Peonies in Pots: Can They be Content?
Hello my flower friend!
I hear you pondering a fascinating question:
Can the queen of the cottage garden, the peony, be happy living in a pot?
It’s a thought that makes perfect sense, especially if you’re dealing with a smaller garden, a sun-drenched balcony. Maybe you’re just enjoying a cozy home that you don't plan on keeping for the next 50 years!
Peonies are wonderfully stubborn and utterly sentimental—they love to put down roots and stay put. Trying to put that big, loyal energy into a container is certainly a puzzle!
While I don't have personal experience coaxing them into containers, knowing the true heart of a peony gives us some good clues. Let's look at the pros and tricky cons of growing in a pot, so you can decide if this garden adventure is for you!
The Alluring Pros of a Peony in a Pot
While the peony’s soul longs for the open ground, there are some lovely advantages to giving the pot life a try:
Mobility for Sunshine: The biggest pro is the ability to chase the sun. Peonies need at least six hours of glorious, direct sunshine to produce those massive blooms. If your yard has spots that are sunny in spring but shady in summer, a pot lets you move your plant to the perfect "baking spot" as the seasons change.
A Temporary Home: Perhaps you’re renting, or you know you’ll be moving in a few years. A container provides the perfect short-term solution! You get to enjoy the blooms now, and when it’s time to move, your beloved plant comes with you—no messy, stubborn digging required.
The Perfect Chill: Remember the first peony secret? They absolutely need a good winter chill to set their buds. If you live in a very warm climate where the ground simply doesn't freeze or stay cold long enough, a pot allows you to artificially create winter! You can tuck the pot into a protected, chilly garage or cold basement for a few months of necessary dormancy.
Control Over Soil: Some gardens have notoriously heavy clay or extremely sandy soil. A pot lets you give your peony a perfectly balanced, well-draining soil mix right from the start, which is a lovely benefit for any plant!
The Tricky Cons of Container Peonies
Now, for the reality check. A peony is a tough, dedicated plant with a massive future-focused root system. Putting it in a pot presents a few significant challenges:
Size Matters (A Lot!): A peony's root system is huge and deep. To truly thrive for more than a few seasons, it needs a massive pot. We're talking at least 20-gallon size—picture a whiskey barrel or a very large decorative container. Anything smaller will quickly stunt the plant, resulting in fewer flowers or none at all.
A Hydration Hurdle: Peonies hate sitting in soggy soil, but in a pot, they are at a higher risk of drying out quickly, especially in the heat. You must be dedicated to consistent watering (likely daily in the summer heat) to ensure the roots stay hydrated, but the soil never gets waterlogged. It's a delicate balance!
The Frosty Fault Line: While they need a winter chill, potted roots are much more vulnerable to damage from a deep, hard freeze. When the roots are surrounded by air instead of insulating earth, they can freeze solid and die. You must provide winter protection, either by burying the pot in the ground, moving it to a cold but protected area, or surrounding the pot with insulating material (like straw or burlap).
The Re-Potting Resistance: Remember how they hate to be moved? Even in a pot, a peony will eventually outgrow its space, and every 3–5 years, you will have to lift the heavy plant and move it to a larger container. This is basically a full-on transplant, and it might mean a year or two of no blooms while the plant throws a little fit and regrows its foundation.
A Final Thought on Patience and Placement
If you want to try the potted life, my recommendation is to start with a very generous container.
The greatest hurdle, however, remains patience. The Peony Puzzles and Quirks applies to pots, too! If you start with a small root, the first few years will be dedicated to filling that massive pot with roots before it even thinks about giving you a flower.
Perhaps the best way to enjoy a peony in a pot is to treat it as a temporary accent piece, knowing you will eventually need to find it a permanent, spacious home in the ground.
Do you pay a little extra for a mature root to virtually guarantee those first-year blooms, or do you take a good price on a younger root and practice that marvelous virtue called patience? I have 5 sizes of Sweet Sarah to share! Check them out here.
If you enjoyed this, you may want to join my flower friends newsletter where I swap tips, share photos, and chat about all the contentment and joy flowers bring our hearts and homes.
The Peony Puzzle
Peonies are a nostalgic and favorite flower in my boutique gardens. Here I share tips and tricks for you to also grow and enjoy these stunning Spring beauties for years to come.
The Peony Puzzle: Finding Contentment in the Garden
Hello my fellow flower lover! If you're like me, you think about the peonies in your own grandmother's yard. Those big, fluffy, perfectly pink or blushing white blooms that seemed to announce that summer had officially begun. Peonies don't just grow—they thrive on nostalgia, promising decades of beauty and grace, just like those treasured memories.
My Peony Patience Test
My own love affair started almost 25 years ago, right after my husband and I bought our little slice of heaven in Middleton. I knew next to nothing about flowers then, only that the sheer gorgeousness of a peony bloom simply took my breath away.
I practically skipped to the checkout counter fueled by pure joy and bought every single plant they had currently blooming! (Fortunately for my bank account, there were only six.) We rushed home, tucked our new treasures into the earth, and enjoyed a gorgeous, fleeting show.
And then... silence.
For the next two entire springs, the foliage was thick and beautifully green, but not a single bloom appeared. I truly thought I had done something terribly wrong. Was my soil angry? Was I a failed gardener? I started asking every seasoned grower I knew.
That's when I learned the truth about these magnificent plants.
The Charming Peony Quirk
It turns out the "problem" with peonies isn't that they are:
Too big and bodacious
Too sweetly fragrant
Too many irresistible colors to choose from
No, the secret is that these tough, loyal plants—which can live and bloom for more than 50 years—are incredibly sentimental and stubborn! They simply hate to be moved or divided.
When a peony is transplanted, it focuses all its energy, love, and attention on building a deep, strong foundation. It’s looking 50 years into the future! It will often spend one or two years (or maybe even three, you little drama queen!) just putting down deep foundational roots before it will waste any energy on a bloom.
It’s an investment strategy, darling! No blooms means the plant is working on making sure it can give you hundreds of blooms later.
The Secret is in the “Eyes”
To improve your odds of seeing those glorious flowers sooner, you need to peek under the hood—or, rather, under the soil—at the root.
In the fall, a bare peony root will have little pink or white bumps called "eyes" or sometimes "sleepy little nubs." Each eye represents a potential stalk (or "shoot") that will grow in the spring.
The more eyes, the more potential stalks, and the more energy the plant has stored up!
A typical store-bought root might have 2–3 eyes. This is often what takes 2-3 years to bloom (like my first batch!).
A reputable nursery or specialty grower will offer 3–5 eyes. These usually bloom in year two.
The extra-special roots have 6–8 eyes. These powerhouse plants have enough energy stored up that they are very likely to give you flowers the very first year!
Knowing this now, I realize my first little loves must have only had 2 or 3 eyes each, causing that two-year delay. But oh, when they finally decided to grace us with their presence, it was absolutely spectacular! In this case, size really does matter!
Three Extra Peony Secrets
Here are a few more helpful details to give your blooms the best start:
Depth is Everything: This is the most important rule. Peonies love a good winter chill to set their buds. If you plant the root too deep, it acts like a thick winter blanket, preventing the chill from reaching the buds. Plant the eyes no more than one to two inches below the soil surface. If you bury them too deep, they may never bloom!
Ants Are Friends, Not Foes: Don't worry about the little ants you see crawling on the flower buds. It's a sweet garden myth that ants are needed to open the bloom. They are actually just after the sweet, sticky nectar the buds produce. They cause no harm, and once the bloom opens, the ants move on.
The Perfect Spot: Peonies love a spot where they can bake a little. They need at least six hours of direct, glorious sunshine a day. This ensures a stiff stem and maximizes those big, beautiful blooms.
Basic Peony Care (They're Low Maintenance!)
