Another Reason to Love Ornamental Alliums: Seed Heads!
The big, round flower heads of ornamental alliums are irresistible — at least they are to me. My gardens now contain about a dozen different types, yet still I crave more. There’s just something so unexpected and playful about them. These hardy and reliableRead More
New Dahlias and a Sneak Peek at This Year’s Cutting Garden
I know January is only 31 days long, but this year it seemed to last forever. Thankfully that cold and dreary month is in the rear view window and I can start looking ahead to this year’s cutting garden! As usual, I’m reserving about 80% of the space for dahlias. TheRead More
How to Overwinter Dahlias
Dahlias are heat loving plants that grow best with lots of sun, 80 to 90 degree temperatures and nice warm soil. Unlike most annuals and perennials, they are at their best in late summer and they keep right on blooming rightRead More
American Flowers Week Promotes Locally-Grown Cut Flowers
The “buy local” movement has transformed our country’s food system, and now the same thing is happening in the cut flower industry. As with food, this locally grown movement couldn’t be happening without the creativity and hard work of flower farmers fromRead More
Make Way for Lilies: How to Fit More Lily Bulbs in Your Garden
I love lilies and every spring I somehow manage to find room for more of them. Since my flowerbeds are already packed with plants and my garden isn’t getting any bigger, I have had to get creative about where to put them. A fewRead More
Field to Vase Event Celebrates Locally-Grown Cut Flowers
Recently, Longfield Gardens sponsored an event that is very dear to us – supporting American grown cut flowers. The Field to Vase Dinner was held in Mt. Vernon, Washington, about an hour and a half north of Seattle. As I drove to JelloRead More
How to Make a Hand-Tied Flower Arrangement in 5 Easy Steps
One of the best things about having a flower garden is being able to share the riches. Everyone loves getting flowers, and it’s extra special when they come from your own garden. Hand-tied arrangements like the one above are anRead More
Fragrant Lilies for Your Summer Garden
Summer is filled with so many good smells: suntan lotion, burgers on the grill, rain at the end of a hot day, and my personal favorite… lilies! From mid-July to September, my home and garden are filled with the alluringRead More
Growing Dahlias: How and Why to Pinch Your Plants
To pinch or not to pinch? If that is your question, we say pinch! Though dahlias will grow just fine on their own, one little pinch will give you a stronger, bushier plant with more flowers. This holds true whetherRead More
5 Tips for Long-Lasting Flower Bouquets
I love making bouquets from the flowers in my garden and wish I did it more often. Cutting flowers forces me to slow down and admire what’s in bloom. With clippers in hand I’m suddenly no longer in a hurry andRead More
