The last of December was bitterly cold here in the greater Washington, D.C., area, but January has treated us more kindly, weather-wise. This morning, as the dawn sun pinked the horizon, I took a turn around the garden. The grass was crisp with frost, and the ground seemed dormant, but the air had the scent of spring. Beneath that silver layer of ice, I know much is already stirring, and soon enough will be sprouting.
The earth may be sleeping, but flower farmers are working hard even in winter to ensure they can meet the needs of florists, whether retail or studio-based, for locally grown flowers and foliage. In addition to the existing resources to help designers find local product, a new Facebook group called American Flower Farmers Selling Direct to Florists is helping forge those connections, too. It is a private group, but it is easy to find and join. Once a member, florists can post where they are located and what they need, and growers can post where they are located and what they have available.
I met another new grower yesterday, which makes five new growers just in my county in the last year. The groundswell of interest in local flowers continues apace (pun intended). Wishing us all – farmer and florist alike – a fruitful new year.
Where to Find Local Flowers:
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.
Amaryllis, paper white narcissus, ilex, hellebore, quince, red twig dogwood, forsythia, pussy willow, and tulips. Also ask your local growers about dried flowers and wreaths – many dry their harvest!
Care Tips for Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa) – Flowering quince branches take a little effort to bring into bloom indoors, but their beauty is well worth it! Keep branches in water in a bright, warm room, but not in direct sunlight. Change the water every few days, and recut the stems a few days after your first cut. Branches will bloom in about four weeks, and last about a week.