Embracing Simplicity: My Journey from 60 Flower Varieties to Just 1

I have been passionate about cut flower growing for many years now, and I have always loved the beauty and diversity of growing many different varieties of cut flowers. However, I had to admit that after years of tending to a vast array of plants grown in a small space intensively, it was getting increasingly difficult for me to devote the time and resources needed to keep my patch in good shape. That's why I recently decided to embrace simplicity by editing my varieties down and focusing on growing just one main type of flower.

The decision to embrace simplicity and to switch from growing 60+ different varieties to one was not an easy one, but I felt it was the right choice for me. I realized that by focusing my efforts on just one type of flower, I would be able to devote more time and energy to ensuring that my plants were healthy and thriving. This would help me achieve better results than I had in the past when my efforts were often spread thin.

I also still have kids at home who are around during the summer. Do I want to be toiling in the sweltering heat or having adventures with my girls? Duh! I'll take door number 2, please! You can dial in your crops so that it fits your lifestyle. Who knew?

In addition to the time factor, another reason that influenced my decision was the financial cost of maintaining such a diverse garden. With so many different plants, I was constantly investing in new seeds, and compost, and spending money/time on natural fertilizer and other plant care products. By simplifying my Lancaster County cut flower garden, I would be able to save money on these expenses and invest my resources more strategically.

I'm finding that focusing on one type of flower has allowed me to deepen my knowledge and appreciation of that particular plant. By learning everything I could about my chosen flower, I developed a deeper understanding of its unique characteristics. I can become an expert. This, in turn, allowed me to experiment with different cultivation techniques to achieve the best possible results. I am excited to see what I can achieve by focusing my efforts on just one type of flower, and I am confident that I will achieve even greater success as a grower in the future.

Another HUGE factor in my decision was space. I live in a residential neighborhood in the ever-growing Lancaster County, but I'm surrounded by open fields. All of which are mono-cropped by various plain religious sects like the Amish. If land comes up for sale it's usually way out of my budget or scarfed up by the Amish lickity split. My aging parents are also literally around the corner so I'm very handy should they need anything, which is (usually) great! All this to say, my land options are limited.

So what cut flower crop/s can I grow in a very small space, that will make me a profit and one that not really anyone else is doing locally?

Enter the lush, English-style garden rose. Swoon.

I started growing garden roses a few years ago. I started with 6 plants and enjoyed them. The next year I added more for a total of 18 plants. I just love them! The scent is intoxicating, to design with them is luxurious and they add such a romantic detail to my designs. Fast forward to 2024 and I'll have over 100 plants of more than 30 varieties!

Am I really ONLY growing roses? As a professed bloom-a-holic, no. The dirty truth is that I love to design and I can't just grow roses. I have been adding woodies, perennials, and foliage gradually to my property, transforming it into a native and pollinator-attracting habitat (read about my top choices here). I want to attract all the good "helpers" of the garden to naturally combat disease and munch on those pests. Mono cropping is not the answer, diversity IS however I needed to dial down the number of offerings for my sanity!

As with all farming/ growing, this is a great experiment. You need to figure out what works for your life! I have heard time and time again in podcasts, interviews, scrolling social...flower farmer burnout is a real thing. Why not figure out how to fit business into your ideal life and work backward from there?

Let me know if you've had any A-HAH moments in your growing journey. I'd love to hear them!