Red, white and bloom

Here's a creative way to engage gardeners in an interactive celebration of the annuals, perennials and flowering shrubs in their backyards. It's called American Flowers Week (Jun. 28-Jul. 4) — based on a free and inclusive social media campaign that highlights U.S.-grown cut flowers. Launched in 2015, the home-grown campaign is part of Slow Flowers Society's advocacy, education and outreach efforts.

American Flowers Week invites all flower lovers (gardeners, florists and growers) to celebrate beauty, sustainability and joy of local and seasonal flowers across the U.S. In addition to providing free resources and graphics, Slow Flowers commissions teams of flower farmers and floral designers to create wearable botanical couture garments each year. The floral fashions are worn by live models and photographed for publication. Each look is a reflection of an iconic U.S.-grown cut flower, while also showcasing the farming and design talents of their members.

They encourage everyone to post photos of their red, white and blue botanicals across social media and use #americanflowersweek as the tag. Participation in American Flowers Week has generated more than 15 million impressions across social media platforms since its launch.

The audience for American Flowers Week includes home gardeners, media, floral professionals and consumers who enjoy flowering plants in backyards, fields and farms across the U.S. With more than 16 million new Americans taking up gardening in the past year, American Flowers Week provides professionals and organizations in consumer horticulture an opportunity to invite everyone to join in the flower independence Day promotion. Learn more at americanflowersweek.com

Original story by Debra Prinzing can be found on the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture's website, here.