power under threat?
Project co-lead Jill Timms recently appeared on an episode of BBC World’s Business Daily, talking to host Gideon Long about the sustainability challenges facing the cut-flower industry.
Valentine’s Day 2025 – our project in the news
Every year Valentine's Day triggers a surge of media interest in the impacts of the flower industry. We are delighted that our project is seen as a source of information to inform news articles, whilst David and Jill are often asked for research informed insights into...
Tackling Plastics, Packaging and Waste in Floriculture | Workshop Report
We are pleased to share this report, which explores the main takeaways from an exciting workshop held at Coventry Cathedral, and hosted by the Floriculture Plastics, Packaging and Waste Working Group, in September.
Media responses to the Coventry Cathedral event
It has been fantastic to see the exposure our Plastics, Packaging and Waste event has gained in the media. Below are articles which have appeared in AIPH's Floriculture International magazine, Floral Daily and the Coventry University press release. Industry Royally...
How sustainable are your flowers? | Free event
We are pleased to be hosting a free event as part of the ESRC’s Festival of Social Science. Join sustainability expert Dr Jill Timms and Chobham Flower Farm’s Andy Heslop at St Mary’s Church, Horsell, on the 5th November for an evening of sustainable floristry.
Plastics, Packaging and Waste in Floriculture | Guide 2024
This guide is intended to help florists, wholesalers and anyone who buys, sells or works with flowers become more aware of the issues surrounding plastics, packaging and waste and make better choices.
Sustainable Church Flowers Finalists at Harrogate Show
The Sustainable Church Flowers (SCF) group were nominated as finalists for the Interflora Sustainable Floristry Innovation of the Year Award. This is real recognition of the work by this voluntary organisation and their national network of Ambassadors, supporting churches and flower arranging teams to have positive social and environmental impacts.
The real cost of a rose
On 22 August, the Australian national broadcaster ABC aired a short program exploring the human and environmental costs of the international floriculture trade. Rita Feldmann from the Sustainable Floristry Network has written a blog exploring the program’s content and the implications of its findings.