Cultivation of Lilies by Onings America

 

Image courtesy of Onings America

In my 30 years of sourcing flowers, lilies have consistently stood out to me. Their variety, vivid colors, and distinct fragrances have made them a favorite in my work. The range of lilies is remarkable. From vibrant reds and oranges to gentle pinks and creams, their colors add depth and beauty to any arrangement. But what sets lilies apart for me is their fragrance. Each type of Oriental lily has its own scent profile, but if you prefer no fragrance, Asiatic lilies contain a wide range of color providing a vibrant impact while basically being free from scent.

Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with Henk Onings from Onings America in two insightful episodes. In the first episode, we dove deep into the world of lilies and freesia, exploring their cultivation in detail. To complement our discussion, we’ve added a couple of guides to our blog with this one focusing on lilies.

A huge thank you to Onings America for sharing their expertise in "Cultivation of Lilies" with us. Don’t miss both episodes with Henk—available now on your favorite podcast platform. This guide is a first look at everything you need to know about growing and handling lilies, from setting up your greenhouse to selecting the perfect varieties, and from harvesting to ensuring the best post-harvest care. Whether you're a florist, a cut flower farmer, or simply a lily enthusiast, this resource offers a comprehensive, yet friendly, insight into getting the most out of these stunning blooms.

With expert advice straight from Onings America, this guide will help you elevate your lily game and fully appreciate the splendor these flowers bring to every arrangement. We’re thrilled to share this with you before it appears anywhere else—so let’s get started!

Thank you for being a part of our community. It was a joy to share Henk Onings' insights on lilies, and I encourage to check out the Step by Step to Growing Freesia. We’re grateful to Onings America for their generosity in providing the "Cultivation of Lilies" guide and for their valuable contributions to our podcast. I hope these resources inspire and assist you in your growing endeavors. Don’t forget to listen to both episodes with Henk on your favorite podcast platform or his guest page.

Your support makes it all possible, and I’m excited to continue this journey with you!

Celebrating International Women's Day on The Flower Podcast

A little change from the norm here. A blog post not by the voice of The Flower Podcast, Scot Shepherd, but from the only woman as part of the podcast team. Scott has mentioned our family several times and our involvement in the production of the podcast. It is definitely a family affair around here, but the rest of us are all happy to be in the role of the ‘behind-the-scenes team’.

As Scott and I were discussing what to do for International Women’s Day, it was clear….how do you choose just one thing. As I scrolled through our guests’ webpage, I couldn’t help but be continuously drawn back to the beautiful faces featured in each block and wanted to share a peak into just a few the ladies featured on The Flower Podcast.

So much diversity among these incredible women. Each share the common thread as a floral designer but these ladies also represent the vast professions in the floral industry….educator, author, entrepreneur, grower, and fashion designer.

Where to start? This year, we began our 6th season, and the realization of how many women have shared their lives with us was joyously overwhelming. I invite you to visit our website and YouTube channel and peruse all of the women featured on the podcast, blog, Instagram Lives, videos and more. I have chosen a few highlighting the diverse areas of the floral industry with many of the ladies wearing the proverbial multiple hats.

International Guests of The Flower Podcast

Being able to share the floral stories of women across the globe has been a highlight of The Flower Podcast. Flowers truly have no boundaries. What an honor to be heard around the world but even more to be honored by the conversations with these lovely women as they share their love of flowers in their current countries and throughout.

“Gardens and flowers have a way of bringing people together, drawing them from their homes.”
— Clare Ansberry

In the beginning…

I must start with Sybil Sylvester of Wildflower Designs. Sybil was a client of Scott’s when he worked at Mayesh Atlanta (formerly Cut Flower Wholesale), but she truly has become like family. Referred to as Scott’s Flower Mom, Sybil was our first guest of the podcast and has always been a cornerstone of support and encouragement for Scott and our family. Two of our sons have even had the privilege of working with Sybil on location as she once again demonstrates her confidence and love of our family.

