Mid-February On the Farm
Happy Valentine’s Day!
The turn in the weather to sunshine and warmth has been such a welcome relief from the prolonged cold we experienced this year. I don’t recall the last time we had six inches of snow in a 24-hour period. Having grown up in Wisconsin, it felt like a “real” snowstorm — and I truly enjoyed seeing it. I was also very glad that it completely disappeared within 48 hours.
With warmer days, we’ve been able to get back into the field and begin early-season work. Karen and Terri put the trellis up for the sweet pea vines. We’ve been preparing beds for planting, tackling plenty of winter weeds (there are always more than you expect), and digging dahlias. Stay tuned for our dahlia tuber sale in April.
Feverfew seedlings today — bouquet filler in just a few weeks.
Seed starting is well underway. Right now, we have feverfew, yarrow, eucalyptus, rudbeckia, and statice growing under lights. We also have starter plants arriving from our suppliers. The most notable is lisianthus, which takes about 12 weeks to mature from seed to a plantable start. Twelve weeks is a long time to nurture a seedling, and with so many variables along the way, we leave these to specialists who can provide the precise environment they require. It allows us to focus our energy on strong field production once they arrive.
Inside the Crates: Tulip Season in Motion
We’ve begun pulling some tulips indoors to encourage bloom. We grow our tulips in plastic crates so we can move them as needed to meet ideal weather conditions. Tulips require a proper cold period to complete their life cycle. In our climate, we don’t always receive enough consistent natural chill, so we use pre-chilled bulbs to ensure strong blooms.
If tulips don’t receive sufficient cold, they may bloom on very short stems. Long, strong stems are what make them bouquet-worthy — and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for. This time of year, we monitor them closely and adjust as needed.
Early spring flowers are only weeks away now. If you’ve been considering joining our bouquet subscription, this is the moment to plan ahead. The first deliveries begin in early March, and once the season starts, it moves quickly.
The Blake
Two bouquets that found new homes at The Blake.
Thank you to everyone who came out to The Blake Love and Lifestyle Expo. It was a pleasure reconnecting with dear friends and meeting new faces as well. Two residents went home with bouquets from our drawing, and every flower petal sachet we brought found a new home. It’s always energizing to step out ahead of the season and share what’s growing. If you or a loved one live at The Blake at Woodcreek Farms, we offer bouquet subscription deliveries on Fridays.
April will bring our dahlia tuber sale and our peony class, and we’ll share more details soon.
Thank you for following along as the season unfolds here at Purple Tuteur Farm,
Linda
Fresh from the Farm - Winter Workouts & Spring Countdowns
The Weather Swings & The Leaf Blower Save
The weather swings have been keeping us busy lately! We’re so grateful that we got six inches of snow instead of ice, and that it has disappeared as fast as it arrived. For all the disruption it causes, the cold is necessary to the life cycles of some of our winter crops like tulips and peonies. After such a long warm fall, these cold weeks are ensuring everything is ready for a spectacular spring.
We even had a bit of a winter workout recently—managing snow on the hoop houses is a real part of the job on occasion! A huge shoutout to the "leaf blower method" for keeping our structures safe and the light pouring in for the baby plants. Instead of pushing the 6 inches of snow off from inside the tunnel with a broom, other farmers shared their success with using a leaf blower for the job. I was done in half the time by using this method. Keeping that plastic clear isn't just about weight; it’s also about keeping the interior bright so the seedlings get the light they need to get the blooms going!
Serving Our Neighbors at The Blake
We are so honored to highlight a special partnership this season right here in the Midlands. On Wednesday, February 11th, we’ll be participating in the resident-only "Love & Lifestyle" Expo at The Blake at Woodcreek Farms.
This partnership is particularly close to my heart. My own mother lived at Atria, another senior community on Forest Drive, for eight years. During that time, I saw firsthand how much joy a simple bouquet of fresh flowers could bring to her space—and how much it meant to me to know she had something beautiful and "alive" to enjoy every day.
Because I’ve been in those shoes, I want to make bringing the beauty of the farm indoors as seamless as possible for The Blake community:
Concierge Delivery: We offer exclusive Friday deliveries directly to the front desk at The Blake, where the concierge team then personally delivers the flowers to the resident's door.
Stress-Free Setup: Simply include the resident's room number at checkout, and we’ll handle the hand-off for you.
A Personal Touch: We know these aren't just flowers; they are a weekly reminder from home.
If you have a family member at The Blake and want to set up a recurring delivery for them, you can find all the details of our subscription service on our website. Subscription season is fast approaching, so now is the perfect time to secure a spot for your loved one!
The Countdown is On: Spring Subscriptions
Even if you don’t live at The Blake, the 2026 subscription season is fast approaching for all our retail customers! Our slots are filling up quickly as we move closer to those first highly-anticipated spring blooms.
Whether you’re in 29016 or the surrounding Columbia area, now is the time to secure your spot for a season full of fresh, locally-grown color. There is still time to sign up, but don't wait too long—once they're gone, they're gone!
January 2026 on the Farm
Iceland Poppies
There is a specific kind of quiet in the garden during late January and February. To the casual observer, it looks like dormancy—a landscape at rest. But here in Zone 8b, our ground never truly freezes. This means the plants can keep working deep beneath the soil, even during our coldest months of the year.
