15 Things We're Hoping to Learn About the Flowers on Our Farm

As we look ahead to our first full season at Franklin & Co. Flower Farm, we’re diving headfirst into the rhythm of growing as a Zone 3 cut flower farm, planting, planning, and learning as we go. We’ve spent months reading, researching, and preparing our fields, but the real learning is still ahead. We’re not claiming to be experts, we’re first-time flower farmers working in a Zone 3 climate, wide eyed and hopeful. These aren’t lessons we’ve lived yet, but they’re the insights and curiosities we’re eager to explore.

Here are 15 things we’re excited to discover about the flowers we’re growing for the very first time.

1. Will zinnias really be the cheerleaders of the field?

Zinnias are known for being reliable, productive, and full of colour, and they’ve become almost iconic in the world of cut flowers. They’re said to thrive in heat, recover quickly after rain or wind, and bloom steadily all season long with regular deadheading. We’re hoping to learn firsthand just how resilient they really are. We’ve selected several varieties for their bold colour, unique petal shape, and vase performance, and we’re curious to see how they perform in our soil. It’s one thing to read that zinnias are a “must grow,” and another to watch them cheerfully bloom in your own field.

2. Tulips are supposed to be dramatic and dreamy.

We planted 5,000 bulbs last fall, on a chilly October day, bundled up in toques and winter coats. Tulips are said to stretch even after they’re cut, which makes timing and harvesting a bit of an art form. We’ve read they need 12 to 16 weeks of chill time to bloom properly, which should be no problem in our Zone 3 climate. Now, we’re counting down the days until they emerge, hoping the varieties we chose bloom as beautifully as they looked in the catalogue. There’s so much anticipation tied up in a tulip, it’s our first bloom of the season, and we’re patiently waiting for the show. 

3. Lisianthus have a reputation for being slow but stunning.

This is one of the flowers we’re most curious about. Lisianthus is known for its rose like petals and long vase life, but the trade off is time, they take forever to grow. We purchased lisianthus plugs, and we can't wait to get them in the ground. We’ve chosen colours we think will complement our summer bouquets, and we’re eager to see whether the payoff is as magical as other growers claim. If they do well, we know you'll love them!

4. Snapdragons might be the flower that delights everyone.

Snapdragons have a nostalgic charm. Almost everyone has a memory of pinching open their little “mouths.” We’re planting a full row of them in shades of blush, coral, and ivory. They’re reported to be hardy, early bloomers, and great for mixed bouquets. But more than anything, we’re hoping they become one of those flowers that visitors interact with, a bloom that sparks joy not just in the bouquet, but right there in the field.

5. Will cosmos really keep blooming into fall?

Cosmos have that airy, wildflower feel that fits so beautifully into the farm style bouquets we are planning. We’re planting multiple successions of cosmos to see just how long we can keep them blooming. We’ve heard they’re light feeders and not too fussy, but they do benefit from regular deadheading to keep the blooms coming. If we manage to get cosmos blooming until the first frost, we’ll consider that a win.

6. We’re counting on dahlias to be the late summer showstoppers.

Dahlias are the flower that started this dream in the first place. With over 1,000 tubers going into the ground, we’re betting big on them. We’ve invested time and money into selecting an array of colours, sizes, and forms, and the thought of seeing them in full bloom is enough to get us through the hard days. They won’t survive the winter here, so we’ll dig them all up again in the fall and store them until next season. We know they’ll be a lot of work, but we’re hoping their blooms are everything we’ve imagined.

7. Ranunculus are known for being finicky.

We’re trialing our crop of ranunculus in our high tunnel to see how they fare in our Zone 3 cut flower farm climate. These ruffled beauties need cool conditions and lots of care to thrive, and we’re doing everything we can to give them a good start. From soaking and pre-sprouting corms to preparing the beds with compost and fertilizer, we’ve followed all the advice. If they bloom, it’ll feel like a true success, and if not, we’ll regroup and try again next year.

8. Strawflowers intrigue us with their staying power.

Strawflowers are a bit of a time capsule. Their papery petals make them ideal for drying, and we’re hoping to offer them both fresh and preserved. We’ve selected soft, romantic shades and plan to hang bunches upside down in the Flower Shack. We’re excited to see how they hold their colour and structure and whether they become part of our fall and winter product line.

9. Sunflowers come in more than yellow?

Yes, and we’re growing them! We’ve selected pollenless varieties in peach, white, and blush that are said to be excellent for cutting. Sunflowers tend to get a bit of a bad rap for being too rustic or wild, but the specialty varieties we’re trialing this year feel elegant and fresh. We’re especially curious to see how customers respond to sunflowers that look completely different from the ones they’re used to seeing at the grocery store.

10. Phlox and feverfew are said to elevate a bouquet.

They may not be the first flowers you notice, but we’re learning that filler flowers are the glue that holds everything together. Phlox brings a gentle scent and a pop of colour, while feverfew adds brightness and whimsy with its daisy like blooms. These are the flowers that might not get all the attention, but they’re the ones we suspect will make our bouquets feel full and thoughtfully composed.

11. Eucalyptus is a risk.

We know eucalyptus isn’t built for our northern zone, but we’re trialing it anyway. We purchased them as plugs and once they arrive we will transplant when the risk of frost is gone. If we get even a modest harvest of that silvery, fragrant foliage, it’ll be a win. And if not? Well, we’ll adjust our expectations and maybe try again under a different setup next year.

12. Celosia might be love, or not.

We’re trying the plume (flame-shaped) variety, in rich jewel and muted blush tones. Celosia is known for its velvety texture and dramatic shape, and we’ve seen it used beautifully in bouquets. Will it win us over? We’re not sure yet. But we’re giving it the space to surprise us.

13. Can one bloom really change a day?

We believe it can. One flower on a nightstand, or on the windowsill by the sink, can completely shift the energy of a space. We’re growing with that in mind, that each stem could become a part of someone’s everyday joy. It’s not about the size of the bouquet, but the feeling it carries.

14. Living with the seasons feels right.

This is one of the things that drew us to flower farming in the first place. The idea of aligning with the natural rhythm of the year, planting in spring, harvesting in summer, letting the field rest in fall, feels grounding. It’s a lifestyle that encourages presence, gratitude, and the acceptance that not everything can (or should) be rushed.

15. Will growing flowers teach us more than we expect?

We already know the answer is yes. We’ve just started, and already this journey is teaching us about letting go, trusting the process, and finding joy in small things. Patience...oh boy, this process is teaching us patience. A virtue neither my husband, nor I, were born with. We are learning to trust the process. It's exciting and we're here for all of it.

– Cory