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Home Blog The {Farmer} & The Florist Interview: Kori Hargreaves
January 31st 2024

The {Farmer} & The Florist Interview: Kori Hargreaves

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Floret

I first happened upon Kori Hargreaves of Dawn Creek Farm and her beautiful flowers through a picture on Instagram of a pale blush-pink zinnia. In all my years growing flowers, I had never seen anyone growing that color in any kind of abundance.

I immediately reached out to her, and if I remember it right, literally begged her to let me grow a few of her seeds the following year. To my delight, she sent me a little wax paper envelope with 25 precious seeds in it, which I carefully sowed and tended that season. The flowers that bloomed were even more beautiful than I had expected—Kori was really onto something.

Over the next few years, we swapped seeds, shared photos, compared notes, and talked over Zoom—cheering each other in our efforts. Breeding is typically a very isolated, solitary endeavor, and finding a kindred spirit was such a gift. 

This past summer, we finally got to meet in person, when Kori and her sweet family came to the farm for a visit. We toured the gardens and showed her all of the magical selections that I’ve been working on from the original seed she shared with me, and we admired the four beautiful Dawn Creek mixes that will be part of the Floret Originals release. Chris captured our time together and you can watch a wonderful little film about our collaboration here.

Kori also sat down for a special interview about her inspiration, her flowers, and her breeding work. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom because we’re hosting a special giveaway for some of her coveted seeds. 

Erin Benzakein and Kori HargreavesKori, I’m so happy you’re here! I’ve been waiting for the day that we could finally meet in person. For those who aren’t familiar with your work, could you tell Floret readers a little more about your background and your path to flowers? I know you also have two degrees in plant biology and studio arts. I’d love to know more. 

I grew up in a small rural community in the Santa Cruz mountains on the central California coast. My parents are lifelong artists and devoted gardeners, and my childhood unfurled in our family garden, which overflowed with flowers and food, amidst the surrounding redwood forest. 

Growing up, my dad taught resident apprentices in small-scale organic farming at the CASFS Farm and Garden, and my sister and I spent countless hours wandering the farm while my dad worked. 

Plants have, for as long as I can remember, called me into a relationship of refuge, protection, and quiet acceptance. When I left home for college, I found immediate comfort and a connection in my new environment through meeting and forming familiar relationships with the plants around campus and the surrounding watershed, and I began putting down roots in the community working at the UC Davis Student Farm (where I eventually met Toby, my partner in everything to come).

My art degree was actually devoted to oil painting, and it was interesting and challenging to attempt to pursue my deep love of plants, horticulture, and creative arts in tandem in the university setting, which in my personal experience at the time maintained a palpable underlying cultural and intellectual divide between the arts and the sciences. 

I followed my creative curiosity into fiber arts and plant-centered color after graduating, in large part because I felt disillusioned by my college experience and was working through a deep longing to rekindle the light of my creative process as connecting me intimately to the living world, which had struggled existentially in the institutional setting.

After college I worked growing vegetables and herbs on a local ranch, and began a textile and natural dye business on the side, spinning, weaving, and growing plants to discover their hidden colors. This evolved into a small online seed company, selling seeds gathered from the wide range of dye plants growing in my garden, along with a blog sharing instructions for growing, harvesting, use, and seed saving. 

At the time there was very little natural dye information available online, and hardly anything at all in regards to growing the plants themselves or saving their seeds. I took what I learned through reading and personal research and shared both my explorations and information on seed saving and dye plant cultivation. I also began my first forays into plant breeding, selecting open-pollinated strains of indigo (Persicaria tinctoria) for increased pigment potential. 

This work and other work I was doing with indigo processing led to collaborations and a scholarship through our local California Fibershed organization to attend classes with renowned cotton breeder Sally Fox in the Capay Valley. I was utterly inspired by Sally’s lifelong devotion to cotton, and it was my first chance seeing how breeding could become a life’s work. 

Toby and I got married in 2014, at which point my mom and I grew all the flowers for the wedding. This was the first time I included a large amount of flowers into a crop plan specifically for cutting, which was quite exciting. Soon after, we had the opportunity to purchase land ourselves in Rio Linda, California (just north of Sacramento). I left my ranch job, and we moved and began Dawn Creek Farm. 

The first growing season in our new home, it wasn’t clear yet what our main markets for supporting the farm would be. I split the crop plan between flowers, veggies, and dye plants and began exploring local channels. That year I taught natural dye classes through several schools while building up the farm infrastructure. It quickly became clear that there was an overwhelmingly unmet demand among local floral designers for locally grown specialty cut flowers, and as an artist, I truly enjoyed working in conversation with these local businesses to supply them with exquisite local blooms. 

With our farm’s small acreage and the incredible production capacity of cut flowers, everything fell into place. From that season onward, we turned the farm production entirely over to flowers and sold every stem directly to local floral designers.

You are located in Santa Cruz, California. What is your growing season like? Can you describe your garden space? 

We have relocated to the Santa Cruz mountains, where I grew up. Like much of coastal California, the growing season here is relatively long. While we occasionally get winter snow at our elevation, for the most part, winter is our rainy season. Spring comes early, and summers here in the mountains tend to be significantly warmer than directly on the coastline, with the weather fluctuating from foggy and cool mornings to more than 90°F summer through fall.

In 2020 in the midst of myriad personal and global challenges, a miraculous opportunity arose for Toby and I to purchase 2 ½ sunny acres just down the road from where I grew up. We left Rio Linda in late 2021 and are currently living and gardening on my parent’s land with our four-year-old while we wait for our permit approval to begin building a home and putting down literal and figurative roots. It’s looking hopeful that 2024 may be our first chance to move my breeding projects to our own beautiful sunny hillside.

Over the past several years you’ve changed your focus from grower to plant breeder. Can you talk about your evolution from strictly growing flowers to wanting to select and breed them?

Working directly with floral designers offered me an inspiring chance to draw on both my artistic and horticultural experience, and our farm thrived as a place where we could trial a wide range of unique plants unfamiliar to the local floral market. My background offered me the eye to recognize colors, shapes, and forms suited to our customers’ needs and translate that into successful crop plans, and I tuned into that early on. 

As it happened, our first season in Sacramento we grew a number of zinnia mixes, and in one of them, the most beautiful fluffy, double peach flower appeared. I was so taken by it and knew unequivocally it would be appreciated by our growing customer base. I had never seen anything like it before and vowed I would save the seeds to grow again the next year. In the hubbub of trying to get the farm up and running while also teaching classes that year, I didn’t get around to labeling the plant before things went to seed in the fall. 

Our zinnia field grew huge and untamed in the valley heat, over 5 ft tall, and at some point, a windstorm knocked everything into a wild tangled mess. By the time I finally got it together to gather the seeds, it was impossible to determine for sure which plant it had been. But I waded through the spent rows anyway and gathered seeds from everything growing around where I remembered it being.

I grew these seeds out the following year, and from these seeds, the parents of our current blush zinnias emerged. I was utterly smitten and spent my evenings after work that summer making selections from these seedlings, as well as a few other flower species we had growing that year. Still, the memory of the magical peach zinnia that had captured my heart the previous season hung in my mind. In the rows of seeds I had saved and planted, nothing resembled it …. I knew there might still be a chance for it to show up in future generations, but I couldn’t help feeling a nagging regret that my chance to confidently gather those seeds had slipped through my fingers. 

In late June, we planted our chrysanthemums in what had been the original zinnia field, and soon after discovered several volunteer zinnia seedlings coming up in the rows. I left them to bloom, hoping maybe, just maybe, something magical would happen … and it did.

Out of the handful of volunteer seedlings that bloomed that fall, a single one unfurled in luminous peach, almost exactly as I had remembered it. I had been gifted another chance, and this time I was so ready! 

In the years that followed I began sharing the beauty unfurling from these seeds with our floral design customers while devoting all the personal time I could to making selections, researching, and implementing more carefully coordinated crosses. It has offered the most fascinating array of opportunities to weave together the many facets of my skills, interests, and life experiences thus far.

Forming multigenerational relationships with the plants that I have been drawn to work with has been a highlight in my personal journey. From indigo to zinnias and many others in between, seed saving and pursuing thoughtful selections has carried me into incredible relationships and community connection, and perhaps most poignantly, through an immense extended personal health crisis in 2020/2021 and the subsequent relocation and necessary dissolving of our farm’s cut-flower production, and into this tender new chapter devoted more fully to breeding, where my heart and my family are finding roots again.

What are you looking for in the flowers you’re selecting? What do you view as desirable traits? 

Flower color, form, and texture, along with plant health, disease resistance, growth habit, productivity, vase life, climate tolerance, and niche in a chosen market, have all offered me a basic framework for making selections. The most essential thing I am looking for though—the thing that underpins everything for me personally—might not be summed up as a trait, but as an experience, or a feeling.

For me the process of selecting flowers and developing seed lines is at its heart a musical one … it is built upon some mysterious resonance. I am not sure I have found a better way of summing up my process and how it feels than this.

When a note is played in tune on a stringed instrument, any open string tuned to (and more subtlety in harmony with) that same note will also audibly resonate. Somehow it feels like this to me when I meet certain plants, and combinations of colors, forms, textures … that something in me responds and resonates with them.

While I can and do determine certain essential objective traits that would make a seed line worth pursuing, my true guiding light is selecting flowers to parent lineages that resonate palpably with something inside me, as their caretaker. I quite literally feel certain flowers and qualities singing inside my body and am drawn deep down to follow those songs. Whenever I have followed this personal inner resonance while selecting seed parents, utterly magical things have unfolded between myself and the plants in the following generations. Practicality and logistics must subsequently go hand in hand with this for me.

You are breeding and selecting many varieties of flowers, but your main focus is zinnias. What do you love most about this particular flower?

It’s quite mysterious really. I love that you ask this. I feel as though I stumbled into this soul relationship with zinnias right before I needed their support and guidance the most.

My relationships with all plants have always felt as much a mutual exchange of energy and goodwill as any of my human relationships. That is to say, in my experience of the world, every plant I encounter has its own palpable personality, and there are many, many, many different plants that I will say without hesitation are my dear friends. 

Working alongside zinnias now over these years of my life and so many generations of theirs, I sense they collectively radiate equanimity. They inspire curiosity, generosity, playfulness, and resilience in me. They have a sense of humor and a sparkle about them and feel ready and enthusiastic to be in a mutual relationship with humans. They feel like a very community-oriented flower. Specifically, I have always had a sense that the ones I have been drawn to have their own mysterious evolving plans, and that the magic lies in partnering together for as long as it feels mutually energizing for us all. 

The seed lineages I have been working with have also always very clearly communicated to me when and how they are ready to share their magic with the wider world, and my decisions to share seed from this evolving relationship have always culminated in response to this. When I became critically ill with a soil-borne illness in 2020 and our family and farm were forced to change course and relocate away from the source of my illness, my relationship with these seeds and the process of sharing them with other gardeners and inviting in community support through our first fundraiser carried our small family through the most intense and challenging years and uncertainties of my life, and ultimately allowed me to continue my work with seeds.

I understand that this way of speaking about plants may be strange or unfamiliar, even uncomfortable, for some people to read. I honor that, I am not here to try and change anyone’s perspective or experience. I am putting words the best I can to how I experience my time with plants and know that these words will resonate with some and not as much with others. 

If it helps anyone reading this to hear in more practical terms, here’s another way of explaining how amazing zinnias are: in the climates I have grown them in, zinnias are content to flourish with very little assistance in a wide range of soil types and growing conditions. They flower and set seed in abundance, and propagate quickly from both seeds and cuttings. They are incredible, long-lasting cut flowers perfect for local growers and local flower markets, because despite their stellar vase life they aren’t suited to commercial shipping methods. The genetic diversity they carry is absolutely astounding, and it feels to me as though the potential for exploring color and form combinations through thoughtful breeding is quite possibly limitless. If one were to find themselves drawn to begin their own seed-saving and breeding journey, zinnias are a supportive and encouraging place to begin.

Tell us a bit about your breeding efforts. What’s the process? Technically, how do you do it? 

The answer to this question easily fills an entire book! For anyone reading this who wants to dive into zinnia breeding in particular, my dear friend Tiffany Jones recently published her first book, The Zinnia Breeder’s Handbook. I had the immense honor of consulting and contributing to this treasure trove of information, and highly recommend it as an accessible resource for anyone who feels drawn to begin their own zinnia seed-saving or breeding journey with step-by-step instructions and a wealth of information. 

I will say that there are many ways to approach breeding open-pollinated seed varieties, and some significant variations in approach depending on whether the species you are working with is primarily outcrossing or incrossing in nature. That is, there are plant species (sweet peas, for example) that by design rely primarily on self-pollination, and have no notable issues with inbreeding depression. 

In contrast, outcrossing species such as zinnias thrive in an environment of genetic diversity and rely on cross-pollination via insects and wind to bolster vitality across generations. It is essential in the case of outcrossing species, that breeding be approached with a lens of maintaining as much genetic diversity within a seed line as possible, and extra care is taken to steward the seed population over generations to maintain this diversity (and thus vitality).

There are many species of zinnias, and all rely to a certain extent on outcrossing (some so heavily that individual plants will not produce seed unless pollinated by another individual with sufficient genetic differences). Zinnia elegans, which most gardeners think of first when they hear about zinnias, is generally considered outcrossing, though in my experience falls along a pretty wide spectrum of potential self-compatibility depending on the seed lineage.

I approach developing varieties of outcrossing species from many angles depending on the individuals at hand, from carefully controlled hand-pollinated crosses to larger collective winnowing of traits. I am committed to maintaining as much genetic diversity within a population as possible while honing in on cohesive colors, forms, vigor, and productivity within a population. The exact step-by-step how-to honestly feels like too much for me to distill down in the context of this interview (and again I will point to Tiffany’s book as she has a knack for explaining the essence of things in a very accessible way!), but I think of my own process in terms of three stages:

  1. Gathering of desired phenotypic traits/qualities via careful observation and selection of parent plants, hand crosses, intuition, and guided insect pollination.
  1. Winnowing of the established gene pool to approach a sufficiently homogenous population via five or more generations of progressive seed parent selections, using insect pollination chambers to guide pollination. Again, this stage is a balance between maintaining genetic diversity and reaching a stable and cohesive range of phenotypes and for me involves observing and listening to the seeds themselves each step of the way.
  1. Stewardship/maintenance of seed lines. Once an outcrossing seed line has reached a notably stable and reliable place, it requires care and tending to continue forward for generations to come. This involves growing out large populations (ensuring maximum genetic diversity) for seed production while editing out individual seed parents that exhibit more nuanced undesirable/dominant traits. 

For example, in zinnias, the single flower form is dominant over the fully double form, and it is challenging (and in some cases undesirable) to prevent singles from emerging in populations over time. Because of this, the percentage of singles in a seed line will often increase over successive generations if the population isn’t maintained in a balance that supports the double trait.

What do you hope a person experiences when they look at and hold the flowers that you have bred? What is your hope for their future?

Above anything else, a sense of hope. I have grown intertwined together with these flowers through so much personal difficulty, and they have offered me the most incredible support and curiosity through their beauty, presence, infinite variation, and promise for the future. 

For me, spending time in friendship with them has time and again lifted the heaviness of the world from my heart and allowed me the space I needed to breathe and maintain an ember of hope even in the darkest stretches of my journey. I wish that anyone who is in need of encouragement, a quiet nurturing presence, or some other felt sense of support will find what they need in moments exchanged with these flowers.

My hope is to help our seeds reach the hands of people who will cherish them and enjoy being in a relationship with them. People who will plant them, nurture them, resonate with their beauty, adore them, and save their seeds to plant again and again. In this way, both the plants and the people that love them have hope for the future. 

Can you tell me what you’re excited to be offering for the 2024 growing season?

Well first of all, I am beyond excited that this will be the first year that the first four seed mixes of our zinnias will be introduced by Floret and available to purchase retail. I am also excited to be working on some opportunities to share more of my personal time/experience with those who resonate with my work and my voice. I have been contemplating ways to do this and have some sweet ideas that I’m still feeling out, but anyone who has been drawn to connect with me on a more personal level can sign up for our mailing list to receive upcoming announcements.

Do you have any other exciting projects in the works?

Breeding-wise, I am beyond excited about the direction of our in-progress zinnias …. I also have a number of ongoing seed projects in addition to zinnias that I am dancing with—yarrow, columbine, species gladiolus, Agrostemma, roses, and more that I am hoping to have energy to devote to in coming seasons. I began growing roses from seed in 2021 and am very excited to continue to witness the development of the last few years’ seedlings!

In terms of public-facing projects, there’s not really much more to report at this time. I have been in a pretty private cocoon …. My energy beyond working with plants is currently focused on raising a small human, navigating healing, and hopefully soon, getting the go-ahead from our county to start building a home and having the opportunity to put down roots on the land we purchased in 2020.

What is the best way for someone to place an order? Do you have particular growers that offer your varieties?

Cut flowers: Many cut flower farmers across the U.S. and a handful abroad are growing zinnias, Agrostemma, and Xeranthemum developed on our farm and offering them locally through their flower sales channels. For those looking to purchase cut flowers, I would recommend talking with local farmers and seeing if they are interested in and able to add Dawn Creek varieties to their crop plans. 

In my experience, having customers request specific varieties is a fantastic way to help spread awareness among local farms and increase opportunities for floral designers and farmers market customers alike to access them. With Floret releasing so many new varieties retail this winter, seed will finally be more widely accessible for the coming season.

Seeds: Floret is the only seed company that we have officially partnered with to sell our seeds at this time, and many who have followed our journey will be happy to know that a generous portion of every single sale of these seeds comes directly back to supporting our farm’s continued work. I have gotten inquiries from others who are interested in offering our seeds for sale, and I’m looking forward to making guidelines available for those who are interested in saving and selling our seeds consciously on a smaller scale to do so. 

As you and I have talked about, it feels meaningful to take care to share an example of how to do this in a way that supports breeders devoting themselves to developing and stewarding open-pollinated seed varieties in continuing to realistically fund their work, and that makes the immense time and energy needed to do this possible.

Do you have any upcoming important dates for shop launches, fundraisers, catalogs, or anything else people should know about? Also, where do you ship your seeds? 

In the past, we have opened up our annual fundraiser in February (shipping to the U.S. only) and updated our online seed shop with the seeds we have leftover to share from myriad projects at the same time. 

With Floret’s new introductions, I’m sensing that we will be changing some things up for 2024, though exactly how is still developing as of writing this. I would love to invite anyone interested in updates to join our farm’s mailing list via the form on our website!

Thank you so much, Kori! I am so happy that our paths crossed all those years ago and that I get to play a part in your breeding journey. I am so excited to release your special mixes and continue to support your work. 

To celebrate the upcoming release of the Dawn Creek varieties, we’re giving away 10 seed bundles. Each bundle will contain a packet of each of Kori’s mixes: Dawn Creek Blush, Dawn Creek Honey, Dawn Creek Pastels, and Dawn Creek Peach. 

For a chance to win, please leave a comment below answering one of the following questions. Winners will be announced on February 15. Please note: Because we can’t yet send the breeding varieties internationally, this giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.

Update: A huge congratulations to our winners Rhonda Martin, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Geri Olson, Craig, Jennifer Hockett,  Amy DeCastro, Amanda Reynolds, Amanda Chalkley, Sueze and Sara M.

  1. When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times? 
  2. If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? 

To learn more and connect with Kori, be sure to visit her website and follow her on Instagram.


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2,535 Comments

  1. Jen on

    Congrats winners!!

    Reply
  2. Sarah on

    Last season one of the few flowers I had growing on the farm were cosmos. I would cut large bunches of them to bring into the house. They brought me great solace during the incredibly difficult season. And they gave me a deeper appreciation for this incredible flower.

    Reply
  3. Jenna on

    I’m a novice hobby flower gardener. I didn’t grow up around flowers or have any pivotal experience with flowers and a desire or dream to grow them. Life moved us close to some really good friends who have a love of flowers and shared that with me. It’s become this beautiful outlet for me as a busy mom of 5. On those hard days, the flowers help so much. Specifically my zinnias, dahlias, and cosmos. For now, those are my favorites. If the catalogs disappear (and for me that’s really Instagram and online ordering as I’ve never actually ordered or looked through seed catalogs) I would save my dahlias, zinnia and cosmos seeds. Hands down, they will always be grown in my garden as much as I can help it.
    Thank you Erin for all you do to share your knowledge and flowers with the world!