Anemones under frost cloth
The early bloomers are slowly building energy through cold nights and cool days. Many of them actually need that winter chill to bloom at all; it’s nature’s way of creating stronger stems, richer colors, and longer-lasting flowers.
Resilience in Every Petal (As Long as it Stays Cool)
Many of these plants are capable of surviving freezes with little to no protection. Hellebores are the stars of the show when it comes to cold tolerance—they are one of the few whose blooms look great even after a hard freeze.
Peonies from last year. They need cold to bloom.
Other cold-hardy favorites—like Snapdragons, Peonies, Ranunculus, Anemones, and Poppies—can survive the freeze themselves, though their open blooms usually won't. However, once we hit that "sweet spot" of daytime temperatures in the 60s and nights in the upper 40s, this group hits its stride and blooms fervently. The lengthening days also signal that it’s time to shine, resulting in longer stems, fuller blooms, and incredibly vivid colors.
The Sprint Before the Heat
In the Columbia area, this magic window can be brief. These flowers start to slow down once daytime temperatures reach the 70s. Because our warm-up can happen so quickly, their bloom period often ends rather suddenly. By the time our days hit the 80s, they fade like Popeye without his spinach!
By then, the soil is warm and other beautiful bloomers are hitting their stride. But right now, as we move away from the shortest days of the year, I am so grateful to see these first-of-the-season blooms begin to come alive.
Pro-Tips: Keeping the Spring Magic Alive
Because these varieties thrive in the cold, they require a different touch than your typical summer sunflowers. If you’ve picked up a bouquet or harvested from your garden, here is how to make that spring joy last:
The "Cooler" the Better: Keep your vase away from direct sunlight or heating vents. These flowers prefer a cool corner to stay crisp.
The Fresh Snip: Use very sharp snips to cut stems at a 45-degree angle. For hollow-stemmed flowers like Ranunculus, a sharp blade is key to keeping their "drinking straws" open.
Shallow Water: Tulips and Hyacinths actually prefer just 2–3 inches of water. This prevents their soft stems from getting waterlogged and mushy.
Watch the "Stretch": Tulips continue to grow even after they are cut! If they start to "dance" right out of your arrangement, feel free to give them a secondary trim.
Experience the Joy of the First Harvest
At Purple Tuteur, we believe these first blooms are the most special because they represent a fresh start. They are the first chapter of our 2026 season—a reminder that beauty doesn't wait for "perfect" weather to arrive.
And if you’d ever like to experience these early-season flowers delivered as they bloom, our bouquet subscriptions are open for the season.
What’s blooming in your neck of the woods? I’d love to hear what early signs of spring you’re spotting in your own backyard. Leave a comment below!
Wishing you Joy in 2026,
Linda
A Christmas Letter from the Farm
Photo: Tole planters from Mais Oui were originally styled with dry flowers at Rosewood Florist. How’s that for holiday nostalgia? This year, they were reworked by Terri at the farm. Fresh greens are from Dolce Vita Farms in Eastover.
Christmas at our house
Are you ready? Cookies baked, gifts wrapped, halls decked out?
We’re hosting this year—six houseguests and sixteen people for Christmas Eve dinner. My husband has a large family, and it’s our turn. Family will arrive from Tennessee and North Carolina (the Georgia crew is taking their granddaughters to the West Coast this year). Everyone brings food, thankfully.
We’ll gather on Christmas Eve for dinner before church, and on Christmas Day we’ll all head to our cousin Susie’s house to open gifts and eat some more. After that, my sister and her husband will come for a couple of days—a brief trip from Williamsburg to extend the celebration. And for New Year’s Eve, one of my bridesmaids, who recently retired from Minneapolis to Bluffton, will join us so we can ring in the new year together.
The gift of the off season
I try to make the most of the “off season.” Catching up with friends and family. Enjoying the stillness of long winter nights. Resting.
When the flowers are blooming, we’re heads-down at the farm. The crew is wonderful, and we work hard and efficiently. There are weeks when I only see the farm workers, my husband, and our customers. I feel incredibly blessed to do this work—but it can be isolating. Winter is when I intentionally reconnect, filling the cup that gets poured out all season long.
Seasonality, in every sense
So I’ll be somewhat unavailable over the next couple of weeks. I’ll check messages intermittently, but responses may be slower while we celebrate. Just another rhythm of seasonality.
What comes next
Of course, it won’t be long before I start missing everything about growing flowers. In January, we’ll begin starting seeds indoors, watching those first seedlings push free from their shells. Outside, we’ll cover and uncover beds as the weather demands, and if we get a warm January spell (which sometimes happens), we’ll sow more seed outdoors. By February, we’ll have blooms again—and I’ll feel the absolute joy of that miracle.
With gratitude
Thank you, truly, for supporting our farm through another year of this risky way of making a living. One flower farmer I know calls it “sweaty gambling,” and that feels about right. We’re at the mercy of weather, timing, and luck—but we’re also buoyed by your support when things go right and beautiful things come out of the ground as planned.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope this season gives you a moment of rest, too.
