August 25, 2025
Reflecting on the blessings of summer
It has been a month! August has flown by because I have been busy in the garden and in the design studio. I have been struggling to treat a powdery mildew outbreak among the zinnias and cosmos, desperate to prevent death among some of my favorite summer crops. Then there’s always the challenge of keeping the dahlias upright—this is their time to shine and many of my favorites have started toppling over as they surpass 4 to 5 feet tall.
I’ve been amazed at the rapid growth of various flowers right now. The ones that love the heat have shot up to the sky, including these amazing Lemon Drop sunflowers from Sunflower Steve. This giant must be 7 feet tall, one of the tallest sunflowers I have ever grown. I can’t wait for it to open soon!
Inside the design studio, I got to create the flowers for a neighbor’s wedding open house this month. It was a golden opportunity—she gave me the colors and let me run wild! I ended up making 24 bud vases, featuring locally grown delphinium, scabiosa, and statice along with my own dahlias, zinnias, and fun bits like quaking oats and xeranthemum. I just loved putting together this project! I’m looking forward to having more work like this in the future.
Upcoming Events
The next few weeks are going to be just as busy and beautiful as August was! I would love to have you join me at any of the events I have coming up.
September 1st - Saratoga Springs Farmers Market, 5 pm - 9 pm, Neptune Park
September 6th - U-Pick and Design Class, 10 am - Noon, my home
This is my last class of the year and sure to be tons of fun. You’ll learn how to harvest flowers and then we will put together your own arrangement. Sign up here
September 13th - Flower Stand, 9 am - 11 am, my home
September 20th - Dahlia Design Class, 11 am - Noon, Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point
I am so grateful to have been asked to teach this class as part of Dahlia Days at Thanksgiving Point. I will be demonstrating a meadow arrangement using dahlias and all the beautiful things the garden has to offer! Sign up here
October 4th - Final Flower Stand of the Season! 12 pm to 2 pm, my home
This is always such a fun event. I will have treats, activities for the kiddos, and lots of flowers for sale, all to celebrate the end of the season. I hope you can come!
Despite the busyness, I am almost always available to do custom orders. I love being able to design something amazing for a birthday, anniversary, or (my favorite reason) just because! I try to keep the cooler stocked with the best of what’s in the garden just for all those last-minute gifting needs. Reach out if you have any questions!