Amy Osaba/ Image by @mksadlerwed

Amy Osaba/ Image by @mksadlerwed

Scott is affectionally named ‘Flower Dad’ by the ladies of Amy Osaba Design. Another amazing team embracing Scott and on occasion our son, Ryan, to work together on location. From day one, Amy Osaba, Mary Wynn, and Enemies of the Average, Ginny Early, have been champions of the podcast and friends of our family. You have seen their familiar faces as guests of the podcast and featured in our blog “ A Summer Garden Party Celebration”. Strength, determination, kind, and most importantly loving moms and wife, Amy and Ginny are role models to women everywhere.

 
Ginny Early/ Image by @sarah___ingram

Ginny Early/ Image by @sarah___ingram

The Love of Growing Flowers

The beloved flower farmer has become an invaluable component in the floral industry. Especially with the shutdowns of florist and events, our flower growers were a blessing to communities across the country providing beauty, joy, and hope of better days. The flower farming community has been a tremendous segment of the podcast and from personal experience of growing our own flowers and vegetables, farming is a continuous job of sweat, apprehension, dirty laundry, etc. Yet, it is the love of nature, respect of the land, and a passion for sharing the bountiful beauty of flowers that inspires the farmer to press forward.

Erin Benzakein/ Image by Chris Benzakein

Erin Benzakein/ Image by Chris Benzakein

Jennie Love/ Love N’ Fresh Flowers

Jennie Love/ Love N’ Fresh Flowers

Lisa Mason-Ziegler/ The Gardner’s Workshop

Lisa Mason-Ziegler/ The Gardner’s Workshop

Erin Benzakein has inspired countless women to take the courageous step to turn the first shovel of soil, have confidence to plant their first seed, and has in many ways brought elegance and motherhood to flower farming. Instrumental in growing the much needed area of Urban Farming, Jennie Love has embraced the concrete jungle and combines farming with her natural talent of floral designs and teaching sustainable methods. I feel as if I know Lisa Mason-Ziegler personally! She has been a guest of the podcast as well as sharing her time with Scott on Instagram Live. I believe her smile says it all. SHE LOVES GROWING! I have truly enjoyed her energy, her wealth of knowledge she brings to each conversation and of course let’s not forget what an incredible cheerleader this woman is to each grower. Whether you are just exploring the possibility of growing or you are a well- seasoned farmer, You are important to Lisa.

Passion and Purpose

I believe we all find our passion and purpose in life through many different paths and from personal experiences. In many ways, through the darkness of 2020, our world was given the opportunity to connect in ways we never imagined, extend a helping hand and embrace new hopes for a better tomorrow. We are honored to share the stories of women serving our floral community and forging new paths in the floral industry.

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Deanna Kitchen

The Growing Kindness Project

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Ariella Chezar

Floral Teacher, Farmer, Author, and Mentor

Image by @corbingurkin

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Susan Bagle

Creative Director

Accent Decor Global Workplace Equality

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Debra Prinzing Slow Flower Movement

image by (c) Missy Palacol Photography

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Joy Proctor

BIPOC advocate and creator of

Say Their Name Memorial

Image by Kurt Boomer

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Tobey Nelson

Sustainable Floristry/No Foam

image by Suzanne Rothmeyer Photography

Voices of The Floral Community

I have had the pleasure of engaging with many of our guests and although my opportunities are mostly through email, I do occasionally have the privilege of in person meeting. Nevertheless, I feel certain connections with these ladies through the editing process and of course my conversations with Scott. In so many ways, we all share the same stories of love, perseverance, trials and triumphs yet our individual journeys make it possible to empathize with one another and encourage one another. I chose these ladies partly for personal reasons but also for their impact on this industry in multiple ways.

Holly Chapple

The original “Flower Mama”! I have never met Holly but certainly feel as if I know her. Wife, Mother, Designer, Flower Grower, Entrepreneur, Inventor, Worldwide Teacher, Mentor….What else??? Holly has played an intricate role in the podcast. With late night heart to heart conversations, sometimes that needed nudge of encouragement (kick in the pants), or listening to the laughter behind-the-scenes, Holly and Scott are kindred spirits in sharing their voices with you. I look forward to sharing a table one day and joining in the laughter!

Laura Dowling

Former Chief Designer at The White House, author, and floral creative, Laura Dowling, touched my heart with her grace, elegance, and her passion for Floral Diplomacy. With a voice that I could listen to for hours, each interaction with Laura is heartfelt and personal as is the same feeling reflected in everyone of her designs.

