Hey flower friends! Even before Punxsutawney Phil woke this morning (not seeing his shadow) there have already been numerous signs that an early Spring is on its way! I don't know about you but I'm excited for some warm weather again and some sunshine! Mostly the sunshine as man does winter dampen my spirits! A month ago, I started noticing some daffodils starting to push up from the ground and a couple of weeks ago I noticed my tulips were starting to pop through the dirt. Our gardens are about to get a burst of color with some early bloomers, and I say bring it on!
I thought I would take a minute today and share some of our early bloomers as they are some of the most unique and beautiful flowers we grow. They are the first rays of hope after the gloom of winter. Let's dive into the beauty of these flowers in simple terms.🌷🌼🌺
1. Tulips: A Rainbow of Choices
Tulips are like the cool kids of spring, showing up in tons of colors and shapes from fringed to parrot tulips. They are pretty easy to grow just requiring good, well-draining soil and sunlight. They do require a certain number of "chill hours" in the cold or else you get short stems but even then, they are still stunning. They have an excellent vase life and when harvested for cut flowers, they are harvested with the bulb attached so the blooms will last longer as the bulb continues to feed the flower (so each year new bulbs have to be planted). If growing in the garden, you can let the leaves die back after bloom and they will bloom again the next year.
Tulips hold cultural significance in many countries including the Netherlands and Turkey where they are symbols of national pride. In the 17th century, "Tulip Mania" hit the Netherlands and tulips were even used as a form of currency.
Some of the beautiful tulips we grew in Spring 2023
2. Ranunculus: The Petal Party
Meet ranunculus, the flower that looks like a bunch of mini roses and symbolizes charm and attractiveness. They come in soft and bright colors. Plus, they're perfect for making gorgeous bouquets and are stunning all on their own! They are often used in bridal bouquets and belong to the buttercup family of flowers. These flowers like to establish their roots when it's cold out and can tolerate temperatures in the 20's. These plants start out from corms that look like little octopi. It always amazes me the beauty that come out of these awkward looking corms. The flowers they produce are certainly a welcome sight in Spring.
Ranunculus grown in Spring 2023
3. Anemones: The Whimsical Wonders
Anemones are like the fairy tale flowers. The word anemone is derived from the Greek word "anemos," meaning wind. They're daisy-like and sway in the breeze, making your garden feel like a magical land. This is another flower that loves when it's cold out and also starts from a corm that looks a little more acorn like. They come in many colors, but their intricate centers really set these flowers apart! They are workhorses when it comes to putting out flower blooms and they have an incredible vase life.
Anemones grown in 2023
4. Daffodils: Sunshine in a Flower
Daffodils are the sunshine bringers! They are often the first Spring flowers to bloom saying, "Hey, spring is here!" In Western culture, they are associated with the celebration of Easter are considered a symbol of hope and new beginnings. These guys are tough, deer don't bother them, they smell sweet and have a great vase life. They are perennials that naturalize meaning that each year they come back and in higher numbers (win-win)! And contrary to what most people think, daffodils come in an amazing variety of colors and not just the plain yellow ones commonly seen in flower beds. They are also known in the flower world as Narcissus. Personally, I love a vase of just "fancy" daffodils!
Fancy Daffodils grown in 2023
In a nutshell, these flowers are the spring squad that brings color and joy in the very early Spring and are the flowers you will see in our Spring bouquet subscriptions. Whether in the ground or a vase, they're here to make you smile! I can't wait to see all of these beauties again. 🌸🌱
P.S. We still have a few Spring flower bouquet subscriptions available! These make a great gift to show your loved ones you appreciate them or pamper yourself with some Springtime joy!
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