Florverde® given international seal of approval
A major milestone for Colombian flower industry!

10 reasons why you should choose Colombian flowers

Great vase life for you and your customers
Independent trials have proved that Colombian flowers last longer.

Top quality
The best picking and packing means quality is at the heart of all Colombian flowers.

Fabulous variety
The Colombian choice of colours is a fabulous world-beater.

Perfect grading
There’s a grade of Colombian flowers to suit every type of work at the right price.

Swift delivery
Effective logisticsensure that the flowers arrive in tip-top condition.

Trend setting
Colombian flower is at the cutting edge of fashion, anticipating trends and demand.

Gorgeousness
OK, it’s not a real word, but Colombian flowers really do make people go ‘Wow!’ thanks to large heads, glossy foliage and sturdy stems.

Green credentials
Colombian growers are at the forefront of environmental and employment practices.

Perfect climate = long lasting flowers
The Sabana region’s constant, cool temperatures, and excellent light levels, produce longer lasting blooms than those artificially forced.

Value for Money
Yes, you could spend less, but you probably won’t get the same quality and vase life.

Florverde®, the programme that ensures best working practices and ethical growing conditions for Colombian grown flowers, has been given a major boost this month. A move that means everyone can confidently buy beautiful Colombian flowers knowing they’ve been grown in the very best conditions for both the workers and the planet.

After extensive studies and on-the-ground observation for more than a year, GLOBALGAP (The Global Partnership for Good Agricultural Practice) has officially recognised the Florverde programme and granted the programme it its international seal, regarded as one of the most important certifications in the world. In addition Florverde has been invited to participate in GLOBALGAP’s developments and governing committee that set standards for agriculture and environmental practices around the world.

August Solano, President of Asocolflores, the Colombian flower growers association that founded Florverde 12 years ago said: “This is a major milestone for the Colombian flower industry and international approval for the work we are doing. For the last 12 years, Florverde farms have been committed to leading the flower industry in social and environmental practices because we know how important it is. Not only do the standard of these two certifications preserve and protect fertile soil and natural resources with the mission to achieve sustainable agriculture but show the world just how good the Colombian flower industry is.”

Ernesto and Lucie Velez, of Flores Suasuque in Colombia, have been awarded one of the flower industries top honours. Presented at the Society of America conference last month, the 2008 Paul Ecke Jr. Award was made in recognition of the couple’s dedication to the floral industry, profession and community and their strong belief in caring for both the environment and their people.

Although started as a Rose growing operation in the mid 70’s, Flores Suasuque now occupies a 37 acre site with 150 employee growing mostly non-traditional flowers such as Kangaroo Paw, Ranunculus, and Star of Bethlehem.

One of the main reasons the Velez’s operation has been so successful is their deep commitment to the welfare of their workers and the implementation of environmentally-friendly practices which these days includes Ernesto’s Ververde programme of growing native trees and bushes in the area around Suasuque, that help prevent erosion and improve the landscape.

Ernesto first introduced integrated pest management practices and biological fertilisers back in the 90’s, a move that saw the farm record the lowest levels of pesticides and chemicals among Asocolflores member farms. Such was the success of his work that many other farms decided to follow and as a result the idea for the Colombian Floreverde social and environmental program was born.

Indeed having held the elected post of Asocolflores Chairman for an unprecedented five consecutive terms, Ernesto has worked tirelessly to promote Colombian flowers and improve conditions for Colombian flower workers and growers and both he and Lucie were instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Florverde label which is now acknowledged as THE guarantee that the Colombian flowers being purchased have been grown in conditions that meet the highest social and environmental standards.

For Lucie's, a nurse before she married Ernesto, her concern over the impact of violence in low-income families inspired her to become the driving force behind the Cultivating Peace in the Family initiative. This conflict management program focuses on non-violent ways to handle conflicts in the family, workplace, and community and so far has trained approximately 30,000 flower workers and members of their families and communities.

Speaking to the Society of American Florists Lucie said; "We strongly believe that everyone should be treated with respect. This starts at family level, in the home. To love and be compassionate, that's where peace begins."

In addition Lucie has been involved in the Asocolflores' School of Floriculture program, which helps Colombians who have been driven from the countryside by violence learn flower growing skills and find jobs while both she and Ernesto helped start Alejandria, a non-profit organization that works to build libraries for rural communities in flower-growing areas.

When New Covent Garden Market presents a World of Flowers on October 22nd, the Colombian flower industry will be well represented by FITA, the Flower Import Trade Association and the group responsible for importing the vast majority of Colombian flowers into the UK.

With a display of fabulous blooms and people on hand to give advice, the group will be taking part in the morning of floristry and flowers to show visitors why Colombian flowers aren’t just good for the planet but some of the most gorgeous blooms in the world.

With 22 flower growers taking part, the Colombian flowers stand at the 2008 International Flower Exhibition held in Moscow was always on target to be good. However the Russian judges reckoned it was better than good and not only awarded the stand the Gold Medal for display but made sure the flowers took top honours as well!!

Flores de Aposentos, Shigha, Martina Flowers, Flores Milonga, La Plazoleta, Discovery Farms, SB Talee de Colombia, Tahami Cultiflores and Multiflora gained Gold Medals while Teucali and Colibrí won Silver Medals

The exhibition, considered the most important in the Russian flower growing industry, was attended by delegates from more than 20 countries including Kenya, Israel, Holland, Ecuador and Turkey.

However the main reason to attend the show is to continue the strong development of domestic consumption in Russia which has seen a cumulated growth of 609 percent so far this decade with an export value of $42 million at the end of 2007, mostly made up of sales of Roses, Carnations and Spray Carnations.