The Flower Podcast

In this episode, we welcome back Adrianne Gammie, a dedicated flower farmer known for her intentional approach to business, sustainability, and community impact. Adrianne shares valuable insights from her evolving farm, covering everything from pollinator habitat and land stewardship to profitability and professional relationships. Her candid advice is grounded in real-world experience and offers practical strategies for flower farmers at any stage. Topics Covered: -How diversification helps manage risk in farming -Creating and managing pollinator habitat for ecological health -Learning from experts and the local community -Responsible land management, even beyond cultivated areas -The importance of clear communication with florists -Using platforms like Rooted Farmers to streamline sales -Evaluating crop profitability regularly -Building trust through in-person deliveries -Customizing your flower farm to fit your unique context Takeaway:
  Adrianne reminds us that successful flower farming isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about long-term thinking, building relationships, and making choices that align with your values and goals. Rooted Farmers is free for flower buyers, from consumers to all kinds of florists. Additionally, flower farmers can save $75 on either of the plans they offer by using the code TFP25 for that discount. Follow this link to Rooted Farmers. Now is a great time to join the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers!  Connect with growers, take advantage of educational opportunities, access the vast library of past articles and conferences, and so much more.  Visit ASCFG.org to learn more about all the benefits that comes with membership Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com. Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

Flowers are at the heart of so many meaningful moments—especially since Mother's Day week just happened. This episode honors the hardworking farmers, florists, designers, and behind-the-scenes teams who make it all possible. Returning guest Diane Szukovathy of Jello Mold Farm joins Scott for a rich conversation about long-term farm planning, infrastructure investment, and the evolving role of a flower grower. As a founding member of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, Diane also shares the story behind Floral Standards—a new, farmer-developed book designed to help growers sell more confidently with clear guidelines for stem counts, harvest stages, and post-harvest care. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about local flowers, building a business, or creating a lasting impact in the floral industry. Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com. Visit Diane's page for easy access to all of her links and social pages. Now is a great time to join the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers! Connect with growers, take advantage of educational opportunities, access the vast library of past articles and conferences, and so much more. Visit ASCFG.org to learn more about all the benefits that comes with membership. Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast. You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

We're chatting with Nicole Pitt, the passionate owner of Flower Hill Farm, and a popular YouTube creator, as she shares her journey in the world of flower farming. Nicole's story is all about planting roots, both literally and figuratively, as she returned to her childhood home in 2018 and transformed it into a thriving farm full of flowers. Some of the topics we discussed: Perennials as a Foundation:  
Nicole emphasizes that perennials, though slower to establish, are long-term investments that form the backbone of the farm. Animal Control Is Essential:
  Research the best animal control methods for your area. Nicole used fencing, poles, and covers, but every farm's needs are different. Retail Space for Community Connection:  
Creating a retail space helped Nicole connect with her community while keeping her private/family space separate. Revitalizing a Nursery:
  Nicole brought new life to the nursery — not just as a business, but as a way to give back to her community and offer another revenue stream for the town. Be the Face of Your Business:
  Show up as yourself. Vulnerability makes you relatable and helps build trust with your audience or customers. Take Lots of Photos:
  Document your journey from different angles — both for storytelling and content creation. Stay True to Yourself:
  Even if your close circle doesn't fully understand your path, it doesn't mean they don't support you. Trust your vision and keep going. Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com. Take a minute and explore all the offerings at The Gardener's Workshop. They offer a wide range of products for farmers and gardeners. Plus wonderful courses to help you fine tune your skills in growing. Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast.  You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

This week's episode highlights the importance of continual growth and learning in the floral industry. Our guest, Pili, exemplifies this by consistently investing in her skills through workshops and collaborations with leading designers. She emphasizes the need for exploring new trends and refining techniques to perfect one's craft. A key theme in the conversation is Pili's ability to identify issues and opportunities, then rallying the community to fill those gaps. We dive into the flower market in Mexico City, where Pili shares fascinating insights, including the fact that the only outside flowers allowed in the country come from Holland. She stresses the importance of strong relationships with vendors and local farmers, emphasizing that business success is built on trust and partnerships. For those working with florals in Mexico City and its surrounding areas, Pili offers her expertise and is available as a resource to assist with sourcing, cargo, logistics, and both flowers and supplies. A deeply personal aspect of Pili's journey involves her experience with cancer, which led her to start Flower House Mexico—a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer charities. The unique workshop model at Flower House Mexico offers participants the chance to learn directly from floral designers in an intimate, hands-on setting over three days, diving deep into the creative and design process. Lastly, Pili reminds listeners of the importance of self-care—listening to your body, resting when needed, and pursuing ideas that resonate deeply with you. Takeaway: Keep investing in your growth, nurture relationships, and follow your passion—just like Pili does. Thanks to Accent Decor for being a sponsor again this year. Visit AccentDecor.com and be inspired. Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com. Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! If you have a minute, it would be great if you could leave a review wherever you listen to our podcast. You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