With gratitude,
Linda
December at the Farm: Preparing for a New Flower Year
Even though the days are short, there’s a surprising amount happening on the farm right now. We’ve direct-sown a lot of seed for our Early Spring Subscriptions, and everything is tucked under frost cloth to protect it during those below-freezing nights. This includes cool-season favorites like nigella, larkspur, anemone, and orlaya.
Direct Seeded Beds
Cress waiting to be thinned
This week we checked germination (thank you, rain—you delivered!) and raised the covers with hoops so the wet cloth isn’t resting on the seedlings during freezes. If the cloth touches the plants, they lose their insulation and can freeze—one of those small winter details that makes all the difference.
Inside the Hoophouse
Poppies (lower part of the bed, not blooming) and pansies (mostly blooming) in the hoop house
Inside the hoop house, things look especially cheerful: ranunculus, canterbury bells, delphinium, snapdragons, poppies, and pansies. Everything is covered except the poppies and pansies, and I appreciate both of these crops in winter because I can see them without lifting fabric.
Poppies hail from Iceland, so a brush with freezing temperatures doesn’t bother them. We grow them in the hoop house so that once the blooms begin, the petals stay pristine. As temperatures rise in late winter, we switch to shade cloth to help keep them cool.
And then there are the pansies and violas—my absolute favorite winter crop. They bloom quickly, keep blooming all winter long, and bring so much joy to the hoop house during the quieter months. We deadhead them regularly so they don’t go to seed. They stay fairly short until the days reach 12 hours of light; then they gradually elongate, and by May they’re long enough to use in bouquets.
We start some pansies from seed and also buy some as small plants called plugs. Not all pansy varieties stretch tall enough for cutting—most breeding has focused on short bedding plants. There are seed varieties that elongate well, and hopefully in time we’ll see those available as plugs from local nurseries. If you’d like to dig deeper, I highly recommend Pansies by flower farmer and author Brenna Estrada; her variety trials are incredibly helpful for anyone wanting to grow pansies for floral design.
More Winter Work
Weeding e.g. removing the henbit (red x) so that the larkspur can grow.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be weeding and preparing additional beds for early spring planting. Winter is also when we handle the repairs that get pushed aside during the busy season—mending raised beds, fixing infrastructure, and taking care of the small-but-important tasks that keep the farm running smoothly.
We’ll also be digging and dividing our dahlias and getting them ready for next season. We’ll have some available for sale in the spring, and they’re always a popular choice for gardeners eager to grow their own blooms.
Got Plans Saturday Morning?
Starting the countdown to Christmas? Whether this email finds you pulling on a raincoat, clutching your coffee, or hiding under a blanket pretending December isn’t real… I hope you’re doing well. Truly.
We’re here to make this season a little lighter and a little brighter. We take care of some of the planning and prep so you can focus on what matters — and yes, helping you experience the joy of flowers all year long absolutely includes the holidays.
Right now, we’ve got amaryllis and paperwhites at every stage of the growing journey. Want dormant bulbs to pot up yourself? Perfect for enjoying in the stillness of January when the world finally exhales again. We still have Minerva and Bolero amaryllis bulbs available, plus the kind of paperwhites that make you smile the moment they open.
Prefer something already started? We’ve got amaryllis and paperwhites growing in nursery pots — easy to repot into your own favorite containers if you want a custom holiday showstopper.
Need a gift? We’ve got that covered too. Choose from decorative potted paperwhites and amaryllis or our bulb garden kits (just add water to start the magic). These are incredibly simple, thoughtful gifts that feel special without adding to anyone’s holiday stress.
Everything is available on the website for order, pickup and delivery and we’ll be open at the farm this Saturday from 10–noon. Come by, grab a cup of coffee, browse the bulbs, and if you want help potting something up, we’re happy to jump in. Make a purchase, hang out for a bit — it’s all good. We love meeting our friends and followers in person, so don’t be shy. Come on out.
Here’s to a happy holiday season,
Linda
P.S. If you are a Richland County Master Gardener planning to attend the holiday luncheon next week, and you would like me to bring your order to the meeting, I’m happy to deliver them there. Just select pick up at check out and add a comment at check out to deliver them to the MG Holiday luncheon and I will have them there!
2026 Flower Subscriptions Are Now Open!
We’re excited to announce that our 2026 bouquet subscriptions are officially live on the website! If fresh, local flowers delivered to your doorstep are your kind of happiness, now’s the time to secure your spot.
We’ve brought back all three seasonal subscriptions — and added the All Seasons Membership as a new option.
Here’s a quick look at what’s available:
✨ NEW for 2026: The All Seasons Bouquet Subscription
Three seasons of beauty — in one subscription.
Get 12 or 24 bouquets, including:
Early Spring (Mar–Apr)
Spring to Summer (May–Jun)
Late Summer to Fall (Aug–Oct)
All delivered on our natural farm schedule, including the built-in July–mid August summer pause.
Weekly (24 bouquets): $1080
Biweekly (12 bouquets): $540
Delivery included. Choose Tuesday or Friday
🌱 Early Spring Subscription (Mar–Apr)
The first blooms of the year: tulips, ranunculus, anemone, hellebores, and more.
From $189 • Weekly or biweekly • Choose Tuesday or Friday
🌸 Spring to Summer Subscription (May–Jun)
Peak-season color and variety — lisianthus, zinnias, lilies, early dahlias, sunflowers.
