In the glen
Adding a soft flourish (if such a thing is possible) to a cool woodland setting, we have magnificent blue and white hydrangeas, roses and delphinium for a most marvelous summer wedding.
Summer sizzlers
Isn't summer grand? So many colors. So many blooms. In the midst of all the heat, it is often difficult to keep up with everything that comes bursting forth. The second you turn around, more blooms begin to wave gently in the ultra-sultry breezes, daring you to even think of turning away.
Here are some of our summer beauties.
Peonies... sigh.....
Who doesn't love a peony? Such a remarkable and gracious plant. Many live for fifty years or more -truly for generations. Countless stories are told of daughters and granddaughters (and maybe sons and grandsons) digging family peonies so they might be saved for even more generations. They make such a lasting impression even though they can be somewhat fleeting. What is it about them? Their soft colors? Their fragrance? The fact that so many people and families have them and have had them for, as I said, generations? Something about them always seems to conjure up memories. Such a wonderful floral inhabitant!
For those of you who visited the Farmers' markets in New Canaan, Greenfield Hill and Christie's Country Store in Westport this past weekend, ou saw firsthand some of the wonderful variety afforded by peonies. We brought with us several coral-colored beauties - truly eye-catching indeed - along with the very soft single pink blushes, the slightly deeper pink double varieties, our earliest whites, and the first of our crimson doubles. We will be sure to have more this coming weekend at each of our markets, and we'll be featuring them in our subscription bouquets. Because we grow several varieties, the length of time during which we have peonies in bloom is extended. Having said this, these babies sure were popping this past weekend in the heat wave! For us to pick each one at its peak, we become true peony stalkers. No kidding. Every few hours (that's over four times a day) we were out checking to see which ones were thinking about popping open, and which ones were not quite ready. If you turned your back for a moment, they seemed to spring open. Like that proverbial pot that never boils when you're keeping a watch on it but... you know the rest of the story!
One of our double reds at market this week. A bit more pink-toned than crimson.
ith such a gorgeous plant, and all of my aforementioned praise, you would think it difficult to have a related pet peeve, but I do. It is this: the most common comment I hear about peonies is how beautiful and fragrant they are (agreed) but the second most common comment I hear is, "My peonies were fine until the big rain storm we had, and then they just went 'kersplat.'" What I want everyone to know is that flowers will certainly lose their petals when it is time, but there are wonderful plant stakes, which will help keep your blooms upright and in tact, even in the face of heavy rains and you might not have to lose your flowers to the ground or as quickly as you might be losing them. Some of these devices are a combination of several stakes and hoops and encircle the entire plant (but put them on while the stems and leaves are coming up not after) and some are simply coated metal stakes with a slightly open loop at the top end, which makes staking super easy. This simple loop stake is perfect for encircling individual stalks with flowers, and this is all you need to do. Sometimes, in the wind, the stem will escape the loop, but, generally, the stakes work in such an easy and superb fashion that I see no reason for anyone to grow a peony without them. So, no more reason to bemoan the fact that the poor peony, with the large, beautiful flowerhead, doesn't seem capable of keeping itself upright in the face of heavy rains owing to its plethora of water-catching (did you say, "Sponge-like?") petals. For very few dollars, the problem is easily solved. Please, buy some stakes now, and be ready for next year! Yes, it is likely too late for this year.
Rainy Market Day for Memorial Weekend
A time to remember those we lost, and for whom we will be ever thankful--this was our Memorial Weekend.
But was it really the start of summer? With temperatures reading 44 degrees at the New Canaan Farmers' Market, and a stiff wind to match, and an equal 44 degrees at Greenfield Hill Market, we were having trouble convincing ourselves. The Butternut Gardens peonies, iris and first bachelor buttons braved the rain and cold and made their way to both markets. We were happy to say, "Hi" to those of you who stepped out on Saturday morning and dashed through the rain to shop at our markets.
For those of you who missed it, here is a peek of some spring sunshine on that rainy day.
We hope you had a nice Memorial Weekend. We look forward to seeing you next week at market.
Markets and More!!
So many exciting things happening! Spring/summer markets are starting up and some great news to share about my retail outlets.
First--the markets: We bid adieux to the Norfield Grange's winter market in Weston until next fall, but today I took flowers to the New Canaan Farmers' Market. Despite the dreariness of the day, it was a great opening day at New Canaan. Thank you to all who turned out to support local growers and specialty food merchants. While we will not be at New Canaan every week, will are happy to be there as a guest vendor.
A bit closer to home, Greenfield Hill market opens for the summer next weekend (one week after Mother's Day). Our tulips are winding down, but Dutch Iris, columbine and alliums are starting to make an appearance, and it won't be too long until the fabulous peonies burst open. Can't wait.
Now, onto the other retail news-- Indulge By Mersene is a fantastically cute and chic little store located across the street from the Westport/Saugatuck train station, on the New York-bound side. Indulge truly has something for everyone, and specializes in amazing gift baskets, which are perfectly personalized for each recipient. Together with Mersene Norbom- THE Mersene of Indulge by Mersene, we are working to make Butternut Gardens flowers available at Indulge. Indulge will soon be expanding its space, making room for more great items, and more Butternut Gardens flowers. If you have a moment, treat yourself to a fun visit to Indulge by Mersene at 24 Railroad Place.
Finally, across the tracks, on the New Haven-bound side of the Westport/Saugatuck train station, and also at the Greens Farms train station, Steam, a new coffee bar, which specializes in "locally inspired and chef-inspired foods" will open as early as June in each of the two renovated station houses. Right inside, thanks to Steam, you'll find Butternut Gardens flowers! So, if you are a train commuter, or are just driving by, you'll have a new place to pick up the BG blooms and other great fare. More on this in another few weeks.
My Spring Helpers
This is such a crazy busy time of year for me. Beds to prep. Seedlings to set out. Tulips to gather. More seeds to start indoors. Gladiolus to plant. Dahlias to wake from their "warm" slumber in the cooler. You get the idea! I am not the only busy one around here though. Each day I am accompanied by our spring friends - our lovely robins - swooping from tree to garden beds or hopping across the grass. (Have you ever noticed how quickly they hop and run? Wow!) Here is one being a bit coy, but a beauty none-the-less, as it scoots through the alchemilla (yarrow) and stands alertly near the plant stake. I must say, I never tire of hearing their telltale calls from the branches above. I just love being surrounded by robins as I tend the gardens. I hope each of you takes a moment to stop what you are doing to listen and look at all of this fabulous spring energy.
Our tulips are blooming... yahoooooooo!!!
They are up! They are bright! They are stunning! This year we are offering over a dozen varieties of tulips. Several of our first ones are in the yellow and orange tones. Just what we need to kick start spring and remind us that winter is over.
It is amazing how quickly the tulips decide to "color up" once we have a few warm days in a row. It is almost hard to keep up with them. I have days when I pull tulips out of the gardens several times a day. Also, to make sure the blooms will be their best, I make sure they are well-watered when it is dry, as it has been, so these lovely babies are fully hydrated when it is time to cut.
Forcing bulbs
Amaryllis are commonly forced into bloom for the Christmas and winter holiday seasons. I love Amaryllis in the spring! The whites and peach colors are just perfect for this time of year. Often people ask if these are lilies. In fact, they are related. Amaryllis are an excellent cut flower, lasting, in some cases, several weeks as they open one flower after another.
Stunning amarillis