This week on The Flower Podcast our guest is Niki Irving, the owner and florist behind Flourish Flower Farm in Asheville, NC, where she grows a wide variety of flowers and foliage using sustainable methods. She creates beautiful, seasonal arrangements for weddings and events, leads classes and workshops on the farm, and offers fresh bouquets at her farmstand. Niki is also the author of the popular book Growing Flowers: Everything You Need to Know About Planting, Tending, Harvesting, and Arranging Beautiful Blooms, first published in 2021 with a new edition set to release in 2025. In this episode, Niki shares her journey in building a successful flower business. She discusses the importance of attracting the right customers, streamlining services, and diversifying income through various initiatives. Niki also highlights the value of customer education, the benefits of reviewing profit margins, and the role of ASCFG in supporting flower farmers. Learn how Niki manages to balance work and life while creating a business that aligns with her passions and priorities. Rooted Farmers is free for flower buyers, from consumers to all kinds of florists. Additionally, flower farmers can save $75 on either of the plans they offer by using the code TFP25 for that discount. Follow this link to Rooted Farmers. Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com. Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

Numbers are our friends! Digging deep into the data generated through the growing and selling of our flowers is an important part of creating a more sustainable business. This week, we're chatting with Adrianne Gammie, owner of Marilla Field and Flora, along with Amelia Ihlo, founder of Rooted Farmers. We'll take the time to meet Adrianne and discuss with Amelia how to analyze data from 2024 to evaluate the flower crops grown by both of these growers, as well as analyze the data collected by Rooted Farmers from all its members. Looking back and identifying which flowers and colors were popular helps us make informed decisions as we move into 2025. There are a lot of flowers and seeds in the ground and in transit to growers all over, so gaining insights from last year's data is particularly helpful as we continue our planning for this year.  Rooted Farmers is free for flower buyers, from consumers to all kinds of florists. Additionally, flower farmers can save $75 on either of the plans they offer by using the code TFP25 for that discount. Follow this link to Rooted Farmers. Learn more about today's episode and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com.  Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more!  You can also watch our conversations on YouTube, in addition to tip-filled videos and educational Lives. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute.

Today's guest is Meg Hutchinson, owner of The Florista, a floral and event business based in Nashville, TN. Meg is known for specializing and creating custom floral designs, bringing her client's vision to life. Her focus is delivering the “Wow Factor” through bespoke floral experiences that exceed expectations. In this episode we had a great time discussing several aspects of Meg's business. Never underestimate the importance in investing in yourself and mastering basic mechanics. Don't be afraid to take on projects that push you out of your comfort zone. It might be time to rebrand your business. Knowing the story you want to bring your clients will help you define your look and direction with your brand. We chat about how she budgets and shops for her events. And a whole lot more…… Learn more about Meg Hutchinson and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com. Subscribe to The Flower Podcast on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more! You can also watch our conversations on Youtube, in addition to tip filled videos, and educational Lives. Be sure to Subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a minute. We're grateful to have the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers as a sponsor for this episode. Feel free to learn more about them and all benefits of being a member as ASCFG.org. If you're trying to source local flower farmers in your area visit LocalFlowers.org.

Hello everyone! This is a special episode of The Flower Podcast. This year we're continuing a tradition that started last year with sharing something from our family's archives. My Dad for many years has collected a wide range of old time radio shows. His collection is made up of over 30,000 different shows and of course there are several Christmas specials. So we're excited to reshare this condensed version of Charles Dickens Classic, “A Christmas Carol” again this year. The book was originally published back in 1843 and has been a holiday classic for many years. This radio show originally aired on Christmas Day back in 1949 starring Lionel Barrymore. We've included some of the original commercials thrown in for fun. This week isn't about flowers, but the holiday's, family, and friends. We'll be taking a break for a several weeks as we prepare for 2025. Until then I hope you enjoy this special episode. Everyone at The Flower Podcast wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Learn more about our podcast and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials,  Live's, and video extras. We want to thank this years sponsors of The Flower Podcast! ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop 

I'm excited to share this week's episode with you! Earlier this year Jenny Love, flower farmer expert and host of the No Till Flowers podcast, asked me to be a guest on her podcast to chat about working with wholesalers as a local flower farmer. Jenny asked great questions and we had a great conversation that I hope you find helpful. Hopefully through conversation like this we can continue to grow the local flower share of our industry and bring more of the flower production to our own communities wherever you are around the world. Learn more about all of this years episodes with our guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

This week, we're catching up with Bailey Hale to dive into all the exciting developments happening at Farmer Bailey. So much has unfolded over the past two years that we had to bring Bailey back on the podcast to get the inside scoop. We'll hear about his recent tour to the Netherlands, the latest trends in cut flower plants, and their brand-new program, Garden Club Plants, launching this week. As a floral designer, flower farmer, and plant distributor, Bailey's expertise is unmatched. It's always a pleasure chatting with him, especially since he travels worldwide, scouting new cut flowers for local farmers to grow and share. Be sure to check out our first episode with Bailey Hale for more! Explore the new website gardenclubplants.com ! Learn more about Bailey, Farmer Bailey, and today's show notes with all of our past guests just visit TheFlowerPodcast.com  You can also listen to our first episode with Bailey here. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

