Welcome to the flower edition of the Country Living Garden Club spring newsletter series. I’m so glad you’re back! Today, we’re talking all things blooms.
Hello, Fellow Gardeners!
Confession: I’m still a bit of a flower-growing newbie. As I mentioned last time, I spent a summer just out of college apprenticing on an organic vegetable farm, and then many more summers growing just about everything edible. Really, you name a vegetable, and I probably grew it. But flowers? Not so much. Sure, there were lilacs, roses, and daylilies around, but I never actually planted any myself.
That’s changed since moving to Alabama, where I’ve been slowly, and sometimes chaotically, turning my backyard from a wasteland of boring green shrubs into a colorful, pollinator-friendly haven. There have been some flops—I’m looking at you, knockout roses devoured by Japanese beetles—but also some real wins. My dwarf lilac just wrapped up a spectacular bloom, and I’m feeling inspired to try even more varieties this spring and summer.
In this edition, I chat with a flower farmer from North Alabama, share a simple trick for creating a perfect arrangement, dig into a gardening trend that’s having a moment, and, of course, sip on a very on-theme cocktail.
Happy gardening!
Food & Crafts Director
P.S. Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover? Shoot me an email at cmattox@hearst.com.
A Moment for: Nostalgia Gardening
In the decorating and gardening worlds, I’ve noticed a real lean into nostalgia lately. There are plenty of plants that feel right at home in this informal, timeworn style. Picture towering, showy gladiolas, a wildflower field buzzing with bees and butterflies, or a lilac bush covered in perfectly scented blossoms. These are all plants that populated the gardens of our childhoods—and that we’re craving again now. Sure, I know everyone loves a perfectly trimmed boxwood, but nostalgic gardening is a trend I can truly embrace.
Q&A with Natasha McCrary: How to Start a Cutting Garden
Nothing makes me happier than filling my house with blooms from my own garden—right now, I have an arrangement of peonies on the table. To learn how to grow a cutting garden, I recently spoke with Natasha McCrary, owner of 1818 Farm in Mooresville, Alabama. Each year, the farm produces over 14,000 blooms, along with offering workshops and bouquet subscriptions. Here’s just a little of what I learned, but you can find even more of our conversation here.
Q. What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a cutting garden?
A. In addition to starting small, I tell people to think about the colors they love and what they actually want to bring indoors.
Q. What flowers do you suggest for first-time gardeners?
A. A few plants that people tend to have great success with, no matter where they live, are zinnias and cutting marigolds. When buying zinnias, choose varieties bred for cutting. A few of my favorites are Benary’s Giant and Button Box.
Q. What mistakes do you see beginners make when starting a cutting garden?
A. The number one mistake I see is that people plant their flowers, water them once or twice, and then walk away. In those first couple of weeks, unless there’s a good rainstorm, you’ll need to water every day until the roots are established. After that, plants need about an inch of water each week.
Add to Cart: Garden Finds I’m Loving Right Now
Here are three flower-related beauties I can’t wait to get my hands on:
Atmosfloric: Flower Colour in Home and Garden: I’m so excited to sit down and enjoy garden designer Sean A. Pritchard’s new book, due out later this spring. Filled with gorgeous photographs of beautiful arrangements and inspiring interiors, it explores how flower color shapes mood and atmosphere—and how to work with different palettes to create a desired effect.
A Cara Bauermeister Vase: Speaking of perfect vessels, I’m coveting one of Cara Bauermeister’s truly spectacular vases. I feel like if I had one of these, even if my flowers were a little ho-hum, they’d still look amazing.
Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster: I try to be good about feeding my blooming plants, so I’m planning to pick up this plant food that is formulated to increase the quantity and color of your blooms.
Twirl It Up: How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro
I struggled to make pretty flower arrangements for a long time. Some flowers would be too small, others too big, and I could never get the balance quite right. Then I discovered the 3-5-8 rule of flower arranging, which uses a specific ratio of flowers to create a perfectly balanced look. It’s so easy and has truly helped me make beautiful arrangements every time.
LEARN THIS EASY FLORIST’S TRICK
New Blooms to Know
Purple can be quite a divisive color. When it comes to clothing or interiors, I don’t lean toward it—but in the garden, I’ll take purple blooms every time. Maybe it’s the way they stand out against green foliage? Whatever the reason, I’m fully on board. Here are three new purple-flowering plants I’m excited to try this year. Look for them at your local garden center.
Laguna Royale Lilac Lobelia
I love how delicate these blooms are and how, on a mature plant, they completely cover it to the point where you almost can’t see the light green leaves. Try one in a pot with other purple flowers for a sophisticated look.
Learn more tips for summer-thriving container gardens here.
Bouquet Perfect™ ‘Violetta’ Primula
I’ve never grown primrose before, but I have a few shady spots in my yard, so I want to give this spectacularly vibrant bloomer a try. Want to learn about more shade-loving plants? Check out this story.
Living Large ‘Big Sky’ Salvia
A mature version of this perennial can get quite large. It blooms later in the season than most salvias and produces plenty of purple flowers on tall stems—up to 12 inches—that look beautiful in arrangements. Click here for tips on planting the perfect garden bed.
In With the Old: Floral Paint-by-Numbers
Unless you live in California or are willing to spend a fortune at the grocery store, having fresh flowers year-round isn’t always an option. Instead, consider investing in a few kitschy floral paint-by-numbers. They’re often under $50 each and will give you a wall of blooms in every season for years to come.
Garden to Glass: Roses and Rosé Spritz
Here we meet again with a cocktail in hand! While this drink has no roses—or even a hint of rose flavor—its deep red color is reminiscent of the lush garden blooms. Its flavor is light, refreshing, and just the right amount of sweet. Cheers!
To make: Combine 3 oz. rosé, 2 oz. Aperol, and ice in a rocks glass. Top with club soda. Garnish with an orange slice and rosemary sprig.
