Wildflowers
Wildflowers are EVERYWHERE right now. From t-shirts at Target to Tom Petty (“You belong among the wildflowers…You belong somewhere you feel free.”), from bridal consultations to the FAQ list about photo sessions, we talk *a lot* about wildflowers.
The funny thing is that we don’t, technically, have any. Here’s what I mean:
Nothing we grow is a wildflower in the sense that it grows natively in that space without human intervention or effort. Prior to being a flower field, the land was a sheep pasture, meaning it had a lot of native grasses (which have taken approximately one forever to get rid of. They’re mostly gone now, but they put up quite the fight). Any flowers that are there now are because we added them!
We also don’t grow random mixes of flowers just everywhere or anywhere. We use flower beds and plant in rows, with a few exceptions.
The flowers we grow are chosen for the ability to be cut and last in a vase for a good amount of time (5-10 days, typically). Wildflowers, as a category, are not known for their vase life.
But, at the same time, there are a lot of ways that what we do is reminiscent of wildflowers:
We grow a huge variety and diversity of flowers. Don’t ask us what our favorite flower is; we love too many of them to give a good answer. We love giving you lots of options when you come to cut flowers with us!
We want the flower field to feel very natural and unforced. This is why we use grass paths and plan the field really carefully with an eye to layering flowers and colors across rows, beds, sections, and the field as a whole.
We grow flowers that are locally grown specialties. You aren’t very likely to see them in a grocery store because, while they last fine in a vase, they don’t handle being shipped very well. That localness gives them a wildflower feel.
We do have some mass plantings of airy, delicate blooms. They’re so pretty, and they make such a good photo background!
Wildflower inspired floral design is whimsical, spontaneous, very natural, seasonal, and unforced. Color, texture, variety are all valued and encouraged. It’s a good description of the kind of floral design I’m drawn to and that I think the flower field excels at providing flowers for.
When we first started the farm, I’d bristle on the inside of someone called what we did “wildflowers”. Now, I take it as a compliment. You want to tell me you think what we have built and grown seems beautiful, effortless, spontaneous, whimsical, and free? As Tom Petty sang, “Far away from your trouble and worry / You belong somewhere you feel free.” We’d be honored if that place was our flower field.
So, yes, talk to us about wildflowers - we love them!
Xoxo, Katie