Once established, peonies are the definition of low maintenance!
Peony Care Checklist
Details
Planting Spot
Full sun (6+ hours of direct light).
Planting Depth
1" to 2" of soil above the pink eyes. Shallow is best!
Watering
Give a good deep soak right after planting. Water deeply whenever the topsoil is dry (about 2x per week in the first growing season).
Feeding
A balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer in April and again at the end of July (after blooming).
Trimming
Cut and remove all foliage in the late fall, right after the first frost has turned the leaves yellow or brown. This helps prevent diseases.
Size
Expect them to grow into beautiful bushes, about 24”–30” wide and 32”–36” tall.
I’m so thrilled to be sharing my peony babies with you this year! To make room for new varieties, I've dug 20 of my 6 year old most productive plants and been dividing their roots to share. Now that you know the secret of the eyes, you can make an informed choice.
The question is:
Do you pay a little extra for a mature root to virtually guarantee those first-year blooms, or do you take a good price on a younger root and practice that marvelous virtue called patience? I have 5 sizes of Sweet Sarah to share! Check them out here.
It’s totally up to you!
If you enjoyed this, you may want to join my flower friends newsletter where I swap tips, share photos, and chat about all the contentment and joy flowers bring our hearts and homes.
Your Idaho Wedding Flowers: Why They Matter and How to Get the Look You Want (Even on a Budget)
Why should you have Idaho grown flowers at your wedding and how to make each of your wedding floral dollars stretch the farthest.
If you're anything like the Treasure Valley brides I work with, you've already started the deep dive into wedding planning. You've set a date, found a venue, and now you’re staring at spreadsheets, trying to figure out how to make everything feel beautiful and high-end without blowing up your carefully planned budget.
And then you hit the line item for flowers. Ouch!
I hear you. Wedding floral budgets are no joke. But here’s the little secret that no one tells you: your flowers are going to be THE thing that weaves the entire theme of your day together. They are the visual, fragrant, and emotional anchor of your entire celebration.
More Than Just Decor: Why Flowers are the Essential Investment
I'm talking about the kind of beauty your guests rave about—right after they compliment you, of course! Choosing fresh, local blooms tells me that your wedding aesthetic means something significant to you, and you want your flowers to be a real reflection of your beautiful Idaho day.
Here's a breakdown of why this investment is so powerful:
They Set the Scene & Photograph Like a Dream. Fresh, local blooms are vibrant and stunning. They are the perfect natural accessory, capturing light and texture in a way that nothing else can. Every single picture you take—from your ceremony backdrop to your bouquet—will be elevated by the life and color of real flowers.
They Create Unforgettable Memories. Think about a special scent that immediately brings you back to a moment. The deep, beautiful fragrance of a real flower is something you and your guests will remember long after the day is done. It ties your memories to a sensory experience.
They're Cherished Keepsakes. Your flowers are a fleeting gift, yes, but they also become a treasured, personal thank-you. Whether it's your bouquet or the wrist corsages, they are a perfect, immediate keepsake for your wedding party and a tangible memory of the evening.
Let's Talk Budget: Magic Happens Between $500 and $2,000
If you're planning a Treasure Valley wedding and you value the beauty and meaning of farm-to-florist flowers, I know you want to maximize your impact without sacrificing quality.
Here’s where I come in.
Whether you have a budget of $500 or $2,000, we can work magic. Don’t worry about trying to figure out which flowers to cut, plan or process. That’s my job!
Whether your budget requires a full DIY option or A’la Carte pieces, I make each of your flower dollars stretch by growing and designing the flowers right in my Gardens. Because you (or your trusted friend) pick up your floral pieces at my Gardens (nestled in between Middleton and Star, Idaho just a 1/4 mile off State Street (Hwy 44)) it saves you the money of hiring a team of people to transport, place and tear down the flowers at the end of the night.
I will walk you through exactly how to transport and care for your flowers, and which floral pieces will give you the most beautiful, impactful experience your budget can provide. We’ll focus on the spots where your flowers will make the biggest statement—typically your personal flowers (like your bouquet and boutonnieres) and a key ceremony/reception piece that gets photographed the most and can be repurposed from the ceremony to the reception. This is how we achieve that luxe, high-end feeling while staying within your budget.
Ready to stop stressing and start planning the beautiful blooms your special day deserves?
Let’s get started on designing your dream wedding flowers!
Next Steps:
I love helping Idaho brides bring their vision to life! Click Here to go directly to my inquiry form so we can start talking about your date and your floral dreams.
Still have a few questions? Please check out my FAQ Blog Post here!
Did this post help you rethink your floral budget? What is the one piece of your wedding day you absolutely can't wait to see come to life?
Blooms on a Budget: Your DIY Flower Prep Checklist!
Good preparation means less stress! Let’s get you organized so you are ready to make some great flower DIY memories!
Planning a wedding while still rocking a budget is an adventure but totally doable. Your day is sure to feel as elegant and fresh as a dew-kissed garden, but you need to be smart with every dollar.
Good news: you can absolutely have the stunning, fresh floral look you dream of. By trusting me to create the super-important pieces (like your bouquet and the boutonnieres—the things that will be in every picture!), and letting your wonderful family and friends help with the rest, you're setting yourself up for success!
To make your DIY flower arranging day fun, stress-free, and successful, here’s the ultimate checklist of essential tools. Gather these first, and you’ll be ready to bring those gorgeous Buckets of Blooms to life!
The Essentials: Every Flower Friend Needs These!
These are the non-negotiables. Have these on hand before you pick up your Flowers!
Sharp Clippers or Floral Snips:
Why you need them: A dull cut crushes the flower's stem, making it hard for it to drink water. A sharp, clean cut lets your blooms hydrate and stay fresh longer!
Tip: If you can’t get proper floral snips, a sharp pair of kitchen scissors is better than nothing, but be sure to clean them well!
Buckets, Buckets, Buckets!
Why you need them: When you pick up your Buckets of Blooms flowers they will be in buckets, however, it may be helpful to have a few additional buckets or vases available to spread them out. Have those buckets filled with fresh water to allow the flowers to drink immediately.
Tip: Flowers are thirsty and most will wilt if out of water for long.
The Perfect Vases & Vessels:
Why you need them: These are the final homes for your flowers! Make sure you have the exact number of vases for your centerpiece or accent arrangements. Each bridesmaid bouquet will require a vase with water for it to rest when she isn’t holding it for pictures. (If I am creating the bouquets for you, they will each come with their own vase.
Tip: If you’re buying them used, make sure they are squeaky clean—old germs and mineral deposits can make your flowers wilt faster.
Fresh, Clean Water:
Why you need it: Obvious, but worth saying! You’ll be changing the water in the buckets and filling the final vases.
Tip: Adding a packet of floral food or a spoonful of sugar to your water really does make them drink better. Now is the time to mix it into your water.
The Secret Weapons: Tools for Structure & Stability
These are the items that make your arrangements look polished and professional, even if you’re a total newbie!
Floral Tape (or "Waterproof" Tape):
Why you need it: This tape is water-resistant and often green or clear. It's used to create a "grid" over the mouth of your vase.
How it helps: The tape grid is a game-changer! It acts like a trellis, holding your flower stems exactly where you want them and keeping your design from falling flat or flopping over. Make sure to put it on the vase before any water touches the vase.
Chicken Wire or Floral Foam (Optional, but great for larger arrangements):
Why you need it: For big, lush pieces, a small ball of chicken wire scrunched up inside the vase is an eco-friendly and sturdy mechanic to hold heavy stems in place and give your design lift and dimension.
Paper Towels or an Old Towel:
Why you need it: For wiping up spilled water (it happens!) and for drying the outside of your vases before they are placed on the tables. Spills happen. Be prepared so you won’t stress. In fact, make sure to send a towel or two (or even a small tarp) with whomever is picking up your blooms! Their car will thank you!