    Reply
  4. Tim M. on

    Actually, IF I were one of the “chosen” few, those won seed of Kori’s would be what I would most as plants, and seeds, turn to, when sowing, watering, weeding-nurturing, esp. after reading all Kori heartfelt shared and exposed of her purest self.
    I wouldn’t need any other. Those seed would represent it “all” to me.

    Reply
  5. Joan Levesque Arguin on

    All flowers bring me joy! From zinnias, the workhorse of the flower garden, to dahlias that grow from less than glamorous tubers to roses the divas of my flower garden. No greater joy can be had for a gardener than to see tiny, tiny seeds break ground and flourish. My New England flower garden is barren in the winter. To satisfy my need for fresh flowers through the long, gloomy winters, I raise amaryllis and cut the fabulous blooms for an extended vase life.

    As a volunteer to the elderly in my community, I see many senior residents who are house-bound and their gardening days are long behind them. When the garden cooperates, I bring them a vase of cut flowers from my cutting garden. The joy this bouquet brings to their day outweighs every challenge I face in my garden.

    Seeds that I continue to save from year to year are celosia, calendula and nigella.

    Reply
  6. Paige on

    One of the dahlia seeds I saved has just sprouted! I was about to give up on them, realizing that I’d harvested the majority of them too early. Gardening offers so many opportunities to learn, experiment, create and sustain our hearts and bodies. Sow the seeds, spread the joy!

    Reply
  7. Sandy Wheeler on

    I will continue to save sunflower seeds. Sunflowers 🌻 remind me of the wonder I have shared with my children, neices and nephews and there friends who have marveled at the height, beauty and strength of these flowers as the have survived high winds, drought and seen them grow in poor soil where the birds have planted them throughout thebyard and garden as well as those we planted. But through poor and great conditions these flowers like the children who have shared gardening with me have grown strong and resilient and now they bring their children to my garden to share and learn about gardening and can eat veggies out of the garden and pick flowers including sunflowers to give to their parents.

    Reply
  8. Margaret on

    I bought your zinnia seeds for the first time a few years back and have now been hooked on growing zinnias each year. I check on them a couple times a day to see if there are any changes or new flowers blooming. When life gets hard the zinnias are the flowers that bring me most joy. And when I share cut flowers with others, the giant blooms instantly brighten their day as well. 🌸🌸🌸

    Reply
  9. Heather Lloyd on

    In my experience I have always been drawn to trees in times of stress. The big, protective maples and oaks of my childhood provide a lovely little escape. This year, as I struggle through seasons of family loss and dreary winters, I’m excited to explore cut flower varieties. I’ll be growing my first zinnias!

    Reply
  10. Celeste on

    #2 – Seeds I am saving…cilantro, chives, onion, shallot, kale, lettuces, broccoli, beets, parsley, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, nasturtium, ground cherries…to keep my plate delicious! For serenity and beauty to be shared with my family, neighbors and the curious passer bye, the birds and the bees of course… dahlias, black eyed susans, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, sweet peas, hollyhock, snapdragons, agastache, and cerinthe❤️

    Reply
  11. Vinny M. on

    Seriously, this is just ….me…really, no disrespect or offense to anyone, but, I don’t use nor hope to use nor turn to plants as therapy.
    For me, there is a higher power I feel in touch with, whether it’s the darkest or happiest of times. And it is from having plants grown from seed that ultimately puts me even closer in touch with our earth mother “to infinity & beyond”.
    There is a disconnect I feel, to cull. I understand the concept as well as that of thinning, but I will never be a “plant Nazi”. Who am I to take even a plants life?
    I don’t have time to spend hoping against hope I will get a plant’s seed, when birds, squirrels & other assorted varmints always seem & perhaps are entitled to have “first dibs”.
    So you reap what you sow in life, and you see that correlation clearly with ultimately , especially what you grow.
    I could never profit off of plants and their flowers.
    I’m not faulting anyone that does.
    My values & beliefs are not the same for me to accurately answer this question.
    But thanks!

    Reply
  12. Carol Martone on

    Though it is difficult to choose just one flower, I suppose I would choose Alistromeria. As a cut flower it is long lasting and here on the central coast of California I can go to my gardens almost any time of year and pick a bouquet that will bring joy to anyone that may need it. It also provides for the many pollinators (a variety of hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and this year I had sphinx moths for the first time) that frequent my flower gardens. I feel it is so important to foster these pollinators with a garden free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers although it creates quite a challenge to the perfect bouquet.

    Reply
  13. Ash on

    When life gets hard I find myself walking around and looking at all of the wildflowers/native flowers and just the natural beauty around me. It grounds me and reminds me how beautiful life really is. I’m also always in awe of the beauty and joy zinnias bring me in the summer months as well. My grandma grew them when I was a child and now I get to grow them and share them with her as she can no longer do it herself.

    Reply
  14. Katy on

    Well I would likely save a lot of different seeds! The zinnias, phlox, and the white sunflowers that I want to grow this year. and herbs too! Basil, cilantro, parsley….

    Reply
  15. Amanda on

    When my sister got married we went to a huge dahlia farm and picked dahlias for her special day. I lost her a few months before my wedding but I went back to the dahlia farm and picked dahlias for my wedding day. Now I love to grow dahlias, it’s our happy flower along with zinnias and cosmos. I love posting pics of them and looking at them on cold winter days. I look forward to seeing these happy flowers everywhere.

    Reply
  16. Wendy on

    In the last few years my family has been hit with childhood leukemia, Parkinson’s and the unexpected passing of a daughter. Throughout that time and continuing, my flower garden has been my special sanctuary. I love all of the plants that I grow but my favorites are Hydrangea, Peony, and Columbine. Last year was the first time I planted Zinnia’s and will definitely plant again this year. I usually save the seeds from my columbine and share with others. They are very prolific. I have tried Dahlia’s and love them but have not been very successful in their flower growth the following years. My garden evolves every year but I will always have my hydrangeas, peony, columbine. and primrose.

    Reply
  17. Craig on

    My wife would kill me (I repeat kill me) if she knew I was commenting on how she tries, really tries, but kills any and everything she tries as a plant to grow-even the plastic plants indoors have seen better days.
    For me, I try not to view one’s garden as mere decoration.
    I try to incorporate even in planters herbs with the flowers and veggies.
    Ever since I was a kid, I saw, knew, that “we are all connected”.
    When you have that connection to Mother Earth, you’re more apt to be in sync.
    Have a sense of peace, tranquility.
    I marvel at how some people gravitate towards a certain flower.
    It has to be a connection.
    I don’t have the time to save seeds.
    I buy my seeds fresh each year, because of not just ease or convenience
    But that those as here, I trust them more to do what I would consider a good job than I ever would. Leave it to the experts.
    Maybe one day, when my little girl becomes old enough to plant a marigold or zinnia seed, I’ll treasure when I’m old & gray, that shared memory.
    For now it’s just kinda nice how everyone seems so genuinely hyped up over all this.

    Reply
  18. Alanna on

    Amaranth is the flower I most gravitated towards last year (2023). Its weeping shape and color were very much a picture of what my heart felt it had been doing for 2 years in relation to the farm we had purchased but could not live on. It was weeping and bleeding and that beautiful flower demonstrated that for me.

    Reply
  19. Jonanne Rankin on

    Inspiring interview! When life is hardest the flowers I find myself turning towards to lift my spirits are not only the beautiful flowers but the ones with beautiful scent; snowball viburnum, magnolia, peonies and roses! The fragrance puts a smile on my face :)

    Reply
  20. Kristin on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would gather seeds from my garden that have heartfelt significance. For instance, saving dahlia seeds would connect me with two very special friends who have shared their love of dahlias with my youngest daughter. Cosmos and zinnias are grown in honor of my mom who introduced me to the love of being present in the garden. And now I am blessed to pass that love on to my daughters. Lilies are for my dad’s Mom; grandma could never tell a lion from a tiger or a rose from a daisy, but always loved showing off her weekly bouquet on the dining room table! And sweet peas, oh my, just thinking of their scent and the beauty of my children’s hands brings tears to my eyes. The list goes on, but one must take the first step to begin the seed-saving journey. Thank you to all the hands who gather and share!

    Reply
  21. Diane Wilde on

    I started growing dahlias after my mom passed away last year. She always had dahlias planted against the fence that bordered on our backyard lane. They were all one variety. A peachy pink cactus type. I tried to buy some, as close as I could to the type mom used to buy. I did this to honour her memory and in the process, I fell in love with dahlias. I created a curved pathway in my garden and lined the dahlias on each side. I would often walk through the garden at dusk and feel a special connection to my mom through our shared passion for gardening. I have always grown zinnias and now I like to save dahlia and zinnia seeds as well as my favorite Maxibell bean seeds.

    Reply
  22. April VanDerwerken on

    I would save the seeds from the coneflower, blanket flower and sedum that the bees and butterflies love in my yard.

    Reply
  23. Snowball on

    Every time I get frustrated and wax about moving to a quieter space, I go collect all the seeds from my yard that I love and want to take with me. I don’t actually pack anything from inside. Last year when they shut down our local garden I went about 100 times and bagged and labelled all the flowers in my beds that I loved most. Does anyone else do this?

    Reply
  24. Angela on

    I think my answer is the same for all the questions. The seeds I’d save, the plants that brighten my dark times, the ones that lift my spirits and I hope to grow forever are: Dahlias, Peony, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Sweet Pea and eventually antiquated garden Roses. I saved all the seeds I could last year and bought new. I love to share and spread the joy! I can’t wait for this year’s blooms 😍 Thank you Erin, Kori and your teams for all your efforts to bring these beauties into the world!

    Reply
  25. Lydia Primm on

    This comment is for the seed give away. To lift my spirits, I turn to the plants that grow wild at my family’s farm in western Tennessee,. Among some of my favorites are : Wild Sweet William, Seedbox, Devil’s Walking Stick, False Foxglove, Violet Wood Sorrel, and many more. I also have a place in my heart for the plants in the cedar glade ecosystems which I came to love when I lived in Lebanon, TN (middle TN). Some of those plants are: Eastern Pear Cactus, Nashville Breadroot, Tennessee Milkvetch, Gattinger’s Prairie Clover, Widow’s Cross, and many more.

    Reply
  26. Michelle on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save every variety of sweet peas previously purchased from Floret. Sweet peas and dahlias are the

    plants I would want to grow alongside forever. Can’t imagine a world without flowers.

    Reply
  27. Elizabeth Crabb on

    I love how a bouquet of cosmos picked when they are barely opening give a different bouquet each day. It may not look like much at first, but each morning it is more beautiful than the day before. The smell of lilacs, the memories of my grandma with daffodils, my daughter always finding the tiniest flowers possible, big orange flowers with the promise of a pumpkin, little faces on pansies… The list never ends. Flowers are a gift from God!

    Reply
  28. Alexandra on

    When life is hardest, I find comfort in flowers in particular–but as far as particular varieties go, I love them all–cosmos, zinnias, roses, peonies, dahlias, lisianthus, etc. I’m also fond of fruits, vegetables, herbs and any plant that is already native to my growing zone. I love getting out into nature whenever I can, but it’s also nice to have a small piece of it’s splendor through gardening.

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would save all the herb, fruit, and flower seeds I possibly can! Basil, tomatoes, chilies, zinnias, marigolds. I don’t know if it’s hyperbole to say I’d like to grow all of the flowers, lol. Lily of the valleys are dear to my heart because they were my grandma’s favorite. I love lisianthus for their underrated beauty and because they’re native to where I’m from. I love zinnias because they’re beautiful (I must add that my obsession is mostly due to the beautiful varieties made possible by Floret and Dawn Creek Farm. I’ve been looking forward to their arrival for years) and easy to grow. I love dahlias, marigolds, and peonies because they remind my of my favorite place. I could go on, but the list is never-ending.

    Reply
  29. Christina CV on

    My mind always changes, but lately I love to see my borage and phacelia popping up. The little blossoms cheer me up and when I see the bees hovering over, it makes me feel hopeful. I saved a lot of tomato seeds last year, and also saved some Lemon Drop watermelon that I’m excited to grow again this year. I am looking forward to growing some new-to-me celosia this year. Every year I say that I am going to stop doing a garden because its too much work, but around January, I start pulling out my trays and jugs for winter sowing.

    Reply
  30. Rebecca on

    In hard times I find myself turning towards my sugar baby watermelon plant! I’ve had such great success with growing them and the joy they bring me and my daughters watching them grow and eating them. This will be my first year growing flowers so I can’t wait to see the joy they bring us along side my watermelon! Gardening in general has brought so much joy for me mostly because I get to share it with my sweet daughters. Anything they help me grow I find so much joy and happiness in. It’s the special moments with them in the garden that lift my spirits.

    Reply
  31. Allie H. on

    In hard times, I find comfort in the biggest trees I can find. Certain redwoods and sequoias are destinations on my daily walks – gotta go say hi to my friends! :) In the summer I’m grounded by my vegetable garden and all that it provides. I’m so excited to start a deeper dive into growing my first flower garden. Thank you for the constant inspiration!

    Reply
  32. Mai Deo on

    I found comfort in daisies and purple lilacs in my garden. Growing up in NH, lilacs were everywhere as it’s the state flower. It reminds me of simpler times and the welcoming of spring.

    I would save queen lime zinnias and lisianthus seeds as they’re tried and true in my summer cut flower gardens! And more hard to find.

    Reply
  33. Adrianna Allen on

    When life gets difficult, I have always turned to my plants. It used to be my vegetable garden, now it’s my orchids. Last year, I kept seeing orchids dying in our local grocery store. I decided to buy a bunch and do a ton of research to save them. Changing the medium, pruning roots and proper watering/fertilizing. One of my little babies if finally blooming again!!

    Reply
  34. Ellie Chenault on

    Sweet Annie (wormwood) has a way of opening up my heart space. It brings me peace, love, and joy.

    Reply
  35. Heather Fraelick on

    1. Borage! I’m still learning why but she’s the plant that simply shows up. Reseeds and surprises me and I always let her grow wherever it is. She’s hard to kill! If she’s knocked over or stems are broken or snipped she simply grows a new stalk and flowers inevitably show up. ♡

    Reply
  36. Jennie Andrews on

    1. I successfully bred my first dahlias last year so I would definitely say that they are super close to my heart. The joy in the surprise of a new variety is so real. But there is also nothing like growing tomatoes and other veggies that sustain us all year long and bring added joy to my kitchen.

    Reply
  37. Annie on

    Last summer when I had unexpected major abdominal surgery I found so much solace in sunflowers. As I emerged from my cocoon of healing, there they were- large, bright beacons of hope. Landing pads for bumble bee naps- and a pop of color to bring inside. I grew some pro cut and some of the Van Gogh fantasy mix from Sunflower Steve and I loved not knowing what face might greet meet from the mix each time I walked the garden during recovery. I will never forget the deep purple-red sunflower that I cut the first day I was able to walk into the garden- pure magic.

    Reply
  38. Heather K on

    I would grow tomatoes with marigolds annd calendula with herbs if seed catalogs disappeared! I can nourish my body and make it flavorful while still seeing beauty.

    Reply
  39. Barbie on

    I’m a new gardener. Just started in November 2022. I have only grown flowers from starts and plants. One of the most enjoyable things I have found in my short time is growing something from seed. I’m still in awe that so much can come from a small seed. So to answer your question, I don’t have one favorite. Growing anything successfully has brought so much joy to me. I have found being in the garden so healing.

    Reply
  40. jody on

    “When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?”
    i have to say that there isn’t just one…or two…. how can one ever pick one flower or plant when gardening in it’s whole is the life force running thru my veins. i simply don’t know what i would do without it. having an all consuming autoimmune condition i simply live to garden. it’s my reason to get up in the morning and endure & push thru the physical challenges. it nourishes me thru the long dark isolation of winters where i dream of colours…running the dirt thru my hands…new varieties of zinnias, dahlias, clematis, roses…tomatoes.
    ever listening to nature & what my flora friends are teaching me – persiverance (failures are a gift)…patience (take life as it comes)…beauty comes in all shapes & sizes…if you put the work in you’ll always reep rewards…and last but not least to enjoy the simple things in life.

    Reply
  41. Andrea H. on

    When life is hard, I turn to my roses. I love smelling them! I put a vase on my kitchen island so it’s easily accessible to smell all thru the day. I will be saving zinnia seeds this year and cosmos.

    Reply
  42. Daniela Emborgo on

    I’ve loved getting to see behind the scenes and reading about the parts of how this story came to be. I can’t believe I get to be a part of such a groundbreaking celebration of years of hard work, love, passion, and art! Thinking it’s cool and exciting that I get to live through the release of what I believe will always be my favorite zinnias brought into existence in real time…is an understatement! Thank y’all for bringing seed saving, and the beauty and fun of flower breeding to the attention of the masses. I love Floret’s message of not wanting to see return customers, but to see us learn how to seed save. If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would definitely save all my zinnia, poppy, basil, and sweet alyssum seeds! I would grow zinnias forever because they remind me that one can flourish in even the harshest conditions (which is in Austin, TX blazing heat)… reminding me of the beauty that can come from nourishing oneself, persisting, and growing. On the other hand, I love that poppies remind me of how important rest is in order to flourish as well. The juxtaposition between these two flowers reminds me that it’s normal and lovely to be gentle with yourself in different seasons of your life. Regardless of what life throws at me, I am meant to and will flourish. I love the sensory experience of sweet alyssum; it smells like the sweetest honey that lights up my senses and reminds me of Psalms 119:103. I would also save my basil seeds (thai, purple, italian genovese) because of its diverse uses such as being my favorite filler flower. Seed saving is exciting because maybe those plants may grow even better in my environment in the future.

    Reply
  43. Kate Ellis on

    I’d save zinnia, tomato, and basil seeds. Zinnias are so cheery and easy to grow. Eating a homegrown tomato fresh off the vine is one of my favorite summer experiences. And I guess I just love basil.

    Reply
  44. Stacey Erwin on

    Watermelons! I can’t explain it but the joy they bring me is deep. I look forward to planting them all year, love watching every phase of their growth and somehow never tire of them. My soul is somehow intertwined with the melon. A strange love story of sorts 🤣

    Reply
  45. Doree Lipson on

    So moving and incredible! Thank you for your gifts and partnership with one another.

    Reply
  46. Robin aka bird hauger on

    I know your flowers will help you heal Kori🌸🌺🌼my flowers are also my friends and have helped heal
    My body and spirit . Breast cancer took many things away from me , but brought me back closer to my gardening roots and all my
    Posies bring me hope and love .💕

    Reply
  47. Stefan N. on

    Hmmm….Maybe I’m the absolute newbie to this blog because the only experience I really ever had either with growing plants or even starting them from seeds, is THE one packet of Floret Original Zinnia seed I just placed an order for.
    How funny is that!
    I can’t really afford it , but I was (seriously)
    Following “everything Floret”, on you tube, reading as seeing the deep earnestness of Erin, just loved, absolutely loved, maybe even more than her, the pure exhilaration to share in Erin’s accomplishment’s –
    My fav. Memory is of Erin swimming” through drifts upon drifts of dahlias…
    Build it and they will buy.
    And that’s exactly with trepidation, maybe fear, I’ve done.
    Ha, me maybe foolishly thinking, that nearly half a days take home pay , maybe I too can see and experience maybe (whatever the % is)
    Something that not just Erin feels
    But just about every single other person that left a comment on here in show of support has….
    It has to begin and hopefully not end with something, right?
    Soooo
    I placed my order for my one (1) packet of alpenglow zinnia, it selling out, so I MUST have “good taste”.
    I’m glad to have “participated” in the shared hope and dream of “something bigger than myself”..
    So if “successful”, that upon receipt will be what I would not just save, but hope to save.
    I just hope the one packet of seed I ordered
    I will in fact plant
    Instead of seeing it as some, in time “gots to dust off “ what I should have planted but didn’t because I was too afraid to fail.
    Because
    I wanted to save it.

