“What do you do in the winter?” I get asked this question ALL the time! It’s a good question-since Maryland usually gets a hard frost in late October, killing most field flowers. So while it’s still a work in progress, here is the beginning of my winter plan.
First, for us, winter really means the off season. The off-season is technically November-March. We do book weddings and special events in the winter. In order to be true to our mission while also being a sustainable, viable business, we’ll do the following from November to March:
- Use locally grown flowers from within 100 miles of Baltimore. This is the same as we do from April-October. We have a few growers that grow cut flowers in heated greenhouses. Some of our growers use unheated hoop houses to extend the growing season. Some flowers like it cooler and are available later in the season. We’ll use any and all cut flowers that are available to us locally.
- Use local non-flower elements. In the winter, there are a plethora of branches, berries, succulents and greens available locally. Additionally, we have loads of creative ways to use fruit and veggies for centerpieces. LoCoFlo will use all of these natural elements to make beautiful, seasonal bouquets and arrangements.
- Use potted flowers, plants, greens, succulents and herbs. We love using potted “stuff” especially in the winter including mums, amaryllis, poinsettias, paper whites, Christmas cactus and more! We’ll also used dried flowers and branches that we’ve picked in the warm weather and dried for the cold season.
- Use flowers shipped from ASCFG Growers outside of our 100 mile radius. The Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers is a national association of flower growers that includes growers from all over the country. Local Color Flowers is creating great partnerships with growers in the association that will ship flowers directly to us in the winter. Our goal will be to get flowers from as close to Baltimore as possible from ASCFG growers that we know and trust.
So, if you are having a winter wedding or event and you want to use locally sourced flowers and natural elements, contact us today! We’ll keep you posted on our other winter plans soon!