LoCoFlo’s Got a New Grower! Introducing Flowers by Bauers

The flower farming community in our region is pretty tight. Most growers know each other and LoCoFlo’s been fortunate to meet and work with many of them. That being said, Dave Dowling, of Farmhouse Flowers had been telling me for years about a grower close to Baltimore that grew snaps in the winter. This year, with more and more winter orders coming in, I thought I would do the research to find this mystery grower.

Their name is Flowers By Bauers and they are located in Jarrettsville, just north of Baltimore. They’ve been in business for over 30 years and the work they do is pretty incredible! Here are some of the things I love about Flowers By Bauers:

• they are SO passionate about their work (the first day I met Matt Bauer he talked enthusiastically about his work and his plans for the future!)
• they deliver
• they have beautiful snaps all winter (and stock starting in January)
• they’re only 23 miles away

Flowers By Bauers is not your average flower farm. This family run business is modeled off the Dutch way of growing …in giant greenhouses. Not only are all of their plants grown indoors…they are also grown hydroponically. Click HERE to watch a short video from MPT profiling Flowers By Bauers showing just how it’s done. (they’re the first segment!)

I’m so grateful to have been introduced to this amazing flower farm. Can’t wait to get a tour of their operations in 2014!

Viva la Mexico!

I love Mexico. I've only been there once, to Mexico City and Zihuatanejo, but I loved it. I loved the food, the people, the language, the flowers.

Today Marina and I worked on a really cool gig with one of our fave green event planners, Lori Hill. The event was called Experience Mexico Meetings. It was a party of sorts to encourage meeting planners to plan meetings in Mexico. We were asked to provide 3 large banquet arrangements.

What struck me most about this event was the location. The Mexican Cultural Institute on 16th St in DC is a jewel. I felt a little like I had just walked into the Palacio Nacional with all the beautiful murals, and carved wood and tile. I actually think I was teary for a minute-I loved this building that much.

The first arrangement was a bouquet of white viburnum, purple baptisia, sunflowers, calla lilies, gerber daisies, snap dragons and stock. This arrangement stood about 3 feet high.

The second arrangement was actually my favorite. All the same flowers were used, but it stood about 4 feet high and was made in a coppery, bird bath.

The final and largest arrangement was placed on top of a glass "vase" that was filled with lemons. (not grown locally but grown on the east coast and purchased locally).

We left before the party started. Too bad, because I remember in Mexico City, folks sipped tequila with orange slices after lunch. That would have been a great way to spend the afternoon, but we had to get back to Baltimore to start preparing for a wedding on Sunday.