This week, I'm joined by Ashley Fox, the creative force behind Ashley Fox Designs, a full-service floral studio in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Specializing in stunning floral arrangements for weddings, events, and editorial projects, Ashley is celebrated for her unique use of color and exceptional flower choices, drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature. With 25 years of experience and a background in horticulture and the arts, she carefully selects the finest local blooms alongside exclusive flower varieties from around the world. Ashley emphasizes the importance of collaboration to ensure a seamless event, blending meticulous attention to detail with thoughtful logistics. Her remarkable work has been showcased in esteemed publications such as VOGUE.com and Martha Stewart Weddings. To foster strong client relationships, she effectively uses Pinterest to understand their preferences and align them with her artistic vision. By employing Canva for design boards and prioritizing her sourcing locally and utilizing Rooted Farmers, Ashley translates her ideas into breathtaking floral creations. Above all, her passion for her craft drives her commitment to delivering unique and memorable experiences for each of her clients. Learn more about Ashley and today's show notes with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Our guest this week is Eleanor Lonardo and her business is called The Borrowed Garden located in Crockett, California. Eleanor's is a small scale flower farmer that sells to florists in the East Bay/San Francisco area. It's great to hear about her experiences as she began growing, the benefits of taking floral design workshops as a grower, the importance of photography, and so much more. There are several specialty crops that we explore, and it's great to hear the pros and cons of these truly specialty cut flowers. Learn more about Eleanor and today's show notes with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Sarah Winward is a floral artist and event designer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in destination weddings. Her work, known for its seasonal, nature-inspired designs, has been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Martha Stewart, and she has been named a top florist by Vogue. Sarah's floral arrangements evoke the beauty of nature, often sourced locally or foraged near event locations to seamlessly integrate with the surroundings. Passionate about flowers, Sarah collaborates closely with clients to create unique, memorable designs that reflect the season and environment. She believes in prioritizing key floral elements within a budget, planning for delicate blooms, and using mock-ups to ensure a flawless result. Above all, Sarah encourages embracing creativity, trusting your instincts, and allowing your designs to evolve as you grow. Learn more about Sarah and today's show notes with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! When you select an app be sure to subscribe to receive the episodes automatically. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Lisa Mason Ziegler, cut-flower farmer, author, educator and founder of The Gardener's Workshop is returning to The Flower Podcast. Since 1998, she has cultivated her three-acre urban farm in Southeastern Virginia, producing thousands of flower stems weekly for florists, supermarkets, farmer's markets, and her members-only on-farm market. Lisa has authored several books, including Cool Flowers, and she is the creator of Flower Farming School Online, which has expanded to include courses for both flower farmers and florists, in addition to starting two podcasts, Field and Garden and Seed Talk. I'm really excited to have Lisa back for a personal year-in-review for flower growers. It's been several years since our last episode, and I always learn something new from my conversations with her. In this episode, Lisa shares some of the valuable lessons she's learned along the way, many that are at the heart of what she teaches in her courses. We talk about the importance of setting clear goals and truly understanding your market. I appreciate how she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to tackle challenges with confidence while keeping customer convenience front and center. Her practical advice on building a solid foundation for success in flower farming is incredibly helpful, and she also offers a realistic perspective on business and the importance of continually moving forward. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow in the industry!  Be sure to listen Lisa's other episode on The Flower Podcast and also search The Gardener's Workshop on our YouTube Channel to watch my chats and an instagram Live with Lisa.  Learn more about Lisa and listen to her first episode with today's show notes and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast The Gardener's Workshop ASCFG  Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

My guest this week is Sarah Jo Eversole, owner of Everbloom Fields in Lancaster, TX. It might be a micro flower farm, but she produces not only exceptional quality blooms but high volume as well. She shares many of her experiences as a grower especially decisions on what to grow to be more profitable. There's a wealth of growing and business tips in this episode, and it's our hope that you're inspired and encouraged that no matter the size of your business, it's yours and has every opportunity to succeed.  Learn more about Sarah Jo and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

I'm excited to share that Charlotte Smith is our guest again on The Flower Podcast. Charlotte teaches farmers the skills they need to make money on their farms and live calm, balanced lives through mindset coaching. Going against what most of us have been taught, Charlotte coaches in 13 countries to build successful profitable farms while also getting out from feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. In 2016, Charlotte was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women in the World in Food and Agriculture by the non-profit, Food Tank and she is giving us a little dose of her coaching today on The Flower Podcast.   The great thing about this kind of coaching is that it's good for any kind of business. So this episode isn't just for farmers, it's also for florists, educators, or anyone that's an entrepreneur with a business. Today we chat about the importance of having and growing an email list for your business. In addition, we chat about hiring and putting systems in place to help encourage and strengthen your team and the importance of charging enough for your products so that you can cover all the expenses of hiring extra help, plus paying yourself. Learn more about Charlotte Smith and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Ready to talk Dahlias? This week my guest is Kristine Albrecht of Santa Cruz Dahlias. Known for her award winning dahlia hybrids and her book, Dahlia Breeding for the farmer florist and the home gardener, Kristine is sharing her flower journey along with numerous tips and insights on her hybridizing process, cover crops, soil testing and more. She is the president of the Monterey Bay Dahlia Society and travels with her blooms to local and national dahlia shows and today we get to step into the world of dahlias with Kristine. So get your notebooks ready, we're talking dahlias, now on The Flower Podcast. Learn more about Kristine and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, IG Lives, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

