I am a huge believer in the power of flowers to lift the room and your mood.
Growing up, I was lucky enough to have a Mum that loved flowers; whether it was stock, roses or lilies, the presence of flowers in the house meant that Mum was home, and there was probably something delicious in the oven. Flowers meant the house would be lovely and clean and that we knew we were safe and sound.
When I turned 18, I moved from Wellington to Auckland for a year. I’d thought it would be fun like I imagined in the boarding school books of Enid Blyton, but in truth, I really struggled to settle. I missed Wellington, having a Sunday roast, and the quiet, comfortable rituals of home.
The food wasn’t great at my hall of residence so to make me feel a bit better Mum would send me up a box with nice cereal, some treats and a bunch of tulips tucked inside (Lord knows how they made it up alive!)
The cardboard box would arrive in the mail-room and I would trot upstairs to the eighth floor of O’Rouke, extract bundles of colourful blooms and sit them in my standard-issue coffee cup, trimming down the stems to fit. The tulips lifted my spirits and made it feel like Mum was with me. I’d often keep them until the stalks had turned slimy and the last petal fell.
As I’ve got older, I’ve bought myself flowers for no reason, on purpose. There’s nothing like walking down the street solo with a bunch of peonies to make it feel like you’ve gone from life being black and white to stepping into a colourful Audrey Hepburn film.
In my early twenties, when I was single, I’d frequently buy myself flowers for no reason: “Oh!” people would say when they saw you “Who are they from?” expecting a man to have sent them. “ME!” I’d reply “They’re from me.” I always felt, and continue to feel, that being confident enough to spend money on flowers for yourself is one of the ultimate signs of self-love. And, as that famous philosopher, Ru Paul once said: “If you don’t love yourself, how the hell you gonna love anybody else!?”
This year, my very good friend had her first baby. Things have been a bit crazy lately and so although I couldn’t get to see her up the Kapiti Coast, I sent her a beautiful bunch of flowers from one of my favourite Florists, Juliette Florist, to let her know I was thinking about her. I felt terrible but actually, at least I could do something. She sent me a message to say she adored them and couldn’t wait until I could make it see her.
Similarly, another friend had recently been having a bit of a tricky time and so Matt and I decided to sent this person some flower from Scent Floral Boutique to let them know we loved them and appreciated them.
Flowers have forever been an intrinsic touchpoint in our lives, naturally weaving our way into our daily rituals. They can be symbolic and have the power to portray feelings, memories and unite communities.
Flowers have no rules, no barriers; they simply just are.
If flowers had a tag-line, maybe it would be “Flowers: It isn’t the same as giving someone a hug - but it comes darn close.”
Flowers have been a big part of my life, from being a little girl to grow into a woman to now organising the flowers for my wedding (agh!). Therefore, I SO am proud to be the official ambassador for Wellington for New Zealand Flower Week and can absolutely stand behind this year’s theme - The Power of Flowers. I think very little else in life in a material sense can match the impact flowers have on our mood and their ability to transcend any language).
New Zealand Flowers Week is currently on until Sunday 17 November 2019. It celebrates and supports local florists and growers. As a country, we grow world-class blooms and it is vital to recognise how our superb floristry industry helps us celebrate those moments in life which touch the corners of our being; sadness, grief, loneliness - but also pride, celebration and hope.
To really experience New Zealand Flower week, I was lucky enough to create a few bunches of flowers with the amazing Kerri Murphy of Twisted Willow Florist in Tawa, Wellington. I asked her what the power of flowers meant:
“I was really excited about this year’s theme. Our industry is one of the most unique because it covers every emotion. Sometimes one bunch can cover all those emotions at one time” Kerri explained while bundling some foliage. “The longest hours come with Valentines Day and Weddings of course. But you know you’re making someone happy and putting love back into the world.”
Kerri has always been creative with an imagination that ran wild. She followed her sister into floristry and has now been working for more than 30 years. Her first flower love is peonies “Before they were Peonies!”. She also loves the foliage available in New Zealand from Manuka to palms.
“The best way you can support us is to realise that floristry is an experience. Floristry can be risky because flowers are perishable items, but we do it because we adore our work. I love having a physical shop because its a place where people can come and experience your work, face to face.” She’d discourage people from buying from supermarkets and dairy’s as they don’t have the investment and knowledge that florists do.
If she’s not working, you can find Kerri at the Burrow in Tawa. In Wellington, Kerri enjoys walking around the Sunday markets on the waterfront. She also adores Loretta and Havana for a bite.
Kerri kindly helped me make 3 bunches of flowers which I then gave to my gorgeous friends, Demi, Jane and Suz. It was such a fun way to celebrate the end of the week and they adored their flowers. I think it is so lovely to give your mates a bunch of flowers from time to time to let you know them that you love them and are thinking about them. It feels much better than a random message on Facebook!
So how can you help be a better flower queen?
Purchase locally grown flowers and in-season blooms. Support your local florist and buy local.
Choose NZ Grown flowers: cut-flower growers across NZ are supporting local families through their business;
Buy more flowers: and know that they are powerful! They can change your mood - and there’s even science to support it. A Harvard Medical School study found that people feel more compassionate towards one another, have less worry and anxiety and less depressed when fresh cut flowers are present in their home. There are also flower installations going on at the following Wellington spots all week:
Scent Floral Boutique - Midland Park
Floriade - The Gandalf Statute by the Roxy
Flowers Rediscovered - Rainbow Umbrella, Cuba Street
The Flower Boutique and Hutt City Florist - Queensgate Mall
And if you are looking to book something special, tomorrow on 16 November Woodstock Florist x Tatyana Kulida are running a workshop where you can learn the art of flower arranging and then paint your beautiful bouquet with award-winning Florence trained artist Tatyana Kulida.
Happy flowers hunting!