    Reply
  48. Patricia Arena on

    My garden gives me a tremendous amount of comfort throughout the seasons. I especially enjoy my roses. I’ve taken care to buy rose varieties for their scent. I remember when I was growing up, my grandma had beautiful pink roses with a wonderful fragrance that I’d pick for bouquets. Zinnias are a more recent choice for me. They definitely are a cheerful flower, and I love any color.

    Reply
  49. Priyanka on

    If seed packets were to disappear, wow that would be tough. I think I will go into a frenzy with dahlias, cosmos, poppy, tropical plants like jasmine, veggies like eggplant, okra, beans. If growing roses from seeds were more main stream, I would hoard all rose varieties, as that plant will always have my heart

    Reply
  50. Emily on

    Question 2: I would want to have the seed packets of snapdragons, sweet peas, and zinnias. Women in my family tree loved these flowers and I do as well. I love to grow them and could not imagine a garden without them.

    Reply
  51. Rachel R on

    When life gets hard and heavy, the garden in general is just a sweet escape and remedy. In particular though is bearded irises. Not only does their beauty bring me joy but there is so much nostalgia and memories with every bloom.

    Reply
  52. Sara Hague on

    What great questions! I would save zinnias and tomatoes first. Zinnias for their beauty, hardiness, and endless variation. I’ve grown them since I can remember. And, I also, have saved seeds of the most beautiful peach/pink zinnia that I hope will be even better this year. And tomatoes because they’re just as magical! The smell of a crushed tomato leaf means summer is here and a fresh off the plant, sun warmed tomato is simply divine.

    Reply
  53. Meghan on

    What a beautiful and thought-provoking story and interview, thank you!
    If seed catalogues were to disappear, I’d likely want to save all the seeds in my garden, but what first comes to mind is poppies. Their delicate, ephemeral beauty and incredible resilience combined are so amazing. I’d also be sure to save zinnia and dahlia seeds, sweet peas, runner beans, and snap peas. ❤️

    Reply
  54. Ashley Slamon on

    It’s eucalyptus and lavender for me!!!!
    The smell and the colours transform the environment and have ability to take me anywhere!
    These lovely plants are what sunny day dreams are made of !
    (And our coastal Bc deer don’t eat them, so that’s a bonus haha)

    Reply
  55. Elizabeth on

    In difficult times, my gaze naturally drifts towards the peonies in my garden. Though their blooms are short-lived, their vibrant colors and exquisite fragrance never fail to lift my spirits. Their very transience reminds me to appreciate the fleeting beauty of life, and to find joy in the present moment, even when things seem tough. In their delicate dance between full bloom and graceful fade, I find a quiet strength and acceptance. They symbolize impermanence, yes, but also the constant cycle of renewal that lies at the heart of nature. Witnessing their transformation gives me hope and resilience, reminding me that even in the darkest winter, spring always returns.

    Reply
  56. Lorelei Fischer on

    When the hardships of life weigh heavy, the garden in general is a source of peace and restoration. However, those resilient zinnias are definitely the ones that can cheer up even the most overwhelmed. We live in hot and humid Atlanta, GA. The zinnias start early and stay late. We try to succession sow them so they are not all going to seed at the same time and so we have bright, cheery, fresh zinnias as long as we have the dahlias. As long as we have dahlias and zinnias, there is hope in the world! Well, their Creator gives the hope, but oh my! how He uses the flowers of the field!

    Reply
  57. Melanie on

    When life is hardest all my plants both indoor and outdoor have had a huge impact on my mood, I started collecting more and more indoor plants to get through the winter as I’m dreaming of spring and planning all my cut flower gardens!

    I absolutely love zinnias and cosmos I always save those and larkspur, I ordered some of the floret dahlias and zinnias but wasn’t able to get the dawn creek kinds, I love the honey ones they are stunning!

    Reply
  58. Maggie Morgan on

    All flowers bring me joy from the first tips of the tulips and daffies I see poking out of the earth right now telling me to hang on because spring is coming to the last dahlia I clip in the fall after dark because our first hard freeze is coming. Each give me joy I can hold in my hands and heart and share with others. I thank God for flowers!!

    Reply
  59. Mariann Brown on

    I love my zinnias. They are easy and reliable in the Texas heat and I love the serendipity of the ones that go to seed. I am not organized enough to have selected and briefed them but I have had some beautiful volunteers.
    I save lots of seeds from all my flowers but have a hard time following up and processing, labeling and replanting. It’s a goal of mine to get better at.

    Reply
  60. Nicole Swinton on

    When life is hardest, the plants in my garden that I find myself turning towards is my rose garden. I have collected David Austin roses over the years and have a beautiful collection that I love. Not only are the stunningly beautiful when they bloom, but the fragrance that comes from them is heavenly and fills the air. They bring me so much joy, and always put me in a better mood. A close second would have to be my zinnias each so unique and beautiful with their own personalities I love them all!!

    Reply
  61. Nishia Matthews on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would want to save my veggie, fruit, and flower seeds. Particularly my tomatoes are what I want to grow alongside forever. They were the first thing I ever grew and did it successfully for the last two years. We LOVE fresh homegrown tomatoes. I just added in flowers to my garden last year, and grew sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, and a wildflower mix and loved how well zinnias grew. They truly are the best cut flower for beginners.

    Reply
  62. Martha Brogdon on

    I love growing many different plants in my garden… vegetables, fruits etc, but the ones that bring me the most joy are my flowers! They can lift my spirits and bring a smile to my face on even a “cloudy “ day!!!

    Reply
  63. Martha Brogdon on

    I love growing many different win my garden… vegetables, fruits etc, but the ones that bring me the most joy are my flowers! They can lift my spirits and bring a smile to my face on even a “cloudy “ day!!!

    Reply
  64. Jennifer on

    I have been saving seeds from my sweet peas, zinnias, and dahlias. Last year I also collected from foxglove, cress, strawflower, and Chinese for get me nots.
    I would save seeds off of everything I grow, that would be extensive :) It’s a fascinating world that I want to continue learning about. .
    Flowers, whichever flowers are currently blooming, I love. They are essential to my life!

    Reply
  65. Pauline van Hemert on

    If I had to save any seeds, I’d first save my zinnias and then any dahlia seeds I could. I’m also thinking my sweet orange cherry tomatoes need to be saved….

    In fact, last year I did just that.

    Reply
  66. Steph Romanowicz on

    The flowers that invigorate me the most in the darest days of the winter and on my hardest days are my hellebore. Year after year they show up through the snow. They get more abundant with every season. I love collecting different colors as many are now rare and hard to find. Everything about them captivates me.

    I saved lots of nigella seeds from last season. I could barely keep up with harvesting them so knowing the seeds are the byproduct of my failures feels like a success.

    Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge!

    Reply
  67. Megan on

    1. The garden in general helps my anxiety, its the place I can go that I don’t feel stressed or worried. I would say the plants for the most are the zinnias, celosia, dahlias and veggies tomatoes and cucumbers. But in reality anything I can grow in my garden with my girls is amazing. Teaching them that sharing goes along way, flowers bring so much joy to people and they learned that last giving to friends and neighbors. We would give flowers with a basket of cherry tomatoes :)

    2. I would save seed from it all, I have already started saving seeds each year to help eliminate the process of constantly having to buy. I would forever need flowers to companion plant with my veggies. Zinnias, celosia, dahlias, calendula, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and peppers. So many to save and grow again and share with others.

    Reply
  68. Suzanne Tom on

    My roses are a stalwart in my garden and I couldn’t be without them come May o November! They fill my senses with wonder, awe, beauty, scent, grace and just pure loveliness, just by seeing, smelling or touching. A feast for the senses and a beacon of hope shining out when needed most.

    Reply
  69. Nicole Swinton on

    When life is hardest, the plants in my garden that I find myself turning towards is my rose garden they bring me so much job when in bloom not only are they stunning but the fragrance that fills the air is so heavenly! I have been collecting David Austin roses over the years and have acquired a nice collection now that I am in love with, but in a close second place would be my zinnias they are all so unique and each so special!

    Reply
  70. Amber Langerud on

    1. I love all the flowers and vegetables. Just the art of growing and watching these plants mature brings me so much joy.

    2. I’m very new to this whole world, but last year I planted some zinnias and am excited to grow a whole bunch more this year and will be experimenting with other flowers as well. So hopefully at the end of this growing season I’ll have a solid answer to this question!!

    Reply
  71. Karouna Thompson on

    Roses and lilacs always brighten my spirit and make me feel better. I am so happy to finally have my own land to grow them and hopefully they can help me grow. Seed saving is new to me but I would like to save nigella and poppies. I love their seed pods so much and am fascinated by the amount of seed in each pod. Also love in a puff is pretty magical.

    Reply
  72. Jeanette LeBourdais on

    I just love sunflowers, they are so beautiful, tall and happy looking. I tend to love the different varieties. Cosmos are another favorite, they are easy to grow and beautiful as the flow and wave so gently in the wind. I gave grown Zinnias in the past and love how they become one of the long lasting flowers in the garden. If there were no seed catalogs I would be saving all my sunflower, cosmos, zinnia and celosia seeds. I will forever be growing sunflowers and they will be a staple in my garden every year. Flowers bring me so much joy, and if my garden comes to fruition, I will be sharing the beauty with senior living, memory care facilities and nursing homes. Everyone gets a smile when they see flowers and I want to bring joy to everyone.

    Reply
  73. Ellen Gresham on

    The flowers I turn to in hard times are my roses and the flowers I started from seed; zinnias, dahlias, celosia, and statice. I’ve only been gardening for a few years, but have found so much joy and accomplishment in growing flowers and tending my garden. It brings so much peace.

    Reply
  74. Susan on

    The first spring blooms are what buoys my spirit after a long cold rest. I love the hellebores, crocus, daffodil, tulip and also in the heat of summer it’s the amazing zinnia and sunflower that bring me energy and joy! Watching any seedling grow gives me hope! I totally resonated with Kori and the importance of relationship and connection with the plant world as it connects us all!

    Reply
  75. Cayce Lee on

    The flowers that most comfort and soothe me are my lavender friends. Their ethereal violet hues are so calming and spiritual. I even named my firstborn Violet Zephyr like a sweet lavender breeze.

    Reply
  76. Melissa on

    I think the plants I turn to most to buoy my spirits are the spring ephemerals. Things like red dead nettle, chickweed, dandelions…they are giving love in the most unlikely stage of the season and it always reminds me that the daffodils and next growing season is right around the corner and the earth provides what sustains us. I truly enjoy wandering my property (typically in inclement weather) seeking out these beauties as a reminder of spring to come. I have always been connected to gardening and raising plant babies, but most recently I feel extra connected to a patch of stinging nettle that volunteered in the perfect place on my property. I know this is a strange one, but it gives me the feeling that if I keep that one thing in my yard, all else will flourish, it is beautiful and provides sustenance to me, my family and gardening endeavors (think teas and composts) I also didn’t have to break my back or my spirit, it just showed up as nature’s gift to me. As a maniacal seed saver, I would be saving them all, but stinging nettle is top of the list.

    Reply
  77. Sandy Gruber on

    I think if there were no more seed catalogs, I would save seeds from as many zinnias that I could. I get lost in all of their layers of petals. I also absolutely love hydrangeas and would always like to grow them!

    Reply
  78. Donna McRoy on

    The flowers I turned to in hard times are daffodils !!!
    They are steadfast and bring us hope for new beginnings.
    Like the Lord, who created the heavens and the Earth they
    Are persistent and pop up no matter what the conditions. They are bright and give hope and joy.
    No matter where else I’m too busy in my garden daffodils are always there to comfort me !!

    Reply
  79. Savannah on

    Honestly if all seed catalogs suddenly disappeared, i would save all my seeds they are all special to me.
    they are almost like little children in the way you have to carefully cultivate and nurture each one for them to bloom.

    Reply
  80. Linda on

    My absolute favorite flowers are hydrangeas, dahlias, and zinnias. Growing these and sharing them with friends and family brings so much joy. I don’t know anyone who isn’t thrilled to receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I cannot wait to grow the zinnias from Floret and Dawn Creek Farm. The colors are unique and like no others. Thank you Erin and Kori for all your hard work!

    Reply
  81. Lori Gouin on

    Zinnias are my favorite. Lovingly started from seed every spring, pinched, watered and tended. I scatter seeds in various colors so I’m always surprised at the colors that pop up. My zinnias in my planter box were 6 ft tall with long strong stems! They just make me so happy! I share with my neighbors and for me that’s a great joy.
    Can’t wait for spring to start the seeds again!

    Reply
  82. Kristin on

    Oh, I love both of these questions! Hydrangeas are my soul-flower. They bring me equal parts happiness, hope, and peace. If I could only ever have one flower in my home, it would be a big pitcher overflowing with hydrangeas.

    Reply
  83. LA on

    Life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs… And honestly that is how I began in my flower journey. To this day I don’t consider myself a good gardener but more of amateur. Seeds, sprouts and flowers are quite the obsession and to they keep me going each day. I find myself dreaming of more outdoor space to fill or researching new flowers to grow which fills me so much joy.
    I’m about to burst…just due to waiting for the new seed for Florets and Dawn Creek Farms! I cannot wait to share these new beauties that I get the luxury to grow and share with friends and family. In all honesty, I cannot believe the colors that are offered – the color palette is everything and more!

    I hope you both continue your breeding programs and allowing us all be on the receiving end. You both have something so special and wonderful – thank you for your hard work and sending these rare beauties out into the world!

    Reply
  84. Geri Olson on

    When times are difficult, I count on sweet peas, zinnias and sunflowers to provide joy, both for myself and others. These are the flowers I grow for bouquets to give away to the nearby rehab center, to church events and for neighbors and friends who can use an uplift. Flowers bring a smile, create warmth and share friendship. One neighbor brings her young granddaughter who is nearly blind to pick a bouquet in this magical sea of color and scent. Another neighbor gathers flowers for her elderly dad when she visits him. Thanks to the work of Erin, Kori and their teams, seeds of joy are spread everywhere. My deepest thanks.

    Reply
  85. Julia Burnett on

    I love to “talk” and “pray” with my plants when life is hard but honestly, I do it almost every day. Some of those plants include daylily, amaryllis and rain lily bulbs as well as rex begonia and orchids that I transplanted from my childhood home. Others, are longtime friends like my roses, camellias, and azaleas.

    If seed catalogs disappeared I’d save every seed I could harvest but especially my sweet pea and zinnia seeds. I’ve been sharing my zinnia seeds with a friend for many years. We trade them back and forth – she lives in Pennsylvania and I’m in Florida – the Victorian meaning….”thoughts of an absent friend.”

    Reply
  86. Todd on

    “Why why why”…..
    -can’t it be every flower
    Instead of one or a few
    Because as you age
    And hopefully continue to be open and learn
    You
    as well as the seed you sow
    Grow
    You realize
    You can, you can, really-truly,
    -be (essentially) creating
    Your very own seed “catalogue”
    One of pictures
    Of memories
    Of pressed dried flowers
    A sachet with your linens perhaps
    Or tucked within the case of your pillow so you have as you sleep the scent you could only wish what everyone should experience
    Made during either the darkest or brightest of one’s days
    And still be able to turn the “pages”
    Still be able to dream as when one would on those dreary winter days
    When one can order a fresh packet of seed
    Actually hold within one’s hand
    The dormant sleeping life that’s yet to unfurl
    I’ve really have learned not to be biased until actually growing a plant
    You just don’t know
    You will have your very own seed catalogue
    And be all the better for it (amen)(“-“)

    Reply
  87. Kathleen Faulkner on

    Snapdragons always lighten my spirit. I love that I can make them speak to me. Lavender is the other friend when I am in need.

    Reply
  88. Amelia Baggett on

    I am always inspired by everything you share. Lavender is always by comfort flower, but I couldn’t imagine being without sweet peas (also my nickname for my 11 month daughter) and geraniums. They are such happy flowers.

    Reply
  89. Rhonna Jerauld on

    If seed catalogs suddenly didn’t exist, first of all ouch, what will I nerd out with all winter?? I would continue to save sunflowers and try my hand at zinnias because of their happy faces, dahlias because of their unreal beauty, and rudbeckia because I can’t ever get over their classic fuzzy wildflower vibe. I can’t wait to try some of these new beauties, thank you for all the work (so much work) you ladies have put it to creating such a stunning variety and sharing them with the world! <3

    Reply
  90. Bree King on

    I enjoyed this story so much and am excited to grow your dahlia and celosia seeds I ordered today. My summer favorites that I save seeds from are for sure stock because I love the scent, zinnias, amaranth and Mexican sunflower since the pollinators absolutely loved it. I will also grow lemon basil and a blue Persian basil for the scent they add to my bouquets. I would be delighted to win a packet of new seeds!

    Reply
  91. Lourdes Laurente on

    In the darkness of winter the images of Iceland poppies, cosmos & zinnias bring me joy and happiness as January nears because I know it’s almost time to order seeds and scheme!
    Last summer was a transitional year for my garden…I started lavender from cuttings and seeds vowing to prune them rigorously to keep their shape. I went wild planting poppies in every blank space!
    If seed catalogs were to somehow disappear I would horde the sweet peas, both edible and floral, poppy, zinnia & sunflower…and tomatoes!p & beans. Each year I save seeds with average success, but I keep trying and am always excited when they germinate! Oh joyous spring!

    Reply
  92. Fawn Hensley on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would have to save seeds from zinnia’s, cosmos, and poppies. They offer so much color and are probably the easiest cut-flower annuals for me to grow. The color of zinnias about is just gorgeous 😍.

    Reply
  93. Lori [email protected] on

    Dahlias and sunflowers gives me the greatest joy in the growing season out of all the varieties I grow.

    Reply
  94. Tami H on

    I’d save all the zinnia and sunflower seeds I could possibly gather! I’m new to cut flower gardening but I’m now obsessed. I hope to be surrounded by zinnias, cosmos, dahlias, sunflowers, roses, celosia and blue butterfly peas every day for the rest of my days on earth!

    Reply
  95. Beth Elliott on

    Ever since a friend gifted me a dahlia, that has been my flower that has always picked me up. Roses are precious to me for the memory of my first ever plant that I planted as a little girl.

    Reply
  96. Beth Elliott on

    Ever since a friend gifted me a dahlia, that has been my flower that has always picked me up. They just seem to be such happy flowers. Roses are precious to me for the memory of my first ever plant that I planted as a little girl.

    Reply
  97. Kathleen Fitzpatrick on

    My flower picks would definitely be Zinnias with cosmos a close second.

    I have loved flowers my entire life. When we married 37 years ago, i let my husband off the “hook” by making a deal / that I could buy as many flowers as I “needed “ and I wouldn’t complain that he didn’t bring me flowers … lol … Since I began my from seed journey while flighting breast cancer, the flowers brought me peace snd joy.

    I hope to grow enough to help with a family wedding later this year and would be delighted to win a packet!!!

    Reply
  98. Suzanne N on

    Really enjoyed this story, information and beautiful photos; thank you for sharing. My flower friends would have to be zinnias. You can’t help but SMILE when you see their cute puffy selves! I’m new to growing them and very glad I tried them. They are hardy and beautiful; just how to be during hard times! LOVE a happy sunflower as well. I would forever want to grow Love-in-a-Mist, sunflowers, zinnias, larkspur and beloved sweet peas.

    Reply
  99. Jessi on

    The flowers that bring me the most joy remind me of my grandma’s garden—a small place of refuge built from love of interesting patterns and colors, ruffled petals, and scented blooms. She’s always said that working with her plants was the best mood booster, and she’s not wrong. Last year, I lost all of my plants to a flood. This year, I get to experience the excitement of choosing new ones to enjoy; watching their roots grow alongside my own.

    Reply
  100. Martha Z on

    If seeds catalogs disappeared tomorrow?! I would legit take cuttings of ALL my plants and save all seeds I possibly could. The only problem is that I always grow a whole bunch of F1 plants that I absolutely love (Nature Antique Shades violas that I just started on seed trays for example) and would be heartbroken if I couldn’t enjoy them every Spring and Fall.

    Reply
  101. Peggy on

    My lily garden brightens my days and brings me joy. Except when I see a lily beetle!

