Page 50 - Southern Oregon Magazine Summer 2019

neck of the woods | art

special occasion? “No,” he said, “my wife loves flowers and I just
want to surprise her.” This man considers every day worthy of
celebration. Jane agrees. “Flowers brightens anyone’s day,” she
says.

Flower buyer and designer Susie Penwell, from local favorite Penny &
Lulu, lights up when asked about where they source their flowers. “In
our work, the freshest is the best so you cannot beat the local flowers.”
As early as April she is anxiously awaiting the first blooms from the
valley. Imported flowers are handled at least 14 times and take at least
two days before they get to the consumer. Local flowers are handled
only twice: once by the grower and then by the florist. “You can’t beat
that for freshness!” Penny & Lulu support all the local flower growers
and appreciate the quality and variety produced by local farms.

Rosemary Spielman and Maia Black operate Loam + Black in Grants
Pass. It opened in May as well, and has a lot going on. Florist Megan
Peterson of Freckled Fleurs, handcrafts flowers for weddings, events,
styled shoots and daily flower needs, utilizing local flower farmers for
her stock. Bestow & Bloom of Ashland adds another dimension with
a pop-up section of houseplants. They carry gifts as well—glassware,
woodworking, candles, fabric items. Loam + Black will soon have a
potting station where they will charge to pot plants purchased, along
with top rocks, etc.

Several of the flower growers have young children. It seems an idyllic
childhood, growing up on a farm with flowers and likely a sizeable
vegetable patch. Plus, their mothers look so happy and smile a lot, and
no child will argue with that.

Many participate in CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), an
international movement that connects community members and
farmers. CSA members receive seasonal organic vegetables/fruits
on a weekly basis. You may also receive seasonal flowers. Imagine a
meal featuring fresh everything—vegetables, fruit (raw or in a pie)
and flowers to add a spark of joy. Throw a steak on the grill if you’re so
inclined, sip lemonade, uncap a beer or uncork a bottle of wine, and it
doesn’t get much better.

By buying flowers grown in Southern Oregon, we are supporting local
businesses and the regional economy. If you order from a nearby flo-
rist, know that many receive stock in season from local growers. If you
order from an out-of-town florist, check online or by telephone to see
if they’re involved with local growers. You may also check these web-
sites: Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers: www.localflowers.
org/ and Slow Flowers Listing: www.slowflowers.com/listing/

There likely are more flower farms to be discovered, so make the
search part of your summer adventure. When you visit a local farmers
market, look for those we’ve mentioned and take note of others. Fill
your basket with fresh vegetables and fruits, then tuck in a bouquet as
well. Take home a smile and a bit of happy!

Bestow & Bloom
48 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2019