Craig Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has described East Lothian’s flower growing sector as “blooming” after visiting PYRUS Botanicals near Pencaitland last week.
PYRUS is a growing East Lothian business which blooms and sells seasonally cut flowers and floral displays sourced from its Victorian Walled Garden near Pencaitland.
The business sells its flowers to customers in East Lothian, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Mr Hoy praised owner Fiona Inglis for her business’s focus on sustainability and supporting local jobs.
The MSP said: “Buying locally grown flowers is a great way of supporting local jobs and significantly reducing carbon emissions. On average two bouquets of imported flowers equates to the same amount of emissions you would create on a one way flight between London and Paris.
“The British flower growing industry is ten times more carbon friendly than imported flowers from other countries such as the Netherlands, and local growers such as PYRUS produce even less emissions.
“Unfortunately, there are challenges with distribution costs across the British flower growing industry making it difficult to compete with imported flowers from abroad.
“That being said, Fiona and the rest of the team at PYRUS are doing a fantastic supporting the local flower growing industry by connecting small growers in the county to work together and drive down delivery costs through groups such as Flowers Grown in Scotland and the Scottish Flower Grower Collective.
“This has allowed East Lothian’s flower growing industry to bloom, and there are significant opportunities for local flower growers to branch out as consumers become more aware of the impact of the products which they purchase on the environment and local economy.
“I will be reaching out to East Lothian Council and Scottish Enterprise to discuss avenues to support East Lothian’s local flower growing industry, and I look forward to working with independent flower growers across East Lothian more in the future.”
PYRUS owner Fiona commented: “It is fantastic to see an ever-growing interest in local, seasonal flowers, especially now as people become more aware of where their products come from and their carbon emissions. When we started 10 years ago there were only 6 growers, now there is over 60. Buying local flowers supports small rural businesses, while reducing carbon footprint and improving local biodiversity and pollinators. The Scottish flower sector is a real hidden gem!”
PYRUS flowers can be bought online via www.pyrusbotanicals.com and from local florists Narcissus and Snapdragon, in Edinburgh