From $189 • Weekly or biweekly
🍂 Late Summer to Fall Subscription (Aug 18–Oct 20)
Dahlias, heirloom mums, warm fall textures, and all the moody magic of autumn.
From $189 • Weekly or biweekly
(No deliveries September 8, 2026)
Delivery Areas
29201, 29204, 29205, 29206, 29209, 29016, 29045, 29169, 29223, 29229
Why Subscribe?
Guaranteed blooms during the best weeks of each season
Priority access to our most limited flowers
Convenience — we grow, harvest, design, and deliver
Freshness you simply won’t find in stores
A stunning weekly (or biweekly) pick-me-up
Plus, subscriptions make unforgettable gifts — especially holiday, birthday, and “just because” surprises.
From Our Farm to Your Home
Thank you for supporting our little farm and for giving us the joy of growing for you. These subscriptions are the heartbeat of our season — they allow us to plan, plant, and create with intention.
👉 If you’re ready to bring a year of flowers into your home, our 2026 subscriptions are now open. You can browse all options on the website.
Here’s to a year ahead filled with color, beauty, and moments that make you stop and take a deep breath.
With gratitude,
Linda Bradley
Purple Tuteur Farm
A Little Pause Before the Holiday Rush
This week, we’re hitting the pause button—in the best way possible. We’re taking a bit of time to step away from the daily farm work, share meals with friends and family, and catch our breath before the holiday season kicks into high gear. Consider it that quiet moment before the orchestra swells.
Of course, “time off” on a flower farm still involves plenty of plant mischief. Our spring hoop house is officially planted, and everything inside is settling in for its winter nap so it can burst into color next spring. It’s always a thrill to look down those tidy rows and think, this is where next season begins.
Future ranunculus, campanula, delphinium, poppies, pansies and snapdragons are planted here.
Holiday Bulbs Are Here
If you’ve been waiting to bring a little magic indoors, your moment has arrived:
Our amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs are now available.
These are the big, beautiful bulbs we’re known for—easy to grow, reliably showy, and perfect for gifting or brightening your own home. We’ve also potted some up for you, and starting the week after Thanksgiving, we’ll have pre-planted bulb gardens posted to the website. Just bring them home, give them a little water, and watch the magic unfold.
Next Delivery Date: November 25
If you're planning ahead, our next delivery date is 11/25—perfect timing for holiday decorating or sending a thoughtful surprise to someone who needs a little brightness this season.
Looking Ahead to 2026
And because we know some of you like to plan several seasons ahead (our kind of people), we’ll also be opening 2026 subscription orders in early December. It’s always exciting to see next year’s subscriptions start filling up—your support helps us plan what and how much to grow, and it keeps this little farm humming.
If you need a moment of calm, joy, or beauty this week, we’ve got you. Happy almost-holiday season—may your week include rest, warmth, and something that makes you smile.
A few more mums!
And in the spirit of the season, thank you. We’re endlessly grateful for the love, enthusiasm, and support you’ve shown our little farm. Every message, every visit, every bouquet on your kitchen table—it all matters more than you know.
Here’s to rest, good company, and the beauty still ahead.
Linda
Another Burst of Fall Color
Just when we think the mum season can’t get any prettier, these late bloomers step up and prove us wrong. The field is glowing right now with coral, apricot, and sunset shades that seem to hold onto autumn’s light just a little longer. These heirloom mums have been a joy to grow and even more fun to share. Their long stems and sturdy blooms make them perfect for arranging, and they last beautifully in the vase. This week’s favorites:
Annie Girl
Coral Reef
Daybreak
Apricot Alexis
River City
Thank you for following along with our mum journey this year and celebrating the joy these heirloom flowers bring.
Linda
From Mums to Magic Bulbs: November at the Farm
The mums are still putting on a beautiful show here at the farm, and we’re savoring every last bloom. Each variety seems to shine in its own moment—soft apricots, rich bronzes, and warm pinks lighting up the beds. If you made it out to our open house this past weekend, thank you! It was such a joy to share this season’s blooms with you in person.
And we have a winner from our Thanksgiving mum arrangement giveaway — congratulations to Evelyn Abernathy! Your birch-bark vase of farm-grown mums will be ready for you soon.
As we move from fall flowers into the cozy glow of the holidays, our attention turns to something new in the shop: amaryllis and paperwhite bulbs. These easy-to-grow favorites bring beauty indoors just when we need it most.
We’ve sourced truly exceptional jumbo amaryllis bulbs — the biggest you’ll find anywhere — and top-grade paperwhite bulbs for simple winter blooming. Whether you want to plant your own, send a thoughtful gift, or start a ready-to-grow bulb garden, these are perfect for bringing natural joy into your home this season.
Experience the Joy,
— Linda and the whole Purple Tuteur team
Mum Season Continues to Delight
Round Two of Mum Blooms
For me as a grower, it’s a bit like Christmas at the farm right now. The mums are truly taking center stage as the weather cools, and each week brings a few new blooms to discover.
Since our last update, several new varieties have opened — Fall Affair, Campfire Glow, Peter Mangus, Kelvin Mandarin, Savanna Charlton and Bronze Fleece — each one adding its own personality to the season’s palette.
