Slow Flowers Podcast

• Episode 712: Growing and Designing with Hellebores. Meet our Hellebore Experts, Diane Szukovathy and Dennis Westphall of Jello Mold Farm and Rizaniño “Riz” Reyes of RHR Horticulture

  https://youtu.be/02kn4dOI2tg?si=M1TUm5AjdtUwbr_z Just in time for gardening and farming season, I’m thrilled to introduce you to The Flower Farmers, my new book co-authored with longtime collaborator Robin Avni. The Flower Farmers delivers a visually compelling collection of stories and flower-growing wisdom to inspire gardeners and flower lovers alike. Immerse yourself in the stories of 29 flower farms, including the people and places where flowers are planted, harvested, arranged and brought to market. Join me in a conversation about HELLEBORES -- Best Practices and Best Varieties to Grow and Design. Three of the talented Slow Flowers members featured in The Flower Farmers book -- Diane Szukovathy and Dennis Westphall of Jello Mold Farm, and Rizaniño "Riz" Reyes of RHR Horticulture -- pay homage to the hellebore -- the "it" flower of the season. It’s only fitting, because a beautiful portrait of the luxury perennial graces the cover of The Flower Farmers -- straight from Jello Mold Farm. Helleborus HGC Ice N' Roses 'Rosado' (left) and Diane Szukovathy and Dennis Westphall (right) (c) Mary Grace Long Rizanino "Riz" Reyes, owner of Seattle-based RHR Horticulture (left) (c) Amber Fouts and a garden-foraged spring posy, designed and photographed by Riz (right) Today’s episode is excerpted from our monthly Slow Flowers member meet-up for April, which took place last week. We invited Diane Szukovathy and Dennis Westphall to share their expert hellebore growing advice and Riz Reyes, an accomplished plantsman, to discuss gardening and designing with hellebores. You’ll learn more about their work with hellebore crops and floral and design with hellebores and companion blooms, and get inspired for the season's best blooms. All three are featured in the pages of The Flower Farmers: Inspiration and Advice from Expert Growers. Robin Avni and I spent the past 18 months gathering images and interviews with 29 floral experts across North American – Slow Flowers members whose passion and know-how fill 272 pages of this gorgeous book – which will be published on May 6th. In the hellebore high tunnel at Jello Mold Farm (c) Mary Grace Long Find and follow Jello Mold Farm on Instagram and at Seattle Wholesale Growers Market Find and follow Riz Reyes on Instagram and at Heronswood Garden Thank you to our Sponsors This show is brought to you by slowflowers.com, the free, online directory to more than 700 florists, shops, and studios who design with local, seasonal and sustainable flowers and to the farms that grow those blooms. It’s the conscious choice for buying and sending flowers. Thank you to our lead sponsor, Flowerbulb.eu and their U.S. lily bulb vendors. One of the most recognizable flowers in the world, the lily is a top-selling cut flower, offering long-lasting blooms, year-round availability, and a dazzling petal palette. Flowerbulb.eu has partnered with Slow Flowers to provide beautiful lily inspiration and farming resources to help growers and florists connect their customers with more lilies. Learn more at Flowerbulb.eu. Thank you to Red Twig Farms. Based in New Albany, Ohio, Red Twig Farms is a family-owned farm specializing in peonies, daffodils, tulips and branches, a popular peony-bouquet-by-mail program and their Spread the Hope Campaign where customers purchase 10 tulip stems for essential workers and others in their community. Learn more at redtwigfarms.com. Thank you to the Seattle Wholesale Growers Market, a farmer-owned cooperative committed to providing the very best the Pacific Northwest has to offer in cut flowers, foliage and plants. The Growers Market’s mission is to foster a vibrant marketplace that sustains local flower farms and provides top-quality products and service to the local floral industry. Visit them at seattlewholesalegrowersmarket.com. Thank you for joining me today! The Slow Flowers Podcast is a member-supported endeavor,