The Prep Area: Setting the Stage for Success
The environment you work in is just as important as the tools you use!
A Large, Flat Working Surface:
Why you need it: You need space to spread out! A large table (covered with a plastic cloth or drop sheet) is perfect.
Tip: Try to work in a cool, dim room—flowers hate heat and direct sun! A basement, garage, or even a bathtub can be a great temporary chilling spot.
Your Vision (a printed photo!):
Why you need it: Even with a fun, helping crew, it's easy for styles to drift. Keep a print-out of the look or arrangement style you love most right there for a quick reference. This keeps everyone focused on your elegant vision.
You've got this, future Mrs.!
With a little prep and the helping hands of those who love you, your DIY flower moment will be a cherished memory and a beautiful reflection of your faith and resourcefulness.
Flower Power Hack: Get $3,000 Worth of Wedding Flowers for Under $1,500 in Boise Idaho?!
Make every dollar of your flower budget stretch AND have elegant fresh flowers for your wedding!
Your Pinterest board overflowing with dreamy floral arches and drippy centerpieces, but your wedding budget spreadsheet is giving you major side-eye?
I totally get it! Experiencing this is THE main reason I started growing flowers for weddings. Planning a wedding is a beautiful journey, but it can feel like a constant battle between your vision and your wallet.
Especially when it comes to flowers. Those gorgeous blooms can eat up a huge chunk of your budget faster than you can say "I do!" But what if I told you there’s a secret weapon, a Flower Power Hack, that could unlock those $3,000 dreams for less than $1,500?
Yep, you read that right! And the best part? 100% of your flower budget goes toward the actual flowers!
The trick? It involves working with your friendly local farmer florist (that's me!) and a little bit of teamwork with your amazing bridal squad.
The Secret Sauce: Bulk Buckets & Your Besties!
Imagine this: your wedding day, bursting with fresh, vibrant, locally-grown flowers. Now imagine getting all that beauty without sacrificing your honeymoon fund. The magic lies in combining strategic purchasing with a sprinkle of DIY love.
This isn't about compromising on beauty; it's about being smart and maximizing every single bloom. And it's how you can transform your flower budget from a scary monster into a sweet, supportive friend that won’t leave you hanging after the party is over.
Here’s the breakdown of my Flower Power Hack:
Step 1: Embrace the Bulk Bucket Brilliance (Your #1 Budget Bestie!)
This is where your local farmer florist (hello!) comes in like a floral superhero! Instead of hiring a full-service designer for every single arrangement, you can purchase buckets of beautiful, farm-fresh flowers and greenery in bulk.
What does this mean for you?
Serious Savings: You're paying for the raw materials, not the labor for intricate design. This is where the biggest chunk of your savings comes from.
Ultimate Freshness: Ella June Gardens flowers are often cut just days (sometimes hours!) before you pick them up. This means they'll look their absolute best for your big day.
Seasonal Elegance: You get the most gorgeous, in-season blooms that top designers use to make their designs amazing. Think heirloom fragrant narcissus in April and May, voluptuous peonies in June,vibrant dahlias in late summer, cheerful zinnias, or lush, unique greenery you won't find imported from halfway across the world.
Think of it like this: You're getting the chef-quality ingredients directly from the farm, ready for you to whip up your own floral masterpiece!
Step 2: Personal Touches & Curated Centerpieces (This is when you decide "Where to Splurge" Smartly!)
While bulk buckets are fantastic for filling out your venue, there are a few key floral pieces that truly shine when professionally designed. These are your "splurge smartly" items:
Your Bridal Bouquet: This is your moment! Your bouquet will be in almost every close-up photo. Investing in a professionally designed bouquet by your farmer florist ensures it’s perfectly shaped, secure, and truly reflects your style. It's the one piece that's all about you.
Alter, Aisle or Meadow Pieces: These larger pieces will be the backdrop for most of your ceremony. Designed to be used in multiple places. Lay them on the ground as a meadow then have a friend assigned to move them to the reception where they can grace the welcome desk, food bar or dance floor. I create these in a transportable way making it easy for you to move them as needed!
Boutonnières & Corsages: These small pieces need to be sturdy and perfectly crafted to last through hugs and dancing. Many prefer to let me handle these fiddly bits!
By letting your farmer florist handle these key elements, you guarantee a polished, professional look where it matters most, while still saving a ton on the bigger, more numerous arrangements.
Step 3: Rally Your "I Do" Crew (The Fun & Free Labor!)
This is where the magic truly comes alive, and where fun memories are made! Gather your bridesmaids, your mom, future mother-in-law, aunts, cousins, or best friends for a fun-filled "Flower Arranging Party" the day before or the morning before your wedding.
Why this is amazing:
Budget Booster: Your loved ones are often thrilled to help and be a part of your special day in a tangible way.
Bonding Time: It’s a wonderful opportunity to laugh, make memories, and de-stress together before the big day. Put on some music, order in pizza, pop some sparkling cider, and make it an event!
Personal Touch: Want each bridesmaid to make their own bouquet? Do Grandma’s and aunts want to create a centerpiece? Each arrangement will carry a little bit of the love and effort of your favorite people, making your wedding decor truly unique and heartfelt.
I’ll provide you with fresh-from-the-garden blooms, and your crew provides the loving hands! You can even give them some simple instructions or show them a few basic techniques.
I often give tips on how to transport and care for your blooms for maximum freshness!
Picture This:
You wake up on your wedding day, calm and happy, knowing that your beautiful, fresh, locally-grown flowers are perfectly arranged, many by the loving hands of your best people. You’ve got your stunning professional bouquet, and your venue is adorned with gorgeous, vibrant blooms, all thanks to smart planning and the Flower Power Hack.
And you've done it all for a fraction of the cost, leaving more room in the budget for that amazing honeymoon or a down payment on your first home!
Ready to make your floral dreams a budget-friendly reality? Begin by sharing with me a bit about you, your fiance’ and your ideas in this Google Form. I will email you with a floral proposal and work toward getting just the right wedding floral plan that’s as smart as it is beautiful!
Click this link to get started securing your date!
https://tinyurl.com/Ella-June-Gardens
Seasonality of Flowers with Seasonal Blooms
Seasonal blooms are exactly what top designers seek out to make their florals incredibly special.
The Magic of Seasonal Blooms
Hi there, my fellow flower lover! I’m so happy you’re here. Did you know that the bouquets I create change with the seasons, just like beautiful Idaho landscape? Here we are known for all four seasons and Ella June blooms follow this as well!
Whether for the most elaborate wedding florals, to sympathy arrangements, funeral casket sprays, or Flower Friday Market Bouquets the blooms I use May - September echo our climate and seasons.
Here’s a little secret to making our home’s feel a little extra special: using flowers that are in season.
It's not just about what’s pretty; it's about celebrating the very best that each season has to offer. Using seasonal flowers means you get to enjoy the most vibrant, longest-lasting, and most fragrant blooms. Plus, it's a wonderfully eco-friendly choice, and you get to support a local grower—me!
Let's take a little stroll through the seasons and see what blossoms we can get our hands on right here in Idaho.
Early Spring: A Little Pop of Color
Just as the days feel a bit warmer and April rolls around, a few brave flowers peek their heads out to say hello! These early bloomers are so extra special and take extra care to get them here. They're the first sign of new life in the Gardens and make me a bit giddy when I see them each year. This is when you might find sweet little geums, heirloom fragrant narcissus, anemone, ranunculus and vibrant hellebores. These are the most fragrant of all the flowers and perfect for creating a delicate, cheerful bouquet that reminds you that warmer days are on the way.