I'm in Ecuador this week so we're replaying our episode with my guest Kimberlee Mitchell owner of  Botanica Floral located in Atlanta, Ga. She has been a part of the floral community for over 20 years and has been fortunate to grow her business to include 5 star hotels and work within the film industry. Kimberlee has been working on many major films including the recently released new HBO movie of Father of the Bride as well as several TV series many of which can be found on Netflix. We had a great chat about how she buys her flowers for her hotels and movies, she also shares tips for helping flowers last longer, and the importance of perseverance. Learn more about Kimberlee and all of our past guests on TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, IG Lives, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast Farmer Bailey Accent Decor Real Flower Business Rooted Farmers ASCFG The Gardener's Workshop

My guest this week is Natalie Geehr and her business is theflowerfarmer.com located in Fresno, California. She grows in her backyard in addition to the 1/4 acre that she leases. Her big dream has allowed her to grow into doing weddings and events. Community has been an important part of her journey with growing flowers which let her to become one of the founding members of the San Joaquin Flower Collective that supplies local florists and shoppers with flowers that are grown in their own town. Learn more about Natalie Geehr and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

We're excited to have Marryn Mathis from The Farmhouse Flower Farm on The Flower Podcast this week. She shares how she's grown and adapted her business to work with her family schedule while maximizing her product reach. Dahlias and Sweet Peas have become two of her main crops. Today, with the launch of her new book, we're diving into growing sweet peas again. Hopefully we cover some challenges that will help you with producing this iconic cut flower. Learn more about Marryn, plus all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

We're excited to share this NEW and second episode with Brenna Estrada!!  Scroll below to connect with her page and listen to her first episode with The Flower Podcast. Home gardeners, flower farmers, and florists are always looking for flowers to help set them apart in their offerings and esthetics. My guest this week found her way to growing cut flowers eventually on Camano Island, Washington. Brenna Estrada and her business Three Brother Blooms takes pride in growing a wide variety of stunning, pollinator-friendly plants. She is passionate about growing several flowers, but especially pansies and violas. It was great to have Brenna on the podcast as a guest again. We took another dive into her world with pansies. We chatted about the long history of this family of flowers, how they've been used as cut flowers for centuries, how to take cuttings, overwintering them, and so much more. Oh and Brenna's new book that's available for preorder right now. You can listen to Brenna's first episode here. Learn more about Brenna and her exciting world of Pansies with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Rick Davis of Amaryllis Design in Landover, Maryland is our guest this week on The Flower Podcast. Featured in publications such as Town & Country, Southern Accents, and listed as one of the Top Wedding Florists in the nation by Martha Stewart, Rick shares his transformation story that has made Amaryllis a premiere wedding and event company. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and share!! Learn more about Rick and Amaryllis with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

During a recent visit to the Monroe Blooms Flower Show in Monroe, GA., I met Ashley Blackstone and Samantha Kramer from Wellspring Flower Farm. What stood out were their vibrant flower varieties and color palettes. In this episode, they discuss their farm's growth from a small plot on a horse farm to a flourishing 3-acre operation, with plans to expand further. We explore how they've optimized their space and resources, their success in serving florists across Monroe, Athens, and Atlanta, and their use of platforms like Rooted Farmers. This conversation is filled with insights on business growth, client engagement, and the creative use of farm space. A must-listen for anyone looking to expand their flower farming or floristry business! Learn more about Ashley, Samantha, and Wellspring Flower Farm, plus all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Last week when we released our episode with Henk Onings I mentioned at the end that we continued the conversation about Ranunculus, Anemones, and the Tulip bulb crop this year. So be sure to go and listen to Part 1 of our chat with Henk. So to recap, my guest this week is Henk Onings and soon after graduating school he moved to Pompeii, Italy for a couple of years to learn the floral industry with the family business. Then the opportunity to start Onings America brought him to the United States where he developed a business selling and suppling lily bulbs to North America. 27 years later they have grown to so much more and I'm excited to share my conversation with Henk this week on The Flower Podcast. It's really good to chat about growing this special flowers and the time that it takes to hybridize, grow inventory, and then release new varieties of these Italian beauties. Learn more about Henk, Onings America, and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com You can listen to Part One with this Link.  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.  We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

This week's guest was born in the Netherlands into a family that started their business in 1935 and now 3 generations later, soon to be 4 generations Onings Holland is known for distributing a wide range of flower bulbs, tubers, and seeds around the world. My guest is Henk Onings and soon after graduating school he moved to Pompeii, Italy for a couple of years to learn the floral industry with the family business. Then the opportunity to start Onings America brought him to the United States where he developed a business selling and suppling lily bulbs to North America. 27 years later they have grown to so much more and I'm excited to share my conversation with Henk this week on The Flower Podcast. We chat about how the bulb sales and production is often determined by big box stores. Lilies can be an important part of your flower production. It was also great to chat about freesia, a flower that I wish was grown by more local farmers. Next week we are going to release part 2 of our conversation. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast wherever you listen to podcasts to receive it automatically. Learn more about Henk, Onings America, and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

This weeks my guests are Leandra Gollob and Daniel Mench of Cocolani Gardens located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Both were born and raised on the windward side of Oahu, where they've grown up with a love for all things nature. Together with this love and gratitude, they farm one-acre of lush tropical land with over 50 varieties of ginger and heliconia! Some species include sexy pink heliconia, kawauchi, stricta, tagami, torch gingers and an assortment of beehive gingers amongst many others. They strive to push the boundaries of tropical floristry by searching for uncommon species of flowers, and using novelty plants and fruits found locally in their arrangements. From seed to table, they personally manage the entire process to ensure their clients are provided with the best possible blooms for the events they produce. Learn more about Leandra and Daniel and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

