Flower farms in Maine seem to keep popping up left and right, and other farmers have opened their arms to the ever-expanding community. In fact, later this year, the Maine Flower Collective will launch, making it even easier for flower farmers to sell their blooms to floral designers and grocers. And just like flowers—no two flower farms are exactly alike. Every farmer has their own unique field of seeds and colors, and they find inspiration in different ways. It seems that the demand for locally sourced flowers won’t fizzle out any time soon—fresh bouquets with local ties feel so intimate and special due to their roots at home.
In Cape Elizabeth, the dynamic duo behind Fresh Pickins put into the earth what they get out of it. Dominic Thibault and Dan Marion are flower farmers who cannot be constrained to one label.Between the two of them, they are also explorers, surfers, skiers, artists, videographers, herbalists, and foragers. The flower operation at their farm in Cape Elizabeth is only part of what makes up Fresh Pickins. The farm itself was a flower and herb farm in the ’80s from which they’ve resuscitated the inherited perennials and grown from there. Dan says, “Part of our ethos is to help the land through regenerative farming instead of constantly taking from it.” In addition to their bouquets and flower arrangements, they hand make lifestyle products such as lip balm or salve categorized by forest, farm, mountain, and sea. Some of the products are inspired by herbs or plants found in these places, while others are meant to be used in those places. Chaga, sweet basil, juniper, vetiver—these are examples of the favorably fragranced herbs they use. Dominic adds, “We make aromatic bouquets because we use herbs like calendula inside the arrangement. It’s a twist specific to our farm.”
Heading north to Windham, Bumbleroot Organic Farm instantly charms with their adorable produce and flower logo. Initially, they make it clear what they stand for: equity, climate action, and food sovereignty. Their soil-grown and hand-harvested flowers are, as they say, a labor of love and care. Melissa Law, one of the co-owners of the farm, has been growing flowers since they started in 2015. “We are a certified organic farm and have been since the beginning,” she says. “We are committed to biodiversity and soil health—we view the farm as a holistic ecosystem that is also our livelihood.” Part of their pact to protect the earth is using solar power and an electric delivery van powered by the panels on their commutes to nearby Portland.Melissa appreciates the flower farm community’s support and collaboration, recognizing the conference called Flowering in the North that started five years ago in Maine. “It speaks to the strength of this community,” she says. “Many people mobilized their resources and intention towards educating farmers and getting more local flowers across the state and region.”
Moving on to the midcoast, Blue Cloud Farm is a floral design studio that grows their own flowers on a small, one-acre parcel of land.Kim Michel, the owner, started out by bringing bouquets to the farmer’s market, but has since grown in the direction of specialized flower arrangements. She says, “I am inspired by seeing different color combinations out in nature.Sometimes, I’ll have an idea of what I want an arrangement to be, but then I’ll walk in the field and cut something I wasn’t imagining.” It’s the case of quality over quantity—though her operations may be small, she is able to hone in on the types of flowers she grows that will thrive in centerpieces. Though they aren’t certified organic, they don’t use any pesticides which is both great for the flowers used as cake decorations as well as for pollinators, birds, and insects that call the field home. She also uses sustainable practices, such as broad forking—a human-powered tool—instead of tilling the soil. The attention and care behind her growing practices shine through the end bloom.
We end our delightful smelling journey in Trenton, on the way to Mount Desert Island, withSaltFarm Flowers. Mary has been in the flower farm scene for a long time, having started her farm in2014. The whole island is such a destination for events, weddings, and summer residents, and there was a high demand of people wanting to decorate their event or home with flowers. She was no beginner to growing blooms when she started selling out of a flower cart—she had previously been the master gardener at the University of Maine. Now she works a full-scale farm that is open two days a year to the public, complete with a guided tour and a bouquet. When I asked Mary her favorite bloom, she said, “I love peony season. And dahlias—there’s nothing like them. It’s so hard to pick one!” Is it fair that I asked these farmers to pick their favorite flower? Maybe not, but you won’t have to pick just one favorite. There will be dozens of different flowers—sometimes herbs—in a bouquet from any of these farms, and it’s more about how they fit together than how they are apart.
Follow the Flowers
Opt for fresh, locally grown flowers for a more sustainable and vibrant bloom using our garden guide
Blackrock Farm
293 Goose Rocks Road, Kennebunkport
Blackrock Farm, a family-run destination nursery in Kennebunkport, charms with their inspiring gardens. They invite you to explore their variety of organic vegetables and hard-to-find conifers and unusual annuals. Don’t miss out on their landscape design assistance, which is key when tackling a new installation at home.
[email protected]
(207) 967-5783
blackrockfarm.net
@blackrockfarm
Blue Cloud Farm
@bluecloudfarm
Bumbleroot Farm
@bumblerootorganicfarm
Leafsong Family Farm
507 Back Belmont Road, Belmont
Leafsong Family Farm is a multi-generational women-owned flower farm that provides artisan floral arrangements using their specialty annuals and plants. Come for a day visit to explore their garden store with botanically inspired gifts, or book a farm stay for a flower-immersed escape.
(207) 342-2613
leafsongfamilyfarm.com
@leafsongfamilyfarm
O’Donal’s Nursery
6 County Road, Gorham
O’Donal’s Nursery is a staple in Maine’s garden and landscape community. If you were inspired by the Williams family’s landscape project (page 60), you can find the same experience here. They deliver the guidance, seeds, and tools necessary to kickstart your next garden or landscape project.
(207) 839-4262
odonals.com
@odonalsnursery
Salt Farm Flowers
@saltfarmflowers
Swell Farm
456 Old County Road, Rockland
Small-scale and family-run Swell Farm sweetens the Rockland community with their organically grown and fragrant blooms. Stop by their self-serve farm stand for a splendid bouquet of spring flowers or opt for weekly arrangement through their CSA.
(207) 596-3059
swellfarmmaine.com
@swellfarmmaine