    Reply
  102. Lauren Cogley on

    Kori is such an inspiration! Years ago I always knew I wanted to grow lots of flowers, but as I have learned more about Kori, and Erin’s, efforts and journeys in breeding flowers it really makes me want to put that on my goal list for the future. So much work goes into it, but as you can see with how stunning all these varieties they have created, it’s worth it!
    Flowers have always brought me so much joy, on my highest days and my lowest, they are always steadfast for me. Although I have a list of favorites, honestly any and every flower brings me joy. When I have having a rough day or time in life, I find myself picking up a bouquet of flowers from the grocery store, or supporting someone local if possible, and bringing them home to brighten up our house. My husband also knows how much flowers mean to me and sometimes will bring them home just cause, but also makes sure he does when he knows I need a little pick me up.
    When I look at certain flowers I think back to watching Alice in Wonderland as a kid and the flower garden scene where all the flowers are depicted as animals or with little faces. Sometimes I feel I see the flowers smiling up at me in that way :)

    Reply
  103. Patty Grove on

    I’d be sure to gather Coreopsis….beautiful yellows!

    Reply
  104. Kerry on

    I always feel great in my garden.Over the years I have started gardens with lots of people. One I really loved was a garden at a veterans center with 1st and 2nd WW vets, and how much joy it brought to many residents ,some had been gardeners and farmers in their past lives. A handful of flowers goes along way to brighten a colourless day

    Reply
  105. Carolyn Teeter on

    Boy to pick one is hard as I love them all. I have been on a path of discovery as I build my garden and design and explore the possibilities. I played with Dahlias and then inherited a friends garden when he passed and it sent me off in new directions. Zinnias caught my eye and I love their cheerfulness. So am wanting to do better with them this year.
    I have done arranging for friends wedding when some young Native friends felt they couldn’t afford a wedding. Flowers and design were up my ally.
    In developing my garden I think of Monet and Carl Larson who developed their gardens and then painted them. I’ve enjoyed painting and depending on the directions of life find gardening a bit like developing a painting.
    Thanks for sharing your creative journey. I had hoped to take your class when the changes for online happened. I was still working so was not ready for that step. I live in Birch Bay, WA now and looking forward to some new garden exploration

    Reply
  106. Deb on

    I am just starting my cutting garden this year. I suffer with anxiety and depression and feel God lead me to you and Erin through your beautiful plant souls!
    I am going to start with a small area in my small backyard and see how the flowers grow.
    I am starting with zinnias Celosia and eucalyptus. Not many but enough to give my time and attention.
    I am excited to start my new journey at 64 years of age.
    Thank you again for what you love to do!
    I love both uou and Erin with all my heart!
    God Bkess you both,
    Love
    Deb

    Reply
  107. Shannon Jones on

    I find Nigella flowers uplifting AND I will always save their seeds. One bonus is that any extra seed of Nigella leftover (as long as it’s saved by us and therefore organic and not treated with anything) is also edible (the most common species eaten is Nigella sativa, however we’ve used seed from all the species as edibles). We typically grind the seed as seasoning, but we’re interested in pressing the oil out too.

    Reply
  108. Ruth Gulden on

    Such an amazing journey you have been on! I admire and I am so impressed with what you have accomplished with breeding your fabulous Zinnias! I can’t wait to have them growing in my garden…
    I so love your sharing about your relationship with plants…it makes me feel like I am a kindred spirit! So much positive energy in our flower gardens. Whenever I am going through difficult times, I seek refuge in my garden and find strength in the flowers that bloom thete. Some of my favorites are ranunculus and dahlias and I am completely
    obsessed with my delicious romantic garden roses
    that bring me such joy! Thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  109. Starr Linden on

    Flowers are an ancestral connection for me. I Love Hollyhocks, I consider them an antique plant because they give me the feeling of being in my grandmothers arms. I surround my flower beds with them and they happily march forward populating the land. Whenever I feel I need a boost I look over at the Hollyhocks and they lift my spirit. I have an old picture of my great grandmother sitting in a bed of her flowers and when I look at my lavender, dahlias and zinnias she comes to mind and I see her sitting there with a happy smile in the middle of the bed. When my granddaughter who is 9 visits the farm each summer we always play in the flowers, my hope is that she will remember me someday when I am gone in the flowers with her and it will bring a smile to her lips.

    Reply
  110. Olivia Sanchez on

    There isn’t one particular plant that I gravitate towards when I’m feeling out of sorts. It depends on what I’m feeling and what I need. There are those times of such a large overwhelm that just walking through the garden, touching the plants, whether it’s the strong stock of a sunflower or the fragrant leaves of my cherry tomatoes, brings me back to the present moment.
    I’m not a “formal” mediator, but have found over the past few years of growing flowers and veggies that when I am feeling vulnerable or anxious, when I go out to the garden to tend to it and start watching the bees on the flowers, my mind slows down and for a few moments, all the thoughts stop.

    Reply
  111. Luli Fichter on

    If seed catalogues disappear tomorrow, I’ve been a good steward of what my garden produces and would be fine. I’m diligent about seed saving and keep track of my varieties. Not to sound too dorky, but I’ve got a spreadsheet of different varieties, colors and quantities and I’ve got around 675 different seed varieties.
    My favorite are the dahlias and second the zinnias. I’ve love zinnias since I was a little girl. They embody happiness to me. Kori’s description of her relationship with them really resonates with me. When I’m out in the garden with them particularly, I feel a wave of butterflies (dopamine) just looking at them. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s that feeling of teenage love. They are so independent and easy, yet they give so generously. As long as I have zinnia and dahlia seeds, the rest of the world could crumble, but as long as there’s sunlight, warmth and water, and my garden of ‘friends’, I’ll be fine.

    Reply
  112. Christopher on

    Last year I was inundated with projects that took away time to have my hands in the dirt, both from planting flowers and in the garden. So my wife and I’s solace in our space’s was all of the green things and flowers that show up from previous years plantings and those that mother earth give us as prezzies. What a wonderful circle of life! To be able to walk around all the beauty and splendor of what these plants offer diffuses any kind of ugly or negative energy or feelings in a matter of minutes. Half of what I’m growing this year are things that I have not grown before so I’m very excited for the outcome. I have come to appreciate the ones that just show up when your least expecting, and bask in their beauty and tend to forget about having a favorite. Thank you for your continued love and commitment for what you do.

    Reply
  113. Cecilia on

    In late winter, my hellebores brighten those cold dreary winter days. I get so excited to see their pops of color outside my bedroom window. Zinnias are my favs in summer. I think of my parents and my dad calling them “zinnies”. I understand what Kori says about the relationship with flowers, I feel that when I am with zinnias; they bring so much joy.

    Reply
  114. Connie on

    Thanks for a wonderful and informative article.

    Reply
  115. Rhonda Martin on

    A few years ago, after going through a very traumatic and dark experience, I went out on a limb and started my very own micro flower farm. I felt deep in my soul that I needed a way to bring beauty back into my life and bring joy to others. Erin’s cut flower book was read cover to cover, taken to the garden as I planted, smudged with dirt, and became my number one resource to turn to throughout the growing season.

    Zinnias and celosia have been my steady flowers along with my obsession with dahlias. I easily become hyper focused on unique zinnias with beautiful coloring and fullness or characteristics, saving seeds from the best. I remember seeing the joy and delight of my U-pickers wandering through my long zinnia rows of every Benary, Oklahoma, and tiny ones I could find. I had planted them in an ombré effect starting from the whites, keeping all one color together, and ending with the reds. I had a special row with just your Little Flower Girl zinnias and Kori’s Dawn Creek 1st fundraiser mix and I fell in love! It was the most beautiful thing to see by the roadside and caused many to slow down.

    I would say that zinnias are my allies in hard times. Their beauty just shines without fuss. The plants often remind me of a strong, steady and quiet person needed during hard times. They grow in abundance and give, and give, and give some more, sometimes without the best care. And maybe the best way to sum this up is: I want to be like a zinnia!

    Reply
  116. Kathleen Church on

    I’ve only been gardening for three years on my small 1/4 acre lot, and I have over 300 taxus of plants. The garden is my therapy, my healing place. Everyday the garden brings me joy and excitement as I look for daily list changes. Right now the dahlias put the biggest smile on my face.
    I have been out of work and at home for six months due to an accident, so I have spent a lot of time collecting seeds as part of my vision therapy. I quickly learned to appreciate those that collect and clean seeds, and what a huge value they are to gardeners. My to go list of seeds to collect would be dahlias, verbena, zinnias, poppies, and snapdragons.
    Thank you Floret for sharing your seeds with us.

    Reply
  117. Traci Wilcox on

    The plants that steady me when life is the hardest are my grandmothers peonies that I dug from her house with my daughter when I was a young mother. She had passed and the property was sold, but I needed them in a way words can’t explain. They are steadfast in my garden returning every year no matter how long and dreary winter seems. The petals are so soft and velvety and the scent is exquisite. I put armfuls in the house trying to bring that lovely scent inside, I pin blossoms in my hair with a claw clip and even bath in the petals. In the garden, I have cried among them, sang and daydreamed. I have prayed among them and even whispered thoughts to my grandmother. They remind me of times gone by and things to come. I share bouquets with my dearest friends and I’m trying desperately hard to learn how to paint them in watercolor. My peonies are romantic and beautiful; even their foliage is lovely. They remind me of my grandma, family and my happiest of times. I live alone, my family is gone and I am sick with Lyme’s. My peonies have seen me through more than I can say. They are a blessing and an Allie indeed.

    Reply
  118. Jimmy on

    Would have to be asclepsias (milkweed).
    I never found a plant to be more responsive to one’s care.
    The other year was the first time ever I grew milkweed, so besides the desire of finally getting about to sowing THE packet of purchased in a nursery of “hello yellow” seed
    There was no prior story –
    No history there;
    With this plant-
    Other than seeing it sold in nurseries and on line.
    Well that seed packet labeled & pictured as the coveted “hello yellow” grew into not the dwarf variety it was meant or sold to be-
    But a monsta of a plant reaching in height over five feet tall.
    Upon googling learnt it wasn’t “hello yellow” but the annual tropical Mexican golden milkweed ….that so many sources tell you not to grow.
    I showed it my respect & love just the same. I was initially horrified seeing the amount of aphids that would present themselves as uninvited,
    Unwanted visitors thinking they would get a free meal ..
    But they got to know my index & thumb fingers intimately. Each and every day, until they got the hint.
    This was not THE milkweed for years I was meaning to get about to sowing its one packet of seed, but it was still a living , breathing plant I reared and incredibly well from nothing. What next occurred was even for me more unexpected, surprising. I got to see a, that is, one (1) monarch butterfly,
    She came to lay her eggs. Sixty of them. On my one plant. Within not even an hour.
    Who would expect to see and up close, a monarch butterfly?
    I didn’t. I had grown that plant because I wanted to grow that plant, not have a single solitary butterfly, that’s listed as endangered, egg dump onto my one milkweed plant, because for miles there are no milkweed plants around. Oh I looked I did. I learned. Learned a monarch is meant to lay only one egg per plant. Learned that monarch larvae are wild animals and as such will eat the eggs of their unborn brothers & sisters, even their smaller younger brothers & sisters, if they haven’t the food. One milkweed plant doesn’t provide anywhere near enough food for sixty larvae.
    Seven monarch butterflies I reared and released. Who would ever guess what life a mere plant can bring and fulfill a lack thereof , right before you.

    Reply
  119. Michelle Lindsey on

    My afternoon white Cosmos almost talk to me as I garden around them. They were the first flower I ever grew and it was for my daughter’s wedding.
    If seed catalogs disappeared, I’d save seeds from those and from my zinnias, because cosmos and zinnias go hand in hand to me.

    Reply
  120. Laurie Stunkel on

    Browsing and dreaming with seed catalogs are one of the highlights of my year every year! It would be extremely hard if I didn’t have them to dream with and winter would be even more dull!
    I love all types of flowers but especially Zinnias, Sweet Peas, evening Scented Stock & Pansies. Pansies have always been around in my life. I started loving them when I was young & 45 years ago I had them in the middle of my wedding bouquet. I still love them as much today as when I started.
    Zinnias just are happy flowers to me. They can immediately lift my spirit and make me full of joy.
    Thank you for this chance to win some seeds. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish in the future.

    Reply
  121. Kathryn S on

    Excellent and informative and inspiring interview!
    I love dahlias and have saved the seeds this past season although I think I harvested them too early but we’ll see if any germinate. Thanks to you both for you work and inspiration!

    Reply
  122. Teri on

    I first experimented with seed saving a few years ago, and it was with ornamental pumpkins. I loved growing pumpkins before my cut-flower itch took hold. I love the versatility of a pumpkin d be it ornamental, cooking, or feed for livestock, so I would hate to see pumpkins disappear and I would definitely save their seeds. Thanks for all your knowledge and hard work/grit to share these beauties with us.

    Reply
  123. Margit Kaltenekker on

    Oh – that’s a difficult one to narrow down! There is something comforting about tulips as I recall planting the bulbs alongside my mother as a child, and cutting tall blooms to share with teachers in the spring. I have always loved them, and though ephemeral – they bring that kind of stately, steady presence.
    If seed catalogs disappeared?? I hardly know what I’d do right off – but it makes me wish to start saving and collecting seeds of my own with more intention.

    Reply
  124. Gina Tyhuis on

    Life can be tough sometimes, especially when things don’t go as planned or when I face unexpected challenges. But when I feel overwhelmed or discouraged, I always find comfort and hope in the vineyard, the vines that grow on my family’s farm. They remind me of the beauty and resilience of nature, and the rewards of hard work and patience. They also symbolize the joy and celebration that await me when the harvest comes, and I can share the fruits of my labor with my family and friends.

    Reply
  125. toni murray on

    I have such a new appreciation for zinnias having experienced this interview! I am always so taken when I hear someone talk with such passion and work with such dedication. Until I have opportunity this growing season to share in planting these new zinnia offerings, I would have to say, saving bachelor button seeds of any variety would be near and dear to my heart. Scattered in the fall and braving winter to sprout in early spring and bloom into summer!
    I also adore peonies; their plumpness & fragrance I look forward to every year.

    Reply
  126. Suzanne on

    The flower that I love to hybridize is the daylily. Although it isn’t a good cut flower, it has a lot of genetic diversity which leads to many different seedling faces. Exploring the new seedling bed for novel blooms in July is a huge joy. I’ve taken my experience hybridizing with the daylilies to help select better cut flowers. One of my favorites I’m growing are tall, well branched double French marigolds. They last great as cuts and are in demand as filler flowers in my area. Currently I’m selecting for strains that are pure orange or pure yellow or pure red so the florists can order them as straight bunches instead of mixed. And of course like Erin with her zinnias, I’m on the lookout for an soft color to show up that may not be the favorite shade for gardeners, but will work great in floral arrangements.

    Reply
  127. Katelyn on

    I feel like my flower journey is just beginning so I’d be super upset to see seed catalogs disappear. I’ve saved some zinnia seeds and a few other Alberta successful flowers from my mom’s garden but hoping to save a lot fall 2024. Love not knowing what treasures I may find.

    Reply
  128. Kayla Krueger on

    These are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing these varieties with us! I would save seeds from Senorita zinnias. The fun shape and texture of the dawn creek varieties reminds me a lot of them. Thank you again!

    Reply
  129. Ruth Gulden on

    Such an amazing journey your have been on! I admire and I am so impressed with what you have accomplished with breeding your fabulous Zinnias! I can’t wait to have them growing in my garden…
    I so love your sharing about your relationship with plants…it makes me feel like I am a kindred spirit! So much positive energy in our flower gardens. Whenever I am going through difficult times, I seek refuge in my garden and find strength in the flowers that bloom thete. Some of my favorites are ranunculus and dahlias and I am completely
    obsessed with my delicious romantic garden roses
    that bring me such joy! Thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  130. Karen on

    My plant ally would definitely be dahlias. I live in a climate that keeps me out of the garden from Nov-Mar so doing all things dahlias, year round is magical. From storing and checking on the tubers to waking them up, taking cuttings and getting them out in the field. Not to mention the beauty they bring in the summer. It’s so worth it and brings me joy!

    Reply
  131. Julie Peachey on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save zinnias (all the colors), celosia, sunflowers, tomatoes and lots more!!

    Reply
  132. Linda Vollertsen on

    The Sitka rose is my go to for connection to Mother Earth and that buoys my spirit.
    I love smelling the sweet unlike-no-other-rose aroma, I love picking a petal and letting it absorb on my tongue; the sweet rose flavor takes me back to other lifetimes.
    Every fall I pick the Sitka Rose rosehips and make jelly and rosehip tea. This keeps me connected all winter here in Alaska to the sleeping plants.
    When I was a little girl I picked rosehips and my mom drove me from Seward, Alaska to Homer, Alaska to deliver them to Wild Berry Products for them to make their preserves. That’s a very special memory from 55 years ago.

    Reply
  133. Katie Riedl on

    When life is hard, I find myself thinking about the flowers in my mom and grandmother’s gardens. I think about tugging a phlox flower off of the bunch and sucking the end to get the sweet nectar out. A simple memory like that is grounding and soothing. If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save seeds from the native plants we have growing on our property (columbines, woodland sunflowers) to work toward my family’s goal of restoring the natural landscapes in our slice of the world.

    Reply
  134. Beth on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear, I’d collect cosmos, dahlias, strawflowers, celosia, tomatoes, cucumbers and peas. Oooo and sunflowers.

    Reply
  135. Lourdes Burson on

    Thank you for sharing this lovely story. I find beauty in all the plants in my garden as with the seasonal changes none will be there the full duration of a year. Pansies and ornamental cabbages are winter favorites. Tulips, peonies, lily and hyacinths for spring. Zinnias, roses, hydrangeas and daisies for summer. And lastly chrysanthemums, dianthus and rose of Sharon for Fall.
    I can’t pick just one!!

    Reply
  136. Dana on

    My Zinnias keep me grounded and happy. I save the seeds and plant again which makes me feel so accomplished.

    Reply
  137. Bobbi Winniestaffer on

    Whenever I’m stressed my roses have always been a comfort for me. Growing up my grandmother always had them in her garden so for me, it’s like she’s always there when I need her as I turn to them. Roses, like some of us, have a thorny exterior that turn some people away. For me, that’s what I’m drawn to, this strong, sometimes impenetrable force that is so powerful and beautiful that they can cause you to hold your breath. This is my first time attempting to start them from seed and I’m excited to what they’re willing to show me.

    Reply
  138. Denise Love on

    Zinnias are my favorite and have been for years. I count myself blessed to have purchased a packet of beautiful zinnia seeds from Floret two years ago. They have a lime green center and a pink exterior. They are called, “Queen Red Lime.” I have never seen a Zinnia this color before and was anxious to plant them in our new home. When the seeds came up I was thrilled. This is my first time gardening in Colorado and the soil and altitude are all new to me. When the zinnia’s began to bloom they were gorgeous. I came up with a plan to bless everyone that supports our non-profit work to provide education to high school girls that are not allowed to attend school in a difficult country. I dried all the flowers when they finished blooming and printed labels on small seed packets and shared the story in our Christmas Newsletter about The Floret and their website with a photo of the flowers. I told them the few seeds I was sending them was a thank you for caring for young girls who are being refused an education and may the beauty of these flowers they grow remind them that there is still beauty and love in this world. The responses I received back from our friends and family was overwhelming. Many said it was there favorite and most original Christmas gift.

    Reply
  139. Kristie Peterson on

    Plants keep me steady. Every important person in my life that has passed on, owns a plant in my soul. I find comfort in garden tomatoes as my dad grew “tomatoes” when I was a child. I learned later in life he wasn’t growing tomatoes which is fitting knowing my dad. Regardless I grow tomatoes to honor him. My dear grandmother Ven, owns sweet peas and gladiolas. She was a sweet soul and I can still remember the scent of the sweet peas in her backyard and the majestic gladiolas that shined in her garden. My Grandma Lori had massive geraniums and a huge Zinnia field. I remember her teaching me to dead head to patiently “make room” for the new flowers. To this day I think of her when I am dead heading my Zinnia rows knowing she was wise in her words. Yes, plants and people have taught me how to be at peace, appreciation and patience.