Fall Affair
Campfire Glow
Peter Mangus
Kelvin Mandarin
Savanna Charlton
Bronze Fleece
We also wrapped up the final step on the hoop house by getting the end walls covered (yay!) — just in time for the cold weather ahead. I am so grateful to my husband Rufus (a.k.a. Mr. Fix It for doing this project with me.
While many mum plants are hardy perennials, their flowers are not. Anything currently blooming when frost hits needs protection if you want to enjoy the flowers in the garden a bit longer. This is why we needed the hoop house.
Farewell to the Dahlias
We’re saying goodbye to the dahlias this week. With rain and cold moving in, their days are numbered — but what a beautiful season they’ve had!
We’re so grateful that you’ve loved our dahlias as much as we do. It’s always bittersweet to see them go, but the mums are making the transition a little easier this year.
Looking Ahead: Anemone & Ranunculus Bulbs
Our Fall Bulb Sale continues through Halloween! Skip the tricks and treat yourself to early-spring joy with anemone and ranunculus bulbs. Each order includes growing instructions to help you succeed. Check out the selection here.
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has already ordered — your future self (and your spring garden) will thank you! 🌸
Come See the Mums!
Would you like to experience the mums in person? We’re considering a casual open-farm visit next Saturday, November 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate this beautiful season.
If you’d be interested in coming, please let us know by replying to this email — we’d love to have you visit and see these stunning blooms up close. Of course, we will have bouquets available for purchase so that you can take some of this beauty home.
Every season on the farm has its own kind of magic, and we’re so grateful to share it with you. Whether you’re growing, arranging, or simply enjoying flowers on your table — thank you for being part of our story.
Linda
The Mum Season Has Started!
This time last year, The Mum Project was just an idea — a hope to bring back the beauty of heirloom chrysanthemums to our corner of South Carolina. We’d seen the incredible work of other local flower farms reviving these lost varieties and knew we wanted to be part of it.
With the help of the ACRE grant, that vision took shape. In early spring, we began construction on our new hoop house, designed specifically to extend our growing season and give these mums the conditions they love best — cool nights, steady moisture, and protection from our unpredictable fall weather.
Next came the growing beds — carefully built, amended, and mapped for 18 varieties of heirloom mum varieties passed down through dedicated chrysanthemum societies and small farms. These aren’t your typical potted mums. They’re true heirlooms — varieties once treasured for their elegance, fragrance, and sculptural petals, now making a comeback thanks to local flower growers.
The 18 varieties we selected are divided into 6 varieties each from the early, mid-season and late-season categories. These classifications are assigned by the National Chrysanthemum Society. We do this so we don’t have the entire hoop house blooming at the same time.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing photos and stories as each variety comes into bloom. It’s been a journey of learning, growth, and joy — and we can’t wait for you to see what’s next.
Here are the first three:
Fall Charm
Peach Centerpiece
Pumpkin Eyes
Thank you for following along, for cheering us on through every stage of this project, and for believing in the power of local flowers. Send us your questions, and we will do our best to answer them in the coming updates.
Happy Fall,
Linda
The Fall Bulb Shop Is Open!
The wait is over—the bulbs have arrived, and our Fall Bulb Shop is officially open!
We’re surrounded by boxes of beautiful ranunculus and anemone corms. These are the flowers that chase away winter gray and remind us that beauty is always just below the surface, waiting for the right moment to shine.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just beginning to explore the joy of growing your own flowers, these specialty bulbs are a wonderful place to start. We’ve selected our favorite varieties for both garden performance and vase life—rich jewel tones, delicate pastels, and everything in between.
This year’s shop also includes a few extras we think you’ll love:
🧤 Atlas Gardening Gloves – our favorite lightweight, breathable gloves for every task in the garden.
📘 Compost Tea eBook – a simple, practical guide to improving your soil health naturally, using the same methods we rely on here at Purple Tuteur Farm. Available as a digital download.
The Fall Bulb Shop will be open through October, and all orders will be shipped by November 3. Pickup and delivery options are also available, and active subscription members can even add bulbs to their next bouquet delivery.
🌾 A Taste of the Farm – Late Fall Subscriptions
If you’ve been missing fresh blooms on your table, our Late Fall Subscription – A Taste of the Farm is the perfect way to close the season. These limited three-week subscriptions feature the best of our heirloom chrysanthemums and late dahlias, hand-harvested and delivered through October. It’s a lovely way to enjoy the last colors of the field before winter’s rest. Order 1,2 or 3 weeks of blooms by October 13.
👉 Reserve Your Late Fall Subscription
There’s so much beauty still to come this season, and we’re grateful to share it with you. Whether you’re planting bulbs, enjoying the last of the field flowers, or planning ahead for holiday blooms—thank you for being part of our flower-loving community.
Experience the joy,
Linda
Purple Tuteur Farm
P.S. Holiday bulbs (like amaryllis + paperwhites) are coming soon—stay tuned for details in early November!
A Beautiful Finale: Late Season Bouquets & Our New Hoop House
Oberlin
As the days shorten and the air turns crisp, many people think the flower season has ended. But here at Purple Tuteur Farm, we’re just getting started on one of the most beautiful parts of the year. Thanks to our heirloom chrysanthemums and our brand-new hoop house, we’re able to extend the season and bring you fresh, abundant bouquets all the way through October and possibly into November too.