We are starting off our new season with Julia Keel, co-owner of Full Keel Farm in north central Florida. Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table as she specializes in cultivating specialty cut flowers while navigating the unique challenges of a hot and humid climate. She's passionate about teaching, has presented and lectured at national conferences, and truly embraces the challenge of adapting production methods to Florida's climate. This week, Julia shares techniques she uses like paper pot planters and releasing beneficial insects and other insights as a flower farmer that she hopes will help other growers in their own flower journey. Julia also shares about her expansion on their new property and we dive into growing spray larkspur, didiscus, and delphinium in her climate. Maybe a flower farm isn't your first thought when you think of Florida but it's a different kind of Florida fun and beauty and it all starts now on The Flower Podcast.   Learn more about Julia, Full Keel Farm, and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop  

One of the most exciting trends that I believe is here to stay is flower trucks. These mobile floral shops bring fresh blooms directly to communities, markets, and special events, offering a fun and unique experience for customers. Flower trucks also present fantastic opportunities for aspiring florists and small business owners. With lower overhead costs compared to traditional storefronts, entrepreneurs can focus on sourcing high-quality blooms and building their brands on a scale that fits more comfortably within a new business budget. I'm thrilled to introduce Mattie Bush-Martin, the creative force and founder behind Amelia's Flowers. Inspired by her time in Paris, Mattie aimed to create a unique and artistic floral experience that Nashville had never seen before. In 2016, with just one truck, Mattie set out to bring this vision to life, and it quickly resonated with the local community.  Today, Amelia's Flower Truck is a thriving company with three trucks, three brick-and-mortar stores in the Nashville area, one in North Carolina, and has expanded to nationwide delivery and subscription services.  Learn more about Mattie and Amelia's Flowers with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Welcome to The Flower Podcast, the podcast for anyone who grows or designs with flowers and even then, we talk about so much more. I'm your host, Scott Shepherd and I love chatting with guests about their stories, and uncover the beauty and challenges of working with flowers. I'm excited to share this special conversation this week. Several months ago, LuAnn Dickson Founder and CEO of EveryStem Software asked to turn the microphone on me for her members. We had a great time chatting about how the podcast began and diving into several questions surrounding floral wholesalers, her members had questions about ordering, pricing, credits, and more. So, I hope you find this chat helpful too. We've edited the interview down, but I know it was a lot of fun talking shop and hopefully helping to understand how to maximize your relationships with some of your flower suppliers. You can watch and listen to the entire conversation by visiting the YouTube channel of EveryStem Software. Learn more about all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

My guest this week is Heather Cain, owner of Petal Pink Flower Farm. From the urban life in San Francisco to the somewhat accidental purchase of a rundown farm in Eugene, Oregon, Heather shares about the family farm life, her incredible trip to Italy and seeing how they trialing the latest in Italian ranunculus. We are also discussing one of my personal favorite crops, hellebore, and much more. It's a flower journey that takes us from Petal Pink Flower Farm to the greenhouses of beautiful Italy and it all begins right here on The Flower Podcast.  Today we chat about: Heather's trip to Italy with other American growers to see the latest in ranunculus and anemones. We discussed growing Hellebores and what to look for when picking varieties. * We also chatted about Salpiglossis and growing it.  Finding ways to create boundaries to help manage time. Why it's a good idea to take some business courses to help you as you grow your business. Learn more about Heather and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.  We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

From planning your planting schedule based on lunar cycles to predicting weather patterns that could impact your crops, The Old Farmer's Almanac has been a go-to guide offering invaluable insights into moon phase planting, weather prediction, and continues to evolve, meeting the needs of modern farmers and gardeners while staying true to its roots. Today my guest is Carol Connare, the 14th editor in the history of the old farmer's almanac. Carol oversees this cherished publication to create a perfect blend of new, useful, and entertaining content. So I hope you enjoy the special episode as we learn more about what goes into the pages and uncover what makes this publication a timeless favorite.  Today we chat about: -How they approach weather predictions -Planting by Moon Phases -Container Gardening -New trends in plants Learn more about Carol and The Old Farmers Almanac with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

This week we're replaying our episode with our guest Sandra Sigman, award winning floral designer, owner of Les Fleurs, and author. She launched her first book, French Blooms, last year, which is a beautiful book displaying the design principles she learned from her favorite Parisian florist. Get ready to be transported to a world of elegance and creativity as we dive into the story behind this French inspired floral journey. Sandra moved to France in her early 20's working as a professional ice skater and fell in love with Paris. The daughter of a floral designer and influenced by her childhood love of flowers, she came back to the states and founded Les Fleurs, a French inspired flower shop. We thought that Sandra's journey, which began with her Mother would be great episode to replay with the Mother's Day holiday this week.  Learn more about Sandra and Les Fleurs along with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Anna Jane Kocon is the owner of Little State Flower Company. A sustainable 5 acre flower farm based in Tiverton, Rhode Island that produces cut flowers almost year round. Anna Jane has been professionally growing and selling cut flowers for 18 years by pushing the boundaries of her seasons through the use of heated greenhouses, companion planting perennials and diversifying her market based on the time of year. All while maximizing her small and rugged farm space to its utmost potential. Little State Flower Company focuses steadfast on environmentally-friendly growing in an effort to create local, exciting, and creative options for its thriving farm-stand and the wedding and event industry in and around Rhode Island.  On today's episode we chat about how she pieced together parcels of land to produce her flowers, how she packages her flowers for her different customer bases, growing foxglove, growing gerbera daisies, and a little about growing in crates. I'm sure you'll enjoy this packed episode. Learn more about Anna Jane and Little State Flower Co. along with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