Amy Nicole Balsters

Another lady I look forward to meeting some day, Amy’s compassion for this industry is incredibly touching. The Floral Coach™ shares her love of flowers through teaching and mentoring through online courses and hands on workshops. Another kindred connection, Amy and Scott can chat openly with one another about truly anything. The world needs women like Amy clearing the path through their kindness, vulnerability, and acceptance of loving people where they are and encouraging them through gentle honesty.

 

The Family

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Thank you for sharing your time as we celebrate a few of the wonderful, amazing women of The Flower Podcast. It has been quite the journey since Scott approached me about starting a podcast. Little did I know where this would take our family. Scott and I began our own journey almost 28 years when he walked into the flower shop where I was working. I didn’t pursue floral design as a career but as the years unfolded, floral design, growing flowers, and now podcasting keeps me surrounded by the calming invite of flowers.

My first love, family, will always have my heart. I truly love the wife and mom role and although our children are young adults, my passion is for building family community, safety and protection of children, and advocating for voices of the unheard. Life took an unexpected turn a few years ago when one of our children became extremely ill but thankfully as he improves, I am eager to be more involved in issues close to my heart.

It doesn’t happen often that I share about our family, but I thought you might enjoy a peak at the faces of the podcast. Each one of these amazing men have been involved in some way with The Flower Podcast. I hope that as women, each one of you have the felt the respect and admiration from Scott that he has insisted upon in our home from these young men. Happy International Women’s Day!

Catherine

Peony Highlights from Alaska Peony Cooperative

As the curtain falls upon the glorious peony season in the lower 48, a new season is just beginning to peak among the majestic backdrop of white tipped mountains, 20 hour sun filled days, and fields patiently waiting to burst into a kaleidoscope of color. The Alaskan Peony Season has arrived!

I recently spoke with Martha Lojewski, Sales Manager for Alaska Peony Cooperative, in a podcast episode and also was joined by two amazing peony growers on IG Live for tours showcasing their own peony fields. Peonies continue to be one of the favorite flowers for floral work and for personal gardens around the world. With its signature lush blooms, versatile color palette, and of course their unforgettable fragrance, peonies are a perfect choice for the simplest of bouquets to the luxurious most dreamy wedding.

In a previous blog post, we featured the Alaska Peony Cooperative “ How to Plant a Peony Cutting Garden”, a guide to creating and maintaining a beautiful display of peonies. Click Here to learn more about the comprehensive guide to planting, irrigation, maintenance, cultivars and more.

I am excited to bring you just a few of my favorites from this latest guide by Alaska Peony Cooperative, “Passionate for Peonies Guide”. For the complete PDF follow the link at the end of the post.

Be sure to listen to Martha’s episode and visit our YouTube Channel for the peony farm tours through Instagram LIVE. We’ve included links at the end of this post. We’re also excited to share, that for the 2020 Peony Season, you can use the Discount Code THEFLOWERPODCAST and save 20% off your peony order when you Shop Alaska Peony Cooperative.

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Image by @abigaillewisphoto ⁠

Image by @abigaillewisphoto ⁠

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There’s so much great content about each of these peonies, some of which I’m just now learning about too. Being able to source peonies throughout the summer, especially this summer with the downsizing of weddings to a more intimate congregation of family and friends, it’s nice to know that you can access peonies to make your wedding and event extra special.

The season for peonies with the Alaska Peony Cooperative begins June 29th and hopefully will extend to August 13th, give or take a few days, due to weather. So if you need flowers for a bridal bouquet or to create a stunning tablescape, know that you can order as few as 20 stems up to whatever number of stems you might want. With the Cooperatives smaller packing you can even order these amazing flowers for friends and family members as special gifts.

Again, We’re also excited to share, that for the 2020 Peony Season, you can use the Discount Code THEFLOWERPODCAST and save 20% off your peony order.

If you’ve enjoyed these information packed pages, I would encourage you to follow the link below to see the full 30 page resource from the Alaska Peony Cooperative. Thank you Martha and the entire cooperative for you dedication in creating this resource and for growing such beautiful peonies.