Cut Flower Farm

For two summers I grew an all natural, cut flower farm in Independence Minnesota.

At my childhood home I tore up sod, bartered for access to a greenhouse and planted a 100’ x 40‘ bed. This exploratory venture resulted in fresh flowers and bright bouquets sold to local Coops throughout the Twin Cities. Fun fact, I mulched the garden with compost created with milfoil from Lake Minnetonka and the neighbors horse manure.

I learned the ins and outs of flower farming working for Little Boy Flowers in Northern California the year prior. It was a joy spending my days nourishing and surrounded by these beautiful blooms. I was even written up in the Lake Minnetonka magazine!

Flower Essence, Inspiration

The idea that plants have the ability to effect our mood, uplift our spirit and direct us towards healing is explained in the work of Dr. Edward Bach.

He created Flower Essences in the 1930's having stated there is healing properties on the dew found upon a flower. Dr. Bach believed not in struggling to improve upon a negative characteristic, but rather give attention to the opposite/positive aspect of that troubled habit.  

In studying and sensing the subtle energetics of a particular flower we can effect our emotions and ultimately our health. Dr. Bach was a great leader in the work of plants as consciousness shifters. Studying, making and using flower essence is a lovely tool to have in ones chest.

Monica's Memorial Garden

Monica's son installed this garden, representing her loving and courageous nature.

Monica's Garden

1. Climbing Rose "Above and Beyond" - love & strength  2. Wild Lupine - happiness and a positive outlook, transplanted from her garden. 3. Echinacea - maintaining a strong sense of self, especially when challenged by stress or disease, transplanted from her garden. 4. Butterfly Weed - a bright orange, cheerful pollinator of monarchs.  5. Borage - buoyant courage & optimism. 6. Chicory & Prairie Blue Eyed Grass - selfless love given freely, honoring the individuality of others, emotional containment. 7. Plumonaria - a plant she kept in her garden.  8. Sage - growing from experience, appreciate life's lessons. 

Mullein - August Flower

This wildly soft plant lives for just two seasons, as a bi-annual the first year Mullein keeps low to the ground in a rosette of fuzzy leaves, the second year it send up a “torch” as tall as eight feet, with yellow flowers atop. 

A non-native mullein is now naturalized and utilized throughout the Americas. Known as a “pioneer species”, it thrives in newly disturbed, often depleted soils. Mullein works to send it’s roots deep into the ground while dropping biomass in the form of it’s leaves onto the soil surface.  Effectually creating a more hospitable environment for less rugged species to follow in succession. 

Utilized as respiratory aid Mullein assists in dry, persistent coughs. It acts as an expectorant, breaking up mucous and phlegm from the lungs so that it can be effectively coughed up.  Surprisingly, dried Mullein leaves can be smoked for this effect.

The Lymphatic system is benefited by mullein both internally and externally. Structurally it reduces inflammation and pain and can assist in setting slipped disks and cracked ribs when used as a poultice.  The flowers roots and leaves can all be used as a relaxant nervine. 

Elderberry - July Flower

Elderberry is spotted in early July by their white clusters of flowers. Often found growing wild in ditches, along railroad tracks and at the forests edge. The fruit latter sets in nourishing, deep blue berries on pink stems. 

The ancient Greeks recognized the healing properties of this large shrub.  When used within the first 48 hours of the onset of a cold or flu, elderberry can decrease symptoms by up to 4 days.

It works as an immune system booster, elderberry is anti viral and boasts a host of other healing benefits. Aiding in sinus infections, lowering blood sugar, as a laxative, and even skin care. Elderberry is a generous healer, as well as a native, perennial shrub providing food for birds and pollinators. 

As a Flower Essence Elderberry assists us in befriending our higher self, gaining confidence and joy.

Milkweed - June Flower

This elegant plant has gained a long neglected respect in the movement to save Monarch Butterflies.    

Milkweed is the only plant Monarchs lay their eggs onto, and it's crucial food for a young caterpillar.  Though many butterflies, bees and insects find nourishment here. 

Each stage of a Milkweed's life possesses a dynamic charm. 

Standing chest high, the deep green leaves with a pink central vain are soft to the eye and touch.  Flower buds appears as a mauve-pink bundle that later explodes into a ball of fragrant blooms. These waxy and regal orbs later transform into a pod. At the climax of the Harvest Season these pods burst open again, spilling a bright white silk. This fine silk literally take it's paper brown seed in flight. Transforming and liberating itself, much like a butterfly.

The Flower Essence of Milkweed assists in developing a healthy sense of ego. 

It promotes self assurance and independence.  

Much like a caterpillar left vulnerably on it's own, trusting it's ability to create a chrysalis, to radically transform, and take flight.

Lily of the Valley - May Flower

Local flora takes on an exotic intoxication in May.  Soft spring sun illuminates an iridescent bloom. Young green leaves are as lush as ever. The joy of these first months of color enlightens a heavy heart. 

We cultivate these priceless gifts into our lives.

Lily of the Valley with it's sweet scented, dainty, bell shaped flowers.

This hearty, shade loving plant offers the most delightful smell and sight in May.  Lily of the Valley spreads by it's underground rhizome, creating a mass of green and and flashes of white. Perfect for areas all it's own, were it may thrive while remaining contained, as it doesn't play well with others. 

Scent is a strong provoker of memories. We create new memories and recall old ones with this cottage favorite, used traditionally in weddings.  Energetically, Lily of the Valley promotes healthy priorities, while encouraging us to lighten up.

Intentional Gardens

Memorial Gardens for Loved ones who’ve gone before us.

Loved ones remain in our hearts and in our minds.  Memories of their unique lives, their character and the love they shared can bring us peace, strength and reverence for the sacred nature of this life.  At times the love we feel for those who have gone before us isn't easily expressed.

Consider, the meaning of a man or woman planting a small tree with great reverence and love for future generations, or even a specific child who is expected?  What meaning does this maturing tree have to a grown person, knowing that their kin, their ancestors/family had considered them in love.  That their own well being had been a hope and prayer long before they were grown enough to understand such strength in love. 

How meaningful is it to keep a plant or a combinations of plants, each chosen with the specific intention of honoring a loved one from our lives? What happens when we plant a seed?  When we give life an opportunity to thrive? A seed is the plants greatest hope, a chance to continue on, to create progeny. 

As we navigate our unique times. In this fast paced, technological world, we can call upon the intelligence of the environment. We create sacred spaces for future generations.  We create a Garden Legacy.

Specific plant variety or even combinations of plants, uniquely chosen to honor a loved one can be quite meaningful. The symbolism we imbue onto our lives makes it richer.  If it is a place to meditate, read or have intimate conversations.  Gardens can incorporate a tribute to holy people you respect, such as Buddha, the Virgin Mary, St. Francis or Mother Nature. 

Our possibilities of co-creation with nature is endless.  

Anastasia Ringing Cedars of Russia, Inspiration

 One of my great inspirations is Anastasia Ringing Cedars of Russia. A ten book series tells of the many ancient traditions of humans working in unison with plants to create "Spaces of Love" for current and future generations.  These books tell of a time when plants and animals communed in a more conscious manner. The intentions of a person who planted an individual plant along with the consciousness of the plant itself produced gardens with deeply healing properties.