As I sit by the crackling fire with the wind and rain roaring outside, it’s hard to believe that our fresh cut flower season is only a few weeks away. Yet the tightly packed beds of tulips have already begun to push their noses up through the soil unphased by the frost while the blossom is fattening on the crabapple tree, poised for the starters gun. Spring!
Here at Purple Dahlia HQ winter has seen frantic activity both inside and outside. On the wettest and windiest days I have been inside working with our wide range of dried flowers designing a new range of domes, posies and wreaths, while also working on a range of commissions for homes around the Wairarapa. I get so much joy from being able to use our own dried flowers to create bespoke designs and then seeing them in position. Throughout the year we cut as many flowers as possible for drying and these gradually take over the whole house as Winter approaches! I love working with all the different dried flowers as they have their own unique beauty. Domes, wreaths and posies will be available at markets throughout the spring and early summer months and they make excellent Christmas presents.
Outside Mike is digging the cutting garden into shape with new raised beds being constructed and filled and plants being sourced for the ‘cutting forest’ of shrubs and trees at the back of the property. A new hedge bed has gone in with a range of blossoming shrubs and trees including a beautiful new Cherry Plum tree called ‘thundercloud’ (Prunus cerasifera) which will provide us with beautiful dark purple foliage in the years to come. Fragrance is being added too and I’m eagerly awaiting the moment that the mock orange starts to flower, filling the garden with its heady scent of orange blossom.
We’ve gone big on tulips this year, doubling our bulb order from the previous year and trying out some new varieties. These beauties truly are the showstoppers of Spring. This year they’ll be joined on the floral catwalk by ranunculus, probably the only other flower that could challenge tulips for the crown of ‘prettiest in the patch’ at this time of year. Watch out for both of these treasures at the Masterton Farmers Market at Solway Showgrounds when we return in mid-late September. (Alternatively, get in touch about our tulip subscription service!).
Looking further ahead, in December we will be inviting people behind the scenes at The Purple Dahlia to explore the cutting garden and what we have in store for the summer season. I will also be starting up workshops run from the cutting garden which include picking your own flowers and a garden tour followed by a workshop on how to arrange your flowers. All workshops will be advertised on social media and on our website.
Right, I’m off to have a baby tomorrow so I’d better leave it there. I can’t wait to see you all down at the market in September.
Love Pip 😊