ABOUT
Elizabeth Sainte, Owner & Florist
I'm Elizabeth Sainte, farmer + florist, and owner of Bluegrass Blooms & Botanicals. My foray into farming and floral design began as a hobby intended to fulfill my creative needs and passion for all things floral. I would share my creations online, which quickly led to people asking if I would make arrangements for their special events, or if I'd be willing to teach them how to design florals. To meet the demand, I established Bluegrass Blooms as a small business in 2014. This allowed me to turn my passion project into a career where I get to bring beauty and joy into peoples' lives each day.
It didn't take long for me to realize that one of the most rewarding aspects of this work is meeting you - the flower enthusiast! With each season new relationships bloom and existing ones expand. I look forward to meeting you and working with you to bring the gift of florals to your next event!
WHY BUY LOCAL FLOWERS?
Chances are the bouquets you buy from many florists, the grocery store, or the gas station have either been imported from Colombia or been shipped from California. In fact, the Society of American Florists reports that 64% of fresh flowers sold in the United States have been imported, and 76% of the flowers grown in the U.S. have come from California. This means that the flowers have traveled thousands of miles and been treated with toxic chemicals before they sit on your kitchen table. Because of this, many conscious consumers are making an effort to choose locally grown flowers to both to support their local economies and minimize harmful environmental impacts.
Think about the difference between a grocery store tomato and a locally grown vine ripe tomato from the farmer's market. Compared to the grocery store tomato, the local tomato is usually different in color, taste, and size. Local flowers are more fragrant, longer-lasting, are equally delightful, and not to mention, better for our environment. Plus, local flowers spread joy and make us feel good. Some studies have even found that flowers reduce stress and improve our mood.
From the start, Bluegrass Blooms has implemented organic farming methods and never uses pesticides, ever. Biodiversity, soil health, and water conversation are extremely important to us and our business practices.
"The local flower movement is not a trend.
It is a cultural response to universal concerns
about jobs, the economy, and a desire to
connect with nature and live in the season."
-Debra Prinzing, The 50 Mile Bouquet
To learn more about the importance of purchasing locally grown flowers:
Blooms Away: The Real Price of Flowers published in Scientific American
Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers by Amy Stewart
The 50 Mile Bouquet: Seasonal, Local, and Sustainable Flowers by Debra Prinzing
