YORKTON - One summer evening, a convoy of vehicles took to the road. Who were they and where were they headed with such enthusiasm? Well, guess what, they were all eager gardeners, heading out on a floral road trip to a real-live flower farm!
We had a great group of gardeners, all eager to see this wonderful spectacle of flowery delights at Mehan Flowers. Our knowledgeable host and flower farmer Dana walked us through the vast collection of both annuals and perennials at the flower farm: imagine the colours and textures of approximately seventy different kinds of flowers! It was beautiful to see!
The flowers are grown with bouquets in mind, so not only are there many flowers to choose from, but also unique fillers such as feathery and delicate grasses, various kinds of statice, and unique everlastings like strawflowers and gomphrena.
I know each of us had our favourites, and everyone was snapping pictures of the beauty at every turn. Our favorites included the glorious gold rudbeckia; the forever favourite zinnias in colours so bright they almost looked fluorescent; some zinnias were multi-coloured in antique shades, and each petal so perfectly shaped and layered that we all had to look and look again at their symmetry.
For bold beauty, we walked along the sunflower section: sunflowers in various shades of yellow and gold, some with traditional petals, some ruffled, and all sizes to choose from.
For fragrance, no-one could resist rubbing the licorice-scented leaves of the anise hyssop; there were plants of lavender; and still blooming in delicate glory, breathtaking sweet-peas in soft shades of pink, mauve and peach.
Then there were plants like coneflowers in various shades; the cottage-garden favorite of foxgloves; sturdy yarrows; tall and elegant snapdragons in jewel tones; exotic blooms like the lisianthus (a plant I have often read about and admired for its rose-like beauty but never met in person); and the airy flowers of the scabiosa, not only in purple-blue but burgundy!
The list goes on; Dana told us that she starts her plants in March, and then does plantings every week after that. It is a huge commitment of time and energy to make a flower farm grow.
The cut flower industry is a new type of farming, and one that is becoming very popular because people are enjoying the pleasure of locally grown flowers. And what a way for guests to connect with nature: walking through those pretty pathways, surrounded by flowers, choosing their favorites, and seeing the seasons unfold through flowers, from spring treasures like peonies to later-season beauties like zinnias.
Thank you, Dana, for sharing your enthusiasm and knowledge about cut flowers with us! You gave us inspiration to be brave with trying new flowers in our own gardens. As you said, “Just go for it!”
The summer break is over, and the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be holding their first meet on Wednesday, Sept.20 at 7:00 PM at the Yorkton Public Library. And make a note that the Fall Plant and Bulb Sale will be held on Friday, September 22 at the Parkland Mall. Fall is a great time to add some new perennials to our gardens; there is time for the plants to settle in before winter comes.
Thank you to our friends at YTW for their great work, every week bringing us local news. Visit the hort society and see what’s new at www.yorktonhort.ca Have a good week and enjoy the beauty of your garden!