Spring: A Time of Lush Abundance
As spring really gets going, the variety of flowers becomes a lush and colorful wonderland. Think of double and single tulips, fragrant lilacs, and my favorite of all peonies. I also grow the ever elegant bleeding hearts for events and hope to one day have enough of this loved bloom to share in the Flower Friday bouquets.
Many gardens include our lovely state flower, syringa, blooming with its beautiful white flowers. It’s the season for classic, romantic bouquets that are full of life and color.
Summer: Sun-Kissed and Bold
Summer brings the heat, and with it, a burst of bold and beautiful flowers. This is when we can fill our bouquets with things like phlox, yarrow, echinacea, and the striking lilies. The middle of summer is when we begin receiving zinnias and the beginnings of our cherished dahlias. These flowers are true sun-lovers and make for the most joyful, vibrant arrangements. They are the perfect way to bring the sunshine indoors and make a happy statement.
Fall: Earthy and Cozy
As the air gets crisp and the leaves begin to change, so do our flowers! Fall brings us rich, warm colors and cozy textures. In the autumn, you’ll find gorgeous dahlias of all varieties, cosmos, celosia, and sedum. There’s nothing quite like a fall bouquet to make your home feel warm and inviting.
Create Your Own
Designing with seasonal blooms is an extra special experience.
Choosing to grab a bunch of seasonal flowers is a little treat for yourself and a wonderful way to bless a friend. Together we can celebrate the beauty that each unique season brings. I can’t wait to see you at the flowershed on Flower Fridays!
Additionally, I hope you will join me in the gardens for one of the seasonal workshops in spring and fall.
In the meantime grab my pdf on designing your blooms and find out when the workshops will be when you become a Flower Friend here!
Best Blessings,
Making Peace with Perishability
Flowers fade, but their are some tricks to helping them last a day or two longer.
My dear flower friends, a question I often get is, "How can I make my beautiful market bouquet last longer?"
I love that question, and it's a good one. It shows how much you cherish the flowers you bring into your home.
But before we get to the good stuff—my pro tips—I want to talk about something a little deeper. Something that I think we all feel.
Have you ever brought home a beautiful bouquet, only to watch its perfect petals slowly droop and fade? It's a tricky feeling, isn't it? We get so entranced by their beauty and intoxicated by their scent. They soften our homes and our hearts, bringing a bit of joy to our days. We want them to last forever! But, like a perfect summer day, they fade so quickly, and then they're gone.
For years, this feeling of loss was so strong that I didn't even have flowers in my home. I thought, "What's the point if they're just going to die?" But then, I had a little epiphany.
Flowers are a bit like the fresh, ripe strawberries or crisp cucumbers we bring home from the market. We don't expect those to last forever on our kitchen counter, do we? We enjoy them while they're at their peak, nourishing our bodies with their goodness. I've come to realize that flowers are the same, but they nourish our souls instead.
So, while we can't stop the clock entirely, we can embrace their fleeting beauty and do a few things to help them shine their brightest for as long as possible. Think of these as a little extra TLC for your blooms!
My Tips for a Longer-Lasting Bouquet
These are the same tips I use for the flowers I bring into my own home. They've been tried and true for years!
Snap a Picture! The moment you bring your flowers home and place them in a vase, take a picture! This helps you remember that first burst of beauty and the joy they brought you. It’s like a little memento to remember the moment.
Give Them a Fresh Drink. This is probably the most important thing you can do. Every day, or at least every other day, change the water completely. Fresh, cool water is what flowers love most. It’s like a little spa day for their stems!
Perform a Mini-Makeover. Just like we pick the best berries from the bunch, you can do the same for your bouquet. As a flower or two begins to fade, gently pluck them out or snip them off. This keeps the rest of the bouquet looking fresh and lovely. You might even find a few beautiful, single stems left at the end that you can place in a tiny bud vase!
My Aunt's Secret Ingredient. This last tip is a secret I learned from my own Aunt Keenie, who was a florist back in the 40’s and 50s. She swore by adding a splash of bleach to the vase water. A teeny-tiny amount—just a couple of drops per quart of water—can help keep bacteria from building up in the water, which can clog the stems and shorten a flower's life. Trust me on this one; it works wonders!
Ultimately, learning to make peace with the perishability of flowers is part of the joy. We get to celebrate their ephemeral beauty and then, when they're gone, we have a wonderful excuse to visit the Garden’s Flowershed again for another bouquet!
The Foxtails…
When I was a very young girl living on a very “real” farm, I remember occasionally hearing the grown ups talking at dinner in horrified voices of seeing a fox in the field. This meant that chickens and other farm animals were at risk.
Of course I remember also feeling that bit of fear, but there was a whimsical side of me too. This side of me would cause me to look out my bedroom window at the field hoping to see fluffy tails with creamy tips dancing above the row crops.
Fast forward a billion years to just 6 years ago when I first heard there was a flower called “Foxtail Lily”.
I was immediately entranced once again. I looked for it in all the local nurseries with zero luck. Most of them even stared at me blankly like they had never heard of such a thing in their life.
It took 2 years, but I finally tracked them down and began to grow my own.
That first June, I about jumped out of my skin in anticipation and they did not disappoint! That first year the flowers grew to 3-4 feet tall with blooms between 18”-24” long with a shape you can probably guess on.
It had all the swagger of the field foxes and commands just as much attention!
I now grow 3 varieties of these fun flowers and they are sought after for the drama and intrigue they bring to wedding meadows and alter arrangements.
Occasionally the plants put up smaller blooms. Those petite cuties are what I snag to share with my flower friends Friday Flower Market Bouquets!
You don’t want to miss when these unique pretties come into bloom, so sign up today if you haven’t already Become a flower friend and know when foxtail lilies will be available.
What is life without a bit of flower intrigue?
Best Blessings,
The Perfect Bouquet
A plethora of peonies in a bouquet in late Spring.
Nearly every day of my growing season finds me in the Gardens.
Tending to plants
Planting seedlings
Watering dry areas
Protecting from dangerous bugs
Trimming and dead-heading
Planning where to put new blooms
Weeding… endless weeding
And of course, cutting the flowers.
The list really goes on and on. Why do I do it?
In 2023 I realized I had spent hundreds, maybe thousands of hours in the flowers without creating a single bouquet. Why is that?
I grow flowers because I love them! I believe in the unspeakable power that flowers have on a human soul. It is amazing to me that we celebrate flowers at the peak of their life yet trivialize the time it took to get to that peak of beauty and minimize or perhaps disregard flowers as they age out. There is so much symbolism to our human life in flowers. There are parallels everywhere.
Even with all the time I spend in the flowers, I want… maybe even crave more. This is when I began a deep dive study of how to make the “Perfect Bouquet”.
I studied with several floral artists from Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia. I studied with the famous Amy Balsters. I studied the work of Korean floristry. All of it led me back to my own flowers. What do I see around me? What can I physically touch in my own Treasure Valley?
There is something powerful in using flowers we know where they came from. It ties us to the Earth around us. Trendy people now like to call it “Sustainability”. My grandmother called it “Seasonality”
So what do I consider “The Perfect Bouquet”?
Surprisingly, I have yet to make one. However I lean into perfection when I follow a few general guides I have created for myself whether it is going to be a bud vase or a large Sympathy design.
Use Local... and always seasonal
Begin with a structure in mind
Create Mechanics to match my structure
Begin with my focal point
Build with lines
Fill in with flair - lighter smaller flowers
Add aged and budding blooms for depth and richness.
Add foliage that compliments
Top with texture
Float with care
This is the year, I will experience my own Year In Flowers. Each week I will be creating my own design. Sometimes they will be preordered, but sometimes they will be available for purchase.
Do you want to deep dive into creating your own perfect bouquet? Join me in one of the workshops this season.
