Booker Flowers & Gifts, 7 Booker Avenue,
Allerton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L18 4QY
Allerton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L18 4QY
Flowers have always been connected with nature, so it’s only right that sustainability is a conversation that matters within the floristry industry.
There are lots of decisions that florists make to ensure flowers look their best, last well, and are suitable for the person receiving them.
One of the tools that has been used within professional floristry for decades is floral foam. It has allowed florists to create everything from traditional sympathy tributes to beautiful gift arrangements, providing structure and helping flowers stay hydrated.
However, sustainability is a conversation that matters more than ever, and rightly so.
At Booker Flowers & Gifts, we are always looking at how we can make more considered choices within our floristry — from the flowers we select to the products and techniques we use.
That’s why we choose to use OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam in the designs where floral foam is needed.
The floristry industry is not one that stands still. Florists, growers, suppliers, and manufacturers are constantly learning, innovating, and looking for ways to become more sustainable. OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam is one example of how the industry is moving forward.
But what exactly is floral foam? Why do florists use it? And what makes OASIS® Renewal® different?
Let’s take a closer look.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that “Oasis” and “floral foam” are the same thing.
OASIS® is actually a brand name, while floral foam is the product itself. It’s a little like saying “Hoover” when we mean a vacuum cleaner — the brand name has become so familiar that it is often used to describe the whole category.
Within floristry, OASIS® is one of the best-known manufacturers of floral foam, but there are different brands and types of floral foam available.
Floral foam is a specialist material used by florists to help create structured arrangements. It provides a secure base for flowers, allowing stems to be positioned exactly where needed, while also providing a water source to help keep flowers hydrated.
For professional florists, this makes it an incredibly useful tool when creating certain designs.
Before floral foam became part of modern floristry, florists were already finding clever ways to create beautiful designs. Traditional techniques included using things like chicken wire, moss, newspaper, and foliage stems to help support flowers and keep stems in place. These methods could create stunning arrangements, but they also had their limitations — particularly when it came to creating more structured designs or ensuring flowers had a consistent water source.
Then, in the 1950s, a rather unexpected discovery changed the world of floristry forever.
Floral foam was created by Vernon L. Smithers in 1954. The story goes that Smithers was working with foam materials originally developed for industrial use when he noticed the potential for something quite different. After seeing a floral arrangement gifted to his wife, he wondered whether this lightweight material could be adapted to hold flowers and absorb water — and that little spark of curiosity led to the creation of what we now know as OASIS® Floral Foam.
Suddenly, florists had a completely new way of working. Flowers could be placed exactly where they were needed, designs could hold their shape beautifully, and arrangements could be created in forms and styles that had previously been much more difficult to achieve.
It transformed the way florists worked and opened up a whole new world of creativity — from thoughtful gift arrangements and sympathy tributes to large-scale wedding and event designs.
Of course, like many products that have been part of an industry for decades, the conversation around floral foam has changed over time. We all have a greater understanding today of the importance of making more sustainable choices, and the floristry industry is no different.
That’s why innovation matters. Products such as OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam are part of the next chapter of floristry — helping florists continue creating beautiful designs while looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact.
If you're interested in the history of floral foam and how products like OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam have evolved, there's an excellent interview from Kay's Flower School featuring OASIS® Sustainability Manager.
It explores how floral foam was originally developed, why it became such an important tool for florists, and the work being done today to improve its sustainability. It's well worth a watch if you're curious about the future of floristry.
As florists, our job is to create designs that are not only beautiful but also practical for the person receiving them.
There are some floral designs where mechanics are essential to achieve the shape, structure, and longevity required. Floral foam allows florists to create arrangements where flowers stay securely positioned, while also providing them with access to water.
This is particularly useful for certain types gift arrangements. Not everyone receiving flowers is able to regularly change vase water, re-cut stems, or arrange a hand-tied bouquet themselves. So for someone who may have limited mobility, be recovering from illness, or simply wants something easy to enjoy, a ready-made floral arrangement with minimal maintenance can be a thoughtful and practical choice.
Floral foam also allows florists to create designs that are important for occasions such as:
At Booker Flowers & Gifts, we are conscious about how much floral foam we use, where we use it, and whether it is the best option for the design we are creating.
OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam has been developed to provide florists with the trusted performance they need, while taking steps towards a more sustainable future.
Made from plant-based and renewable raw materials, Renewal Floral Foam offers the same reliable flower support florists know and trust, but with improved environmental credentials.
Some of the key benefits include:
Made With Renewable Raw Materials
OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam is made using plant-based and renewable raw materials and has been certified by TÜV Austria with a 4-star rating according to OK biobased certification.
