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.
June Events at Purple Tuteur Farm
Summer is just around the corner, and Purple Tuteur Farm is buzzing with blooms, beauty, and hands-on opportunities to learn and connect. June brings two of our favorite events of the year: our signature Dahlia Growing Workshops and participation in the South Carolina Ag + Art Tour. Whether you're a flower enthusiast, a curious gardener, or just looking for a scenic way to spend a day, we've got something magical in store.
South Carolina Ag + Art Tour – June 7 & 8
Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM on Saturday and 12 – 4 PM on Sunday
Admission: Free
Location: Purple Tuteur Farm (787 Langford Rd, Blythewood S.C. 29016)
We’re thrilled to be a stop on this year’s Ag + Art Tour—South Carolina’s largest free farm and art experience! Come explore the farm in peak bloom and see the beauty of locally grown flowers up close. Meet the farmer (that’s me!), tour the growing fields, and shop from local artists and makers who will be set up on-site.
This is a family-friendly event that’s part garden tour, part mini farmers market, part art crawl—and 100% fun.
What to Expect:
Guided and Self-guided flower field tours
Meet-the-artist booths with handmade goods
Farm-grown bouquets, plants and tubers for sale
Informal growing Q&A and planting tips
Beautiful photo ops in the dahlia patch
Come support local agriculture and the arts in one beautiful stop. Bring a friend (or two), and wear comfortable shoes—we’ll be walking among flowers and dreams.
For more on the Richland County Ag and Art Tour : https://www.agandarttour.com/richland
🌸 Dahlia Growing Workshops – Hands-On Learning
Dates: June 18 or 21 ,10 am - noon
Location: Purple Tuteur Farm, Blythewood, SC
Tickets: $75 per person – includes round table and in-field instruction, take-home materials, and 2 dahlia tubers
Registration deadline is June 15th.
If you want to add something to your garden that produces an abundance of flowers, consider dahlias. Now is a great time to get them started in the Midlands. Come learn what is involved in growing your own during our on-farm class.
The training begins with a presentation, followed by a walkthrough of the dahlia beds on the farm. While in the field, we will demonstrate some of the growing techniques that will make your dahlias produce their best blooms.
What we will cover:
Dahlia classifications and Variety selection considerations, Growing conditions, Planting, Tending, Common Pests and Diseases, Harvesting, and After Season Care
Here’s what you’ll take home:
A handout of the material covered
Two dahlia tubers from our farm stock to plant in your own garden
Maximum attendees per class is 10. Students must be 18 years or older to participate. No refunds after registering, but transfers of your seat to a friend are encouraged if you cannot attend.
June is the perfect time to get your dahlias established for a strong summer show—and our workshop will give you the knowledge and confidence to do just that.
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener looking to sharpen your skills, there is something for everyone in this class.
🎟️ Spots are limited. To register: https://www.purpletuteur.com/classes
We’d love to see you in June!
Follow us on Instagram @purpletuteur and Facebook @purpletuteur for behind-the-scenes peeks and reminders as we get closer.
💐 Purple Tuteur Farm – Experience the joy of locally grown cut flowers.
Mother’s Day Peonies
For the first time, we're offering a limited number of farm-fresh, Mother's Day peony bouquets — and because you're on our email list, you get first dibs before we open sales to the public.
Celebrate Mother's Day with the most luxurious flowers of the season:
✨ Vase Arrangement — $75
A lush, ready-to-gift peony arrangement featuring 5–7 premium blooms in an elegant birch bark vase. Includes an optional handwritten card.
✨ Wrapped Bunch (5 Stems) — $49.50
Five fresh-picked premium peonies, wrapped in a kraftpaper sleeve — perfect for creating your own arrangement or gifting with a personal touch.