You are going to Love experiencing first hand the abundance and true beauty of local flowers.
A’la Carte Wedding Flowers FAQ
Where beautifully designed unique and textural flowers meet your budget.
Your A La Carte Wedding Flowers: Let's Talk!
One of the best parts of growing specialty flowers is making unique textural gorgeous flowers more accessible to my fellow people in our Treasure Valley.
Flowers at my daughter’s wedding elevated the entire event and everyone who came talked about them for months to come.
Beautiful local flowers can be tricky to come by, so after taking floral design courses from top designers from all over the world I began sharing the flowers I have grown for top florists and designers for years with the community.
Enough about me... I know you have questions, and I am here to help! Here are some of the most common things brides ask about my a' la carte wedding flower options:
Why should I do a’la Carte instead of Full Service Design?
Great question! This option offers a cost-effective way to get your beautiful, designer quality fresh flowers without the full-service price commitment. It is budget friendly, because you pickup the flowers, transfer to your event and place the flowers instead of paying for a team of people to do that.
Do you offer on-site set up or delivery?
To maintain my budget-friendly pricing, streamlined service, all DIY Buckets of Blooms and A'la Carte orders are for client pick-up only at my gardens/shop. This boundary allows me to focus 100% of my time and expertise on the quality of your flowers, rather than the logistics of the wedding day, ensuring you get the very best value and 100% of your flower budget going to flowers!
What kind of style is a’la carte best suited for?
Matching the vibe you mention in the inquiry form, these romantic gorgeous blooms go well with a garden-esc, whimsical, woodland, wildflower, classical style.
What kind of flowers will my bouquets have?
Such a great question! At Ella June Gardens, I focus on seasonal beauty. You are guaranteed to have the most lovely, romantic, textural, unique blooms that are currently blooming in my gardens. Here are some examples of the seasonal favorites:
Spring: Ranunculus & Heirloom Narcissus
Late Spring: Peonies & Alliums
Early Summer: Peonies & Phlox
Late Summer: Dahlias & Lisianthus
Fall: Dahlias & Sunflowers
Will My Flowers Come in Vases?
Absolutely! Your beautiful, made-for-you pieces will arrive in vases and boxes for ease of transporting them, complete with easy-peasy instructions for keeping them happy and hydrated until your event.
What if I Want More Blooms?
Love extra flowers? We do too! Once you've met our $200 minimum, you can absolutely add extra stems to your order for some DIY fun or to sprinkle more blooms throughout your celebration. It's a fantastic way to customize within your budget!
What do most Brides order?
Great question! A popular choice last season was a gorgeous lush Bridal Bouquet/Boutonniere (lapel bouquet) combo, 2 Full Garden pieces, and 6 DIY Buckets of Blooms. It's a wonderful mix of ready-to-go beauty and creative flexibility!
What are DIY Buckets of Blooms?
Great question! This is a carefully curated bucket of 90 loose flowers and foliage for you to design with. If you have ordered made for you pieces, the Buckets of Blooms with coordinate with the flowers in your bouquets.
Buckets of Blooms are commonly used for creating centerpieces, decorating ceremony arches, letting bridesmaids make their own bouquets, welcome table, food table, or cake flowers.
How far in Advance Should I Order My Bouquets?
Contact me soon as possible, to begin chatting! As much as possible, I grow specific colors of flowers that coordinate with the bride's wishes. A 6-9 month lead time is perfect for that. Spring wedding calendar opens the end of September the year before. Summer weddings open in January of the same year. Of course, if your eloping or having a short engagement, you will still get beautiful blooms! You will be limited to what is already growing in my gardens.
Where do I pick up my bouquets?
Right at Ella June Gardens in Middleton, Idaho!
Together we will plan a time for you or your designated person to pick them up the day of your wedding. If your wedding is going to be in the mountains or some distance away, we can have them ready for you earlier. I do not recommend picking them up more than 24 hours before your wedding.
How do I transport My Flowers?
Great Question! Fresh flowers do need to be handled with a bit of extra care. I’ll send you all the tips and tricks to keeping your blooms looking their best for your beautiful day.
I have a pretty specific design in mind. Can you match it?
For couples with a very specific vision, particular flower requests, or those wanting in-person consultations, our a' la carte and DIY options might not be the perfect fit. But don't worry! We know some incredibly talented full-service floral designers who would be thrilled to bring your detailed dreams to life. We're happy to connect you!
Can I choose the exact flowers in my bouquet?
Our a’ la carte service is best for couples who are open to the beautiful surprises that come with seasonal blooms. While you can definitely tell us your favorite flowers or any you'd prefer we avoid, we can't guarantee specific varieties. Think of it as a curated selection of the freshest, most gorgeous flowers blooming in our garden around your wedding date!
We always aim to capture the colors you love from your inspiration pictures. However, Mother Nature has her own schedule, and while we wish we could grow every flower imaginable, availability depends on the season and what's flourishing at the time. After years of nurturing these beauties, we have a good sense of what to expect, but there are always delightful (and sometimes unexpected!) surprises. So, a little flexibility goes a long way with our a' la carte blooms!
Ready to Get Started?
Click here to fill out our simple inquiry form: https://tinyurl.com/Ella-June-Gardens
Good to Know: Our Policies
We happily take Wedding Flower reservations for events happening between May and September. For weddings outside of these months, we can recommend some fantastic local designers who aren't tied to the growing season.
Once you've submitted your inquiry, we'll chat via email to finalize your order. To secure your wedding date on our calendar, we require a 50% deposit upon invoicing. Invoices should be paid within 3 days of receipt, with the remaining balance due two weeks before your pick-up day. Invoiced down-payments that remain unpaid past 3 days will be cancelled and blooms will NOT be reserved for you.
For the freshest blooms, we recommend picking up your flowers no more than 24 hours before your event, ideally on the day itself.
We provide you with healthy, vibrant, and well-hydrated flowers. Once they're in your hands (or the hands of your designated person), their care becomes your responsibility.
Excited to hear from you!
I am so looking forward to making your wedding day beautiful!
Inquiry form here: https://tinyurl.com/Ella-June-Gardens
Buckets of Blooms FAQ
Spring Buckets of Blooms curated just for you!
Frequently Asked Questions about Buckets of Blooms …
What is in a Bucket of Blooms?
* Each Bucket of Blooms contains a generous collection of 90 stems of flowers and foliage carefully grown & curated by Ella June Gardens to chosen style of “Bright and Vibrant” or “Soft and Classic”. Each bucket includes 5 Premium blooms!! Imagine a beautiful mix of textures and shapes, ready for you to arrange and bring your vision to life!
I am not planning a Wedding, can I still buy Buckets of Blooms?
* Yes! Absolutely!! Buckets of Blooms are well suited for any event, but because weddings are the main reason they are requested, I use that terminology. If you are planning a baby shower, bridal shower, community event or a flower bar, these will still work great for you!!
What flowers are Premium Blooms?
* Premium Blooms take extra time and care to make them wedding worthy. These beauties are often the focal point of bouquets and arrangements, adding that extra 'wow' factor. Depending on the season, you might find Tulips (April), Ranunculus (May), Peonies and Phlox (June & July), Sunflowers (July), Lisianthus and Dahlias (August - October) depending on the season.
Am I able to purchase additional Premium Blooms?
* Yes, absolutely! If you have your heart set on a few extra of those stunning premium blooms, you can order them individually to fit your needs. Just let us know on your 'Inquiry Request' form. I am happy to chat about adding specific flowers up to two weeks before your big day.
How many bouquets can a Bucket of Blooms make?
