Twenty-four years ago I lived in Seattle, Wash., the Pacific Northwest, where it rains nearly every day. There’s non-stop, perfect weather for all kinds of gorgeousness in the way of petals and greenery. Local growers bring their flowers to the wholesale floral market
and Pike Place Market
daily. Then there are the glorious tulip fields of northern Washington
fresh moss and ferns from the Olympic Peninsula
and the most exquisite alstromeria I have ever seen – all of this was available not far from where I lived and worked.
But alas, here I am in the Texas Panhandle, where in any given year we may experience a drought or find ourselves rain-drenched. Our local farms stick to wheat, corn, milo and cotton – all of these are certainly important. But I can’t quite make an entire bouquet out of milo, can I? (For the right Texas gal, it’s surely possible.)
So I have this crazy idea … I desperately long for those days when I grew and foraged for my own flowers, (OK, I might have taken – without permission – those blackberry branches on Possession Lane in Seattle, but seriously, they needed pruning!). I also shopped from local growers for the blooms I used in my designs.
As an entrepreneur keeping things local is so important to me. And then there’s the issue of living responsibly, using homegrown flora that is native to the area where you live. While this isn’t quite mainstream in the Texas Panhandle, I’ve always been one to blaze new trails (and besides mainstream can be so boring.)
There’s a wonderful enterprise that’s begun in America called the Slow Flower Movement that really resonates with me. (maybe insert logo of American Grown) You can also read more about Debra Prinzing and her efforts to create awareness around the American Grown Flower movement. She’s a powerful force and one to watch.
So I want to join this movement. Baby steps, right? I’ve started a small garden in our backyard, but truth be told:
It’s extremely difficult to manage the garden, my business, family and all my lovely brides, and
There is simply no way we can harvest enough for all my brides out of one small garden.
So finally I get to the idea …
I’ve driven the streets of Amarillo over the past 24 years, admiring the splendid gardens around our charming “yellow city” and maybe – just maybe – you are one of those gardeners who has an abundance of beautiful florals you would love to see used in a local bride’s bouquet, floral crown or centerpiece.
Who wants to be part of the #yellowcityslowflowers movement?
Obviously, I’d walk away with copious amount of local blooms, but what’s in it for you?
How about fresh flowers to brighten up your home during the bleak winter months? This type of credit system for our local growers is one option we have considered in the early planning stages. We're open to others as our movement takes shape!
Message us on our Parie Designs Facebook page or via our ParieDesigns Instagram account if you are interested in being a local flower farmer!
We would love to tour your gardens and let you join us in our quest to source locally, responsibly and organically. Don’t think your gardens are up to par? We love all kinds of flowers, herbs, vines, branches and what we like to call “roadsidia.”
So come on! Contact us and we will send you more information on how you can get involved in covering Amarillo with locally grown flora!
I have lots of fun ideas concerning locally grown flowers and food, so stay tuned!
