A Holiday Open House at the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market
December 13, 2012
Holiday Open House at the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market
The warehouse at the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market was awash with holly, greens, and festive floral arrangements for its Holiday Open House this week. Here are a few photos of some truly inspiring holiday decorations. Please do try this at home with gleanings from your winter gardens, woods, and trails.
Wreath of densely packed succulents
The moss softens the texture of this twiggy wreath from Oregon’s Best Specialty Growers
Vintage Santa and holly from J Foss Garden Flowers
More woodsy wreaths from Oregon’s Best Specialty Growers
Garland from scabiosa pods, J Foss Garden Flowers
These potted succulents reminded me of a box of living ornaments
More vintage trimmings at J Foss Garden Flowers
Orchids in a white bucket
Books for sale — The 50-Mile Bouquet
Seattle Wholesale Growers Market and colored lights
A Grower’s Tips for Lilac Bouquets
May 14, 2012
“I shall not be likely to go to town while the lilacs bloom.”
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Lilac bouquet
Lilac bouquet on the kitchen windowsill
Lilac
Have you ever noticed the thin purple edge on a lilac leaf?
The scent of lilacs is such an ephemeral gift. The lilac bloom in Seattle is in its last days, and I just cut another fresh bouquet while I had the chance.
Here are some tips for cutting lilac bouquets from Gretchen Hoyt of Alm Hill Gardens, who was featured in The 50 Mile Bouquet:
- “Harvest lilacs when most of the florets are open, perhaps with a few closed florets at the top of the bloom. They never open past the stage when you pick them.”
- “Using a sharp knife, ‘shave’ the cut stem as if you are shaving a pencil. This exposes the under bark, which creates more area for water to be absorbed by the flower.”
Snowballs and callas displayed by Oregon Coastal Flowers inside the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market warehouse
Yesterday the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market celebrated its one-year anniversary with a festive party at their Georgetown warehouse. It was a joyous occasion, full of color, supportive buyers and friends, fresh blooms, and good food. Debra Prinzing and David E. Perry, author and photographer, were on hand to sign copies of their new book, The 50 Mile Bouquet. (The New York Times recently wrote an interesting article about the book and the “buy local” flower movement. You can link to it here.)
Starting June 1st, the market will open its doors to retail buyers on Fridays from 10 – 2 and will charge a $5 fee for this privilege. I appreciated getting an invitation to the Anniversary Party, even though I am not a wholesaler or florist. I am proud to know this group of local flower growers who are working so hard to promote sustainability and local markets in the flower industry. Small is beautiful!
Here are some photos of the day:
Twig baskets on the loading dock, from Oregon Coastal Flowers
Bucket full of calla lilies, Oregon Coastal Flowers
I simply cannot resist including another photo of these gorgeous calla lilies.
Buyer selects individual blooms from the choice inventory of J Foss Garden Flowers.
Janet, owner of J Foss Garden Flowers
Janet writes up a sale.
Another buyer
Casual seating area
Diane Szukovathy of Jello Mold Farm flanked by author Debra Prinzing and photographer David E. Perry with their book, The 50 Mile Bouquet
Debra Prinzing signing book
Debra Prinzing signing copies of her new book, The 50 Mile Bouquet
Photographer David E. Perry signing copies of his book, The 50 Mile Bouquet
The focus is on super fresh, seasonal flowers like these tulips.
Flower arranging demonstration
Flower arranging demonstration
Diane Szukovathy speaking passionately to local buyers and florists
Diane talking with her hands
Jello molds at the warehouse from Jello Mold Farm
Reflections in a mirror at the warehouse
Purchases on the loading dock
Diane Szukovathy, President of the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market Cooperative
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