🚚 Delivery & Pick-Up Options
Delivery: Friday, May 10 to the following zip codes:
29201, 29204, 29205, 29206, 29209, 29016, 29045, 29169, 29223, 29229Pick-Up: Saturday, May 11, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Purple Tuteur Farm (787 Langford Road, Blythewood, SC 29016)
The delivery or pick-up option you select applies to your entire order. Shipping is not available.
🎁 Sending as a Gift?
We’re happy to handwrite your personal message on our gift card. Just add it at checkout!
🌸 Quantities are limited, and once they're reserved, they're gone.
Secure your bouquet today and make this Mother’s Day unforgettable!
April On The Farm
The Fields Are Finally Starting to Bloom
The cooler temperatures have been perfect for our colder-loving flowers like ranunculus, poppies, tulips, and peonies. The Early Spring subscription bouquets were packed with these beauties!
As the days grow longer, we're seeing the field transition from bud to bloom with agrostemma, baptisia, columbine, peonies, and campanula. The pansies are starting to stretch tall, and soon we'll be able to use them in bouquets as well.
The dahlias are also making their way up. We leave the tubers in the ground over the winter, mulching them well. As the soil warms up, they begin to grow, giving us an early gauge for planting other warm-weather varieties—and the earliest possible blooms.
Though we’re seeing great progress with the dahlias, not everything has emerged yet. The cooler temperatures in March and early April have extended the spring. Because of this slower pace, we’ve decided to delay our tuber sale until June, aligning it with the Ag & Art event and our Dahlia Workshop. This will still give everyone plenty of time to grow them for fall blooms.
Spring to Summer Subscription Still Open!
There are still a few spots left for our Spring to Summer subscription season, which begins in just 10 days. The cut-off for signing up is 4/27/25. With Mother’s Day fast approaching, consider gifting a subscription! Here’s the link if you're interested.
Photo: Karen Bickley
Peony Class Recap
We hosted our first Growing Peonies in the South class last weekend. It was so much fun having passionate gardeners at the farm. We covered everything from selecting the right varieties to proper growing and care techniques for these long-lived beauties. The class sold out quickly, and unfortunately, we can't squeeze another session into our schedule this year. However, we've set up a waiting list and will poll interested folks early next spring to determine how many sessions to offer. Click here to join the waiting list.
Next Up: Ag & Art 2025
Our big open house is part of the Richland County Ag & Art Tour, happening June 7th & 8th. This free event showcases a variety of farms and artisans across the county. We’ll have both guided and self-directed tours, as well as farm-fresh bouquets, garden plants, and flower bulbs available for purchase. We hope you’ll stop by the farm! For more information, visit the Ag & Art Tour website.
Dahlia Workshop – June 18 or 21 (10 am to Noon)
Interested in growing dahlias? Join us for our on-farm Dahlia Workshop! Whether you want to grow them in your garden or in pots, this hands-on class covers everything you need to know. We’ll start with a presentation, then take a walk through our dahlia beds, and demonstrate techniques to help you grow the best blooms. Registration is open, and the deadline to sign up is June 15th. Sign up here!
Peony Growing in the South: On-Farm Workshop
This year we’ve decided to add a class on growing peonies. They aren’t hard to grow, but require patience because new peonies roots take 3 years to bloom. They are worth the wait! Here is the course description. We’re announcing the class here first. There are only 10 seats, so if you are interested please don’t hesitate. I will start announcing it on social media in a few days.
Many thanks,
Linda
🌸 Peony Growing in the South: On-Farm Workshop
Have you ever dreamed of growing peonies but assumed they just don’t grow in the South?
Good news: They do. And we’re here to show you how.
Join us at Purple Tuteur Farm during peak bloom to learn how to grow stunning peonies in Southern gardens. You’ll tour our thriving peony patch, see our process in action, and walk away with the confidence to grow your own.
