A palette of gray and muted green and white greeted me this morning – a winter sky above a winter ground dusted with snow and glazed with ice. As I walked, I thought how January forces us to look closely, seeking signs of growth, reminding me of the old grade school reading books commanding us to, “Look!” So look I did.
And I saw daffodils sprouting, impatient to grow so they can show off the yellow gold and creamy white and bright orange blossoms that lift us up in early spring. I saw hellebores blooming despite the frigid temperatures – welcome spots of color in a frozen landscape. I saw the green foliage of field grown ranunculus and anemones, and it was reassuring to see they have made it this far into the winter. Likewise with the scabiosa and bells of Ireland and other cool hardy annuals planted last fall, confirming they are doing their part to fulfill the promise of spring.
It was a close look that helped birth the locally grown flowers movement. As consumers began thinking more about origin for their food, they also began thinking about origin for their flowers. Flower Confidential, Amy Stewart’s thorough analysis of the global floral industry, published in 2008, fueled this movement. Today, many florists are considering how they can source and design more with locally grown flowers.
A close look at the winter work of flower farmers and florists finds commonalities. Both are doing the necessary work to plan and prepare for what we hope will be a more regular season of weddings and events. What is it that farmers are doing now? Finalizing crop plans, starting seeds – I’m looking at you, growers of Lisianthus! - succession planning, creating or updating websites, completing vendor applications and agricultural grant forms, planning Instagram and other social media feeds, plotting weed control – so many of the details that lapse a bit during the hectic growing season.
Farmers are busy, even in winter, but January and February offer more time for florists to speak with their growers about upcoming needs. If you don’t know a grower, take a moment to introduce yourself via e-mail, Instagram message, or website contact form. Ask questions about availability, pricing, and delivery, and share your wish list, too. You will find a ready response.
Close looks at nature are encouraging, as the pandemic news is still scary, even as vaccines have begun to be administered. The earth is turning, and, beneath our feet, so much is already stirring. And each of us will harvest what we are seeding now.
What’s Available Locally in January: This list is by no means comprehensive, just a sampling of what growers in our area may have this month. Paper white narcissus, ilex, hellebore, quince, red twig dogwood, forsythia, pussy willow, and all kinds of dried flowers!
Care tips for Helleborus: There are many varieties of Helleborus, and some begin blooming in December, with others flowering in January, February, or March. The older the flower, the longer it will last. The most critical point is to ensure blooms are harvested when the seed pods have formed, and then they will last for two to three weeks. If harvested too soon, they wilt very quickly. Some prefer to use a knife to cut these, although I have not seen a marked difference between a knife and snips.