Slow flowers? What the heck are those? Do they take longer to grow? Are they slow to bloom, or slow to fade? Actually, Slow Flowers refers to a movement to bring locally grown flowers back to our floral trade. Across the country, local flower farmers are working hard to put homegrown flowers in your hands. Several organizations, websites and blogsites now provide significant information on locally-grown flowers and resources to help you find local flower farmers. Butternut Gardens is proud to be a member of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, a professional organization dedicated to helping flower farmers grow better flowers. At the ASCFG website, you will find a resource list of local flower growers across the country. So, if you are looking for locally grown flowers for your daily decorating needs or for wedding or other event, the ASCFG website can help. Find the ASCFG website here: http://www.ascfg.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Butternut Gardens is also a contributor to the relatively new Field to Vase blog, which can be accessed here: http://fieldtovase.com/blog/ This is a fun resource for learning a bit more about local flower farmers and farmer florists, and the ins and outs of what it means to grow cut flowers and design with local blooms. As a matter of fact, my first blog post for Field to Vase went live in early June. I'd love it if you read it. It's all about what goes into the making of YOUR bouquet! Find it here: http://fieldtovase.com/butternut-gardens-making-bouquet/

For more extensive reading on slow flowers and local flower farming, I also recommend the following books: The 50 Mile Bouquet: Seasonal, Local and Sustainable Flowers by Debra Prinzing and Fresh from the Field Wedding Flowers by Lynn Byczynski and Erin Benzakein.