Flower sales still strong despite Australia’s economic downturn

It has been boom and bloom at Sunny Hill Flowers as Aussies continue to buy flowers despite recent economic challenges.

It’s a family affair at Sunny Hill Flowers. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Located at the frosty foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, workers at Sunny Hill Flowers have a blooming warm way to start a winter working day.

The greenhouse at the Silvan site is attuned to a tropical 22 to 24 degrees throughout the winter months to ensure its popular oriental lillies grow consistently year round.

Sunny Hill Flowers sales manager Dan Wilson said the woolly weather outside often varied, but inside the greenhouse was the place to be in early July.

“It’s certainly a pleasant place this time of year,” he said. “In summer, we can slightly cool the facility, because right temperature for the flowers is around the 22 to 24 degree mark.”

Australia’s economic conditions over the past three years haven’t been as consistent as the greenhouse thermostat. But that hasn’t stopped old and new romantics alike from snapping up stems when life isn’t that rosy.

“We thought at the start of the pandemic in 2020 that people would stop buying flowers but the opposite occurred,” Mr Wilson said.

“There was a big surge in sales of flowers. I think people wanted to bring a bit of joy to someone they cared for during those tough times.”

Dan Wilson, with his partner Natalie, and their kids three-year-old Ollie and five-month-old Pippa, at Sunny Hill Flowers, Silvan. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin.

Import difficulties from far-flung floral destinations such as Kenya and Ecuador also helped domestic flower sales throughout 2020 and 2021.

“There was a growing awareness during the Covid years about the need to support Australian-grown flowers,” Mr Wilson said. “It’s good for local business, it’s better for the environment to source your flowers locally.”