As I look outside my window right now the ground is covered in beautiful white puffy snow. I would be hard pressed to find anything blooming outside if I went searching for blooms. But that doesn't mean you can't find ways to enjoy blooms in other ways when it's cold outside. The picture above shows a beautiful wreath (I call it the Friendship Wreath) full of many of the flowers we grew and dried here on our small scale flower farm (the lavender was sourced from a friend, hence the name Friendship Wreath). In the throes of winter, it can be such a challenge to manage the dismalness that the season and weather brings. I admit it messes with my energy and slows me down. Sometimes I turn into a cave dweller and I don't want to leave the house when it's really cold. Anyway. Despite all of that I still find ways to enjoy blooms this time of year.
I don't know if dried florals are truly considered seasonal but they can be enjoyed all year long. But the dreariness of winter is the perfect time to enjoy all the beauty they can bring. I have made wreaths, ornaments, floral crowns, used them for embellishments for various things, bridal bouquets and the list goes on. They have so many uses and most of the time the subdued colors from the drying produces creates a neutral tone in the flowers that makes them usable in your decor all year round. Of course if you prefer more vibrant colors, there are ways to dry them to hold that color but that's not something I usually do. Maybe dried florals aren't your thing and that's ok.
Have you ever grown Amaryllis in winter? They are a sure fire way to enjoy fresh blooms by growing them inside at home. We offer them during the Christmas season at the farmer's market and on our website and so many people enjoy them! I currently have five different Amaryllis of varied colors that are in different stages of blooms. We grow the extra large bulbs-the biggest available on the market. Those extra large bulbs usually send up at least 2 but many times 3 stalks of flowers. Each stalk usually has 4 flowers but this year I have had a few with 6 flowers!! Eek!!!! Talk about a wonderful surprise! Most of the time the stalks bloom a few weeks apart so you get to enjoy those beauties all winter long. I currently have one with 3 stalks that looks like they could all bloom at once-we will see how that goes. But Amaryllis bring such a joy and beauty to the gloominess of winter..
And then before you know it spring is around the corner and so many trees and bushes come into bloom. Have you ever thought about snipping a few of them to bring in to enjoy those blooms? Do it!!They may not last long but it you snip them right as the buds are swelling(what will become the bloom), you will be able to enjoy them for a couple days longer. And then maybe the daffodils and hyacinths are blooming. Snip them too and bring them inside and put in a bud vase next to your kitchen sink so you can enjoy them while you are doing the dreaded dishes-plus maybe you have the type that have a scent-such an added bonus. Maybe you don't have any of that in your landscape-well consider you can find some of these in the late winter/early spring at nurseries and big box stores in your area so you haven't missed out and can still enjoy them. Who knows maybe we will offer them next year- I have been thinking about it but we'll have to see.
Of course in the springtime there are so many blooms popping up bringing joy. The daffodils and hyacinths I mentioned before- but add to that some of the beauties we grow-anemones, ranunculus, peonies, orlaya, nigella, tulips, dill, sweet peas, dianthus and that is just the tip of the iceberg-there is a world of beautiful spring beauties just waiting for the taking.
And then here comes summer-where the abundance of nature overflows. We have zinnia, cosmos, hydrangea, baptisia, roses, sedum, phlox, rudbeckia, celosia, dahlias, yarrow, marigold, mahogany splendor hibiscus, basils, clematis, and the list goes on. Many of these grow into the fall if the weather is mild or some of the cool season flowers come back into bloom like snapdragons.
Do you enjoy the seasonality of flowers? I surely do! They bring a bright ray of sunshine sprinkled with joy to help me get through the difficult seasons of life. I'd love to hear which flowers you enjoy. Just drop a note in the comments. Stay warm friends.
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