The Magic of Heirloom Mums
Fall Charm
Heirloom mums have a very long history but were almost lost as they were replaced in the marketplace by uniform, short-lived potted mums. For decades, chrysanthemum societies across the country quietly worked to keep these now-rare varieties alive. Today, local flower farms are bringing them back to the market—and customers are rediscovering just how extraordinary they are.
These are not your typical potted mums. Each bloom is layered, textured, and filled with character, offering a depth and beauty that is impossible to find in mass-market flowers. They come in a wide variety of forms. If you’ve seen the latest issue of Southern Living, you may have noticed their feature on Three Porch Farm in Georgia and the stunning resurgence of heirloom chrysanthemums. We’re thrilled to be part of this movement, sharing these breathtaking flowers with our community right here in South Carolina.
The Hoop House Advantage
Early season mums in bud
This year, we’ve taken a big step forward with the addition of a new hoop house, built with the support of an ACRE grant. The hoop house protects our mums from unpredictable fall weather and gives us greater control over growing conditions. The result? Stronger, healthier plants and more reliable blooms deep into the season. It’s a behind-the-scenes investment that allows us to keep delivering flowers long after the traditional bouquet season winds down.
Late Season Bouquets & Mini-Subscriptions
Saga no Yuki
The Fall Garden
Fall is finally here—goodbye sweltering afternoons, hello crisp mornings and garden projects we’ve been waiting months to tackle. Here are some of the highlights.
Dahlias
Dahlias
Hopefully, you are cutting and enjoying your own dahlias or enjoying those we’re delivering in your subscriptions! If you’re a grower and yours are slow to bloom, don’t give up—they’re just waiting for cooler nights. I’m personally counting the days until ‘Black Jack’ finally struts its stuff. What’s blooming in your garden right now?
For dahlias that are blooming, do not feed them any more nitrogen this year. Potassium is the key for the flowering stage of these plants. We use kelp to give them a boost and help them to keep blooming until frost.
Chrysanthemums
Mum Peaches and Cream
The shorter days may feel bittersweet, but for chrysanthemums, it’s the starting gun. Our ‘Peaches and Cream’ are just peeking out, and they’re worth the wait. We’re continuing to feed weekly and water well so they can give us their best blooms.
Peonies
if you have peonies, you should cut the foliage back to the ground. It probably looks like it is dead or deathly ill. This is normal. Be sure to throw any cuttings away and don’t put them in your compost pile. They may harbor disease, so better safe than sorry.
It’s always a little sad to cut back peony foliage—it feels like the season’s over. But be assured, this is setting them up for a stronger spring
Update on the Bulb Sale
We haven’t received the bulbs yet from our suppliers, so I’m holding the sale for now. There’s always a chance something spoils in transit, and I don’t want you to order something we don’t receive. The good news? Our bulbs are on their way from Holland—almost ready to brighten your garden beds! Keep an eye on your inbox—we’ll share the full lineup and ordering details as soon as they arrive.
Wreath Classes
We loved seeing your creativity in action at the wreath classes. Next, we’ll be shifting underground—literally—to focus on soil health. Stay tuned for our compost tea guide and more tips to grow healthy, happy flowers.
Here’s to crisp mornings, vibrant blooms, and plenty of garden joy this season. Until next time, happy fall—and remember to experience the joy!
Linda
P.S. Thanks for being here. Our newsletter community always gets first dibs on updates—your support makes everything we grow possible. 💛
A Cozy Morning in the Flowers
Our Fall Wreath Workshops are just around the corner — and there’s still time to join us! Step away from your to-do list and spend two hours surrounded by flowers, creativity, and kindred spirits.
✨ Start your morning in the dahlias
Arrive at 9:30 for a peaceful walk through the flower field. Studies show that simply viewing flowers boosts endorphins — the perfect reset before a cozy creative retreat.
☕ Gather + learn
At 10:00, we’ll head back to the workshop for coffee, water, and light refreshments. You’ll learn how we dry flowers and which varieties thrive best here at the farm.
🌿 Create with ease
Then, design your own grapevine wreath in a relaxed, no-stress style. No wires or fuss — just an effortless, natural arrangement that will last for years indoors.
📸 Share the joy
We’ll wrap up around noon with time for photos, socializing, and admiring each other’s creations.
💐 Special perks for attendees
Enjoy 10% off our perennial phlox plants, our new farm t-shirts, and even our online ranunculus + anemone bulb sale (Sept 22–Oct 10).
✨ Experience the joy of a flower-filled fall — we’d love to see you there!
🗓 Wed, Sept 17 or Sat, Sept 20
🕙 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 Purple Tuteur Farm
August Update - Looking to Fall
We’re heading into my favorite time of year on the farm. The intense summer heat is finally behind us, we’ve taken a short break to recharge, and now we can look forward to the flowers and foliage that become even more beautiful as the days grow shorter and cooler. Fall is always a busy season here, and this year is no exception.
Farm Fresh Bouquet Subscriptions
We started deliveries this week for our Late Summer to Fall bouquet subscription—thank you to everyone who signed up! We still have a few spots available for the 4-week option, with the final day to join on August 24, 2025.