    Reply
  140. Cheryl Browning on

    My favorite is the zinnia ! I started saving some of my zinnia seeds this last season in hopes to replant (for the first time) them this spring . I grow my zinnias (cosmos, celosia and gomphrenas) so that I can deliver bouquets in Ball or Kerr jars to the nursing homes, the church, the neighbors and have friends over to harvest their own bouquet. This has been such a blessing to me to share the beauty of these flowers and brighten spirits ! Since I am retired, this gives me a daily “job” to be responsible for, which I am so grateful. Cheryl Browning Weatherford, Texas 76087

    Reply
  141. Renee Fleurent on

    My garden is my sanctuary & my safe place. It helps me ground into the moment & get out of my head. I always gravitate to my herbal allies when I’m in need of support. Calendula, hyssop, lemon balm, mint, nettle,echinacea… the list is endless. Connecting with the plant by rubbing, smelling, tasting & harvesting for nourishing teas. Herbs is where it all started for me at 13 when I planted my first garden alongside my dads that summer. Even though I love all the flowers, food & perrenials I grow my herbal allies will always have a special place in my heart.

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  142. Natalie Vazquez on

    Cosmos always feel so friendly and kind to me. I would have to save seeds from my dahlias, celosia, Yarrow, and zinnias first!

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  143. Jamie Reid on

    Honestly if I couldn’t order seeds anymore I would cry, but then I would collect as many seeds as I can from all flowers in my gardens. Petunias, celosias, coleus, sedum, astilbe, Columbine Zinnias, Cosmos. This way I can continue to still grow my garden for many years to come and learn so much along the way.

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  144. Sammy on

    I can’t name just one flower that makes me the happiest or one type of seed I would save. They all bring me joy. Each flower, tree, bush, plant, and herb may have a special memory to me. When my daughter passed away from cancer, I sought comfort in the flowers from the weeping cherry tree and the wisteria, because she used to build her forts (secret hideouts) under them. Bee balm reminds me of my son, because he heard that colonist drank tea made from bee balm to avoid the British tea tax. He wanted to try tea from bee balm, so we had a bee balm tea party. Zinnias and strawberries remind me of my pup who sat and watched me weed the strawberry patch. She then decided to help me out by pulling a big weed, which was actually a zinnia! I absolutely love the smell of roses and lavender, which often have a very calming affect. I can’t just pick one….I want to keep them all! I want my future grandchildren to be able to experience all these beautiful flowers/plants too!

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  145. Kaylie Campbell on

    If seed Catalogs disappeared tomorrow I would save seed from every vegetable plant in my summer garden and I would save as many flower seeds as I could. My plan is to keep as many seeds from my garden this summer so that I can use them the following year and will not have to keep purchasing the same seed over again! I am particularly excited to save seed from the zinnias and celosia!!

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  146. Laura Aronson on

    When life gets hard, my garden keeps me going… I love zinnias especially and all the many types of basil, especially African Blue which I grow for the bees 🐝… I then take cuttings of it and overwinter yearly. All of these plants attract so many pollinators … I sit in amazement & enjoy them daily.

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  147. Cheryl Rohleder on

    When life is hard just being in my growing space brings back the joy and light and peace in my soul. I love every plant that grows there even the weeds as they show me that once again the seasons of my life dance onward. And because I come from a strong agrarian background, it gives me that tight connection to my past and my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Thank you Kori and Erin for all of the amazing work you’ve done. I cannot wait until the seed sale.

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  148. Terri-Anne Hardie on

    I want to add that I hope to tune my ear to the song of the Zinnia this summer!
    Thank-you for sharing your Dawn Creek seeds with Erin that are now (tomorrow) available to us all.

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  149. sandy van oirschot on

    ornamental grasses, they bend in the wind, poke through the snow, get tattered by hurricanes, but you know in spring the brown leaves will be reborn again starting fresh to take on whatever nature brings.
    when we bought our dairy farm there was a tiny clump of daffodils growing on the bank of a ditch, i marked the spot and returned in the fall to dig them up. i multiplied them and planted them all over our yard. I have never been able to identify the variety. the smell is amazing. fast forward to 2023, we sold the dairy farm and in all the crazy work to transfer the business and move to our new mini farm (cut flowers and small fruit) i forgot about those daffodils, i couldn’t leave them behind. I didnt want to ask to remove anything from the established yardscape, although it was our son who took over the farm, he probably would let me. i walked over to the ditch where i had originally found them and to my suprise there was a small clump of daffodil leaves, so i will be nurturing and multiplying these little tiny bulbs at our new place, i guess i was meant to find them! Or maybe they found me!

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  150. Kathy Berrens on

    Seed catalogs brighten my days!!! Winter dreaming from spring catalogs are my favorite days. I love flowers, Dahlias and hydrangeas especially. As a child, our local fall fair would have a huge dahlia display with their catalogs available and I would spend hours looking at each flower and marking my favorites in the catalog, anticipating the spring sale.
    Local growers are hard to come by and the zinnia is so hardy in Washington, I would love to get some seeds! Great interview!

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  151. Terri-Anne Hardie on

    Thank-you Kori for sharing your heartfelt love for your Zinnias. I loved reading the interview.
    When life is hard, I receive hope and joy from the beauty of flowers: snowdrops and crocuses in the winter; daffodils, tulips and lilies in the spring; zinnias and dahlias in the summer and fall. The relationship is beautiful through every season-from the storing of the seeds and tubers, the preparation of the soil, the planting, the joy of seeing the plants emerge from the soil to that first bloom. Love it!
    I would save the seeds of every type of plant in my gardens that produces seeds that I may have the fulfillment of planting the following year and enjoying the beauty of creation.

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  152. Genessa Lane Claeys on

    First, I would like to say thank you both for sharing the intimate details of your journey with this amazing seed legacy. Since 2020 the garden has been my healing place. I was named after my Italian great grandfather Genesio Torcellini – after coming here as immigrant and working in the auto factories of Detroit he was avid gardener. He saved seeds from Italy and planted what my mom said was an incredibly massive self-sustaining garden in their city lot. So I’m in love with heirloom seed stories & I stay up at night reading through all my seed, catalogs, the stories of where each seed or plant came on my own obsessive journey with gardening now. So, not only because he’s my name sake but mostly because it’s the first time my soul felt completely at peace I realized I’m a gardener now: Then when my husband built me seven raised beds and I planted every fruit tree we could afford … in our historic Victorian house on our little city lot. It’s my goal to make it, the most sacred magical, loving place where these rare, unique varieties can thrive & breed new varieties. I can’t wait to leave this beautiful garden to my children, and teach them to save seeds, because I believe every seed tells a story.

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  153. Tiffany Lee on

    I definitely turn to spring flowers (ranunculus, tulips, anemones) when life is hard. I’m not sure if it’s because I love these flowers that they also tend to be the flowers gifted to me in seasons of trials or vice versa, but they are definitely the flowers I take comfort in most. In addition to those, I would put peonies, roses, gypsophila, and hellebores as the flowers I would want to grow alongside forever.

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  154. Mary Gehling on

    We have some yarrow plants that renew each year. I planted them as a young mother on our farm, dug them up and re-planted in our garden when we moved into town and again when we moved across the state to the coast. Now 30 years later they are still pumping out blooms all Summer long and still one of my favorites. When we bought our house here on the coast we became care takers to the oldest looking (and beautiful) Santolinas. I couldn’t get over how thick and gnarled their mini-trunks were – they had so much personality and presence! I named them Papa Santolina and His Brother, and have tended to them carefully for the past 12 years. Their trunk are twisted and even splitting in places but they continue to prosper, giving up beautiful blooms (and scent!) each year. They’re part of the family for sue.

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  155. Kayla Krueger on

    If seed catalogues were gone our farm would be set for veggie seeds but for flowers I would want to save the queen lime blush series of zinnias. Partly why I am so excited for your release tomorrow because I have a feeling I am going to love alpenglow, dawn creek honey and really ALL of your new zinnias more!! So thankful you have done this project and are choosing to share something that has been missing from the flower world!!

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  156. Sherry Bishop on

    Honestly, this answer can cover both questions. I would save hosta seeds, zinnia seeds and peonies. You can’t just save one, right? Zinnias connect me to my grandmother. When I was a little child I would stay with her and help her in her garden, it was a connection I will always cherish. Gardening and making homemade donuts 🥰 In May I lost my sweet momma and she was an avid gardener and flowers were our connection through her battle with dementia. So I would save these three for my connection with the two most special people in my life.

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  157. Chrissy Lapham on

    Question number one is hard to answer but it does speak to me mostly because of the healing properties of flowers, specifically those which come from my garden. The chosen one changes seasonally, but as I’m approaching Spring and thinking about how much joy Ranunculus bring to me when they are in bloom, I would have to chose it. A flower that feels somewhat magical to withstand such harsh conditions in early Spring and continues to bloom and evolve in the vase as a cut flower for so long. It reveals the awesomeness that nature can offer, and that you can provide for yourself with a little effort and care.

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  158. Sara on

    I am just a couple of years into flower gardening, but to answer question #1- I would share that at my stage of being new, any flower that successfully is grown from seed brings me immense joy and feelings of “we did it!” dahlias and Zinnias are the two flowers I am growing most right now. Having some of these beautiful seeds would be such a happy addition to my garden!

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  159. Angela Hurst on

    I turn to my dahlias to bolster my spirits! They are all so unique and beautiful in different ways! I even save some of their seeds. Growing a dahlia from seed is like having a kid. You have no idea what they will look like, but are so excited to find out!

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  160. Sheri Nobel on

    If seed catalogs were gone I would try save everything haha! Both flowers and veggies! But I will always try save my sweet peas, zinnias and marigold seeds. This year I’ve also been inspired by you to try save my dahlia seeds!

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  161. Amber Codling on

    I believe that every season brings to me a desire to leaen from a new flower – that connection comes from reading a story that might refer to one, or reading on Floret or another grower – it is inspired! Much like a seed, it starts with something small that becomes something much bigger and more magical and knowing that this happens in this window of time that is agreed upon by mother nature and the flower makes it more special. We sold our city house and moved 3 hours away onto acreage, mainly for peace and mostly for flower growing – this was inspired by people like Erin and Kori and so many amazing nature enthusiasts. So this season – I am most looking forward to Zinnias! A few new varieties. It gets me through our long winters

    Much love

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  162. Nancy H. Lawrence on

    I have had the privilege of working for a museum that has large grounds and greenhouses which I look after. I know in the winter time I can look at the orchids and tropical plants to help me get through long winter days. In the summer I can walk around the grounds and look at the perennial and annual beds. My favorite flowers are dahlias and zinnias. I am retiring this summer so I will have to find a different outlet for my passion to grow plants. I will have time to spend in my gardens and looking forward to growing more at home. I have a large corner lot in a quiet neighborhood but have not had the time to work in the gardens. I was thinking of what plants are my allies as the questions asked. It is hard to think of a particular plant as a ally as I look at all living plants as our bright spot in this crazy world. Whether it is the first showing of the tulip and spring bulbs in the spring. to the dormant perennials as they emerge, or the placing of the annuals to give us colour in our garden along with bushes and trees as they start forming their leaves after a winter break. While my work career is ending, my love of plants is ongoing and will always be there.
    If seeds catalogues were to disappear, I would save any of my vegetables I grew along with some annuals like zinnias, snapdragons and dahlias, marigolds. I would also hopefully be able to form friendships with other gardeners who would be saving seeds as well and swap them. The diversity of seeds is something that is lacking in the bigger seed catalogues as there is so many plants out there that many smaller growers like yourself and Kori, offer. Different seeds that are not ready available to the masses.

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  163. Alicia Gorman on

    My dahlias are the plants that bring me the most happiness and buoy my spirits! It is such a wonder of a plant. So much care and effort to grow and then carefully watching (and hoping) as they overwinter! Then the planting and waiting for their wonder to reveal itself! This will be the first season that I saved my own seed from last year’s harvest. I am so excited to see what will bloom this year!

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  164. Sue Ohol on

    Zinnias are my jam, but I have started saving seed from several flowers including sweet peas. Can’t wait to try these new zinnia varieties!

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  165. Judith Goodell on

    If there would be no more seed catalogs to purchase from, I would diligently save the following seeds: wild petunia, browalia Americana, borage, honeywort, , nicotiana alata, cosmos, blue flax, scuttelaria incana, and balloon flower(blue).

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  166. Paige M on

    Tulips, daffodils and crocus, all the spring bulbs that emerge where I live in zone 5a, oftentimes below the snow! They push out and even at the edge of the woods often some old daffodil varieties emerge through detritus and fallen logs. Showing me I can grow through hardship and each spring brings an opportunity for new growth, new discovery and new life.

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  167. Krystal Bowman on

    I’d try to save seeds from all of them… but especially from the zinnias, the vintage rose mix celosia, lemonade sunflowers, madame snaps, purity cosmos and coco orange marigolds

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  168. Robert. S on

    Without seed catalogs I would put more attention and focus on saving more seeds and sharing them with others. I really like cosmos and the way they magically float with a light breeze.

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  169. Mandy on

    I would most definitely save my zinnia, celosia, amaranathus, and gomphrena seeds like I normally do but I would also try to capture every other seed as well if I knew I wouldn’t be able to acquire more. I would really like to grow a peach colored zinnia because I think that everyone around here would love to see it growing because of its coloring.

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  170. Carolyn Young on

    Answering question #1 , I would say Lisianthus and specifically the voyage series just makes my day. It’s frilly and delicate blooms look so fragile but last so long in a vase, makes me feel like I am in a wonderful dream. They are so feminine and yet so durable. A full bouquet just looks so elegant and gets me through the hard days.
    I can’t wait to mix Lisianthus with the these new zinnias you are breeding as I think the combination will be stunning. Thanks so much for all your hard work.

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  171. Tamara on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save seeds from our daisies, snapdragons tomatoes, zucchini, basil. But, especially the daisies.

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  172. Violet on

    1. Certainly flowers. Some include calla lilies and campanula 💙

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  173. Katie on

    (2) Wellllllllllll I’ve never ever grown one from seed before but lilacs would certainly be one of them! And maybe zinnias & buddleia for butterfly/cute bee beacons and bouquets. But oh gosh dahlias! We MUST have those too. And idunno if a garden can be considered a garden without a rambling rose… but also have never grown one of those from seed. I guess I’d simply expand my already seed-hoarding tendencies and save as many flowers as possible! Plus cucumber & tomato seeds because I’ve actually been craving garden fresh ones this whole winter and I may not survive….

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  174. Claire on

    Honestly I think I would just be excited to be part of something so special to you and the whole flower community. I was thrown into the flower industry in away and sometimes it can be quite overwhelming. I have really found comfort in the goofy plants. Your rainbow hues of celosia just get my heart racing. Your Celosia has always been my favorite for many reasons shape, color, selection, etc… On that note, dahlias are the flower the captured my heart. Experimenting with bees choice last year was so much fun. I kept seeds and tubers and I was just so proud of my hard colorful work, I can only imagine how you feel on a daily basis. Thank you for all of the beautiful opportunities, you gift us. I appreciate the whole florett team so much more then you guys will ever know. Have a great day!

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  175. Katie on

    For me (just naming a few) dahlias inspire resilience, sunflowers confidence, cosmos a feeling of times more lightweight, lilacs & roses refreshing hope/daydreams for the future (will explain below Lol), and portulaca & zinnias cheer :) I’ve seen dahlias get knocked half over and still keep putting out bloom after bloom! Sunflowers stand tall and beautiful. Cosmos always have such a wispy, light-heartedness to them that reminds me to not be so heavy on myself. Lilacs and roses (also with everything else I grow really) refresh my hope/daydreams for the future – I’ve been wanting to put my own “roots” down for years now and although I got super lucky this past year to be renting an apartment that happens to have roses and a tiny lilac bush (!!!!), few things set my passions ablaze than daydreaming of that someday when I hopefully have a whole piece of land I can fill with lilacs & rambling roses & just EVERYTHING! I’m not holding back fully as I love the idea of leaving behind all kinds of floral surprises for the next tenants, but I cannot wait until I can really “dig in”. And for some cheer/a pick me up, the many many colors portulaca and zinnia pop open never fail to put a smile on my face :) And imagining having pastel ones looking back at me?!?! MY GOODNESS! :D

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  176. Josée Smith on

    The flowers in my garden that give me peace are the ones given to me for my birthday by my mother over 23 years ago . A stunning 3 big clumping of peonies bring me closer in spirit to her. The stems are strong with beautiful féminin pink blooms. They remind me of my mother, strong, grounded, wise and accepting spirit. We live 5 provinces from each other. These flowers in bloom seem to make the distance disappear.

    Seeds I would save would be the ones offered to me by friends and my mother over the years.
    I am well surrounded in my garden: peonies, phlox, dahlias, primulas and hydrangeas.

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  177. Jennifer Hockett on

    I am in a time in my life where I am caring for my precious twin sister who is and has been bravely battling cancer. She has thought me so very much about flowers and seeds as well as vegetables. She absolutely loves flowers. You should see her back yard. 99% of her flowers as well as vegetables are from seed or starts from her own. It makes me happy to see the excitement on her face when we talk about it all!!
    With all this said, seeds are very important as well as propagation of plants. I am blessed💗🌸💗

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  178. Samantha on

    When times are tough flowers give me so much joy, especially zinnias. Something about them connects to me so deeply, I’ve loved them since I was a child. They give me a feeling of loving nostalgia, which makes it impossible to hold on to a bad mood and reminds me of carefree days. They are just so happy.

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would save every flower seed I could and all of the herbs and peppers I could manage. They give food the most amazing flavors and also give us tea, medicine, and spice. Plants are so magical❤️

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  179. Sherri Y on

    Over the past few years, roses are increasingly my source of joy in the garden. I love growing new varieties and looking at roses growing in public rose gardens and in neighbor’s yards. Several varieties of salvias are also special to me. Salvia greggii has a particularly great scent and makes a great tea w/ honey. And Queen Anne’s Lace is truly soothing and magical in the garden.

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  180. Jennifer on

    I have to say, when life gets hard, I find myself turning the most towards the flowers. Vegetables are great but flowers give me something I don’t get from crop plants. When I walk through my garden and touch the soft petals of a flower with my fingertips, or catch their color just right in the golden sun, peace washes over me. It grounds me and reminds me to see in very real time, the beauty in the world. And it’s usually the calendula or the zinnias that make my heart sing the most. But sunflowers are an extremely close second.

    If seed catalogs disappeared, the first thing I’d focus on seed saving saving (after food and herbs) would be zinnias. They’re just stunning to me. And I could gather them to spread joy throughout my neighborhood as I’m assuming things would be tough for everybody in the world at large if we couldn’t order seeds.

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  181. Judi Overby on

    It is not easy for me to choose any one flower that raises my spirits. I love all things growing. Cosmos are one flower that I find carefree and easy to grow. I am always happy to see their colors gracefully sway in the breeze. I have been saving seeds from my favorite flowers since I began gardening and I always have hope of new life in the spring.

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  182. Darla Wiebe on

    I can remember 2 years ago when I sowed my first seeds into seed trays hardly believing anything could grow from such tiny little seeds, being moved to tears when the first snapdragon bloomed! I could hardly believe my eyes. What seed ? .., who can choose, but zinnia, celosia, yarrow and dahlias would be at the top of my list, oh but cosmos too!
    I can hardly wait for another season to begin😊

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  183. Tiffy on

    I find that hyssop is one of the flowing plants that really lift me up when life is hard. I find bees happily enjoying the blooms. The aromatic of the flowers are heavenly. The smell reminds me of my childhood in my grandmother’s garden. In hard times I would go out, sit in my garden watch the bees , enjoy a cup of hyssop tra and enjoy the sent of hyssop which help me forget my worries for the time being.

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  184. Caitlin White on

    The way that nature interacts with all the features of my garden in such different ways always buoys my spirit. This past year I kept finding fat, fluffy bumble (?) bees snuggled up in my giant marigolds! They were so cute with their little bums sticking out in the evenings. I didn’t care for marigolds until 2023, now I’m hooked. Dahlias, lavender, species tulips, cosmos, sunflowers, and ranunculus.. how to even choose!? Each with their own personality and fan club of insects.

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  185. listeningvalley on

    Roses and Ranunculus! To be specific, my Evelyn rose and my Hanoi Ranunculus. I would (and do) harvest my cosmos seeds. May they bless our summers forever!

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  186. Holly on

    I would focus my seed saving on heirloom tomatoes because they are multifaceted – the base of many foods with the beauty and diversity like a flower. I so enjoyed this interview! Thank you! I can’t wait to grow these precious plants.