* Each Bucket of Blooms contains a curated group of 90 stems of blooms (foliage is included if requested). This is enough to flowers to create: 1- large bridal bouquet with extra stems for boutonnieres or bud vases or 2-3 medium sized bouquets. So, whether you're dreaming of one show-stopping bridal bouquet with matching accents or a few lovely bouquets for your bridesmaids, one bucket offers a wonderful starting point.
How many buckets do most brides’ order?
* For a cozy, intimate celebration, around 3 buckets often provide enough blooms for personal flowers and some table decorations. If you're planning a grand affair with 100+ guests and want to get creative with centerpieces and more, 6 buckets are a popular choice.
How much does each bucket of blooms cost?
* Great question! I like to keep the cost as low as possible. For 2026 each curated bucket of 90 stems will be just $200.
What do most Brides order?
* Many of our couples find that a combination of a beautifully crafted bridal bouquet, a matching boutonniere (through my a’la carte options), and 6 buckets of blooms gives them a fantastic foundation for their wedding flowers, offering both convenience and the joy of DIY.
I have a pretty specific design that I'm looking for, will you match what I am looking for?
* A' la carte and DIY Buckets of Blooms options are not well-suited for couples looking for specific flowers, require in-person consultation or have a more complex design vision. I can definitely recommend amazing full-service designers that will do exactly that!
Can I choose the flowers that come in my Buckets of Blooms?
* Think of DIY buckets as a delightful surprise of seasonal beauty! While we can't guarantee specific individual flowers, we absolutely want to know if there's anything you'd prefer we avoid. To help us curate the perfect mix for you, just let us know if you're leaning towards 'Bright and Vibrant' or 'Soft and Classic' in your style!
I want one(or two) specific color of flowers is that possible?
* If having specific colors (like white & blue or blush and burgundy) is a top priority, our 'A La Carte' options are the perfect way to go! With DIY Buckets, I focus on a color palette (like 'pastel' or 'jewel tones') rather than exact shades to give you the best of what's in bloom.
I'm having a bigger wedding (over 150 people), Can I still do DIY?
* Absolutely! A larger wedding just means you'll want to gather your flower-loving friends and family for a fun 'flower party'! Having a team of helpers who aren't afraid to get their hands on some blooms will make the process much smoother. It's definitely a 'many hands make light work' situation!
How far in advance should I order my Buckets of Blooms?
* As soon as you have a wedding date set is best. Available dates get booked quickly once the calendar opens for the next year.
* To get on the calendar, fill out the inquiry form linked here. This begins the process. Next I will get back with you with a color plan and types of flowers you can expect. Once you approve that, I’ll send you an invoice. 50% of the invoice should be paid within 3 days. That down payment puts us in a contractual agreement and you will be on my calendar!
Are your flowers locally grown?
* Yes! Absolutely!! Ella June Gardens is the Treasure Valley’s original farmer florist. This means that 99% of the flowers you see will be grown and designed by me right here in Middleton Idaho.
How do I secure my date?
* Great question! We both have a few steps prior to securing your date for flowers. Step 1: You fill out the inquiry form here or click on the “Inquiry Form” button at the bottom of this page. Step 2: I review it. If your date is available create an Inspo Page and a Wedding Flower Estimate based on the questions you answered in the inquiry form. Step 3: You review the Inspo Page and Estimate and get back with me with an “A-okay” or changes that might need to be made. Step 4: Once you approve the Wedding Flower Estimate, I send you an invoice through Paypal. Once you have paid 50% of the invoice, your date is secure and I go to work growing and creating beautiful blooms just for you and your perfect day!! The second 1/2 of the invoice won’t be due until 2 weeks prior to your wedding day!
Do you offer any instructions or tips for arranging DIY wedding flowers?
* Absolutely! I have blog posts available to give all the tips. Also, multiple times each year I host flower arranging workshops in the gardens. You might consider joining my Flower Friends Newsletter to find out when these are happening!
What if I need to cancel or change my order?
* I totally understand that things happen. You are welcome to cancel, however because of the nature of growing flowers for your event and time spent the 50% down payment is not refundable. Increases can be requested up to 2 weeks prior to your wedding date. If the flowers are available, I will do my best to accomodate your request!
Do I need to bring anything when picking up my Buckets of Blooms?
* Your buckets will be ready to go in standard grower buckets, nice and hydrated! If you have some sturdier buckets you'd prefer to transport them in, feel free to bring them along! You will receive an email the week of your wedding giving great advice for transporting and caring for your flowers!
What if I have more questions? How can I get in touch?
* Absolutely send them my way! Send your questions to ejm@ellajunegardens.com.
A little note from Mother Nature:
After years of growing, I have a good sense of what will be blooming when, the exact availability of each flower can sometimes be a delightful surprise. Rest assured, after years of growing beautiful blooms, I will always curate stunning buckets that perfectly match your chosen style ('Soft Classic' or 'Bright Vibrant'). I promise to provide you with the freshest, most beautiful seasonal flowers available!
More Details...
The DIY Buckets of Blooms are only available during our peak growing season, mid-May through the last week of September.
To give each bride the best flowers available, I only take 1 large wedding or 2 medium/intimate weddings each week. It is best to book early to ensure your date is available.
Why do I sell Buckets of Blooms?
Thank you for asking! Designing wedding flowers with family and friends is one of my daughter's and her bridesmaid's favorite memories around her wedding day. I want to offer that to you!
If you are like me and prioritize building fun joy-filled memories over perfection, you are in the right place!
Here's The Link to Get Started.
https://tinyurl.com/Ella-June-Gardens
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So many of our customers say, "Fresh flowers just make me happy!"
I couldn't agree more and are so happy you feel the same!
Join in as we create a local flower loving community right here in the Treasure Valley.
Be the first to know when your favorite flowers are available!
Get flower tips.
Get discounts.
Be the first to know when workshops are open.
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Sunset Bridal Bouquet
The end of Spring a bride reached out asking for an elopement bouquet and boutonniere for the end of September. She wanted bold rich blend and hoped for sunset colors.
In May my mind is generally on soft pinks and pastels. Her rich palette of oranges, burgundy, blush with a touch of blue was absolutely inspiring to think about. Fortunately, she gave me plenty of time to do some research.
When given more than 6 months notice for wedding work, I try to grow at least 2 special flowers just for that bride's special bouquet. The richest sunset colors to her bouquet was going to get 3...
1- A perfectly blush rose that had a deep yet soft clove scent that just happened to have the same name as the bride's deceased mother.
2- A tricolored peachy orange blush dahlia.
3- A salvia with the deep rich burgundy maroon hue
With these three growing strong, I felt confident her personal bouquet as well as her DIY Buckets when the time came.
This past week all growing and planning came to fruition. The flowers grown specifically for her were glorious. The additional flowers grown were looking good dispite the quick swing in temperature the week before.
I cut and processed the flowers the day before needed to design with them and they all looked fantastic. Never did I expect to love this bouquet like it do. It turned out to be my favorite bold colored bouquet to date (which is why I decided to blog about it!)
Take a peak and let me know if you like it too...
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Create Your own Lovely Dahlia Bouquet
If you love dahlias, you know their time with us is short this time of year.
Cold weather makes their leaves and flowers turn brown. The plant may look dead, but if you dig beneath the soil you will find a tuber that is very much filled with all the life to give more blooms next year... but growing dahlias can be a discussion for another day.
Right now, I want to discuss some of the best ways I have learned to design with the gorgeous flowers. a bowl full of dahlias looks opulent and luxurious. Because these marvelous flowers can stand on their own, you may or may not want to add foliage. I am a self proclaimed foliage lover. I love the wispiness that lends to me feeling like I have taken a trip to a English country village. Anyway....
Here are my top 3 tips.
1- Choose colors that either compliment each other or are similar hues and saturation. (Colors are deeply personal, so whatever you choose will be unique to your likes) I like to chose colors that are on the same side of the color wheel.
