Canadian Florist reports Olympic and Paralympic bouquets have a story all their own

Who knew what was involved in the 1,800 bouquets presented to medalists at the Olympics and the just-starting Paralympics? According to a recent story in Canadian Florist magazine, lots. 

For instance, the bouquets are produced by 22 women who learned the floral trade through the Just Beginnings Flowers Society, a non-profit enterprise in Surrey BC for marginalized women, recovering from addiction, prison or exiting the sex trade or who had been victims of violence as well as women who are changing careers to become florists. 

Bouquets are intended to showcase BC-grown greenery and flowers but have to avoid things that could cause allergies or injury. VANOC wanted to wrap bouquets in red cedar, but some people have severe reactions to the oil. White pussy willlows were considered, but dropped because a bouquet thrown into the crowd couldn't safely have "pointy" materials.

SurreyLeader.com created a video showing the training of the women who make the floral tributes.

[Thanks to Lawn & Landscape]