Americans buy more fresh flowers on Valentine's Day and Mothers' Day than at any other time of year. This February, give a gift that's as healthy as it is beautiful: an organic bouquet.

Under intense pressure to supply picture-perfect plants, many flower farmers rely on pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers and preservatives. These chemicals linger in the environment, polluting nearby ecosystems. And hazardous chemical residues remain on the flower petals themselves.

Seventy percent of cut flowers sold in the U.S. are grown overseas (more than 60 percent of our flowers currently come from Colombia), where pesticide regulations can be lacking. And flower farm workers can suffer from pesticide exposure-related symptoms and unhealthy working conditions, according to the Pesticide Action Network North America.

Luckily, the responsible alternative is beautiful and easy. Terra Bella Flowers by Phinney Ridge Florist specializes in locally grown, organic flowers. You can also order an Organic Bouquet online.

"While you're going to pay a little more to buy from a professional florist than from a supermarket, people are surprised to find that sustainably grown flowers aren't that much more expensive than conventional ones," says Melissa Feveyear, owner of Phinney Ridge Florist. "Often, farmers are saving money by not using expensive pesticides, and we're able to pass that savings along."

An even better option? Potted organic plants will remain joyful, healthy home fixtures much longer than cut bouquets. For a cheery gift, workers at City People's Garden Store recommend organic rosemary in a pretty clay pot, or daffodil bulbs that your sweetie can watch bloom.

Learn more about Phinney Ridge Florist and OrganicBouquet.com on their websites. For potted flowers, check out local nurseries like City People's, Molbak's or Ravenna Gardens. Search for environmentally and socially responsible flower farms certified by VeriFlora.

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