Meadow & Thicket Farm Flowers

Much to my horror, I was made aware through some comments on my previous post that perhaps the image of the eryngium did not do it justice. I guess some people didn't like the lacy spider condo all over it. Call me weird, but I love it. Not all my eryngiums end up like that, so if it creeped you out, let me assure you it is a lovely plant in the landscape, adding interesting texture. And if you like to bring your flowers in to enjoy, they add a little something unusual, and very blue to bouquets. Attaching photos of boutonnieres and a bouquet I made last summer with them - I think they add the sparkle... and they are good for insects ;)

This year please add some eryngium (seaholly) to your list of plants to add to your garden. Eryngiums (seaholly) are, in my opinion, one of the most valuable blooms i grow. Not because i use them in alot of fresh bouquets, not because they are great additions to boutonnieres and fab as drieds, but because they are such bug magnets. All growing season long they are humming with a huge range of pollinators, and as you can see here, they support quite the spider condo! I have al...ot of eryngium in my garden including plenty that i don't cut because they are such great habitat. This week on the #sustainableflowerspodcast we had a fascinating conversation with Scott Black The Xerces Society about why plant/bloom diversity in your garden/farm is critical for invertebrate populations, including for the ones that naturally control the ones that you might wish weren't there. One of my favorite conversations yet. See more

Super happy to be joining the list of amazing producers in Yellowhead County!

February is a tough month. Its almost over, but it isn't. Its a dangerous time for me, for over- seeding, over-buying, over commiting, and over wine-ing( and whining). Played with some drieds, but just not feeling it. The snow is rotting away outside, but we are a long way off of green shoots. Anyone else struggle with the shortest longest month?

This week on #thesustainableflowerspodcast we had an amazing and uber-informative chat with Stephanie Frischie, native plant specialist with #xercessociety about types of pollinators and things we can do as gardeners/ flower farmers to enhance and preserve invertebrate and pollinator habitat. So much info and so encouraging, i have been planning my "beetle-banks" ever since!

Hard to believe, but we are launching Season 3(!) of the #sustainableflowerspodcast- and to do it in grand style, and packed with great information, Heather @borealblooms is generously (as always) sharing all her hard-won knowledge about growing astounding ranunculus for fall.!

What is it about "firsts"? Often tentative, fumbling, embarrassing...but potentially the most exhilarating. Things seen with "beginners' eyes", totally in awe of the complete "full-body" impact of the experience. Be they the first kiss, the first witness of the staggering beauty of a place, or the first of a type of bloom one has grown...the memory of the "firsts" refuse to be diluted with experience. Hamari Rose, Light Accord and Rossendale Peach are my "firsts" in t...he dahlia world. None of them have been great producers for me, and all failed miserably in my attempt to overwinter, on numerous occasions. But every year, I go in search of them... so much for being a prudent/pragmatic farmer/business woman Photo of Rossendale Peach by the fabulous T.Bolinski Creative