High Desert Sourcing & Floral Calendar
High Desert Florals: Supporting Local Flower Growers In Central Oregon & Beyond
As you might expect, Central Oregon has a short but mighty growing season. Our summers are warm and our sunshine is incredible, but between the elevation, swings in temperature, and a frost window that closes early, local flower growers here get a tighter stretch than most of the country to do their thing. We think that makes florals from Central Oregon even more worth celebrating, and it's exactly why we've built relationships that let us offer something fresh, no matter the month.
Who we work with
In season, we lean on local flower growers. The Central Oregon Flower Collective (COFC) is our main source of hyper-local farmers who work together to bring in-season blooms to Central Oregon florists and flower lovers. COFC comprises over a dozen local farmers who are dedicated and determined to growing flowers in the harsh and short Central Oregon growing season. Now in it’s fourth year of operations, Lead flower gower Lisa of Hollyhock Farms works tirelessly to produce and provide beautiful blooms to local florists and the community. Not quite as close, but within 100 miles of us are FlORal and the Pacific Northwest Flower Collective. They make the weekly trek over the Cascades about nine months out of the year to bring us their beautiful blooms and greens!
What travels in, and why
Transparent, ethical sourcing is how we make sure every arrangement feels complete and considered, whether it's the height of local peony season or the middle of winter. During the off season and for larger orders, we work with the folks at the Portland Flower Market, which has a lovely selection of Pacific Northwest varieties as well as flowers from all over the West Coast and beyond. We also bring in specialty blooms from the iconic San Francisco Flower Market - where Eryn cut her teeth (or should we say snippers!) - learning the flower trade. The SFFM is a special, one-of-a-kind place where we can source floral goodies you won’t find anywhere else! This is also a good time to appreciate items that do travel in: it means we can offer beautiful, well-sourced florals year-round.
A Handy-Dandy Seasonal Flower Calendar
What's blooming, month by month:
- Winter (mid-November to March): Local growing is dormant other than a few very dedicated farmers growing tulips in greenhouses, so this is prime time to appreciate what travels in! Ranunculus, anemones, amaryllis, eucalyptus and protea and other cool-season specialty blooms arrive from independent sourcers in Portland and SF.
- Spring (late March to early May): Spring is blooming with tulips, daffodils, snap dragons, hyacinth, and of course, beloved spring branches of many varieties!
- Summer (late May through August): Dahlias, zinnias, peonies, countless wildflowers, berries, vines and greens are blooming locally and beyond!
- Fall (September through early November): This is my favorite time of the flower year! It is all texture and drama. Many summer blooms such as zinnias, hydrangeas, dahlias, roses and fun greenery such as hops still hold on late into the season but often change colors and texture.
Whether your arrangement is bursting with August dahlias grown here in the High Desert, or built around specialty blooms that traveled up from California while it snows on our doorstep, we do our best to ethically source and support small, local flower growers up and down the West Coast. A little beauty on your counter, whatever the season has to offer.