Looking ahead, subscriptions for 2026 will open on December 1, 2025. Many of you love gifting subscriptions during the holidays, and we want to make sure you have time to plan ahead.
On Farm Workshops
Registration is open for our Fall Wreath Class. We’ll host two sessions:
Wednesday, September 17
Saturday, September 20
Come early and walk through our fall dahlia field, followed by a hands-on lesson in drying flowers and creating your own seasonal wreath. . More details here
Fall Bulb Sale
For those who love growing their own flowers, we’re offering specialty anemone and ranunculus bulbs again this year. Online ordering will be open September 22–October 10.
Options: pick up, shipping, or delivery
Active subscription holders can add bulbs to a scheduled bouquet delivery at no extra charge
All orders will be filled and sent by October 24
In South Carolina, November is the perfect time to plant these bulbs for spring bloom.
Holiday Bulb Sale
We’ll also have amaryllis and paperwhites available again this year—perfect for brightening your home or gifting during the holiday season. Ordering opens November 1. More details will be shared soon!
Behind the Scenes
This season, we’ve been busy planting dahlias and mums for fall bloom. Our new mum hoop house is almost complete—we put up the frame in June, added the end walls last weekend, and the final step is getting the plastic in place.
The hoop house will allow us to keep harvesting flowers for at least a couple of weeks after the first frost (which we expect around Halloween). That means we should have fresh blooms through mid-November this year!
Create a Dried Flower Wreath This Fall – Join Us on the Farm!
There’s something magical about turning flowers from our fields into keepsakes you can enjoy year-round. At Purple Tuteur Farm, we’ve been gathering and drying flowers all summer long—and now we’re inviting you to come craft with us.
Join us on Wednesday, September 17 or Saturday, September 20 for a hands-on Dried Flower Wreath Workshop. You’ll learn how to work with natural materials, design a balanced composition, and leave with a beautiful 12–14" wreath ready to hang.
Whether you're decorating your front door for fall or creating a gift for someone special, this class is a joyful way to celebrate the season. No experience needed—just come ready to get creative.
What’s included:
All dried flowers and materials
Instruction and guidance from our team
Light refreshments
A relaxing morning on the farm
Choose your date:
🗓 Wednesday, September 17
🗓 Saturday, September 20
🕙 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
👉 Reserve your spot now https://www.purpletuteur.com/classes/p/fall-wreath-workshop
July on the Farm: Rest, Reset, and Prepare
July is a month of transition here at our farm. We suspend our bouquet services because it’s hot, and we need time—time to take a break and visit with friends and family, time to catch up on the chores we can’t tackle when harvest is in full swing, and time to prepare for the glory and floral abundance that arrive in late summer and fall.
We close the farm the week of July 4th. Many of you are on vacation, the heat is rising, and we’re ready to take some time off, too. It’s always a week we look forward to after the busiest stretch of the flower season. We spend it visiting my husband’s family in Virginia, where a reunion happens over the holiday weekend, along with some dear friends who live nearby.
Irrigation Adventures
After the break, July farm work happens at a slower pace. We encourage all our employees to take vacation this month, so we work with smaller crews. The heat is something we take seriously, so we’re usually out of the field by 11 a.m.
Irrigation valve not shutting off properly due to a worn out diaphram
This past week, I started by checking all the irrigation. I’d rather get soaked in July than in January! Some parts of this job are pretty straightforward—like replacing diaphragms in the valves. Others feel like a scavenger hunt.
When we cleared the cool season plants out of the hoophouse, it was easy to see where we accidentally cut the drip line. The spray was obvious and simple to repair. But there still wasn’t enough pressure in the line, which meant another leak was hiding somewhere.
It took me about an hour to spot a small puddle just outside the hoophouse—right where there shouldn’t be any water. I started digging into the damp soil with my hands and finally uncovered a tiny hole gnawed into the hose, a vole’s calling card. It felt like finding a needle in a haystack! The repair was easy once the problem was isolated, and we’re happily back to full pressure now.
Summer Plantings and Fall Preparations
Dahlia Peaches under shade cloth
When temperatures climb above 90 degrees, many plants slow down as much as we do. Some go dormant, and the cool season annuals fade away. That frees up bed space to plant again.
Right now, we’re planting second and third successions of annuals, shifting into fall colors—zinnias, cosmos, celosia, and sunflowers.
The perennials get cut back and fed, giving them time to refresh for fall. This includes salvia, veronica, and the early season dahlias.
The fall dahlias and heirloom chrysanthemums are all planted. To help the dahlias cope with the heat, we cover them with 50% shade cloth, which lowers the temperature by 10–15 degrees and keeps them in the 70s–80s—right where they thrive.
The mums will be pinched this month to encourage branching and more blooms per plant. We’re excited to finally be growing these at scale and so grateful for the ACRE grant that helped us get here.
We’ll be incorporating these special flowers into our late summer and fall subscription bouquets and hope to offer something new in late October through early November, when the mums will be the stars of the show.
Fall Subscriptions Are Coming Soon
Our fall subscriptions will start in mid to late August. If you’d like to have fresh, beautiful flowers delivered right to your door as the seasons turn, you can sign up anytime on our website. We’d love to bring a little of the farm into your home.
We’d love to know your favorite ways to beat the summer heat!
