The list of initiatives that people, companies and countries are starting, is growing all around the world. Since the COVID-19 crisis is hitting the flower industry, campaigns are being set up, flowers are being donated and it is still going strong. Below, we again listed several recent initiatives from across the globe.
The Netherlands
At grower S. Schouten, a remarkable project was started. The tulip fields are in bloom, and before those colourful fields are topped, the growers did something special.
Jenny Groen is a health care specialist who has taken care of people for years. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 she works at the intensive care of a hospital in Amsterdam. She received the honour of 'christening' a new tulip.
Jenny Groen christening the new tulip
For this new tulip, a logo was made as well, which the growers 'topped into the field'.
The new tulip was named Stay Strong, which is fitting for the current situation and a tribute to all health care professionals.
Photo credit: Jhon Koopman/It Ain't Photography
Japan
Nobuya Kaishita of Chrysal Japan Limited posted on Facebook about the 'Floral Benefit' that plants and flowers can bring amid the COVID-19 crisis. He says that placing plants indoors can help fight the virus, next to them being good for people's moods and battling stress. "Giving people plants or flowers as presents, makes the recipients rejoice and the flowers transmit your feeling towards them. The global crisis can only be stopped by cooperating with your family, friends et cetera, and filling the world with flowers can help enhance bonds between people."
Spain
Iberflora has launched a campaign to attract international buyers, especially European, for the next edition of the contest, to be held 6 to 8 October at Feria Valencia.
United States
Star Roses & Plants wants people to plant a rose in support of the country and launched a National Flower Campaign. "Roses, our nation's flower, are a symbol of life, love and devotion", they say. They also have downloadable graphics for people to share on social media.
One of the graphics. Click here for more
Australia
Greener Spaces Better Places wants to impress the importance of following government guidelines of physical distancing to safely use green and open spaces, which are critical for mental health and wellbeing. Greener Spaces Better Places is a national initiative that brings together academia, businesses, government, community groups and the green industry to share knowledge and find new ways to work together to make sure that as cities and towns grow, so do the green spaces. It is funded by Hort Innovation.
Dr Lyndal Plant from Urban Forester, a city greening policy strategist, says the physical and mental health benefits from nature could be even greater at this time, because of increased stress people are experiencing - especially in high-density urban areas such as apartment precincts without in-dwelling access to green space. "We already know that even small doses of green space are essential," says Plant.
Donations
Flower donations are made all around the world as well, especially to health care providers.
Australia
#RediscoverYourGarden. At NGIV, this campaign was launched. It's bringing growers, nurseries, retailers and gardeners together to educate an audience that is new to gardening. Due to people being at home a lot, there is a buzz around gardening right now and they want to satisfy this thirst for knowledge from 'those who are getting familiar with seeds, spades and soil for the first time'. You can follow the hashtag on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Angie Tomas, an expert horticulturalist at Yates, shares her tips for year round colour in the garden.
Canada
The city of Mississauga announced that it's donating approximately 1,500 pansies, ranunculus and primroses as a gesture of thanks to hospital workers and health care providers at Trillium Health Partners. "We are incredibly grateful to our hospital and health care heroes who are on the front lines battling the COVID-19 pandemic," said Mayor Bonnie Crombie in a statement. "This is a small gesture but one we believe shows Mississauga's support for the dedicated men and women who courageously go to work to keep us healthy and safe."
The project also ensures that no plant material - which is ordered long before spring begins - is wasted.
Ireland
Jiska Healy lives near Lyracrumpane, in Kerry County with her husband Maurice. When she moved to Ireland from Holland, she brought her gardening and flower growing skills with her, she told the Irish Sun. She started growing her own flowers which she sells at farmer's markets and such, but due to the lockdown she could not sell them.
Now she sends her flowers to nursing and care homes, with the help of Kerry Gardai (Ireland's police).
Italy
On April 25, Italian men traditionally present their wife or girlfriend with a red rose, in a sign of love and celebration. April 25 also marks Liberation Day in Italy, and in Venice it's celebrated as the day of Saint Mark, who is the city's patron saint. Florists in Venice initiated a scheme to allow the convention to take place this year, too, reports Euro Weekly News. The delivery of the flowers is free, only the flowers themselves need to be paid.
Spain
Last Thursday, Mercabena handed out about 10,000 roses to market and health workers on the occasion of Sant Jordi, to thank them for the work they are doing during this crisis, as reported in a statement by europapress. At 5.00 am, roses were given to each of the workers at the 82 stalls of the Central Fish Market, and after 9.30 am, they were also delivered to all workers at the 440 stalls in the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market.
The handing out of flowers continued later in the Meat Sector. The aim was to give a rose to every person employed by the 700 companies of Mercabarna. This meant giving 6,000 roses in the entire food area. As for the health workers, more than 3,000 roses were delivered at 9:00 am at the Bellvitge University Hospital to thank the personnel for the work they are doing.
The initiative has been organized by the Guild of Florists of Catalonia, which, supported by Mercabarna and other entities, has aimed to reach all health workers of the main hospitals in Barcelona. Mercabarna's general director Josep Tejedo said that with both actions they wished to support the flower sector and thank the health and food workers for their work. "They are on the front and second lines, respectively, working in difficult conditions to ensure we don’t lack healthcare or food in these difficult times," he said.
United States
A flower shop in Chicago leaves something bright on door steps around the city, abc7chicago reports. "Flowers make you happy, people have to have flowers," owner Sally Hayes said. She wants people to pay that happiness forward. Her shop Stella Grey Blooms is creating Pay it Forward bouquets, which are supposed to be sent anonymously to friends and family.
Kenya
Kenya sent over 300 bouquets of flowers to the UK, as a show of solidarity with a country that remains its prime floriculture market amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The bouquets have sleeves with a message that reads: There have been a few moments in history when the world has faced a crisis as far-reaching and consequential as this. It is exactly at moments such as this that we must display our humanity, perseverance and hope. Whatever the adversity, no matter the foe, we shall triumph together. We stand united. Tuko Pamoja. From Kenya with love – H E Uhuru Kenyatta.
The Flowers For Hope campaign is distributing flowers as a show of gratitude and support to the people at the frontline of combating the disease among them doctors and nurses.
Are there more initiatives that you think should get attention? Send an email to [email protected]