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  187. Elizabeth Torres on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save dahlia seeds. I became super drawn to dahlia and thought it was because they were such unique and beautiful flowers (which, they are!) but I came to understand the connection was more than that. After researching them a bit more, I learned they are actually native to Mexico and Central America and were used as food, medicinally and held significant weight in Aztec culture. I feel that it’s important to honor my heritage and having these blooms makes me feel more connected to my family lineage as a 1st generation Mexican-American. The love of the dahlia on a deeper level is me honoring my family history through blooms. 🌸❤️

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  188. Liz on

    The plants I rely on in hard times are my African Violets. I have over 30 of them in my house, many that I propagated from my mother’s plants. My mother passed 16 years ago and to see the beautiful blooms on my plants just makes me happy.

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  189. Megan M on

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would save all veggie seeds and watermelon seeds. Our young family loves the garden experience from sowing to harvesting. We are just starting to branch out in our flower growing and I would have to say that our Zinnias and poppies have been a favorite that we would definitely want to save!

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  190. Michelle Stevens on

    Zinnia’s are one of my very favorite go to flowers that lift my spirit. The waiting for them to bloom , and the fact that they have so many colors and blooms. If seed catalogs disappear ,I would plant seeds from snap dragons from the garden. 🌞

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  191. Margaret Wolf on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save the sunflower seeds from our garden. My husband initially started with about six different varieties, different colors, heights and flower head sizes. Each year since, we have seen new varieties in our garden emerge from the seeds that have fallen into the soil, so it’s always a fun surprise to see what pops up! Neighbors that walk by our garden, often stop to admire them or take photos. So many would miss seeing our sunflowers, if the seeds disappeared.

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  192. Colleen Connor on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save: cucumber , tomatoes, lettuce, carrots… all my veg really. From my flower garden I would save your zinnia seeds and my Veronica/ speedwell, blue lace flower and coreopsis this year. I want to grow alongside my hydrangeas, zinnias, blueberries and roses forever!

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  193. Kari Ward on

    If seed catalogs were no longer, I would save Zinnias with a close 2nd marigolds. Hands down. I am new to planting seeds as well as learning how to save seeds each year to plant the following year. This is a great adventure of trial and error. However, overall, zinnias and marigolds have given me some success.
    I enjoy how happy they are and how they delight everyone who sees them.

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  194. Charlene on

    The plant that seems to steady me in my own landscaping I’d have to say are a variety of hydrangeas! I do not have cut flowers per day if like to add them one day! For now the hydrangeas are a ray of colors shapes and sizes! Some are lace like while others are large and have a beautiful aroma.
    The plant blooms the whole spring and summer and some take me into the fall. The seed is plant perhaps a Red Canna Lilly, Along side of a foliage? Lavender and clematis is another favorite! Thank you for inspiring me !

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  195. Jennifer Lathrop on

    I have grown zinnias for years. I have saved seeds the last several years and shared them with friends. They are so quick to bloom and have such a variety of colors. They have a decent vase lofe so it makes beautiful bouquets. If there were no more seed catalogs then zinnias would for sure be what I would save. I hope to win!!!

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  196. Lynn Bauer on

    I’ve been growing zinnias for years and will always have them. Profusion and State Fair have been my favorites…until I saw the zinnias from Dawn Creek!

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  197. Sue Rosenfield on

    Each year my favorite seed to save are the sweet peas. I buy rare varieties but they become so entwined over the season that in the end I just mix the seeds together and plant what I have room for in the mix, then buy extra of my favorites. I love the Zinnea and dahlia, but my go to healing moment in the garden is to pick a bouquet of sweet peas and bury my face, and sometimes tears into their soft enlightening fragrance.

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  198. Hannah G on

    I would have such a hard time deciding what to save from my garden, so I’d have to choose all my favorites: all my varieties of bush beans, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, all the herbs (especially basil and thyme), bee balm, hyssop, yarrow, zinnias… the list goes on! I would save everything! Roses make me really happy, if I need something to cheer me up!

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  199. Amber on

    My favorite flower friends are zinnias and dahlias. I even love the soil they grow in! It is really hard to put into words how I feel about these flowers and the soil. They ground me, helping me to remember where I came from. They give me hope in a crazy world where everything is in turmoil. My flowers are steady, always following the same pattern of growth. They bring stillness. Cancer worries are lost in the flowers. I can work in my flower farm and lose all sense of time and space. They have all my attention. Zinnia’s and dahlia’s bring me such joy! I see the different varieties and even the different characteristics in each of the varieties and I am just in awe! The Creator of these flowers must be such an artist! And have such a sense of humor! And that brings me back to hope. I know there is a greater force at work here. I’m just a small part of a great plan. I feel like I have been given a gift every time I get to plant a seed in deep rich soil and watch a beautiful, individual flower emerge. It’s just me. It’s a huge part of my joy. Family, faith, and flowers.

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  200. Amy Van Pelt on

    During the hardest times of my life, I think about daffodils and snapdragons. Both are remarkably resilient and reliable. I try to be both. Daffodils often poke their heads out early, some even flowering in the middle of winter, only to be hit by snow and hard freezes. That they can recover from such weather is a lesson I hold dear. And snapdragons are so undemanding, reliably growing from seed, surviving neglect, and providing such beauty to the world. And they might even overwinter to do it all again the following year!

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  201. Amanda Gilmour on

    I turn to my dahlias when times are tough. This last year I only had plants that were grown from my own seed I had saved and seeing all the gorgeous blooms, colors, and petal shapes as each new plant bloomed was a whole new feeling of excitement wonder and contentment. I MADE THAT. My kids (7,4,1) love using the blooms for their soups and potions, as well as decorating the garden in their own special way. Seeing my littles grow their connection and wonderment to the natural goodness around us makes all the time and energy put into the garden worth it.

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  202. Bethany B. on

    If I had to choose one seed to continually grow along, and make sure to collect each year, it would be my purply pink Phlomis. I love the stacks of ruffled flowers and I am finally seeing self sown babies arising. I recently added a yellow variety last year. I am impatiently waiting for Spring to see if they return in our climate.

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  203. Sarah E on

    Dahlias are my flower that lift my mood, I have dealt with an autoimmune disease for a few years and my cut flower garden is what lifts my spirits on the days in don’t feel like going on, flowers give me hope, better days are yet to come…

    Reply
  204. Chris Boone on

    It’s a close race between dahlias and zinnias. During the growing season, every week I take my mother buckets of flowers and we at arrange them. She will be 90 this year. I’ve introduced my daughter to growing flowers and I wish we lived close enough to do this together every week!

    If I could only save one variety of seed it would be zinnias. They come in so many colors, shapes and sizes. Definitely a close second is dahlia seeds. I look forward to the unique varieties each year and my grandkids name them!

    Reply
  205. Kara on

    So beautiful ❤️ Thank you for sharing!
    My garden and flowers are what keep me going throughout the year. All the stages- from planning the upcoming year’s garden, looking through seed catalogs, starting seeds to harvesting and sharing with others the beauty and love that is the flowers. I love it all.

    Reply
  206. Elizabeth on

    I would save my Cosmos <3 (I am already learning to save seeds of all kinds!) Cosmos are my favorite and I wouldn't ever want a garden without them.. that said if I had Kori's zinnias, I would save them forever! What a gift to this world.

    Reply
  207. Katie on

    Gratitude for the garden and ecosystem anchor my soul. Perhaps that’s why in 2020 I began bringing flower arrangements to work to cheer up my public health teammates and clients in our lobby areas. I’m hoping to grow and share Floret originals, including Dawn Creek, during this fifth year of sharing flowers at work.

    Zinnias’ varieties and color evolution throughout each season amaze me; so I’d save these seeds for sure!

    I enjoy reimagining perennials and herbs as foliage options from my backyard; false indigo, smokebush, mint and basil.

    Early spring flowers, like old-time favorites daffodils and narcissus and new-to-me Iceland poppies sherbet, lift my spirits after Ohio winters.

    (These questions were beautiful reflections. Thank you!)

    Reply
  208. James on

    Been doing something similarly by saving specific colors and digging them up and isolating them. It’s tedious and I love it. There is so much that is involved with that on its own is sometimes I forget about everything else we grow! Love just the passion that all of us put into this to just the spread love and flowers! Keep it going!!!

    Reply
  209. Nancy Davey on

    I grew up in a military family. We moved every year or two until I was 12 years old. To make us feel at home in a new place my Mother planted zinnias. As I grew older my own family moved many times and even though I love all flowers I planted zinnias. Their patches became my place for quiet time, peace, joy and wonderful memories! Now I am excited to grow new Floret and Dawn Creek varieties to discover and enjoy new hues, shades and texture! Let the new memories begin!

    Reply
  210. Janet on

    I would say Dahlias, hands down have the power to boost my mood and refresh my spirit. The positive impact growing and harvesting flowers of all kinds has had on me, and the impact my bouquets have had on family, friends and co workers, is unbelievable. Erin always speak about the magic of flowers and how much they can move people, this is 100% true.Truly magical.

    Reply
  211. Jack Hillard on

    Without a doubt my answer to both questions would be the flower that I look forward to, that has without fail, never has disappointed, & yet asks in terms of care, so incredibly little yet represents as well as brings forth such representative immense joy-that being the reliable turns her face towards the sun daffodil.
    I am grateful as well as thankful for each and every year I see her bloom.

    Reply
  212. Helen Baldwin on

    I have to say it’s the first flowers in spring -the spring ephemerals and the hellebores and the narcissus that keep me going. Just around now in winter I start thinking of them and it’s so uplifting knowing just weeks from now there will be flowers! I love the Virginia bluebells, crocus, and marsh marigolds!

    Reply
  213. Jane Griffin on

    A bad day is always made better by flowers, whatever the flower or season, but for me the flower that instantly springs to mind is the Pansy.

    A small flower with such a BIG personality, they refuse to be ignored! They have made themselves at home in many areas of my garden, seeding from pots and containers into the beds below. They are so resilient, and their smiling faces and delicate fragrance always manage to lift my spirits.

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  214. Katherine Horton on

    Anytime I feel poorly, I go to my garden. It is a friend that understands and is very patient with me. Lol, it defiantly doesn’t talk back either. I love seeing God’s creation in all its splendor right in my back yard. My favorite flower is the rose. I have grown them for years and I’m slowly learning their loves, hates and quirks. They are so elegant and smell divine. They are so gentle and yet so resilient. Thank you to God for creating such a beautiful, glorious flower!

    Reply
  215. Sarah Fry on

    Oregon White Oaks are the plant in my ecosystem that I turn to in hard times. I would save sunflower and bush bean seed in the horrifying event that seed catalogues disappeared!

    Reply
  216. Briana on

    The thought of seed catalogs disappearing tomorrow is horrifying.

    I would for sure learn how to save seeds from all the tomato varieties I grow! I love how there are so many different colors, shapes, sizes, and flavors among tomato plants. I cannot imagine my garden or life without a tomato plant growing. The highlight of my summer is when all the varieties are producing at the same time and I get to take that first family photo of all the beautiful fruit varieties together.

    Reply
  217. Lynette Carlson on

    Every bloom in my garden is a joy that lifts my spirit. I find all the colors and forms of dahlia are amazingly beautiful. I love zinnia in all sizes and colors. Marigolds are so bright and hardy into the fall season. Snapdragons are just lovely. The spring sweet smell of lilacs in the air and lily of the valley. Fragrant pink shrub roses that have spread into a hedge from a small transplanted branch are a true delight. Peony blooms always lift my spirit. All of these have a time and place in my heart and garden.

    Reply
  218. Robyn Morris on

    I have grown my Echinacea and Globe Thistle from seed. These are huge pollinator attracters. I have a public side walk in front of the bed. When I see people and even children of all ages stop and stand still to watch the bees and butterflies, they just seem to drift off in a dream state. Writing this literally gives me tears of joy. I live in Manitoba Canada zone 3 where our season is short and these plants give creatures of all sizes resources for our ecosystem all year round. These have really drawn me and pedestrians to the garden. To provide more for the pollinators has been rewarding.

    Reply
  219. Lorraine Lively on

    As a home Gardner and recent dabbler in floristry I would have to say my go to flowers when life is hardest are the snapdragons , zinnias and sunflowers. I find these bring me such joy. There beauty is always sure to bring a smile to my face and I can spend endless time just walking through the garden and allowing them to take my mind away from my troubles. They are simple to grow and I can always count on them to come through regardless of the intense heat we can get in my area. I so appreciate the zinnias stamina as a cut flower , the snapdragons whimsy in a bouquet and the sunflower’s cheerful presence, and attraction for bees in the garden.

    Reply
  220. Laurie on

    When life is hardest -I always look forward to walking through my dahlia beds and in spring –sweet peas always lift my spirits–I relax and feel restored. I try every year to save zinnia seeds and and sweet pea seeds.

    Reply
  221. Jo on

    When life is dark the garden restores my energy. Really it is the combination of plants growing beautifully together that does it for me. My favorites are the dahlias, the tomatoes, and the zinnias. I love the sophistication of the dahlia, the joyfulness of the zinnia (and the buzzing insect life surrounding them!) and the fruitful deliciousness of the tomatoes.

    Reply
  222. Jessica Duncan on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would actually be ok. I’ve been saving seed for years. Especially in my vegetable garden, that one is most important. I do buy seed that is not isolated and carefully planted far away from each other so obviously I’d have to be much more thoughtful. There’s a sense of peace and accomplishment when I have a bag full of little dried seeds waiting to return to the ground and start a new life.

    Reply
  223. Shari on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?
    Scent and sight are the two things that lift my spirits, so roses, sweet peas, freesia etc are definitely favourites, but I also love beautiful colours, which you have in abundance in your offerings.

    Reply
  224. Kendra Morse on

    I love every version of dahlias, it began with one purchase of a plant from a local nursery and now I am hooked forever. I dream everyday of quitting work and starting my own flower farm, which will likely never happen as the growing season where I live is not long, but it gives me solice as I head to work each day.

    Reply
  225. Trisha Collier on

    When life gets a little tough and things seem a little too hard to get through I turn to my fragrant rose collection. It instantly brings me back to my late Grandma’s beautiful rose garden when I was a child. I miss her very much and wish I had her guidance but the roses speak to me where her voice no longer can. When I smell a rose I know she is there helping me through the tough times. This will be my first year attempting zinnias from seed and so am very excited for the new journey.

    Reply
  226. Jewels L on

    The plants that are my go to friends in hard times are my peonies. Discovering the first red shoots rising yet again from the earth gives me hopeful expectation of yet another season of beautiful flowers.
    Due to a painful disability I often can not plant seedlings and garden in time to produce new varieties of flowers. But each year there are my peonies waiting for me to yet again love them.
    My seeds I love to save are columbines. So easy to save their seeds, easy to grow and so many lovely colors!

    Reply
  227. Felicia Campbell on

    When I was a young girl, I would get to stay with my grandma and help her in her flower and vegetable garden. We would sit snapping beans and enjoying all of her zinnias that bordered her whole garden. She would always pick a small bundle and wrap them in a damp paper towel and waxed paper for me to take home. They were the first flower that I ever grew my self when I was given a small spot on the yard when I when in 8th grade. I have grown them ever since. Years later when I developed cancer, I would spend most of my mornings tending my garden and picking lovely bundles of zinnias. What joy they bring. Thank you for your beautiful website and for your work.

    Felicia Campbell

    Reply
  228. Nic on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times? Red and yellow sunflowers, zinnias, the smell of gardenias and sweet alyssum always put a smile on my face. I would save seeds from any flower possible!

    Reply
  229. Kira Nichols on

    In hard times, I find that the garden as a whole seems to be a place to find comfort and peace. I can go out with pruners, and do a little light work, or just walk around and look at things. If I had to choose something specific though, I live far from family, so it brings me a lot of joy to see the roses that are growing from the cuttings my mom brought to me a few years ago. Clones of the very plants I grew up watering as a kid.

    Reply
  230. SJC on

    Delphinium/larkspur flowers are what I gravitate towards. Really anything blue.

    Reply
  231. Tiffany Wolff on

    1. When life has rough patches, it’s actually my bedroom sansevieria/snake plants that line the glass patio doors which provide me with love and care. They tower in their pots and create a green & yellow wall of beautiful sculptural presence which lifts my mood gazing upon them. I know they are cleaning the air throughout the day and tend to my respiration as I sleep.
    2. I would grow cilantro every year and allow it to flower and go to seed forever! I love the smell of cilantro leaves and the bees, butterflies and wasps love the white umbellifers it produces.

    Reply
  232. Mary Wooding on

    The flowers that steady me and bring me to a place of grounded inner-peace are: sweet peas (the fragrance), peonies (gushing beauty), snap dragons, (whimsical fun), nasturtiums (so yummy), zinnias ( bring on the giant swallowtail butterflies:), cosmos (sheer joy) and dahlias (striking beauty) but all for the joy they bring to me and others, as it is most rewarding to given flowers.

    The above list answers the second question. I do, and will continue to grow and seed save these beauties all my able bodied days 🌸

    Reply
  233. Mary Wooding on

    The flowers that steady me and bring me to a place of grounded inner-peace are: sweet peas (the fragrance), peonies (gushing beauty), snap dragons, (whimsical fun), nasturtiums (so yummy), zinnias ( bring on the giant swallowtail butterflies:), cosmos (sheer joy) and dahlias (striking beauty) but all for the joy they bring to me and others, as it is most rewarding to give flowers.

    The above list answers the second question. I do, and will continue to grow and seed save these beauties all my able bodied days 🌸

    Reply
  234. Diane Marie Gruber on

    The past several years have been a very difficult season in my life. An older lady at my church gave me some zinnia seeds she had saved from the previous year to plant and I have been “addicted”to zinnias since. I now save my own seeds,plant them every spring , and tending to these beautiful flowers and giving away bouquets of their blooms has been my therapy that helps me get through the sorrows of this life. 🌸🩷

    Reply
  235. Jennifer on

    In Western New York, winters are difficult to get through for many, in large part due to lack of sun. One especially gloomy February, my husband helped me set-up grow lights/heat mats in our basement & I discovered the joys of propagating seed. Visiting the sprouting plant babies in the dead of winter brought daily joy, wonder & delight, and a salve for my mental health.

    If seed catalogues disappeared, I would continue to save tomato, sunflower, zinnia, cosmo, calendula, marigold, dahlia tubers (& seeds), and in the process, hopefully master the art of labeling.

    Reply
  236. Elvira ajanovic on

    During hard times it always feels like there is one strong flower in my garden that I know will lift my spirits. My beautiful sweet peas. The way they trellis up with all their whimsical beauty. A sweet smell that takes me away from life’s hardships and reminds me just how good god is to me. That’s my reminder. Every, single time.

    This is why forever and always sweet peas and zinnias are a must in my garden. I couldn’t imagine the garden looking or feeling the same without these beautiful plants.

    Reply
  237. Summer on

    Last summer I companion planted marigolds in my veg garden and to my surprise half were African marigolds. They grew into huge lil poofs of sunshine. Such a simple flower brought me so much joy and an endless amount of flowers to share with family and friends. The pollinators loved them and one of my favorite thing was all the bees that loved to take naps in them. I also grew a couple varieties of zinnas. The Benary giant zinnas did so well planted in our clay soil and gave us flowers for months. Cut flowers brought me so much joy last year. It inspired us to build a 30 ft cut flower garden on our property. We planted a cover crop in it to flourish and build the soil, it’s brimming with life this winter! We can’t wait to plant dawn creek and floret seeds on our property this summer.

    Reply
  238. Sarah Fry on

    When life is hard, I look to the towering, ancient, Oregon White Oaks in our ecosystem that sustain life for so many species, and who have witnessed the land where I walk over centuries of change. I also look forward to spending time with my cut flowers, because they remind me of who I am.

    If seed catalogues were no more, I would save sunflower seeds, dry beans, bush beans, and bright blue bachelor buttons.

    Reply
  239. Inna on

    If the seed catalogs would disappear, I would save my zinnia, poppy and strawflower seeds. Zinnias are the flowers that I absolutely adore and want to grow forever!

