Why It Matters — Donna Hopkins

I am trying to live from my personal foundation up, rooted and solid. Caring for the earth in the ways that I can. This often means celebrating the things that come easily for me, like buying clothes and household items second-hand and donating from the abundance in my life. This looks like holiday wrapping paper and decorations from the thrift shop. Those adorable tiny glass snowmen at the bottom of a bin. The carefully crocheted stocking, starched stiff and ready to hang on the tree. Floral supplies (picks and foam and tape) for flower arranging from stores long since out of business.

But it also means learning as I go. I recently learned about the problems with floral foam (how it is harmful to the environment), and I’ve been investigating sustainable alternatives like flower frogs and hairpin flower holders. I was delighted to learn that the only US manufacturer of flower frogs is right here in Virginia, Floral Genius. I’ve ordered the Kenzan Variety Sampler as a Christmas gift to myself.

The Floral Genius Story

“Floral Genius is the only US manufacturer of pin and cup-style flower holders and is the only maker in the world of Blue Ribbon Hairpin Holders. Also known as flower frogs or kenzan, pin holders are a timeless floral design mechanic that was the precursor to floral foam. Today, flower frogs are sought after by floral designers, at-home arrangers, and vintage enthusiasts across the globe, largely due to a shift towards sustainable floristry.”