My guest is Dundee Butcher, a florist, educator, artist, and advocate for sustainability. After training with the premier London florists of Jane Packer Flowers and McQueens, Dundee established the Russian River Flower School in California. Her journey didn't end with education; in 2016, she took a significant leap by co-founding what would become Phoam Lab. Dundee and her team at Phoam Labs are pioneering the development of next-generation floral foams that are not only biobased and non-toxic but also designed to safely break down in a more environmentally friendly way, setting new standards for our industry. Learn more here about Accent Decor's Guide to Foam Free Design with Sue McLeary. Learn more about Dundee and Phoam Labs with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

I'm thrilled to welcome my former professor, Dr. Allan Armitage, to this week's episode of the Flower Podcast. Dr. Armitage, a revered expert in cut flower production and a key figure in horticulture, has profoundly impacted the field worldwide We are discussing* his latest project, A Field Guide for Specialty Cut Flowers co-authored with Kelly Garcia. This guide represents Dr. Armitage's extensive expertise and provides essential insights for anyone interested in growing cut flowers and gardening. We'll explore the valuable information in this new book and learn from Dr. Armitage, who remains a mentor and source of inspiration in the horticultural community. Tune in to this week's episode of the Flower Podcast where we're joined by Dr. Allan Armitage, a distinguished expert in cut flower production and horticulture. We delve into his latest publication, "A Field Guide for Specialty Cut Flowers," co-authored with Kelly Garcia. This guide is a treasure trove of expert knowledge and practical tips for anyone passionate about gardening and growing cut flowers. Dr. Armitage, a mentor and leader in the field, offers insights that promise to inspire and educate gardeners of all levels. Don't miss this enriching discussion on one of the most comprehensive resources in cut flower cultivation. Learn more about Dr. Allan Armitage with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Today we tackle an increasingly critical and sometimes controversial topic within the floral industry: sustainability. Amid growing concerns about environmental impacts, the conversation on how the floral industry can adapt and evolve is more relevant than ever. Leading the charge is Rita Feldmann, founder of The Sustainable Floristry Network. Rita's floral journey began in her childhood at her family's flower stand in Melbourne, Australia, and her passion for flowers, combined with a solid background in botany, eventually led her to establish a successful wedding and events business. However, it was her pioneering #nofloralfoam campaign in 2017 that marked a significant shift towards sustainable practices in floristry. This initiative laid the groundwork for The Sustainable Floristry Network in 2019, a platform dedicated to educating florists on eco-friendly practices. In this episode, we discuss Rita's journey from a local flower stand to spearheading sustainability in floristry, including the network's first training program, Foundation in Sustainability. Join us as we explore how sustainability is reshaping the future of floristry with Rita Feldmann.  Learn more about Rita Feldmann and the Sustainable Floristry Network and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers The Gardener's Workshop Real Flower Business Accent Decor

Welcome everyone to a new episode of The Flower Podcast. I love uncovering personal stories from the heart of our industry and today, we're taking a slightly different route to shine light on a very special journey of flower farming and how this journey intertwines with nurturing the soul and creating a space for recovery and rejuvenation in the healing process. Flowers, with their beauty and symbolism, have long been a source of comfort and connection and in this episode, we're talking about how cultivating flowers can be a powerful tool for therapy, personal growth, and community connection. My guest today is Brianne Womack, founder and director of Fields of Grace Flower Farm. Brianne and her family have embarked on a remarkable journey of flowers, love and faith in Shiloh, George. The farm is much more than a business; it's a platform for meeting new people, sharing their passion for flowers, their community and serves as a peaceful retreat for women who have faced trauma of all kinds and also a place to care for the caregivers. It's about growing flowers, a designated pick your own space, workshops, second chance blooms and most importantly creating a space for healing and helping others, and it's my hope that you'll finid this episode special. Learn more about Brianne and Fields of Grace Flower Farm and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor Gardener's Workshop

It's all things dahlias this week with Steve and Sarah Pabody of Triple Wren Farms on The Flower Podcast! Steve and Sarah are here to share their journey, from choosing the perfect dahlia blooms to finding joy in the balance between passion and life. From understanding about dahlia seeds to their Dahlia Legacy Program and the Novice Hybridizer Program, its's a conversation filled with learning, laughter, and of course our shared love of flowers. Link to their past episode.  Link to YouTube IG Live  Learn more about Triple Wren Farms and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

This week we're replaying a favorite episode from 2019 in Season 2 with Françoise Weeks. Françoise Weeks, floral artisan and teacher, is this weeks guest on The Flower Podcast. Françoise is a master of the Woodland Design and Botanical Couture. Her passion for nature, materials, and mechanics will ignite your own curiosity to create with an inspired botanical vision. In this episode, Françoise shares how she started her business and the advice she was given, how curiosity and perseverance have been so important to her journey, and how this natural design style continues to inspire her and others. Learn more about Francoise Weeks and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

