Firmly Rooted Bloom Times

By Tori Carver

With nearly 80% of the flower industry leaning on imports, it’s no surprise that most of us haven’t the foggiest idea what season specific flowers bloom. We want dahlias in the spring, tulips in the summer, and peonies in the fall. This disconnect is especially evident at popular holidays and weddings. Take Valentine’s Day for instance. Did you know the United States buys more than one billion roses each year for Valentine’s Day from overseas?

Why? Because roses generally don’t bloom in the US in February unless their growing conditions have been altered (such as a tunnel or greenhouse). We’ve become accustomed to being able to obtain whatever flower we desire regardless of the season so we have no idea that peonies and sunflowers don’t naturally grow in November.

So for fun, I thought I’d share an abbreviated list of bloom times for some of the more popular flowers to help familiarize yourself with natural bloom times. A little disclaimer though, these times are based on USDA Zone 7 (which is our zone in Rabun County) and it does not take into account flowers that are grown in a tunnel or greenhouse to extend their normal season or those that are “forced” to bloom ahead of (or

Victoria (Tori) Carver is a flower farmer. From the thousand bulbs and plants that she puts in the ground each year she creates lovely bouquets. Many enjoy her flowers in their home each week. She has established a subscription program for her customers or a honor-system bouquet sales for random purchases. Tori and her husband and children make their home in Clayton, where they are a treasured part of the community. If you are interested in Firmly Rooted Flower Farm please reach out by email to firmlyrootedflowerfarm@gmail.com or phone 706-490-0041. You will also enjoy their website at www.firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com behind) their normal bloom time (like Amaryllises or Tulips). Spoiler alert: if you are a bride and you absolutely have to have dahlias in your bridal bouquet, choose to get married in August, September or early October.

Here we go….

Allium - May, June

Anemone - March, April, May

Astilbe - June, July

Calla Lily - July

Lily - June, July

Lily of the Valley - April

Dahlia - July, August, September, October

Foxglove - May, June, July

Echinacea - July, August

Forsythia - February

Gladiolus - July

Hellebores (Lenton Rose) - February, March, April

Hyacinth - April

Hydrangea (Macrophyla) - June, July, August, September

Hydrangea (Paniculuta) - August, September, October

Narcissus/Daffodil - March, April

Peony - May/June

Ranunculus - March, April, May

Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan) - July, August

Sedum - August, September, October

Tulip - March, April, May

As previously mentioned, there are exceptions to every rule. For instance, Lilies and Calla Lilies can be “programmed” to bloom every single month of the year which totally blows my mind. Tulips can also be programmed (or forced) to bloom from January to June even though their normal bloom time is late March through very early May, depending on our weather. Again, mind blowing and intriguing.

So, in an attempt to get blooms to you ahead of the normal Zone 7 timeline, I am trying my hand at forcing tulips this year. It’s been a big investment of time (and money) but it’s been quite thrilling for my love-to-learn heart. I’m aiming for Valentine’s Day for my first batch of programmed bulbs and Mother’s Day for my last batch. It’s too early to say whether or not the inaugural year will be successful (or on time), but I encourage you to check out my Instagram and Facebook accounts to follow along. I think it’s going to be a real nail-biter. And who knows… if this actually works, no flower is safe from my clutches.