Mixed in with the oohs and aahs of floral designers exclaiming over freshly harvested flowers were the baas and bleats of goats large and small, residents of Tanglewood Flower Farm in Ashton, Maryland. Nearly 20 members of the Independent Floral Designers Association (IFDA) and their guests gathered at Tanglewood on Saturday, September 10, 2022 to tour the farm, pet the goats, learn from a design demonstration, and create their own European Bouquet, using locally grown flowers and foliage.
Terry Godfrey, AIFD, EMC, gave a spirited demonstration for constructing a European Bouquet using deftly constructed “hay sausages” for the base. Terry’s presentation included a thoughtful analysis of how to select materials to honor the location.
“I wanted to use natural materials to unify the project with the place,” Terry said. “Using botanical material for the construction was a way to respect the sustainable farming philosophy of Jill Coutts and her colleagues at Tanglewood Flower Farm. There are many options for material, but as it turned out, I had many boxes of hay on hand after my daughter gave away her rabbit, but neglected to stop the auto refill of the hay.” Terry also mentioned that she had never used hay before, so she enjoyed the personal challenge to use what she had.” Dahlias, those queens of the fall, played a starring role, along with caryopteris, lisianthus, zinnias, honeysuckle, gomphrena, celosia, sedum, jasmine vine, and more.
According to IFDA President Ellen Seagraves, the group began exploring local flowers eight years ago. Their first event featured Holly Chapple of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers, Drew Asbury, Horticulturist at Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens, and Kathy Jentz, Editor, Washington Gardener, and Leon Carrier of Plantmasters. Holly designed using product from Plantmasters, and everyone the locally grown movement. “That event was such a huge hit that we decided to continue emphasizing local growers with a program every September,” Ellen said. “From a showcase for local growers, to workshops at local farms, to an event featuring locally grown flowers and wine, we have been happy to advertise and support our local growers.”
With one year skipped because of the pandemic, the Tanglewood event was the third the group has organized, and each has received rave reviews from attendees and farmers. In 2019, IFDA toured Dilly Dally Garden in Sykesville, Maryland, and in 2021, Red Barn Flower Farm in Boyds, Maryland, welcomed the group.
Jill Coutts, owner of Tanglewood, is a former horticulture teacher in Montgomery County. Jill has been growing flowers for five years, and she sells to designers, at two weekly markets, and offers wedding and event services.
“I enjoy opening my farm to people,” Jill said. “I feel like I have a good space for that, and I was happy to have people visit and lead them on a tour of what we do. To me, it is so fun to meet designers and others who love flowers like I do, and having them see the farm is the best way to connect.”
The afternoon finished with a Summer Sangria Soiree. On the lawn under trees on this historic farm, participants enjoyed ham biscuits, shrimp, beef empanadas, eggplant tarts, and two kinds of sangria.
“I think there is a huge future for local growers,” Ellen Seagraves said. No matter what style of floral design you practice, from ikebana to garden style to European structural design, there are local flowers and botanicals that will fit your needs.”