Pick VeriFlora or Organic Flowers

Whether you're buying flowers, choose organic or VeriFlora flowers.

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By Brian Clark Howard

Sustainably grown, "seed-to-store" organic flowers of every variety and color are now much more widely available. The best ones are from your own garden, farmers' markets or local floral designers who specializes in organics. But when time and miles require a long-distance solution, the Internet is filled with resources that will guarantee delivery of no-spray, sustainably grown beauty.

Look for the USDA-certified organic seal, or the VeriFlora emblem. VeriFlora is America's first Green Label certification standard for the floral industry. The standard establishes procedures for verifying sustainable agricultural practices employed by flower and ornamental operations, from soil preparation and seed planting through production, harvest and post-harvest handling. If a VeriFlora farm is not already organic, it must have plans to make that transition.

Check out Organicbouquet.com, which carries roses in just about every shade imaginable, as well as lilies and tulips, or Californiaorganicflowers.com, which bills itself as the country's first online retailer of organic flowers. You can also find a few certified Fair Trade options starting at $35 at 1800flowers.com

Also check out the new fair trade roses available at retail giant Sam's Club.

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