Farm Update | Seed Orders for 2023

by Jennifer McAllister
A flower field filled with pink zinnias.

 

If you’re like me, you pore over seed options for hours resisting the urge to buy every colour and form offered! (I must admit, I have a supply of seed packages in the office that have never been opened.) As I plan for season three at the farm, I’m more focused than ever on creating a field where flower colour is in harmony across every row and where forms are selected carefully to bring depth and interest to each arrangement. 

When dreaming up the field, I think about the end result and work backwards! I review photos from past seasons and think about what really worked and what didn’t. Whether you love dramatic high contrast palettes or soft whimsical ones, break it down to determine what should stay and what should go! Last season, I trialed seed pods and they’re back on the list this year!

Be true to you! While finding inspiration is a wonderful way to get started, grow what you love! If you’ve been following for a while, you know that red flowers aren’t for me, so I don’t grow them. I’ve also discovered that I love the way a golden orange sets off my pinks, so I’m growing more than ever! Cultivate the flowers that foster your passion as a grower!

 

The Staples:

The staples make up the body of arrangements and are continuous bloomers.
Dahlias: Information regarding varieties I grow and those on my wish list will be shared in an upcoming newsletter.
 
Snapdragons: These gorgeous flowers are an absolute must on the farm and provide height to arrangements. This season, I will only be growing Potomac Series Snapdragons, as I find them to be the most robust on the farm and also have the strongest stems. I have every sunrise colour ordered, from light pink to jewel tones. If you’re new to snapdragons or you’re looking to try a new variety, Potomac Appleblossom would be at the top of my list!
 
Zinnias: I’ve trialed about a dozen varieties, but only three make the list this season! Oklahoma Pink & Salmon along with Queen Lime Blush.

 

The Details:

The Details bring arrangements to life and give them personality. Not all are continuous bloomers.

Form & Texture: Breadseed Poppies (pods), Scabiosa Stelatta (pods), Strawflower in Pinks and Apricots, Gomphrena in Pinks. Celosia - Flamingo Feather & Pampas Plume, Craspedia, Emerald Tassels Amaranth, Apple Mint, Bells of Ireland, Green Mist Ammi, Bunny Tail, Nigella.

Sweet Peas: While Sweet Peas can stand on their own, they’re also a soft addition to bouquets. I try different varieties every year, but continue to make Nimbus, Elegance Watermelon and Geoff Hughes my must haves!

Trialing: Before committing precious row space to a new variety, I run trials in small quantities first. This year, I’ll be trialing White Mignonette and Winged Everlasting.

The Details bring arrangements to life and give them personality. Not all are continuous bloomers.

Form & Texture: Breadseed Poppies (pods), Scabiosa Stelatta (pods), Strawflower in Pinks and Apricots, Gomphrena in Pinks. Celosia - Flamingo Feather & Pampas Plume, Craspedia, Emerald Tassels Amaranth, Apple Mint, Bells of Ireland, Green Mist Ammi, Bunny Tail, Nigella.

Sweet Peas: While Sweet Peas can stand on their own, they’re also a soft addition to bouquets. I try different varieties every year, but continue to make Nimbus, Elegance Watermelon and Geoff Hughes my must haves!

Trialing: Before committing precious row space to a new variety, I run trials in small quantities first. This year, I’ll be trialing White Mignonette and Winged Everlasting.

Leaving Behind: Some flowers don’t work in the field no matter how much you love them. In 2023, I won’t be growing Stock, China Aster, Feverfew, Costa Series Snapdragons, or Zinderella & Benary Series Zinnias.

Wishing you the best as you dream up the next season!

 

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