    Reply
  240. Sonia Gahlhoff on

    My grandmother taught me the practice of saving seeds from her marigolds, sweet peas, and sweet asylum, simple companion plants to her vegetable garden. She worked hard her whole life yet always found joy in tending her garden. When I am at loss, troubled or needing answers I turn to my flowers tending them so they will return the love, if not at the moment, then in the future. In turn I have taught my children, grown now with homes of their own, the love of planting and growing. I now have my own chance to teach my 1 year old grandson the joys of gardening along with his parents…who gave us seeds from their garden this Christmas to plant in our own. Life is a wonderful and full cycle.

    Reply
  241. Lin on

    I just typed and deleted lots of words back and forth. Gardening is the only thing that can make me calm, smile and feel happiness for the past 6 years. Seeing flowers can me feel I’m still myself, remind me that I still have a garden dream. My dream garden would have flower walls and arches with climbing Roses, Clematis, Honey suckle, and Morning Glorys. And all kinds of flowers along with a big fence around the backyard (no fence yet).

    Flowers/seeds I currently have:
    🌸Climbing Rose: New Dawn, Perfume Breeze, Blaze, Zephirine Drouhin, Joseph’s Coat, Iceberg, John Davis, Westerland (some others died like America, Angel face and Golden gate).
    🌸Clematis: Belle of Working, Crystal Fountain, Josephine, Taiga, H F Young, Piilu, Snow Queen…
    🌸Morning Glory: I grew Mixed pack before, got some special ones this year like Split Second, Mount Fuji, Sunrise Serenade, Carnival of Venice…
    💐 Others: Peonies, Bush Roses, Magnolia, Hydrangea, Azalea, Rhododendron, Purple Coneflower, Sweet William, Apricot Blanket flower, Alpine Pink Aster, Salvias, Russian Sage, Pink speed well, Mums, Creeping Phlox, Stoke Aster, Shasta Daisy, Sunrise Coreopsis, Dahlia, Calendula, Petunia, Moss Rose, Marigold…
    💗Dream garden wish list: Eden, Rainy Blue, Lady of Shalott climbing Rose; Peony, Pompom, Mother of Pearl, any double Poppies; Colorful and Double Echinaceas like Cantaloupe, yellow, white, Green or twister; Double Hollyhocks especially peach apricot colors; Double Delphinium; Perennial Painted Daisy & Double Carnation (seeds I bought were not true to type); Different varieties of Zinnias, like Queen Lime series, Zinderella, Starlight Rose, Any Light unicorn dream colors…

    Reply
  242. Bethany on

    Fragrant flowers are really impactful for me in rough times. In summer that means sweet peas. In winter it might be daphnes or witch hazel. In spring the lilacs are a real favorite, and they especially remind me of my Grammy who loved them dearly. The other kind of flowers that help lift my spirits when the world seems too large and harsh are the ones the pollinators visit most. This last year I grew goldenrod for the first time, and in August, September and October, I could go spend 30 seconds by a blooming goldenrod and see six or more different kinds of insects working them over. It was such a great reminder of how much life there is and could and can be just outside my doorstep.

    Reply
  243. Deb Mur on

    Swamp milkweed is my pick-me-up plant that is native here in NJ and has self sow all around my house from one mother plant purchased at a farmers market. I love looking for monarch eggs on the underside of the leaves and fostering the hatching caterpillars and releasing the butterflies. It brings me joy to involve the neighborhood children in this process. When the seed heads are ripe, I collect thousands of seeds to give away, and sprinkle seeds along our riverbank hoping to spread more milkweed joy.

    Reply
  244. Taylor on

    If seed catalogs went away, I would definitely save zinnia seeds. The variety of sizes and colors that they come in is just unmatched.💕

    Reply
  245. Dana Bull on

    Snapdragons hold a very special place in my heart, they remind me of my grandmother. I had to include them in my wedding bouquet, it made me feel that she was with me. Whenever I see them, I am almost instantly in a better mood. They definitely hold some magic.

    If seed catalogs were no longer, I would definitely save zinnia, tomatoe, and sweet pea seeds. Those would probably be my top three :)

    Reply
  246. Jade Elms on

    In the spring of 2022 a good friend took me to Adelman’s Peony Garden and we walked among 25 acres of blooming peonies. It was literally a life changing experience. I had been feeling at a crossroads in my life and was also wondering if there was anything I felt called to do with the open space on the beautiful 5 acres of land where I live. “Why am I here?”, I kept asking. Walking among those millions of peony blossoms, I knew- I want to grow flowers- Peonies, Sunflowers, Daffodils, Lilacs, Snapdragons! All my favorite flowers from growing up working in my mom’s wholesale flower warehouse. Zinnia’s were one of the most encouraging and forgiving flowers to start with.
    I have a fairly cold site with heavy clay soil but 10 years earlier there was some soil blown into an approximately 1/3 acre deer fenced garden area intended for vegetables. The garden space needed to be wrestled back from the weeds and volunteer trees attempting to take over (luckily I had started this process during the pandemic and built some raised beds for veggies). 2023 was my first year attempting a flower farm here. I had a blast starting the plants from seed and following them through their life cycle. I kept having the feeling, “I think I work for them (the flowers) now” and that made me laugh. I supplied flowers for a wedding! I spent way too long making bouquets! I gifted bouquets to people in the community dealing with grief and great challenges when their stories reached me. I found bees sleeping in the flowers all summer long. I spent hours in the garden harvesting, watering, weeding, admiring. I’ve always adored flowers but growing them in this way was healing in ways I hadn’t imagined. I planted 1300 daffodils last fall and Im so looking forward to meeting them all!

    Reply
  247. Ashley on

    I’ve unintentionally fallen in love with calendula. Reading about seed breeding has me wanting to be muddy more selective in the seeds I save this year, as I’ve send some really special blooms in the past years. They’re a somewhat ordinary flower, but they’re prolific and easy to grow, which is exactly what I need in this season. They’re one that I plan to have around for a long time

    Reply
  248. Lisa Ewald on

    Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan) and I have a strong connection. We have always shared space with one another throughout the years. Rudbeckia grows in abundance at the entrance to my home and there is a shared feeling of us protecting and supporting one another. Each spring I anticipate her awakening and there is that joy of welcoming an old friend when the first new green leaves unfurl, tucked close to the earth at first and then reaching up to greet me with open arms, as the season unfolds. There is particular grace in the way that the buds unfurl into flowers that is all her own. I am in awe of this process, this dance, in every flower I know. I sit there on the earth, surrounded by the stems, leaves and blossoms of this dear friend, with her roots stretching into the soil below me and we share that connection and energy of living and growing things. For this I am grateful.

    Reply
  249. Caron Hardy on

    If seed catalogs went away, I’d save cosmos and then arrange a mass trade so everyone could share what they saved!!

    I’ll always have Irises.

    Reply
  250. Becca Niemeyer on

    I love poppies – all sorts, any kind. Big, little, all of them. I love how their heads sort of droop, seemingly sad, all the whole they are carrying an invisible magic bundle, and then they perk up when they bloom. It makes me think about how some of our most meaningful experiences are after we come through hard times, and we don’t know what’s on the other side except when we go through.

    I’ll save poppies, hollyhocks, and strawberries for sure! Tulips, daffodils and hyacinth also bring breast joy, but more nervous on saving bulbs… Haven’t yet dabbled in dahlias but hoping to get there soon!

    Reply
  251. Annadele France on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save all of my Nasturtium seed for eternity. There is never enough! I would also collect seed from all the Zinnia, Cosmos, Dahlia, special varieties or Marigold, Mullein, Bells of Ireland, Garden Phlox, pansies, POPPIES!!! And all the heirloom veggies, and herbs of course!

    Reply
  252. Evy Jenkins on

    We live on a corner lot with a white picket fence that allows everyone who walks by to enjoy our entire cottage garden front, side and back. Our garden is filled with a variety of all colors and types of annuals and perennial flowers, some that stand tall in their beauty and splendor beckoning visitors to take everything in and feel the calm and serenity it has to offer. My favorite flowers that gives me these feelings are coneflowers, daisies, zinnias, roses and Black-eyed Susans, sunflowers, but I love so many others. The greatest honor our garden received was from someone who told us everytime they come by our garden they can feel their blood pressure going down.

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  253. Melissa Griffis on

    Zinnias all the way. Their colors, their ease of growing and saving the seed.

    Reply
  254. Amanda on

    1. Oh my, during the lockdowns several years ago my garden was our retreat, our happy place, my shelter from the storm!!! I find comfort in garden roses whose scents are otherworldly and dreamy dahlias and carefree, whimsical cosmos!!! :)
    2. I would hope to save ALL the seeds!!!

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  255. Kathleen on

    I have pretty extreme anxiety and the last few years I’ve used my garden to keep it in check. The winter months I plan and start plants. I draft elaborate plans, slowly converting more and more grass to flower beds. In the spring I transplant the babies. All summer long I harvest daily bouquets for every corner of my house and many neighbor homes as well. The flowers that bring the most joy are my heirloom mums, roses, sweet peas, cosmos, rubeckia, and, of course, zinnias.

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  256. Robin Emerson on

    I love all of my flowers! They all make me happy but I especially love my sunflowers! They are happy flowers and make everyone smile!

    I would and do save seeds from cosmos and zinnias!

    Reply
  257. Alexandria Campbell on

    Such a lovely read. Thank you!

    In hard times, roses, lupine, daffodils, and zinnias have been my favorites :) they bring me such joy. I also love clematis and honeysuckle and anything vining. Dahlias are also such a delight to have around.

    If that were to happen I would save sunflowers, lupine, zinnias, cosmos, dahlias, sweat peas, and edible peas too, as well as mint and squash seeds. It’s so hard to choose just a few.

    Thank you <3

    Reply
  258. Mary Bloom on

    As an Oncology nurse, I had the privilege of caring for and supporting people and caregivers experiencing cancer and AIDS. So many times I turned to gardening, connecting to the earth, hands and knees in the dirt to find joy among so much sadness and to grieve for so many lives touched or lost. I learned to love nurturing my plants and flowers through all of their cycles from a single tiny seed to their fullest potential to reproduce for future generations. It is all so symbolic of lives lost that can go on through the next generation and through our memories of their beauty and strength. Although I love to cut my flowers and share with friends and family; I love the flowers most that I keep growing until their last stage to collect their seeds to replant or share with friends and family. My favorites are my zinnias, calendulas, hollyhocks, cosmos and lavender.

    Reply
  259. Diane on

    Such hard questions! All my plants bring me joy! I think the ones that give winter interest too, would be a the top of list. Echinacea and Agastache. And I would want to save all seeds. Zinnia’s really are a winner though. I self sowed them for the first time last year and what a wonderful joy to see the variations of the plants though out the summer. They really are workhorses and keep on giving.

    Reply
  260. Stacey on

    If seed catalogs would perish, learn more about difficult heirlooms, propagation methods, and save seeds treasures. Sweet pea flowers would be one I would miss. Also calendula, my ride or die, it’s so medicinal I don’t think I could ever go without it to soothe my skin. The toxic scent and beauty of all basils would truly be one to save seeds! Easy to save again and again! I love them in bouquets and in yummy pesto too!

    Reply
  261. Sharon on

    Fresh flowers have been a part of my solace as far back as I can remember. I am thankful for the ability to grab a fresh bouquet in a local shop during the winter months. I am at my happiest when wandering through a garden and discovering what is currently blooming and emerging as the seasons change. I love to photograph and share the beauty and diversity of flowers. The range of colors and hardiness of zinnias are hard to beat. The fact that they also attract so many pollinators makes them crucial to any garden small or large.

    Reply
  262. Nancy on

    Flowers definitely boost my spirits and bring me so much joy. If I grow along side with Dahlias, Zinnias, Sunflowers, Cosmos and Snapdragons I will be happy forever!

    Reply
  263. Terri Wilson on

    Peonies always make me happy and conjure good memories from my childhood. They also represent happy marriage which is why I have peonies tattooed on my shoulder in honor of life with my sweet husband.

    Reply
  264. Jennifer on

    I would save seed from sweet peas, snapdragons, cosmos, sunflowers, and dahlias. Along with my perennials, I think these are the annuals I would most miss, other than zinnias, of course.

    Reply
  265. Cathy Groulx on

    I hold on to the various small conifers and some young and small Japanese Maple trees which are the bones of my new garden spaces. Their inherent strength, colours and shapes consoled me through a tough cancer recovery, where I could see them in the winter when flowers were gone. It is winter again, and I stare at them all from inside the house, visualizing the flower placements that will happen between them in the spring. I begin each day staring out at the gardens designing and redesigning the spaces in my mind. With the addition of a few more perennials and the boost of annual flowers in the late spring, the bones give the structure and the flowers fill in the spaces, holding it all together like the painting that I am creating (I am a professional artist as well as a mad gardener).
    I love the subtly of the colours of these Zinnia varieties. They give a sense of quiet and peace and I can understand why these colour varieties were the selections that attracted Kori.
    What seeds would I hold on to if catalogues disappeared- Zinnias of course, Verbenas, Salvias and Marigolds.
    What seeds do I want to grow alongside forever- Zinnias and double white hollyhocks.

    Reply
  266. Robert on

    When life becomes tough, I gravitate toward herbs and flowers such as the curry leaf plant as it’s flowers are as fragrant as jasmine and leaves elevate dishes with the flavor and collective memories of countless generations

    Reply
  267. Rebekah on

    I turn towards holy Thai basil. It’s smell is like nothing else I’ve ever smelled; so glorious and calming.
    If there were no seed catalogs, I’d save everything. Tomatoes, green beans, okra, cucumbers, zinnias, celosia, gomphrena, bachelors buttons, chives, blupleurum…so many.

    Reply
  268. Ann Forrester on

    Loved reading this interview and the growing journey of Dawn Creek. Flowers in general are such “pick me ups” during hard times. As a fellow flower grower as well as wedding and event florist, there are so many flowers that I’m drawn to, but peonies, lilacs and hydrangeas always pull at my heart strings :)!~

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  269. Sara Peterson on

    I love spring and daffodils buoy the spirits when they first arrive. The color, texture and softness of a daffodil is something that gets me through the rainy early spring in the Pacific Northwest. They lift you up and let you know that spring is on its way. Daffodils in combination with hellebores is especially exciting and comforting, bringing happiness and peace and reminding you of the power and comforts of nature.

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  270. Halie Herigon on

    When life gets hard I turn to my garden for an escape to my happy place. I lost my husband almost 2 years ago and turned to my garden in the darkest of times. I’m just getting into the cut flower world but last year I dumped a seed packet of zinnias and had surprise flowers months later. After cutting, sharing, and enjoying so much I decided to do more! I can’t wait to see all my pretty flowers this year.

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  271. Beth Undem on

    I live in 4a in North Dakota. I have always only grown perennials, shrub roses, hydrangeas, and peonies in my flower beds. Most are in full sun. As a former teacher, I relax in the summer by wandering my beds in early morning with my coffee cup and before I go in for the night assessing what I need to do the next day and enjoying the blooms.
    I retired in May and am looking forward to planting and growing my first cut flower beds knowing that I have time to start them over the winter and enjoy them in the fall because I won’t be going back to work.
    Right now my favorite flowers are my roses, but I am looking forward to all the annuals I will be starting this winter and spring. I went a little crazy with seeds so I will have a wide variety by summer and fall to share with family and friends. Then I will be able to pick a favorite. I ordered several kinds of benary zinnias but they are more vibrant colors than your beautiful zinnias that I would love to add to my garden.

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  272. Jontal on

    When life is hard I look for anything blooming or showing growth. My first serious cut flower garden was planted while grieving the loss of a mentor/second father, while experiencing a pregnancy punctuated by hyperemesis gravidarum. That time gave me so much opportunity to feel the hope of every day being a new day and an appreciation of the cyclical nature of life. When Kori said she wants people to feel hope when they’re experience her flowers I got choked up. Looking for anything showing signs of growth and progress is insanely inspiring and grounding for me in the process of living this one, beautiful life.

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  273. Truc Mertz on

    I’ve only started learning how to seriously grow roses a few years ago and I am really proud of how well they are doing in my garden. When I’m feeling overwhelmed with farming chores or just need to take a break, smelling a rose or two will brighten my mood. If I had to choose, I would save seeds from snapdragons, because they were the first seeds I saved as a young person, forget-me-nots, zinnias, and celosias (although I’m sure I will collecting from every flower that will give me their seeds). I also recently started growing tuberose, which I later learned that my mom had not seen a tuberose flower in more than 40 years, not since her mom grew them. My mom and I have had many discussions since about what variety my grandmother grew and how they were used in her home, along with other floral memories from her youth. The tuberose without intention became a connector between the three of us, so they will be my forever flowers.

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  274. Melissa Scott on

    When I need uplifting, I immerse myself in my farm. The colors and fragrances everywhere, the pollinators and bird song. Every piece of it, I find myself aways gravitating to my zinnias, Dalias and snapdragons though. They stick around for me the longest during our hot growing season. They provide versatility to create with or can be used and designed with as a stand alone flower. The layers of petals on a zinnia, they just seem to want to bloom beautifully and big for me.

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  275. Amiee on

    My go to is the madrone trees around our property, I didn’t grow them but they are my companions as I try to grow and experiment with flowers and veggies in the Sierras foothills where we live …
    I love their steadfast nature, their intriguing bark, that they shed leaves in summer and have insanely red bright berries in fall. They are a true native species in California and I cherish them very very much.

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  276. Paula Keeler on

    Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’, and Cosmos bipinnatus are two plants in my garden that bring peace and joy to my spirit and soul. Delicate petals that dance with the elements reminding me to keep moving, keep dancing and the constant dead heading of cosmos that pruning back, allowing for new vigorous growth is a daily reminder for me

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  277. Janet Lewinsohn on

    So excited to order zinnias for myself and share with friends. We will be zealous zinnia flower arrangers…. cheers,

    Reply
  278. Melissa Grimmet on

    I have not ventured into growing flowers yet (hoping to this season) but my vegetable garden has brought me so much joy for the past two seasons. To be able to go out and cut fresh lettuce for a salad or eat raspberries fresh off the plant is such a blessing!

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  279. Starlene Walker on

    My grandma grew dahlias when I was a child. Any time I go into the garden I feel at peace,but when I see the smiling faces of the dahlias it always brightens my day.The memories flood my mind playing in the garden,spending time with my gran.If I knew how. lol I would save dahlia seeds.

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  280. Peg Pickering on

    I especially developed a love for digging in the dirt when we moved, with 3 small children, to the family farm in the late 70s. I finally had my own space to plant whatever I wanted. And with only 2 trees on 3 acre building site, I had a lot of space to do it. We ended up planting 50+ trees and dug up multiple small and large gardens for my flowers. My focus then was perennials and I had oodles of them but I also dabbled in some seed plantings of cut flowers.
    After 28 years on the farm, my husband retired from farming and we “moved to town” and built our forever home on 2/3 of an acre of bare ground. My nursing management career was extremely busy and stressful at that time but my refuge was beginning (again) to surround myself with the trees and plants that I loved. And again, my emphasis was on hydrangeas, peonies, lilies and more, developing beautiful perennial gardens.
    Fast forward 14 years and I am retired and in the depths of the pandemic. I found Growing Floret on TV one day and binge watched all the episodes. I can’t put into words the peace and hope that those stories gave me at a time when I was struggling to find peace and hope. I have been following Floret ever since and thinking about planting annuals again.
    That is a long way to go to tell you that only last year did I begin again to plant cut flowers, primarily zinnias and I am hooked. I can’t get enough of the dusty blush and coral colors and continue to look for those varieties. I love Dawn Creek’s story. Her description of her relationship with flowers speaks to me and I wish them all good things on their journey. I only grow my small patch of flowers for my personal pleasure, outdoor therapy, and the occasional opportunity to share with a friend, neighbor or church bouquet. Thank you to the breeders and growers for your stories and the inspiration you gift to fellow flower lovers.

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  281. Zaida Edmundson on

    When life is hard, I turn to wildflowers. They are resilient throughout life — they flourish in good soil, proper light, and yet, stand in unison with their peers during tough times too.

    If catalogs were to disappear — after a long sigh and cry — would call my neighbor to let her know and rush out to jot down what I have in the garden that needs tending with the preservation of seeds. We would meet to strategize our growing plan for the future.