I am pleased to welcome back Jennie Love of Love'n Fresh Flowers to The Flower Podcast. Jennie continues to inspire us with her commitment to flower farming and her obvious love of flowers. Her work is a testament to her dedication to no-till farming, supporting local growers, and her approach, not only nurtures the soil and local ecosystems with nature but also brings the unique beauty of each season through her flowers. Today we had a lot of fun discussing the importance of No-Till practices, not spraying anything but various inputs, creating habitats for wildlife to help with pests, and so much more. Join me as we catch up with Jennie and learn how her passion for natural practices and community support is shaping a greener future for the floral industry right in the heart of Philadelphia.  Learn more about Jennie Love and Love'n Fresh Flowers with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Jennie Love's past episode on The Flower Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! If you like to watch our podcast subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.  Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

My guest this week is Kim Delgado, the Owner and Creative Director behind Mary Stuart Flowers, a bridal floral design enterprise that prides itself on capturing the unique narrative with her couples through the charm of local, seasonal blooms. In this episode, we're discussing a lot about sourcing local flowers and how she has this conversation especially when booking weddings. Kim shares her partnership with the Connecticut Flower Collective to ensure her designs reflect the beauty and energy of the local blooms. We also discuss using Rooted Farmers software as a sourcing tool for sourcing many of the flowers she uses. Today's about creating a community where local growers and floral designers can thrive together, embracing the rhythm of the seasons for your clients. Let's embark on this floral adventure together where every bloom has a story waiting to be told. It's all happening this week with Kim Delgado on The Flower Podcast. Learn more about Kim Delgado and Mary Stuart Flowers with all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Listen to our episode about collectives, specifically the Connecticut Flower Collective and River City Flower Exchange.   Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

This week we're exploring another specialty crop that has its unusual roots here in North America where it's a botanical native. But first, our guests are Steve and Margo Galic from Stanwood, Washington. Their business is Fox Leaf Farm and they specialize in growing and breeding Sarracenia also known as pitcher plants. After seeing these cut stems in person last summer, I knew then I wanted to ask them to guests someday. We're always looking for new flowers to use in our floral designs and especially those that can be grown here in the United States. It's great to learn about how these plants are grown and all of the breeding efforts that Steve has been working on. I look forward to seeing all of the amazing varieties he has to release in the future. On this episode we discuss the differences in the main varieties, care and culture of taking care of sarracenias, starting them from seed, and what we can expect from them as cut flowers. This is a major step in sustainability and responsibly growing this plant for cut production. Learn more about Fox Leaf Farm and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

In this week's episode we are diving into the world of retail floristry with Abby Chick. Although mainly speaking about the florists side of flowers, I encourage you to listen because so many of the points we cover apply to all businesses. Starting from her early days at a traditional flower shop to becoming the successful owner of Blakemore's Flowers in 2012, Abby Chick is more than a florist. She is passionate about continued education and was honored to be named a 2023 Mayesh Design Star and a proud collaborator with Holly Chapple Flowers and Flower Clique to bring educational resources to the floral market. So, whether you're here looking for tips on connecting with clients, curious about the latest trends in floral design, or seeking motivation to take your business to the next level, you're in the right place. Let's get started and learn together from Abby's experiences, drawing valuable lessons that apply across the board in the world of flower business today on The Flower Podcast. Learn more about Abby Chick and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

I am excited for this week's episode of The Flower Podcast, where I chat with the Alla Olkhovska of Linden Grove Gardens from Kharkiv, Ukraine. When Erin Benzakein of Floret shared Alla's story with me, and I visited her website, I discovered Alla's incredible garden of flowers especially her amazing work with clematis. Alla's not just a gardener; she's a treasure chest filled with knowledge. Her digital book and seed collection open a window to the vast and varied world of Clematis, (and other flowers) revealing species and varieties that I promise will have you at hello.  Let's embark on this exciting journey to uncover the secrets of Clematis and more with Alla Olkhovska.  Learn more about Alla Olkhovska and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Erin Benzakein of Floret, one of the country's most influential farmer/florist and trailblazing a remarkable path to growing cut flowers. From prestigious awards, including the Martha Stewart American Made award, to her New York Time's bestselling books and an Emmy-nominated documentary series called "Growing Floret," Erin's contributions to the world of flowers are nothing short of inspiring. Erin's passion for cultivating beauty has led her to embark on a groundbreaking project, "Floret Originals." In this episode, Erin is sharing about the highly anticipated seed release of her first collection of farm-bred flower seeds.  Unlike most commercial flower varieties, Floret Originals champion fragrance and are more adaptable for local growing. Join us as we uncover the challenges and triumphs of Erin's seven-year journey in mastering the art of seed saving and breeding. The Floret Originals project promises to revolutionize the floral industry by putting power back in the hands of growers and gardeners of all sizes. Tune in to this episode and be inspired by Erin's dedication to creating a sustainable and vibrant future for seasonal flowers and supporting local flower farmers and the entire floral community. Learn more about Erin, Floret, and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Erin's First Interview Ep 68 2020 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Plus follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

Mountain Flower Farm is synonymous with stunning blooming branches and beautiful peonies. Our guest this week is Walt Krukowski and his flower farm is located in Warren Vermont. Walt and his team grow more than flowers, he also grows roots for peonies which is where everything begins. Today we're talking about what to look for when selecting peony varieties to grow, we touch on growing lilacs and clematis, and of course no conversation could be complete without talking about soil. Learn more about Walt, Mountain Flower Farm and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Plus follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

