Butterflies of Blairgowrie
www.butterfliesofblairgowrie.co.uk
80 High Street, Blairgowrie,
Perthshire, PH10 6NS
Tel: 01250 871177
Contact: Beatriz Custodio
E-mail: info@butterfliesofblairgowrie.co.uk
Categories: flowers and green-weddings
What we do
Butterflies of Blairgowrie offers a unique Designer Florist service for weddings and partnership ceremonies.
This is your chance to make that special day extra special with locally-grown wedding flowers that don't harm the environment.
Couples can arrange a year in advance for me to plant their chosen wedding flowers safe in the knowledge that everything is grown in an environmentally conscious manner.
And how wonderful to know that the beautiful wedding bouquet and floral arrangements have been grown especially for you!
If you're tying the knot sooner rather than later you are very welcome to order from current stock. If I don’t have the desired flowers in stock, I will do my very best to obtain them in the most environmentally responsible manner.
I am aware that many traditional flower designs are seen as ‘feminine’ but it is also possible for flowers to have a ‘masculine’ theme. To achieve this I use feathers, thistles, pinecones, chillies, rocks, (your imagination is the only limit!) adding to the uniqueness of the arrangements.
Ethical Action
Most of the flowers sold in the UK are imported, leaving a huge carbon footprint in their wake.
Realising the impact this is having on our environment, I use flowers that have not been imported and, where possible, flowers grown in my own garden for Weddings, Christenings, Birthdays and other events, ceremonies and celebrations, whatever their size.
From March to October the flowers, greenery, herbs and plants I sell if not from my own garden are all locally grown by local growers. There are no air miles for my flowers! They have a very low carbon footprint indeed as on average they only travel 2 to 3 miles to my shop. The furthest away is 16 miles! The rest of the year they are UK grown flowers.
My flowers are mostly freshly cut, Scottish garden-grown flowers, quite different from those found in traditional outlets.
Our ethical policy is…
- To endeavour always to provide an environmentally responsible, professional and friendly service sensitive to the needs and beliefs of the people I serve.
- To continue to grow flowers for my business in a manner which does not damage our planet.
- To create an awareness of the damage that traditional practices cause to our beautiful planet by the purchase of flowers imported from great distances.
- To grow enough flowers on my own premises to achieve my business goals by the end of 2008.
- To create new jobs in this area, in the not too distant future.
- To teach others how to do floral arrangements for their own environment using flowers traditionally grown in gardens, for their enjoyment and that of their families. Beauty can be brought into their lives without having to pay exorbitant prices, and without damaging our planet.
A few ways we're trying to make a difference
Recycling
I compost all garden and household waste to use in the production of my flowers and vegetables for my business and home.
Renewable energy use
In the process of converting to renewable energy, planning solar panels and a windmill on our premises and solar powered lights in the garden.
Reducing carbon footprint
I have planted more trees and grow as many plants and flowers as possible in my garden. Other flowers are sourced locally between March - October and within the UK the rest of the year.
Water conservation
Save rain water for use in the garden.
Using organic products
I buy organic, peat-free compost when needed (while waiting for my compost bins to mature), organic seeds and any other organic products I can find for my garden where I grow my flowers.
Supporting local producers
I buy all vegetables not produced by myself from a local, organic small holder.
Using cruelty-free products
Personally and in business wherever applicable.
Supporting fair trade
Where/when available I buy fair trade products for my family’s consumption.
Supporting / working with a charity
I support Cancer Research by regularly donating to and buying as much as possible from this charity. I buy second hand containers for floral arrangements, which I then do up and sell on.
Supporting / working with a community / social project
I regularly donate money to a Social Outreach project in my country (Uruguay) helping street children (Posada de Belen). I helped set up this programme a few years ago and have continued to actively support it for many years by raising funds through teaching flower arranging.
I am now hoping to produce enough income to send donations on a monthly basis. 10% of all sales will be sent to support the Street Children of Uruguay. Donations from clients will be welcome but not actively solicited.
Other...
I am growing my own flowers to supply my business, in my own garden, in an environmentally responsible manner. Teaching my children alongside me while I work.
I am a unique designer florist using my initiative to protect our planet for generations to come, and be able to create beauty without harming our beautiful world. I am trying to encourage people to enjoy the natural beauty of our traditional locally grown garden flowers! They look better, smell better – and provide a better environment for our local wildlife (butterflies, bees, insects, birds etc) as well.
I am writing a book and teach flower arranging.