When you buy a bunch of flowers today for that someone special, do you know where the blooms were grown? Does it even matter?
The national body representing Australia's flower growers and florists reckons it does.
At least half of the fresh-cut flowers sold in Australia are imported and up to 10 million roses are flown into the country for Valentine's Day.
Flower Industry Australia chief executive Anna Jabour said if imported food can have a label showing where it's made or produced, then flowers should too.
"We did have assurances from the previous federal government that flowers were going to be added to country-of-origin labelling," she said.
"So it was really a kick in the guts when they weren't.
"So we are making representations to the new government because we would like to see that decision reviewed."
Last year a report from Deloitte Access Economics recommended against the proposal to extend country-of-origin labelling to flowers.
Ms Jabour said the majority of flowers sold in Australia's major supermarkets were imported and invasive pests on those flowers posed a real risk.
"Most people aren't aware of that," she said.
"I think it's important that consumers have a choice."
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry risk analysis report into cut flowers and foliage imports is due mid-year.
Boutique flower farm boom
During the pandemic, there was a spike in small-scale flower farms entering the industry.
Flying flowers in from Africa or South America became very expensive, making it easier for growers to compete with cheaper imports.
Research scientist Liz Preece recently turned her flower-growing hobby into a business on her family's farm at Cressy in northern Tasmania.
"Propagating and raising seeds is my passion really," Ms Preece said.
"I work all day with plants and come home and do it again. I'm a weird specimen really."
A florist based in Launceston spotted her social media posts on growing flowers and offered to buy her blooms.
"Customers were coming to us and still we haven't actively pursued anyone," she said.
"It's a nice happy medium."
Ms Jabour said these growers need to be promoted and supported in what can be a volatile industry.
"We really hope that post-pandemic, these small-scale farms [are] able to stabilise and continue to thrive," Ms Jabour said.
"If they want locally grown flowers and want to support local business, they should go to and ask their local florists."
Florists promoting homegrown
Sophia Souris and Eric Nielsen have made it their mission to fly the flag for local growers.
Four years ago the pair moved from the Mid North Coast of New South Wales to Tasmania's north-west to escape the heat and frequent droughts.
They purchased a farm near Mount Roland and started growing a range of flowers.
Last year an opportunity came up to buy a florist in Devonport, about 30 kilometres from the property.
"We're really blessed with how many local growers are in our area," Ms Souris said.
"That's why we're growing as well, so we can provide fresh flowers that are not imported, they're not sprayed.
"From paddock to vase basically is what our concept is."
The pair have made it a priority to source 90 per cent of what they sell in the shop from north-west growers.
"Most of what I'm getting is produced throughout the year," Ms Souris said.
"There might be a lapse in a certain variety for a little while, but then they might have another crop to fill that gap.
"That's exactly what I want to focus on."