  --------  

  58:31
• Episode 711: Flower farming as a second career with environmental educator Amy Brodbeck Linhart of Humming Harvest Farm

  https://youtu.be/AMujMVQSGkM?si=2ZjthEzgpVZzdUH_ It’s early in the season, but Amy Linhart already has been harvesting from her crop of 13,000 daffodils to supply her main wholesale customer, an upscale regional grocery chain in the Seattle-Tacoma region. I visited Humming Harvest Farm in late March for a tour of the fields and new high tunnel, both of which allowed me to envision the bountiful year to come, Amy’s sixth farming season. She started farming flowers as a side venture to her full-time position as an environmental educator at Pierce College, and I’m so inspired by the ways this young flower entrepreneur is building a meaningful and sustainable lifestyle involving teaching and farming. Amy Linhart of Humming Harvest Farm (c) Rylea Foehl photography Today’s episode was so much fun to record because I was able to get away from the computer and visit my guest in person. It’s early in the season, but the drive was worth it. Amy Linhart of Humming Harvest Farm isn’t too far from my home – about 45 minutes to the Key Peninsula, near the shores of Puget Sound. Casey and Amy (left), (c) Katelin McDermott Photography; outdoor production studio (right) Fortunately, Amy’s daffodil season has begun, so we walked the fields to see those crops, and toured the future growing areas where cover crops are now thriving. We also visited the new high tunnel that Amy’s husband Casey Linhart recently constructed with the help of friends. They have set themselves up for a successful expansion to add more early season crops with the new structure. Humming Harvest Farm Amy Linhart is an environmental educator turned flower farmer who has spent the majority of her professional career learning from and sharing inspiration from the natural world. From working as a national park ranger in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, to her current position working as an environmental educator at Pierce College, Amy has a deep respect for the ecosystems that she calls home. Dried and fresh florals (left) and Grocery Bouquets (right) She and Casey met in Alaska, where they fell in love with exploring wild spaces… and with each other. They moved to Washington so that Amy could pursue a Master’s in Marine Affairs at the University of Washington. Soon after graduation, they moved out of the city to purchase land and dig in the dirt. Much of this land was covered in thick, invasive blackberries and now, after a lot of sweat equity, houses an abundance of flowers and vegetables. The annual fields at Humming Harvest Farm With big dreams and inspired by the local farming movement, Amy continually researches new ways to treat the earth more gently through her sustainable farming practices. You’ll hear us discuss some of these endeavors during my visit and our subsequent sit-down interview. I know you’ll be inspired. Find and follow Humming Harvest Farm on Instagram and Facebook Amy is a member of Slow Flowers Society, but her farm is also affiliated with:Gig Harbor Flower Farmers Guild and she distributes flowers through West Sound Floral Exchange, operated by Slow Flowers member Jodi Logue of Moss & Madder Farm, past guest of this podcast. Amy holds a signature mixed bouquet from Humming Harvest Farm And I can’t end this episode without sharing a little update on Amy and Casey, and yes, the news that their baby Alder Kay Linhart arrived on April 1st. I have Amy’s permission to share this wonderful news. She recently texted me to say: “Our world has just changed for the better. She’s just the sweetest. She’s met the cows from afar and has explored the daffodils in bloom. We’re already so excited to bring this little one up on the farm!” Congratulations Amy and Casey! News of the Week Riz Reyes (left); Dennis Westphall and Diane Szukovathy (right) In Slow Flowers News, this coming Friday, April 11th is our monthly member Meet-Up and the topic is all about hellebores – growing and designing.

  --------  

  47:40
• Episode 710: Celebrating 100 years of California flower farming with Mike A. Mellano of Mellano & Co.