Today, we're starting the year off with a burst of color and creativity, as we're joined by none other than Simon Lycett. Simon's journey with flowers began in his youth which continues to bloom today with beautiful floral creations. A familiar face on TV and radio, Simon has graced the airwaves with his floral expertise and charming persona. He's the author of the captivating book, 'The Flower Market Year', where he shares a year's worth of floral insights and inspirations from the New Covent Garden Market. As if that weren't enough, Simon also lights up the screen as on of the hosts and judges of HBO's hit show, 'Full Bloom', where his expertise helps guide and inspire aspiring floral artists. In addition, he's designed for movies including, ' Where Angels Fear to Trend' and 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. Behind the scenes, Simon is the creative force behind Simon J Lycett Ltd, a business synonymous with floral fabulousness. His designs aren't just arrangements; they're artworks, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with petals and leaves. From royal weddings to dazzling events, Simon's work is nothing short of breathtaking. Today, he's here with us to share his story, his passion, and about his new course with the BBC Maestro called Decorating with Flowers. So, get ready to be inspired, as we dive into the blooming world of Simon Lycett, right here on The Flower Podcast!” Learn more about Simon Lycett and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast Farmer Bailey  Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor

Hello everyone! This is a special episode of The Flower Podcast. Often during this time of year we replay past episodes of our podcast, but this year I would like to share something from our family's archives. My Dad for many years has collected a wide range of old time radio shows. His collection is made up of over 30,000 different shows and of course there are several Christmas specials. Since Christmas is one week away, we thought it would be fun to share this condensed version of Charles Dickens Classic, “A Christmas Carol,” The book was originally published back in 1843 and has been a holiday classic for many years. This radio show was aired on Christmas Day back in 1949 starring Lionel Barrymore. We've included some of the original commercials thrown in for fun. This week isn't about flowers, but the holiday's, family, and friends. We'll be taking a break for a several weeks as we prepare for our new season in 2024. Until then I hope you enjoy this special episode. Everyone at The Flower Podcast wants you to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Today, I'm calling this a holiday edition as we talk about one of my favorites…. Foliage and this time of year I especially love Christmas greens. So I am excited to welcome an expert in the world of floral greenery, F.J. Trzuskowski, Vice President of Sales at Continental Floral Greens. F.J.'s journey in the floral industry, from his early days in Holland to his current role at Continental Floral Greens, positions him perfectly to offer invaluable insights into these seasonal favorites. With a career that has spanned several notable companies and a rich educational background in Botany and Landscape Architecture, F.J. brings a unique blend of practical experience and scientific knowledge to the table. Today we are touching on foliage, but really focusing on the best practices for choosing, preparing, and maintaining Christmas greens to ensure they remain a vibrant and fresh part of your holiday decorations. Plus we having fun chatting about several other greens that CFG supplies for a large portion of florists everywhere like leather leaf and salal. So, this week we truly are on a floral journey of decking the halls and it starts now on The Flower Podcast. Learn more about FJ, Continental Floral Greens, and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Chrysal Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop

Lennie Larkin, the founder of B-Side Farm, took her passion for flowers from a background in adult education to establishing an educational farm. Lennie's experience extends from managing educational farming programs to contributing as the West Coast Director for the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers and teaching at Santa Rosa Junior College. This week we're going to learn about Lennie's research that's led to her new book called Flower Farming for Profit: The Complete Guide to Growing a Successful Cut Flower Business. In addition to her business curriculum for flower farmers, she also provides coaching, business advice and continues her grant funded research to help more flower farmers become more profitable. In this episode, we discus how she started her flower farming business where she had six-figures in sales from her farm stand. She also discusses the importance of growing profitable flower crops and creating more processes and efficiencies to help everyone at the farm level with production. Lennie also shares about her research focusing on helping farmers become more profitable and her new book that's available for preorder now. Lennie's link for the Freebie! Order Flower Farming for Profit pre-order on Amazon. Learn more about Lennie Larkin and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop Chrysal

Today, I'm particularly excited because we're joined by someone I've had the pleasure of spending some time with during a trip to California – the incredibly talented Cathy Hillen-Rulloda. A true legend in the floral industry, Cathy's dazzling career spans over 40 years. Not only is she a phenomenal designer whose work captivated audiences at the 1984 Olympics, but she's also a trailblazer in floral artistry, winning top honors in major competitions and inspiring audiences at over 300 industry events worldwide. Her stunning creations have not only graced top magazines but also earned her unique accolades, such as having a new Anthurium named "Cathy Rulloda" in 2022 in her honor. Beyond her artistic achievements, Cathy is a significant influencer and leader within the floral community. Her work and guidance have shaped and inspired countless individuals within the industry. It was great to take some time and chat about how she involved in a large florist chain of stores involved in the Olympics, dealing with floral allergies, creating a cohesive story for your customers, women influencing design stages, setting yourself apart from the competition, and the importance of truly connecting with your customers. Learn more about Cathy Hillen-Rulloda and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras. Sponsors of The Flower Podcast ASCFG Farmer Bailey Chrysal Rooted Farmers Real Flower Business Accent Decor The Gardeners Workshop