DebWFF, Author at White Flower Farm's blog

Determining Plant Hardiness in Your Garden: The New USDA Map & Other Resources

Have you recently had a perennial plant overwinter that you didn’t expect would survive because it wasn’t designated to be hardy in your area of the country? If so, you might be wondering why. A clue to the answer lies in the newly updated USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PHZM) that was released at the end of 2023. The map’s information has long been relied upon by gardeners, growers, and researchers to help determine which plants will survive, and which won’t, in their growing areas. The PHZM’s updates reflect changes that impact about half of the country, with the overall…

Joined: February 5, 2016
Articles: 34

How to Choose a Preplanned Garden

DebWFF
February 15, 2024
Garden Design

One of the qualities that distinguishes great gardens from those created by amateurs or novices is the way in which plants are combined. Because both science and art are involved, and because not everyone has the time or inclination for…

10 Tips for Creating Successful Patio Pot Combinations

Here at the farm, we have created plant combinations for plenty of patio pots over the years. Here are some of our staff’s top tips to help you plant yours: 1. First, wait until all danger of frost has passed.…

Help Us Trial the Organic Fertilpot

White Flower Farm is making continual, concerted efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, eliminate nonbiodegradable waste, and prioritize sustainability across all areas of our company. To date, these efforts have included installing a solar array to heat our greenhouses and…

What to Do for Your Plants When Temperatures Plunge

DebWFF
February 24, 2023
Common Questions, Weather

For many, this winter has been characterized by abnormally mild temperatures punctuated by sudden and sometimes severe cold spells. These swings in temperature can be rough on plants. This is especially true when there is no snow cover. (Snow serves…

A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Sweet Peas

DebWFF
January 12, 2023
Annuals, cut flowers

Sweet Peas (properly called Lathyrus odoratus) are one of the great plants for cutting, and they provide irresistible colors and fragrance for spring and early summer bouquets. The delicate flowers are available in a wide range of rich colors, and…

Looking for Ways To Stretch Your Holiday Budget?

DebWFF
November 22, 2022
Gifts, Holiday Gifts, Host & Hostess Gifts

Are you looking to stretch this year’s holiday budget while still giving top quality presents that will delight your recipients? Scroll below for a handful of shopping tips from the elves at White Flower Farm: Mini Flowering Plants Our mini…

Our Staff’s Favorite Tulips for Fall Planting

DebWFF
October 20, 2022
Staff Picks, Tulips

Here at the farm, we’re in the midst of planting a whole lot of Tulip bulbs for next spring’s displays. If you’ve ever found yourself a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number and variety of Tulips available for planting, we…

Tips for Choosing Foundation Plants

Foundation plants – the shrubs and other plants that are positioned in front of a house – do more than add color and seasonal interest to the exterior of a home. Chosen well, they: Serve as an expression of a…

Catching Up – With Customers & Existing Orders

DebWFF
May 14, 2020
Garden Design

Dear Customers & Friends, I write to apologize for what has become, for many, an unusual and uncomfortably long wait for order delivery. To the extent that any of you, our valued customers, have been disappointed or discouraged by our…

Here Come the Hellebores

DebWFF
March 16, 2020
Early Bloomers, Garden Design, Hellebores, Shade Garden, Spring Bloomers

In March, when the White Flower Farm display gardens are just waking from their winter sleep, the staff’s work detail is mostly about clearing away debris and making plans. But there is at least one notable exception: The Hellebores are…