Happy Summer,
Linda
P.S. Thanks to all of you who made it out to the farm for one of our events in June. We loved seeing so many of you during the Ag & Art Tour and at our Growing Dahlias classes. Your support and enthusiasm mean so much to us.
Growing Rudbeckia For Cutting
A plant profile for cutting gardens and seasonal bouquets
Why Grow Rudbeckia?
Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black-eyed Susan, is a cutting garden favorite for its bold blooms, long flowering season, and exceptional heat tolerance. With varieties such as Sahara, Irish Eyes, and Indian Summer, Rudbeckia offers a rich palette of warm, earthy tones that are especially valuable for summer and early fall bouquets.
It thrives in heat, performs reliably in challenging conditions, and is easy to grow from seed. In our South Carolina climate, it earns its place as both a hardworking garden plant and a dependable bouquet flower.
Recent breeding work has expanded the color range and flower forms available, particularly within the Sahara series, giving growers more design flexibility without sacrificing performance.
Selecting the Right Varieties
If you plan to use Rudbeckia in arrangements, variety selection matters. Taller cultivars with strong stems are best suited for cutting, while shorter forms may be better reserved for garden color.
When choosing varieties, consider:
Mature plant height - growing stems that are least 16 inches tall will provide optimal flexibility in arrangements
Flower form (single, semi-double, double)
Color palette and how it fits into your bouquets
Best Rudbeckia Varieties for Cutting Gardens
Rudbeckia hirta ‘Cherokee Sunset’
Double to semi-double blooms in warm sunset tones; strong stems and excellent heat tolerance.
Height: 20–22 inchesRudbeckia hirta ‘Cherry Brandy’
Deep burgundy petals that add dramatic contrast to mixed bouquets.
Height: 22–24 inchesRudbeckia hirta ‘Double Gloriosa’
Classic golden-yellow, double flowers with a traditional Black-eyed Susan look.
Height: 24–27 inchesRudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’
Golden-yellow petals with lime-green centers; bright, cheerful color and sturdy stems.
Height: 28–32 inchesRudbeckia hirta ‘Irish Eyes’
Chartreuse-toned petals with a distinctive green eye; striking and unusual in arrangements.
Height: 36–42 inchesRudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’
Large golden blooms on tall stems; excellent for mass planting and cutting.
Height: 36–42 inchesRudbeckia hirta ‘Sahara’
Unique warm tones including rose, apricot, and bronze; semi-double to double blooms.
Height: 20–22 inchesRudbeckia triloba
Tall, branching sprays of smaller golden blooms; outstanding as a late-season filler flower.
Height: 48–60 inches
Note: Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ is an excellent landscape plant but has a very short vase life and is not recommended for cutting gardens.
How to Grow Rudbeckia (Zone 8b)
Sunlight
Rudbeckia prefers full sun, with at least six hours of direct light daily.
Soil
Grows best in well-draining, moderately fertile soil. It tolerates a range of pH levels but performs best between 6.0 and 7.0.
Water
Water regularly until plants are established. Once mature, Rudbeckia is drought-tolerant and well suited to hot summers.
Spacing & Air Circulation
Space plants 12–18 inches apart to reduce fungal issues and improve airflow.
Planting Methods
Direct Sowing
Seeds can be sown outdoors in fall or early spring when temperatures are cooler. In our climate, some Rudbeckia may behave as short-lived perennials, but for best results, fresh plants are recommended each year. Allowing plants to go to seed can provide volunteers for future seasons.
Starting Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed. Seeds require light to germinate, so press them into the soil surface without covering.
Maintenance for Optimal Flower Production
Pinching & Pruning
Pinch young plants once they have four or more sets of leaves by removing the top two sets. This encourages lateral branching and increases stem production. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continued flowering.
Fertilization
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at planting. Rudbeckia is not a heavy feeder; excessive nitrogen can lead to aphid problems.
Pest & Disease Management
In humid conditions, watch for powdery mildew and leaf spot. Water at the base of the plant and maintain good airflow.
Harvesting and Using in Bouquets
When to Cut
Harvest flowers when blooms are fully open and firm to the touch.
How to Cut
Use sharp pruners and cut stems at a 45-degree angle. Place stems immediately into cool water.
Post-Harvest Care
Remove foliage below the water line and change vase water every 2–3 days.
Vase Life
Expect a vase life of approximately 7–10 days.
Extending the Bloom Season
Rudbeckia responds well to succession sowing during cooler parts of the year. Start seeds in fall, then sow again once or twice between late February and early April. Each planting can bloom for a month or more.
Later sowings may bloom before extreme heat arrives or pause during summer and resume flowering in fall. The key is establishing strong plants before high temperatures set in.
Companion Plants for Bouquets
Rudbeckia pairs beautifully with:
Cosmos for height and movement
Celosia for texture and color
Zinnias for similar bloom timing
Eucalyptus or basil for fragrant greenery
Seed Sources
Reliable seed sources include:
Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Swallowtail Garden Seeds
Park Seed
When selecting varieties, check mature plant height. For cutting gardens, 16 inches is the minimum stem length that works well.
What to Expect
Rudbeckia is a heat-loving, low-maintenance powerhouse. Its long bloom period, expanding color range, and reliability make it one of the most dependable flowers for summer cutting gardens and seasonal bouquets.