6. Dolphins
Delphinium is one of the first perennial flowers to reappear after winter. For bouquets, stems bearing the flowers should be harvested when a third of the flowers are open. The rest follows once in the vase. One member of this group is the delphinium, an annual plant that is slightly easier to grow than the perennial varieties. In both cases the perennials and annuals overgrown an area.
Growing your own flowers is a great way to keep longer-lasting, fresh bouquets indoors without exporting flowers from thousands of miles away. Another benefit is that the flowers retain their fragrances and are not treated with chemicals.
When you grow your own bouquets of flowers, you’ll know what helped bring your flowers to your table. And best of all, you experience the flower’s journey from the seed to the happy picking and arranging to your table, surrounded by friends and family.
Jackee Alston has been gardening and farming in Flagstaff and Verde Valley since 2005 and 2015 respectively. She is co-editor of the Gardening, Etc. column, Coconino Master Gardener, founder of Grow Flagstaff! Seed Library, Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance development specialist, children’s author, and mother of three remarkable people. She honors those whose country she now calls home, including the Hohokam, Hopi, Western Apache, Pueblo and Dine peoples.