📆 Class Details
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Purple Tuteur Farm, Columbia, SC
Registration Deadline: Thursday, April 10, 2025
Class Size: Limited to 10 participants
Light refreshments provided
Sign Up : https://www.purpletuteur.com/classes/p/growing-peonies-in-the-south-an-on-farm-class
👩🌾 What to Expect
We’ll begin with a short presentation, then head out into the field for a guided walk-through of our peony beds. You'll get a hands-on demonstration of harvesting techniques that help keep plants healthy and productive year after year.
This course is perfect for beginners — no prior gardening experience needed.
🌿 Topics We’ll Cover
Peony classifications & variety selection for the South
Soil, sun, and spacing requirements
Planting & seasonal care
Common pests & diseases (and how to manage them)
Harvesting techniques
After-season care for long-term success
📘 You’ll Take Home:
A printed handout of all materials covered
A list of recommended Southern-friendly peony varieties
A printable Peony Planting & Care Calendar
❓ FAQs
Q: Is this class beginner-friendly?
Yes! This class is designed for gardeners of all experience levels.
Q: Will peony roots be available for purchase?
No — this isn’t the right season for planting. However, we may have fresh-cut peony blooms available, depending on what Mother Nature has in store.
Q: What’s the refund policy?
All sales are final, but if you can’t make it, you’re welcome to transfer your seat to a friend. In case of severe weather or illness, we may reschedule or cancel the class — full refunds will be provided if Purple Tuteur Farm initiates a cancellation.
Q: Is there an age requirement?
Yes, all attendees must be 18 or older.
Five Top Flowers in Our Early Spring Subscription Bouquets
Early spring is finally bringing an explosion of color, fragrance, and floral beauty to our flower farm. After our long cold February, the burst of blooms is more dramatic than usual. If you're new to our seasonal flower subscription, you’re in for a treat! Each bouquet is filled with the best of what’s blooming, carefully arranged to bring joy to your home or to give as a heartfelt gift. To many of you, who have been with us for years, we’re looking forward to bringing fresh blooms to your door and we can’t thank you enough for your continued support.
Here are five of the key flowers you will see in our farm to vase Early Spring bouquet subscriptions:
1. Tulips – Tulips have elegant, cup-shaped blooms and come in nearly every color imaginable, from soft pastels to bold, vibrant hues. They are available in unique shapes including singles, doubles, parrot and fringe forms. They are phototropic, meaning they bend and reach toward light, creating a dynamic and ever-changing bouquet.
A tulip, even when cut from the bulb, will continue to grow and lengthen in the vase. If you are making an arrangement, be sure to place them a little lower in the overall scheme so that they don’t end up floating way above the rest of the flowers.
2. Daffodils – Typically the first flowers to bloom, nothing says springtime like the bright, sunny faces of daffodils! They are available in classic yellow, white, peach, and bicolor varieties. Almost everyone has a memory of a daffodil.
Daffodils have a nostalgic charm and can multiply readily in the garden, making them a great pass-along plant to share, often across generations.
3. Amaryllis – Amaryllis make excellent cut flowers. They have long stems and great vase life too. In addition to red and white, amaryllis come in corals, hot pink and even green blooms. Once we’ve cut the flowers from the bulbs, we plant them in a warm spot in the garden so they can acclimate and bloom in early summer.
Amaryllis
4. Hellebore – Also known as Lenten Rose, new breeding work in Hellebore makes this a delightful addition to our early spring line up. The new “Ice N Roses” variety has stems long enough to use in a bouquet. Their upward facing flowers make the blooms more visible. They range in color from pure white to deep burgundy with many pinks and picotees in between.
Very long lasting, hellebore will remain beautiful in your vase after everything else has faded away.
5. Ranunculus – The ‘rose of spring’ is a special flower and highly anticipated. These densely petaled flowers are often mistaken for roses, but they thrive in cool spring weather. They coming in a wide variety of colors from whites to yellows, peaches, pinks and reds.
Ranunculus
Wishing you a flower-filled season,
Linda
The Early Season 2025 Crop Report
Hi all!
It’s the “off season”, but we have been busy working on quite a few things behind the scenes. Let me catch you up!
