“I just can’t say enough about how amazing their product is.” —TAYLOR CAMARENA Floral designer
Roses make a lovely addition to a home landscape, but there are a few things home gardeners will need to do to keep them lovely. Abi Fair and Sandi Dirkse of Blumen Flower Farm say growing roses has its challenges, but many can be mitigated by giving them proper care and attention. To give them the best start, plant them in a spot with well-draining fertile soil that receives at least six hours of sunlight. They need plenty of water to thrive. During the growing season, late spring through fall, water at least weekly—more often as needed—with a drip line or soaker hose to get concentrated moisture to the roots—but off the leaves to discourage fungal disease. Healthy foliage means more blooms. So, apply manure or fertilizer in the spring to keep the plants green and lush. Beware of too much nitrogen, however. This can result in more green leaves but fewer flowers. To keep the blossoms plentiful, they need regular pruning. As soon as a flower is spent, cut it off to encourage new growth. In late winter or early spring, cut the bushes back, making cuts about a quarter inch above the buds on the stems and cut away any sickly-looking branches. beautiful but need TLC Roses are
She also teaches workshops, sometimes collaborating with other crafters and artisans, and has accepted her first event out of the country—a wedding in Iceland. Design for success When designing, Camarena draws on her training in balancing colors and textures but relies increasingly on her intuition. “There are some loose rules, but I like to have fun with it,” she said. Weddings sustain her financially, but she enjoys even the smallest jobs. “As my business has matured, I’ve had to have a better balance of what I say yes to, but it’s so hard for me to say no because I love doing everything,” she said. She appreciates all flowers, too. “I love the funky, fun-style blooms but also the traditional garden rose because it’s so beautiful—very timeless.” Customers like a variety, too, with a trend over the past two years of wanting dried or preserved products mixed with fresh. What customers won’t find from her are imported or artificially colored products. “I’m really passionate about honoring nature as it is,” she said.
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May/June 2022
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