  https://youtu.be/00GygVX1-oY?si=RNAkJecm0tqTCNyR The Southern California farm synonymous with breathtaking blooms and gorgeous flowers and foliage is celebrating its 100th year in business this year. Founded by Giovanni Mellano in 1925, Mellano & Company is embarking on “Blooming into a New Era,” a year-long celebration highlighting the generations of families and faces who have played an integral role in the company’s success throughout the years, while also looking ahead to its next century of leadership in the floral industry. I sat down with 3rd generation flower farmer Mike A. Mellano to reflect on this huge accomplishment and to discuss both memories and highlights of this influential, family-owned American floral enterprise. Mellano & Co. is a Certified American Grown flower farm. We all know that successful flower farming requires passion, grit, and endurance. It’s so rare that any U.S. flower farm can sustain those traits for a century, but Mellano & Co., is one of the few. Early days at the Los Angeles Flower Market. The Mellano family has been involved for more than 90 years. From their humble beginnings in the bustling Los Angeles Flower Market to becoming a trusted name in the floral industry, Mellano & Co.’s flowers and foliage are present in every niche of the floral marketplace. They are based in Southern California, but their botanicals can be found in all 50 states, from wholesale to mass market outlets. Mike A. Mellano, photographed at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California Today, I’m sharing a wonderful conversation with Mike A. Mellano, a third-generation family farmer, longtime CEO, and new Chief Science Officer. We’ll reflect on the past and look to the future of domestic floral agriculture. https://youtu.be/9s3VxbOMgp8?si=68mNhXErwK6CmXzM ABOVE: Watch the inspiring 15-minute documentary that Mellano & Co. produced to celebrate their centennial. LISTEN: Mike Mellano’s first appearance on the Slow Flowers Podcast, when he was a guest on Episode 244 in 2016. I know you’ll enjoy learning more about the company whose flowers and foliage is widely used and loved. Thank you to our Sponsors This show is brought to you by slowflowers.com, the free, online directory to more than 750 florists, shops, and studios who design with local, seasonal and sustainable flowers and to the farms that grow those blooms. It’s the conscious choice for buying and sending flowers. Thank you to our lead sponsor, Flowerbulb.eu and their U.S. lily bulb vendors. One of the most recognizable flowers in the world, the lily is a top-selling cut flower, offering long-lasting blooms, year-round availability, and a dazzling petal palette. Flowerbulb.eu has partnered with Slow Flowers to provide beautiful lily inspiration and farming resources to help growers and florists connect their customers with more lilies. Learn more at Flowerbulb.eu. Thank you to The Gardener's Workshop, which offers a full curriculum of online education for flower farmers and farmer-florists. Online education is more important than ever, and you'll want to check out the course offerings at thegardenersworkshop.com. Thank you to A-ROO Company, your one-stop shop for in-stock floral packaging. From sleeves and wraps to labels and tags, visit www.a-roo.com for their full selection of eco-friendly items or to start the process of developing a look that is uniquely yours. Learn more at www.a-roo.com. Thank you for joining me today! The Slow Flowers Podcast is a member-supported endeavor, downloaded more than one million times by listeners like you. Thank you for listening, commenting and sharing – it means so much. As our movement gains more supporters and more passionate participants who believe in the importance of our domestic cut flower industry, the momentum is contagious. I know you feel it, too. If you’re new to our weekly Show and our long-running Podcast,

  --------  

  55:07
• Episode 709: Diana Roy of Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers on welcoming the 2025 International Protea Conference to their fields

  https://youtu.be/JtAXk83WRGs?si=fOCKwJtSS5qZysiZ Lovers of Fynbos, the beautiful plants in the Proteacae family, will enjoy today’s conversation with expert protea grower and long-time Slow Flowers member Diana Roy, flower farmer and Creative Director of Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers. Along with the farm’s founder and CEO Mel Resendiz, Diana and other protea growers in the greater San Diego area are welcoming the 20th International Protea Association Conference to their region, taking place later this week. “United by Proteas” is designed for farmers, researchers, educators, designers, and anyone eager to learn more about the amazing plant family and its importance in the floral marketplace. Diana returned to the Slow Flowers Podcast to discuss this conference and the latest trends in the protea industry. Diana Roy of Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers Back in 2013 and 2014, in the early days of the Slow Flowers Movement, when I was developing and launching slowflowers.com, I hosted today’s guest, Diana Roy, along with Mel Resendiz, both of Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers, as guests. They appeared in our 20th episode of the Slow Flowers Podcast in December 2013. So much has happened in the growth of the Slow Flowers Movement since then, and today, it feels very special to reflect back on those early days and to feel so much gratitude to people like Diana and Mel, who have always supported our mission. A Resendiz bouquet in which Protea is paired with Pincushion flower (Leucospermum). Vibrant blooms during harvest time at Resendiz Brothers Mel Resendiz, CEO of Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers and President of the International Association of Protea Growers If you follow our Instagram feed @slowflowerssociety, you’ll notice we love to re-post and share the images from Resendiz Brothers feed, which you can find at @resendizbrothers. Diana regularly posts seasonal crops at their peak blooms, as well as floral design inspiration showing the many gorgeous plants and pairings throughout the seasons. And we’re talking about proteas, many other South African and Australian botanicals. Resendiz produces more than 200 varieties of these unique plants, including Pincushion, Banksia, Kangaroo Paw, Leucadendron, and Waxflower. Known for their exceptional value and long vase life, the protea and other blooms create dramatic impact when incorporated in arrangements and bouquets. International Association of Protea Growers Conference 2025 And now, the world’s top protea experts are gathering in Fallbrook and Rainbow, California, outside San Diego, to focus on this unique and popular family of plants. Beginning this Friday, March 28th, with a floral design workshop, and continuing through April 4th, the 2025 International Protea Association Conference features sessions and networking opportunities covering best practices, fresh ideas, and creative solutions with more than 100 professionals from around the world. Protea researchers and experts will come together to share their knowledge and ideas. Diana recently joined me to record a conversation about the upcoming conference. And we just want to give a shoutout to Kit Wertz and Casey Schwartz of Flower Duet, Slow Flower members and past guests of the podcast. They are leading the sold-out tour of the Los Angeles Flower District that’s an optional activity for Protea Conference attendees. A guaranteed fabulous event with two knowledgeable designers. Thank you to our Sponsors This show is brought to you by slowflowers.com, the free, online directory to more than 750 florists, shops, and studios who design with local, seasonal and sustainable flowers and to the farms that grow those blooms. It’s the conscious choice for buying and sending flowers. Thank you to our lead sponsor, Flowerbulb.eu and their U.S. lily bulb vendors. One of the most recognizable flowers in the world, the lily is a top-selling cut flower, offering long-lasting blooms,