2- Choose dahlias of differing sizes or shapes. If you really like one particular dahlia, perhaps choose the most of that one. I love the idea of the the 3, 5, 8 rule, but you will see in my example that I don't necessarily follow it. Bouquets using a 3, 5, 8 rule have three of the largest size flower. Five of the smallest size. Eight of the favorite. Play around with it and share pictures by tagging me on FB or Insta.
3- Vary the height of your flowers. Fitting those large blooms all at the same height can make some of those beautiful faces get smooshed. Give each bloom room to breathe a bit by making them at different lengths. I love it when I see implied lines created with round flowers. It takes a bit of practice, but once in a while the implied line points directly to where you want all viewers or passersby to look.
Good Luck as you create your own dahlia centerpiece or bouquet to share with a friend, family or simply for yourself to enjoy.
Flowers bring joy and smiles so go out and enjoy yours today!
Bare Root Planting Made Easy
There is a bit of mystery behind planting roots that don’t come in a pot (aka bare root)
Don't worry, you are not the only one. I had to learn the hard way before Google, but you don't have to!
In reality, planting bareroots couldn’t be easier.
* It saves steps,
* Reduces root binding,
* It's better for the environment
and probably many more reasons too!
Here is my simple 7 step process.
1- Grab a bucket or tub that holds water and fill it at least 1/4 full.
2- Put your bare root plants in the tub. (as they are… if they come with soil attached, leave it on and put it in the water. If there is no soil put them in)
3- While they are soaking dig your hole a little bigger and deeper than the roots. It doesn’t have to be exact, but a bit bigger is better than too small.
4- Water the hole. (My native soil tends to be a bit sandy, so I like to fill it all the way up, but if you have clay or poor drainage you may make your hole bigger, add soil amendments, then water it in at this point).
5- Remove roots from water and plant. (If there is soil on the bareroot plant, I soak for up to 10 minutes. If the root comes soilless, I soak them up to 30 minutes.
6- Here is where I add natural organic fertilizers around the roots. My favorites are The Perfect Blend Organics and Worm Castings.
7- Use the remaining water you have from soaking the roots to water the plants and extra water as needed. (If they have green leaves showing, I water daily for the first week to get the roots to send out new feeder roots quickly.)
PRO TIP: The day you receive your plants is the best day to get them planted. If you can’t plant immediately, put them on soil or in an area they can be protected and water them.
If you have questions, please send me a message. I am happy to help!
So glad you are here. Let’s get Planting!!
Am I too late to plant my Spring Bulbs?
The best laid plans don't always come to fruition.
It’s January (or even February) and you didn’t get your spring bulbs (tulips or daffodils etc) planted. Are you too late?
I realize the ground is probably frozen in our Treasure Valley zone 6b/7a, so DON’T Dig Now.
Digging in frozen earth damages more than just your pride and muscles. While the earth can feel as hard as concrete, forcing it to separate can damage the integrity of the soil making it settle unevenly once it does thaw.
Here are the key things I have done to make it so I can get bulbs in the ground safely before Spring.
1. Cover the area you where want to plant the bulbs with 6" of light mulch (I use leaves because that is what I have most of, but straw works just as well).
2. Cover those leaves with some kind of protective cloth. Mostly this is to keep the mulch from blowing away should we get a strong wind. (I use a frost cloth, but in the past when I have a smaller area I've used an old fleece blanket).
3. I will leave this be for a couple of days, where it gently keeps the ground above freezing and cause it to thaw.
4. After a few days, rake away the mulch and dig the needed depth for the bulbs.
5. Plant. (Tulip bulbs bought from me should be planted 6" deep. If they are staying in your landscape and not being used as a cut flower, plant them 4" apart. Daffodils should be planted 4" deep and 4"-6" apart.)
6. Water. Bulbs do need to be watered in deeply when they are planted,
What if you are planting just as it the day is turning to night, getting darker and colder? What I have done with Ranunculus and Anemones and believe it will work just as well with the tulips is this...
Plant one day and water in the next day when you have a couple of hours before temperatures reach that critical 30 degrees or lower.
Another option is to use the mulch again. Plant the bulbs. Water in and then cover them up with the straw or leaves again. Here is what I don't quite know yet. Daffodils (even the fancy daffs) will be fine to leave the mulch on them long term. Tulips (at least the fringed, parrot, and double varieties) typically require EXTRA cooling. This may mean that after a day or two it will be best to remove the mulch once again. It is an extra couple steps, but will allow the soil to get what it needs to support your bulbs and help them grow through the winter months.
If you like this discussion, you may want to join my flower friends newsletter where we chat about all kinds of flowers.
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Should I Do my Own Wedding Flowers?
Weddings are dreamy!
With all the love exploding in your heart, filled with hopes and dreams of forever, it is pretty common to rush to Pintrest and begin your vision boards. Next you call your florist and name all the ways you want to fill your day with fresh gorgeous blooms, but then she asks you to name your budget for all your stunning ideas.
You are not alone if you suddenly think the only way you can have the wedding event of your dreams is to do them yourself (DIY). But is DIY right for you?
I am here for you! Here is a quick checklist to guide you through.
Do I feel comfortable working with flowers?
Do I (or someone I appoint) have at least 8 hours the day before the wedding to work on making the floral arrangements?
Am I able to travel to pick up my flowers a day before the wedding?
Do I have a good place (cool place out of direct sunlight and away from pets) to store the flowers between pick-up and the wedding and a good work space?
Do I have friends or family who can help me the day before the wedding willing to take part of a large last-minute project?
Will I be okay if my flowers aren’t exactly like my inspo picture?
Do I have someone willing to set up all the centerpieces and other flower decorations when I need to be getting dressed and ready?
Do I feel like hunting down all the vases and other containers myself, and do I know what I'll do with them afterwards?
Do I want to buy all the necessary supplies to make the more intricate wedding party flowers (boutonnieres, bouquets, corsages, etc) or do I want to hire a farmer florist to do those while I handle all the other flower decorations?
Do I have someone who can help clean up and take away all the flowers/decor after the wedding is done?
Just know that no matter which is best for you, or if a combination will work great, all are great options. Also, I want to reassure you that the most important element for a beautiful wedding is two people being deeply committed to love, respect and care for each other. If you've got that, you have got not only a beautiful wedding in your future, but also a beautiful life.
Along with this checklist, once you are booked you will get emails that go over when to pick up your flowers and transportation details.
Don't worry. You are on the right path. I am confident that if these questions are answered truthfully, it will be clear if DIYis right for you by the end.
I'll be here for you when you are done.
6 Favorite Flowering Perennials
Phlox will always be in my top lists of flowers both for their charming florets and sweetest scent!
We are nearly 1/2 way through winter, which means it will be a great time to start planting perennial cut flowers in about 8 weeks.
Early spring is one of the best times to plant hardy perennials that thrive in our 6b/7a Treasure Valley weather. There really is no need to wait until Mother's Day to plant these tough plants.
Here at Ella June Gardens, I grow over 75 varieties of perennial cutflowers. Perennials can be a little bit of an investment on the front end, but continue to come
back year after year.
Some perennial cut flowers I have started from seed. These grow beautifully and bloom just the color I expect them too. Others come from root divisions in order to get the desired bloom color or shape.
Which ever way the perennial blooms come, they will always be worth the effort in my book. I was going to give you my top 5 favorites, but I just couldn't leave off yarrow. So here are my top 6.
6 Favorite Easy Perennial Blooming Flowers.
#6 - Yarrow - There are so many types of yarrow, that there is a wide range to choose from. I have grown only 8 different varieties, but love them all for different reasons. For a white rebloomer, I'd choose Peter Cottontail (from root divisions). For pastel mix of colors, I like the Colorado Mix (from seed). For dried flowers, I don't think any do as well as Corination Gold (root divisions) at keeping their colors.