The early spring crops are coming along very well, though they are coming on a little slower than they have in the past few years. We had a long stretch of cold days in January that kept things dormant longer than usual. Then last week, temps hit 80F, even breaking a weather record one day. This definitely jumpstarted everything in the field! All the frost blankets had to come off so the plants could soak up the sun. Next week, we’re back to more normal weather for this time of year, including a couple of nights below freezing. So, blankets back on and slower growth again. February and March in Columbia, anything is possible when it comes to the weather!
For those who will be receiving an early spring bouquet subscription, this may mean that we are starting a little later than the first week of March. We will see how the next couple of weeks play out. The good news is that all the cold weather is great for the crops that need cold to grow their best, like tulips and peonies. We will be contacting each of you when we can get started.
Anemone
Poppies
Ranunculus
Tulips
The Mum Project
During the off season I participated in a proposal competition and was awarded a grant from the state of South Carolina to add a new high tunnel, which will be used to grow heirloom chrysanthemums. These flowers bloom in the fall, and we are going to have blooms from October – early December!
We have been growing smaller amounts of mums over the past couple of years to make sure our growing conditions are suitable. Now, we will take the next step and grow larger quantities of them. Chrysanthemums are tolerant of light frosts and can bloom when the daylength is short, give us a few more weeks of beautiful flowers in the year!
Heirloom Chrysanthemums
Specialty Chrysanthemum Saga No Yuki
Website Updates
We’ve upgraded our website so some of the issues people have experienced with their cell phone access should be eliminated now. We will continue to make a few more refinements over the year, but most of the work is complete. If you are having any trouble or concerns, please reach out and we will be happy to help you. You can send us a message from our Instagram account or use the Contact Us page to send us an email, or just email us a purpletuteur@gmail.com
Here is the new menu as shown from a laptop or personal computer. The categories of information on the menu may or may not have sub-categories. For example, if you are looking for information about our bouquet subscriptions, put your cursor on the “cut flowers” category, and a list of the various ways we provide cut flowers will be listed. You can select from those and see the page you are looking for.
Here is the view of the home page from a mobile phone. The shopping cart, that was not always visible on your cell phone before, will be visible now.
That about wraps it up from here.
We have just a few openings for Early Spring subscriptions remaining, so sign up soon at https://www.purpletuteur.com/subscription-information . Thanks so much to those of you who are already signed up.
Spring blooms are just around the corner! Happy Valentine’s Day,
Linda
A Look at January on the Farm
We hope your 2025 is off to a great start! After some much-needed rest with friends and family, we're back at it, ready for the exciting year ahead.
This time of year, crop planning and seed starting take center stage. Still, I've learned to pace myself—otherwise, I end up planning for double the space we have! So, I'm also clearing closets and attic spaces, tackling tasks we don't have time for once the season ramps up.
Outside
Things are quiet in the field now, at least above ground. Underground, the root systems are extending and strengthening. Even above ground, in the hoop house, we’re seeing buds form on the poppies and blooms on the pansies. The lone bloomers outside are the hellebores and they are a welcome sight.
Despite the record cold we’re experiencing this week, it won’t be long until we see the early bloomers. The Persephone period, when daylight lasts fewer than 10 hours and plant growth slows, ended for us on January 6th. With more light and warmth coming, the early bloomers will soon make their debut. We can't wait!
Inside
Farmhouse repairs are progressing after a water pipe burst last fall. With plumbing, drywall, and flooring replaced, we're adding a new back door and bathroom vanity top next. Painting and final plumbing are next, and we're optimistic about finishing before flower season gets busy.
Bouquet Subscription Season is Coming Up!
Looking for a Valentine’s Day gift or a little joy for yourself? A bouquet subscription might be just the thing! New this year, we’re offering Friday pick-ups at Molly Creek Company in Ridgeway.
We look forward to serving you in 2025.
Best,
Linda