  --------  

  37:41
• Episode 708: Reconceptualized Sympathy Flowers with Nicole Wright of The Pink Peony

  https://youtu.be/UL1__YrDzHs?si=lKHhw6SLt2EANe_a After years of frustration over outdated and unsustainable floral options that funeral homes offered bereaved families, floral designer Nicole Wright decided to produce an alternative resource to help the industry shift from standard practice to updated and safer options. She wrote and produced "Returning Home," her new book for the funeral industry, florists, and families. All of the arrangements featured in its pages were designed with local and American grown flowers and foliage. Nicole used re-purposed and donated materials and vessels and all foam-free mechanics. Learn how you can integrate her sustainable approach into your funeral floral services and enjoy today’s enlightening presentation. Returning Home by Nicole Wright of The Pink Peony We recently held our March Slow Flowers member meet-up with Nicole Wright, our expert member and speaker. The response to her topic, Sustainable Sympathy Flowers, was so popular -- one of the highest meet-up sessions we’ve hosted in the past year. Nicole Wright is the co-owner of The Pink Peony, a Waterford, Wisconsin-based flower shop. For more than 15 years, she has worked closely with funeral homes in her area to provide grieving families with sympathy arrangements. This often requires hours of her time helping her clients choose floral arrangements that give tribute and remember their loved one. Spring seasonal sympathy designs Summer seasonal sympathy designs Early on, Nicole discovered that most funeral homes in her area, not to mention many internet sources were presenting outdated flower options, those reminiscent of what she calls “Victorian-era-meets-1950's-style arrangements.” For nearly a century, florists, funeral directors, home funeral guides, and grieving families have been shown the same arrangement styles – and most of us associate these designs with sorrowful funeral services. Moreover, most funeral flowers are based on foam mechanics, designed in throwaway materials and vessels, and do not promote seasonal and local flowers and foliages. Late Summer-Early Autumn seasonal sympathy designs Autumn seasonal sympathy designs In response, Nicole has created “Returning Home,” a 91-page reference book that features 40 unique, sympathy floral designs created with seasonal, local and American grown flowers and foliage. The book contains a gallery of design ideas -- from winter through autumn, as well as tropical and patriotic-themed designs. Winter seasonal sympathy designs Designer Reference Guide - sample spread with recipes I’m thrilled to share the replay video of Nicole’s presentation. She has shared sample inside pages of "Returning Home" and you’ll want to watch the visually-inspiring slide show that accompanied Nicole’s session -- click the link above to watch our YouTube video. Nicole is offering a discount for your purchase of “Returning Home.” Use the promo code SLOWFLOWERS to purchase 2 books + receive one FREE copy.Use SLOWFLOWERS20 for 20% off of a single book order. The link also has details on an affordable e-book version of Returning Home. Follow The Pink Peony on InstagramFollow Returning Home Floral on Instagram Thank you to our Sponsors This show is brought to you by slowflowers.com, the free, online directory to more than 750 florists, shops, and studios who design with local, seasonal and sustainable flowers and to the farms that grow those blooms. It’s the conscious choice for buying and sending flowers. Thank you to our lead sponsor, Flowerbulb.eu and their U.S. lily bulb vendors. One of the most recognizable flowers in the world, the lily is a top-selling cut flower, offering long-lasting blooms, year-round availability, and a dazzling petal palette. Flowerbulb.eu has partnered with Slow Flowers to provide beautiful lily inspiration and farming resources to help growers and florists connect their customers with more lilies.

  --------  

  55:14

More Leisure podcasts

Trending Leisure podcasts

About Slow Flowers Podcast