#5 - Eryngium - What is a garden without a blue flower? These beauties are frequently found in grocery store bouquets for a reason. Their color is so rich and vivid that they make a bouquet sing... and they are quite easy to grow. If you have patience to wait 2 years for blooms, you can even grow them easily from seed!
#4 - Echinacea - These flowers have some such a long way from just the regular cone flower our grandmother's grew. While I still love the basic coneflower shape, the specialty doubles and truffles steal my heart every single time. I think I need to grow all the colors, and there are soo many to choose from! The pollinators love them. They hold up in a vase for 10+ days. They are drought tolerant once they are established. They rebloom multiple times in a season. For so many reasons, Echinacea should be on every cut flower garden's wish list.
#3 - Foxtail Lilies - It is difficult to photograph these in their FULL Glory. Few flowers get this tall in Idaho, but they LOVE our dry heat. Foxtail lilies really look like something quite exotic dancing through the garden beds. They are too tall for a standard vase inside the house, but if you have a large urn, they are worth bringing a few stems in. They last just as long inside in water as they do outside on the plant. They remind me of a similar but larger flower I saw in all the beautiful public gardens in Maui. I look forward to them every single Spring
I love it because it shows how these beauties dance above other flowers.
#2 - Phlox - I went so many years only knowing about creeping phlox (the kind that work great as a ground cover. Only about 5 years ago did I discover tall phlox. The scent is light and fresh and perfectly lovely.
Truly, it is a complete battle between which scent I like better… peonies or phlox. I like one best until the next one blooms. I just cannot decide.
Phlox can be reblooming once they are established. To help them rebloom, you must cut the flowers before all the florets have withered away. Trimming them as far down as the stem goes will give you the most likely chance of getting flowers in the Autumn. Give the plants a couple years growing in your gardens before expecting this from them though.
Warning, some phlox are prone to powdery mildew. Simply look for varieties that say they aren't and you should be fine.
#1 - Peonies - Drumroll please for the most favorite of all (I think)...
If you have been around me much, you know peonies will always be my favorite.
The pure nostalgia.
The rarity of them of only blooming a couple weeks.
Every year I try to stuff a few more roots into my Gardens. Even though they only bloom for 1-2 weeks each year, I simply cannot get enough of these. Their bomb of petals. Their exquisit scent. Their long lasting ability (some plants have actually lasted for over 100 years!)
If I could only grow one perennial flower, peonies would be my choice. They are easy to grow, so I am convinced everyone should have at least one peony in their gardens.
What is the best of all this?
In the heat of our Treasure Valley hot Summers no wedding should be without Echinacea or Eryngium.
No isle flowers sing quite like the ones in June who include the tall dancing foxtail lilies. They are never-to-be-forgotten.
Tucking peonies into a Spring bridal bouquet or phlox into a summer wedding not only brings beauty to the eyes, but also a scent they will never want to forget.
When I can grow these stunning special flowers for a special wedding or event. That really makes my heart sing.
Best Blessings to you and yours,
Ella
Questions on Tulips...
There have been a lot of questions about tulips coming recently about growing tulips, and for good reason.
There is so much shown lately about growing tulips in egg crate format to fit literally 1000's of tulips in a small space to give a Holland inspired WOW factor.
But all these inspirational posts can lead to big confusion for the home gardener. Here is why...
Most home gardeners have planted small clusters of bulbs in the winter. They get to enjoy the beautiful symbol of hope in the Spring when not much has woken up yet in their garden. The traditional gardener will then leave the flowers in the garden and let the foliage die back naturally and the tulips are a bit forgotten until the following year when they bloom again.
Under these circumstances, tulips are a bit of a perennial bloomer. Plant them as directed 6" deep and 3"-4" away from any other plants, bulbs or roots. You may need to divide the bulbs in a few years but you can bet they will give you several years of flowers just like daffodils.
Pretty straight forward...
Until recently...
The confusion began in about 2018 when more Americans began growing tulips for cut flower production.
When tulips are being grown to be used as a cut flower, those bulbs don't need any space to multiply because they are being pulled right out of the ground before they are even in full bloom.
That is right. The flower, foliage, and bulb and pulled rather than cut.
Many ask, can I just cut the foliage and flowers and leave the bulb to continue to grow?
Nope. That bulb will not create a new flower without the foliage to regenerate that bloom, stem and strength to produce it.
In this situation, the bub needs to be treated like an annual. One bulb = One flower.
This is why the cut flower industry is showing all the bulbs planted so close together.
I hope this clears things up for you a bit. But you are always welcome to email me you questions.
Best Blessings,
Ella
Failure is part of my job...
Sometimes when flower growing isn't going well, I have to tell myself that this is part of the job I chose.
I wish that flower growing was always the perfect pictures painted on social media, but it certainly isn't.
Let's talk about tulips for a minute. In my previous blog I mentioned that when tulip bulbs are used as cut flowers the math generally goes like this 1 bulb = 1 flower.
However, I realized this week that the math I did there is quite misleading. It really is something closer to 1.5 bulbs = 1 flower in the field and 2 bulbs = 1 flower when forced. Hydroponics may even be smaller margins. I am beginning to think it is 2.5 bulbs = 1 flower.
That may be a bit confusing, so let me explain...
First of all, especially when buying bulbs in bulk, many came this year that were completely rotted. They were soft and even when I carefully sorted through them about 1/3 had to be thrown away as not being a viable bulb.
That about broke my heart.
Gathering up all my courage, I moved forward with my tulip plan. This year 1/2 of my bulbs were planted outside and 1/2 of them I am forcing hydroponically.
Once bulbs are tucked into the ground, I thought they would be safe and sound for a few months until bloom time. However, so many bulbs are being found in my walk ways and grass.
We are just beginning to realize tulips planted in my gardens are being packed away by squirrels and/or mice who think they are delicious.
I am fairly confident that I now have at least 25% fewer bulbs out there right now.
Also, with all the excessive rain we received overnight I have been digging trenches to guide water away from the remaining bulbs.
Bulb rot is not something we have to worry about too much in dry Idaho, but when our annual rain expectancy comes all at once, all bets are off.
So that is what's happening with the outside tulips.
Hydroponic growing is not for the faint of heart either.
I took it on knowing it was going to be a challenge. All conditions have to be just right in order to trick the bulbs into thinking they have already experienced enough Winter to flower and that it is now Spring.
One thing that I monitor closely is humidity.
Honestly, we have such a dry climate, that needing to monitor the humidity took me completely by surprise. Tulips will get either leaf topple or stem topple if they experience humidity over 90% - even for just a few minutes.
Imagine my horror to come home one day and find the humidity in my grow space had spiked to 99%.
I worked as quickly as possible to get the humidity down and soon it was well below the 90% danger zone.
At first the tulips did not look like they suffered too much from it, but now I know that 2 weeks later, their leaves began to split and some stems have caved in. The stems that were most susceptible to stem topple are not able to hold up their blooms.
So... here is the good - Winter tulips when they bloom are stunningly awesome!!
Here is the bad - It is a bit heart wrenching to see potential flowers lost so easily after so much work.
Here is the ugly - At this point Winter Tulip growing isn't looking like it will be a sustainable part of my business. I'll have to wait until May and crunch all the numbers. It is best said by my mother when I was growing up. "We never need to go to Vegas. Farming is the biggest gamble of a lifetime."
As we witness strange Winter storms hitting all across the United States, my little flower experiment is nothing in comparison. However, it does give me a little taste of what that gamble is doing to our food farms and domestic food supply.
If you are the praying type, please pray for America. If you are not the praying type, maybe you will consider praying for America anyway.
Be Blessed,
Ella