A Lower Carbon Footprint
OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam has a 56% lower carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based OASIS® floral foams.
While sustainability is a journey rather than a destination, this is a positive step towards reducing the environmental impact of floral foam.
Strong Support For Floral Designs
Renewal Floral Foam provides a secure stem grip for a wide variety of flowers — from delicate soft stems through to thicker, woody stems.
This means florists can continue creating beautiful, creative designs while using a product that has been developed with sustainability in mind.
Helps Keep Flowers Hydrated
Each brick can absorb and retain up to 2 litres of water, providing flowers with the hydration they need to stay looking beautiful.
This is where honesty matters.
There is no single perfect solution when it comes to sustainability, and the floristry industry is continually evolving.
Floral foam has received criticism over the years, and those conversations have encouraged suppliers and florists to look for better alternatives and more responsible ways of working.
OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam represents a positive step forward. It is made using renewable plant-based materials and has a significantly reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional petroleum-based floral foams.
However, we believe in being transparent. Sustainability is not about claiming perfection — it’s about continuing to learn, improve, and make better choices wherever possible.
At Booker Flowers & Gifts, we are always looking at new products, techniques, and ideas that allow us to create beautiful flowers while being more environmentally conscious.
When considering sustainability, it is important to think about the whole lifecycle of a product — including what happens after it has been used.
Currently, OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam should be disposed of in general waste after use.
We know many people are looking for more environmentally friendly disposal options, and this is an area where ongoing research and testing are taking place.
Any future end-of-life claims need to be fully tested, independently verified, and certified before they can be made. OASIS® has chosen not to make claims that are not supported by data, which is why current disposal guidance remains general waste.
In markets where waste is incinerated with energy recovery, OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam is considered carbon neutral.
As with many products used within floristry, sustainability is an evolving journey. Being transparent about where we are now is just as important as looking ahead to where we want to be.
Floral mechanics are a huge part of becoming a confident flower arranger.
At Booker Flowers & Gifts Flower School, we teach students how professional florists create beautiful, balanced designs — including how to use materials such as OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam correctly and responsibly.
Understanding traditional floristry techniques gives students a strong foundation, helping them understand structure, placement, proportion, and design.
However, modern floristry is always evolving, and our students also explore foam-free techniques and alternative approaches to floral design.
Whether you’re completely new to floristry, enjoy creating flowers as a hobby, are part of a church flower arranging team, or are looking to develop professional skills, understanding the “why” behind different techniques is just as important as learning the technique itself.
If you’re a flower arranger, church flower arranger, or enjoy creating your own floral designs at home, you can purchase OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam from Booker Flowers & Gifts florist shop on Booker Avenue in Liverpool.
Pop into our Liverpool flower shop to collect your floral foam, or contact our team to check availability.
As of July 2026 one block of OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam costs £5
No. OASIS® is a brand name, while floral foam is the product itself. Much like we might say “Hoover” when referring to a vacuum cleaner, OASIS® has become a familiar name associated with floral foam within the floristry industry.
The foam is made primarily from renewable, plant-based materials rather than traditional petroleum-based resins but is not currently certified as biodegradable. Currently, OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam should be disposed of in general waste. Independent testing and certification processes are ongoing to explore further end-of-life options, and claims will only be made once these have been fully tested and verified.
OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam is a more environmentally considered option compared to traditional petroleum-based floral foams. It is made using plant-based and renewable raw materials and has a 56% lower carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based OASIS® floral foams.
Yes. Many professional florists continue to use floral foam for specific designs where structure, water supply, and ease of care are important.
However, modern florists are becoming increasingly conscious about how and when they use it. Do have a look at this florist review of the renewal floral foam. At Booker Flowers & Gifts, we carefully consider each design and use OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam where it is the most appropriate choice.
Absolutely. At Booker Flowers & Gifts Flower School, we teach students how professional florists create beautiful designs, including how to use OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam correctly and responsibly.
We also explore foam-free techniques, giving students a rounded understanding of modern floristry.
You can purchase OASIS® Renewal® Floral Foam from Booker Flowers & Gifts. Visit our Liverpool flower shop to collect your floral foam or contact our team for availability.
Floristry has always been about creativity, nature, and connection — and that means we have a responsibility to keep learning and improving.
From growers choosing more sustainable practices, to suppliers developing better products, to florists making more considered choices every day, change is happening across the industry.
At Booker Flowers & Gifts, we are proud to be part of that journey — creating beautiful flowers while continuing to look for ways to make more thoughtful choices for the future of floristry.
Booker Flowers & Gifts, 7 Booker Avenue,
Allerton, Liverpool, Merseyside, L18 4QY
Registered in England and Wales
Company reg. no. 09396097
VAT no. GB995310989
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