DIY your own fresh flowers for spring and summer events!
Great bouquets start with great flowers, and if you’re planning a summer wedding, or even a simple spring bridal or baby shower, we have a resource you want to know about for beautiful, high quality blooms.
President of the Utah Flower Market and owner of Maple Bloom Flower Farm, Julie Hall, said that whether you’re working with a florist or arranging your own, shopping local is always a good idea.
Why Local Flowers Make a Difference
Julie emphasized, “If you’re looking for really high quality, very fresh, unique varieties, there’s no better option than local flowers often grown organically.” Local blooms are fresher and more sustainable. Many flower farms, like Julie’s, avoid harmful pesticides and prioritize the health of the land and ecosystem.
Unique Varieties You Won’t Find in Stores
Most flowers in big box stores are imported. “Like, 80% of flowers come from outside of our country,” Julie said. This limits the types of flowers available. Specialty daffodils and fluffy ranunculus, for example, don’t ship well and are rarely found in chain stores. Local farms offer these delicate, seasonal varieties that elevate any arrangement.
Two Ways to Shop Local
Julie outlined two main options: working with a locally focused florist or buying directly from flower farms. “If you have it in your budget to get a florist… it’s a great bang for your buck,” she said. But for DIY enthusiasts, many farms offer bulk flower buckets. “ So mine, it comes with a bucket of flowers that includes foliage, filler, and focal flowers,” Julie explained.
DIY Arranging Tips
Julie demonstrated how to turn a bucket of blooms into a beautiful arrangement using simple tools like a mason jar. She recommended layering in elements like foliage and texture, working in threes, and using flowers of varying heights. “Whenever I do any arranging, I want something that you wanna touch… that has a movement,” Julie emphasized.
Color Coordination and Seasonal Florals
To avoid overwhelming your bouquet, Julie advised sticking to a color family: “Work within a color scheme… and then do variations on that color.”
She also notes that while you can request colors, specific flowers depend on the season. “If you want peonies in August, I can’t do that,” she said.
Visit the Utah Flower Market at Grove Station in Pleasant Grove. The market is open to the public Wednesdays in April-October from 11 a.m. to noon.
To find a local flower farmer or learn more, visit utahflowerfarms.com or utahflowermarket.com. Julie’s own farm, Maple Bloom Flower Farm, is also on Instagram, @maplebloomflowerfarm, and her website, maplebloomflowerfarm.com.
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