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  282. Tracy Kuchar on

    I planted a large swath of Agastache a few years ago and it is always a favorite spot to visit in the garden. The huge 4 foot high plus plants are loved by the bees and butterflies and are always filled with life. I know that I can always have a visit with the pollinators at the Agastache!

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  283. Ashley McClatchey on

    There may not be a specific flower that I lean towards when things are rough but more colours. Any colour that makes my soul happy I tend to gravitate towards, purples, lavenders, orange peach yellow pinks . Those colours to me mean joy and happiness .

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  284. Suzanne Woss on

    If catalogs were to disappear, I would be saving zinnia,poppy and delphinium seeds as well as tomatoes and squash seeds. There is something very satisfying about starting flowers and vegetables from seed. Watching them push their heads through the soil and nurturing then along the way. The entire process is soul satisfying even if there are a few bumps along the way. I am feeling the pull of spring and the need to put my hands in the soil and begin another year of the growing cycle.

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  285. Delacy Leverette on

    We are planting our first fields of cutting flowers at our naturally grown vegetable farm operation. Having many years of growing flowers and vegetables beneath our belts, we are ready for the abundance of Peonies, Dahlia’s, Zinnias, which are our favorite, at our farm this year! We would be over the moon happy to receive the collection of Zinnias, which are absolutely stunning, to our flower gardens. Thank you so much 🌸

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  286. Summer on

    The fall my husband left, Cosmos were there. Earlier that year, a few volunteers of sensation mix and tip top picotee came up along the back of my house. I left them because I love cosmos. In the fall, we had many hard frosts. Everything died, except the cosmos. They lasted a month longer than everyone else! They kept me sane and they were beauty in the midst of life’s ugliness.

    I wondered if it was because they were by the house, but this year the same cosmos came up in the same place and they died on the first frost. I think those cosmos were God’s gift to me during a hard time.

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  287. Elianna on

    My Moms roses and peonies are always my favorites, anythings with lots of ruffly petals. They always cheer me up! If seed catalogs were to disappear I’d be saving poppies, zinnias, and all my veggie seed! Nothing like homegrown vegetables in the summer!

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  288. Marcia Houston on

    For me, absolutely, the flower that comes to my mind for happy memories is the Zinnia. I can see my grandmother on knees, with her wide brimmed garden hat, tending the many zinnias (thousands) she grew in her garden. The Zinnias were always the second outer rows that surrounded the entire border of the garden. The blossoms were the Tutus of tall straight ballerinas, with their long strong green stems of legs. I always imagined that all these ballerinas were going to unfurl from the blossom Tutu centers on hot summer nights. It was a magical childhood playing in the garden rows of zinnias, marigolds, asparagus fern, espaliered raspberries, tomatoes, and so on. She tended the garden 24 hours a day, and would set her alarm through the summer nights, to move her home made driplines through the rows of the garden. Floret is the good fairy of seed saving.

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  289. Mo on

    I have always grown zinnias as my go to cut summer flowers but I never realized the intense beauty of them until I read this article.( By the way I read this while waiting to go to surgery for my knee.It put me in a happy place dreaming.)I definitely want to try these seeds.

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  290. Chris on

    I would save all the zinnia seeds I have and Dahlia tubers.

    Reply
  291. Elizabeth on

    I have a very stressful job where I work 80 hour weeks for 3 months and even afterwards I felt so drained and unhappy. I started gardening after I bought my first home and gardening became an obsession. Every plant brought joy but mostly I loved growing tomatoes and peppers and reduce going to the supermarket but I couldn’t resist finding a spot for flowers as my grandma was a florist and I inherited her love of flowers. Zinnias speak to me and I love seeing bees go from flower to flower. It makes me so happy to see them. Gardening has been so life changing for me.

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  292. Angela Walter on

    For me, it’s not the particular plant or flower being grown. It is the process I love. Anticipation. Patience. Great expectations. Recovering from set backs. Labor. Sharing the results. There is no instant gratification in a garden. It is earned gratification. I will save almost any seed and try to make it grow!

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  293. Andrea A on

    I would say my entire garden and all the plants in it buoy my spirit every time I step into it. It’s like my own little oasis. have been primarily a vegetable grower but started dabbling more in flowers a few years ago. I am particularly smitten with calendula, for their beauty and medicinal properties. Cosmos for their gentle spirit. And, thanks to Erin, I am now obsessed with English climbing roses. I love the history of them.

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  294. Sarah C. on

    What a beautiful questions to think about! The flowers that steady me are those I’ve transplanted or grafted from my mom’s garden. They have a legacy and remind me of her love of gardening and my grandmothers and how it’s passed down through each generation. Current favorites from her are Lenten roses, hydrangeas, and a rose coming this spring :)

    Reply
  295. Bernadette Butler on

    I have discovered a love for snapdragons! Especially rockets and madame butterflies. I get sturdy tall stems that work well in vases and sell well at the Farmers market. I really like cosmos! They make a nice filler in bouquets. They keep on giving with deadheading. I am starting a lavender farm this year. Although it takes about three years to fully thrive, I’m looking forward to the journey!

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  296. Erin on

    1) this feels like a cop out, but truly, it’s zinnias. These composite flowers have helped me stay alive during my last fat year of grief
    2) i love my queen lime blush zinns and my shiso. I definitely would continue to seed save my shiso because i think it’s culturally important to keep it going

    Reply
  297. Maryellen on

    Thank you, Kori, for sharing your story and your seeds with us. A flower that takes my breath away, especially when I serendipitously come across it, is the lily of the valley. Those tiny bells never fail to evoke within me the feeling of unconditional love and security from my childhood. Definitely lifts my spirits!

    Reply
  298. Elizabeth on

    Rose campion is my steady date, a thread through all the gardens we’ve started & nurtured. It has a striking contrast of silver foliage & vivid magenta flowers, self-seeds prolifically, over-winters consistently, fills in the empty spots in new borders and will happily thrive when ripped out & tossed into a new section of the garden as a border fills in. I first saw it 30 years ago in the garden of a dear friend, so it also holds warm association with a gardening mentor.
    We save seed compulsively: poppies, sunflowers, linum, scabiosa, salvia, foxglove, zinnias, nigella and more.

    Reply
  299. Lindsey on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would be saving zinnia from my garden! While I grow a handful of favorites, I started my gardening journey with zinnia (on my fourth level apartment balcony). Since then, I always end up growing the most of zinnias, mostly unintentionally because I just want ALL the zinnias to look at. I love their different forms and colors, so it is a hands-down easy answer that I would save seeds from these pretties!

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  300. Sharon on

    I am a newbie gardener. I am researching seeds for both vegetable and flowers. Last year I grew Floret’s celosia’s with great success. Heirloom tomatoes, celosia, dahlias, and anything I get to grow! :) My soil is very poor so I am working on fortifying that.

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  301. Ellice on

    Dahlias, zinnias, sweet peas- all these brighten my day. But honestly all and any flowers fill me with wonder when I look closely.

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  302. Sue on

    I have always told my husband and kids that gardening is my therapy. There’s nothing like spending the day there forgetting to eat and coming in tired and dirty. You can figure out a lot of life’s issues in the garden! I am so glad a friend let me borrow his Floret Dalia book which inspired me to save tubers this year. Which led me to the website, which led me to dawn creek zinnias! Can’t wait to order some of these beauties in a couple days.

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  303. Olga on

    Cosmos are flowers that make me smile. They are delicate and move with the wind. Each unique and beautiful.
    Dahlia are my favorite. A flower I want to grow forever. They are workhorses and produce so many blooms from each plant. And always leave you with more flower for next year. And of course a garden rose, the aroma, the petals. Withstands time, harsh weather, and comes out stronger and better each year.

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  304. Jodi on

    I guess I would say I turn to dahlias. I love growing from seed, not because I want to be a great breeder of flowers but the surprise you can get from every plant.
    If I were to collect my own seeds, it would be from celosia, zinnias and sunflowers. Love playing with flowers and all the wonderful things that flowers bring!

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  305. Ggpete on

    In the cold ,long days of winter my heart longs for the promise of spring…violets, daffodils, lilacs & tulips. Summer brings the zinnias…oh my!!! I really just discovered them in the last 6 years and everything Kori said about feeling them inside is SO true🩷🩷🩷. I am working on growing dahlias…but they are so hard for me to grow..not sure why…others around me grow them easily.

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  306. Ali Greenland on

    When times are tough walking in my garden brings me joy no matter what is growing. In winter, I’m excited by the potential the upcoming season holds. During the growing season I love when I come out in the morning and something new has bloomed. I would be collecting seeds from every plant really, if seed catalogs were gone. Leaning on my community for seed swapping would be crucial! Zinnias, marigolds, celosia and tomato seeds would be my priority!

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  307. Lani on

    Golden hour is my favorite!

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  308. Anna on

    I would literally save seeds from every plant that makes seeds! Thank you I for bringing these beautiful flowers into the world.

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  309. Patricia Verona on

    I would save my zinnias and dahlias as they are a perfect combination of elegant and whimsical. I also appreciate that the deer honor them and leave them alone.

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  310. TJ Yeager on

    My entire garden is my refuge. When my kiddos were little I would wander out to the back garden to have moments of peace and quiet. When my own personal health crisis changed my life dramatically- my garden remained – even though it was neglected for a few seasons. I would walk through it and concentrate not on all the “chores” that wouldn’t get done but on how the plants continued to grow, bloom, reseed, survive and thrive with very little help from me. It gave me hope and courage to press on – to survive and thrive. Now that my health has improved – my garden continues to offer me “life”. I stroll through it every morning with my coffee in my hand before heading to work- just to take notice of the small changes that happen from one day to the next. It grounds me, centers me and prepares me for whatever the day may bring.

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  311. Annie on

    During hard times daisies bring me a little bit of joy. It is amazing how flowers can be an avenue of healing.

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  312. Sara on

    I absolutely turn to dahlias! There is so much work involved but it is also calming and so rewarding as an escape from work and life. There is nothing that compares to seeing the first dahlia of the season open and the endless blooms to come. There is also so much joy in sharing tubers, mystery seedlings and the flowers with friends.

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  313. Brenda on

    If seed catalogs were to dissappear… Zinnia’s, Sweet Annie, Snap Dragons and Penny Cress would all be on my list to preserve. I would also keep the common vegetable seeds, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, etc. Life would be sad without new growth in the spring. Love to watch things grow!

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  314. Angela Morton on

    This is my third season flower farming and it has given me such a grounded and beautiful purpose! The plant I love so much is not even a cut flower! My front flower beds are always full of Vinca and they are so trusty! When things get hard with our 5 children or I just need to be outside I just pop out the front door and they are always so fluffy and happy! I would definitely save this seed but as for cuts I would save all of the Strawflower!

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  315. Jordan Messmann on

    Seed catalogs disappearing is so sad to even think about but also exciting in it’s own way, of yes, I can do this! I too can save and preserve seeds for generations, for my 3 daughters!
    I would save a few of my favorite flowers, dahlias and sunflowers. They bring so much joy and color to our world. And cannot forget tomatoes. If I were to never taste another home grown tomato, it might bring me tears! This has inspired me to save more seeds this year!

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  316. Beulah Cox on

    I have always had a fondness for Zinnias and Marigolds because of their endurance and can grow most any type soil I think of them being like the last rose of summer! My grandmother planted Zinnias and I remember her calling them “Old Maids” because they were mostly grown by spinsters….

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  317. Victoria Kennery on

    I would say hoyas as my passion started in a condo with house plants and the ability to propagate grow and share my plants brings me so much joy during the hardest times.

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  318. Chris Klein on

    Zinnias are my true flower love. They bring me such contentment.With them all looking a little bit different from each other, they are always a delight to see in bloom. The seeds that I would save are zinnias, and celosia.

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  319. Jorja on

    What a beautiful article. If there were no seed catalogues left I would have to save zinnia and snapdragon seeds from my garden. I love them!

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  320. Linda Q on

    It is hard to decide what plants lift my spirits but think that springtime is what I look forward to the most. Daffodils, tulips, peonies and of course all of the flowering trees bring me joy!
    I would definitely save zinnia Unicorn seeds! I have to admit that I was truly entranced by those tiny remarkable flowers the year that I grew them!

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  321. Shelly Borgerson on

    Thank you for posting this wonderful article. You always do such a great job of teaching us everything you know with such a generous heart and wealth of flower knowledge! Zinnias became my favorite flower in Georgia because of the long growing season and the beautiful bouquets they make on a weekly basis. I would be so grateful to receive some free seeds to start in my new greenhouse! Love from Georgia 💜

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  322. Lisa on

    During hard times, especially in the last year, my entire garden has been my refuge. It has shown me patience, peace, strength, and persistence. The plants that surprise me the most are the ones I’m drawn to. The strongest, most brilliantly created and designed flowers like dahlias, zinnia, peony, and so many more! I love watching how they all intertwine with their surrounding environment and all the little creatures that enjoy them as well.

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  323. Christy on

    If there were no seed catalogs, I would need to save the larkspur and sweet pea seeds. These flowers bring me so much joy each spring and I can’t imagine living without them.

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  324. Kathy Glenn on

    I would save zinnia seeds. My joy rekindles each morning when I walk to my flower garden and see the bees sleeping on my zinnia flowers.

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  325. Elise Conley on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I think I would first save snapdragon seed. Then maybe zinnias and some of my herbs, like dill and lemon balm.

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  326. Sarah McMillan on

    Such a beautiful, generous article. I would plant zinnias. They are easy and love the hot summers in the south. But more importantl, I would plant them for my daddy who I just lost a few weeks ago. He was a flower lover and devoted gardener. He was obsessed with beauty. My heart is broken and spring will be extra hard this year b/c my yard is covered in things he helped me plant. Zinnias were always one of his favorite so this year I’m going all out. Planting a cutting garden that he would be proud of and to share the beauty with everyone … just like he did.

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  327. Dawn on

    I would want to grow dahlias and zinnias forever. Knowing I will get to grow these in the spring/summer is what keeps me going through the winter months.

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  328. Kelly Snyder on

    My yard and garden are my escape for when I need some time to think or recharge. Some people need sleep and rest, I need time to enjoy and work in my garden and yard. Whether it be working or just enjoying the view. I enjoy my tulips the most in Spring, they just bring me so much joy. Then my go to summer flowers have always been my zinnias and dahlias.
    I can’t wait for Feb 6th
    Thanks for being so awesome and bringing such unique products to the market for us to enjoy.

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  329. Jessica Tedder on

    I started gardening to grow food to offset grocery costs and know where my food comes from. But I have found that growing flowers like food for my soul. There’s nothing better than going out in the early. Morning with my daughter and picking a fresh bouquet of zinnias to brighten our day. If seed catalogs were no longer available, I would of could save seeds from my food garden (squashes, lettuce, broccoli, etc) but there is no doubt my zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos would be too priority for seed saving.

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  330. Deena on

    I love zinnias, especially the striped ones. They remind me of my Mamaw. I love growing them to bring bunches to friends. I always leave a few so the bees can enjoy them.

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  331. Lacy Lewis on

    I would save seeds for pollinators. I always plant flowers for my bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Zinnias and sunflowers are a couple of my favorites that make me happy year after year.

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  332. Lucy on

    Soft, frilly ranunculus are my current love. I can lose myself in the ruffles, and having a vase—or seven—throughout the house is such a boost of joy.

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  333. M k Wills on

    When times are hard I melt into my zinnias and peonies…of course the floret zinnias are my favs and seem to attract the most interesting bees and other pollinator creatures. Thank you for your life work❤️❤️

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  334. Melanie on

    Yarrow, mullein, sunflowers and lavender are the plants that buoy my spirits always.

    I would save sunflower, sweet peas, dahlia and bachelor buttons.

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  335. Mackenzie on

    My garden is my favorite place for a little therapy. There is just something about finding healing in getting your hands in the soil and watching something you’ve cared for grow into something beautiful. My favorites in my garden are all of my hydrangeas, dahlias and always my sweet zinnias.

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  336. Mary Milstead on

    Zinnias and cosmos and cleome and hollyhock seeds are the annuals that I love and would save their seeds.

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  337. Jess W on

    OMG these questions hit home. It was such a time that propelled me into making half my family garden into cut flowers.

    Staples for me are dahlias, zinnias, strawflowers, mignonette, asters, cosmos, celosia, and snapdragons. But it is definitely my snapdragons, cosmos, and herbs that bring me a sense of peace and grounding. I could get lost in a field of delicate and free-flowing cosmos, gently swaying in the breeze of life and always beautiful. Snapdragons draw me in and love me like the open arms of my grandmother, soft to the touch and that smell that takes you back to a simpler time. Herbs bring me down to the ground and the dirt, centering me. Even more healing is sharing them with others.

    When it comes to the question of what would I save if seeds were never sold anywhere…the answer would be EVERYTHING. I treasure it all. My vegetables, my flowers, my herbs…I would do whatever needed to save them all and share with others. I love seeds and often get chuckles from my family when I haul out my containers for seed saving. I have a mix of purchased packets and those I’ve collected from my garden and from others.

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  338. Shelly Fangman on

    When life is tough just working in my garden calms and centers me, but it’s working with peonies make me the happiest.

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  339. Rita Myers on

    Lantana never disappoints! Bees, hummingbirds & me love their individual petals. Drought-tolerance is a big plus as well. When planted en masses, they are stunning!

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  340. Krissy on

    Zinnias! They just scream summer to me. I love how a bouquet of zinnias brightens any room.

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  341. Marissa on

    Yarrow and daisies have a special place in my heart. They remind me of when I was younger ❤️

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  342. Erin Dixon on

    1. In my ecosystem, in northern Canada, the trees are my refuge. In particular the willows and birches. My yard is surrounded by them and sometimes, when the world is too much, hugging one of my large birch trees and feeling the smooth bark makes everything better.

    2. Last year I saved my first seeds, mostly sunflower and lupin, but of all the things I’m growing for 2024 I think I’ll save seeds from my new favourites zinnias and dahlias. I’m excited to see if I get any surprises from the seeds I grow this year. Fingers crossed!

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  343. Shannon on

    2. Agrostemma and feverfew

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  344. Tracy on

    Dahlias are my allies. I wish I could fill my entire yard with them.

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  345. Nora on

    Cosmos make me smile. These flowers flutter and bob in the breeze growing tall and wispy. I’m growing the seeds of the seeds of the seeds of plants dear friends gave me several years ago and I think of them when I’m in the garden with cosmos.

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  346. Lori on

    Sweat peas! I love the simplicity of them and marvel at the beautiful colors and variations. The sight draws me in but the fragrance gets me to linger and enjoy. They are my ally in hard times.

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  347. Jennifer Guyor Jowett on

    My very first garden was a heritage garden and contained the favorite flowers of my relatives, especially those of my grandmother as we often spent time in her garden when I was little. Several of those plants moved from yard to yard as we moved through life. Gardening is my way of nurturing. It is an escape from the chaos of the world. When lilacs are blooming, I make an effort to breathe in their scent every day. They immediately return me to my grandmother’s garden.

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  348. Lori John on

    Flanders Poppies, blue flax and daisies… these always take me back to the mountains I spent so much of youth in.

    Reply
  349. Julie on

    I think I’m most drawn to dahlias. I leave mine in raises beds and I’m always amazed at their resilience to the cold and rain in the PNW.

    Reply
  350. Lorri on

    Growing up in a small, central Illinois town, my mother shared her front flower bed with me from a very young age. She let me pick out a variety of flower seeds to fill the bed. She taught me to start seeds in eggshells and how to care for the emerging plants. Down the street from us was a peony grower. The bushes filled his entire backyard. I’d walk past and admire them on my way to school every spring morning, catching the most incredible scent. And along the schoolyard fence, hollyhocks grew abundantly creating a beautiful supply of blooms to create with. All of these memories from fifty years ago remind me that flowers are the seeds of life, transforming ordinary spaces into places of discovery. Thank you Erin and Kori for expanding the journey.

    Reply
  351. Amy on

    Marigolds. Always marigolds. They glow like embers and are just as mesmerizing. Plus the pungent smell. They demand your attention, taking your mind off whatever is ailing you.

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  352. Teresa Byington on

    I run to the roses. Their beauty and fragrance restore!

    Reply
  353. Andrea on

    Raspberries. I can keep track of their above ground progress year-round. So much fruit that I can enjoy it nearly year round and then remember the friends who gave me those original canes.

    Reply
  354. Jessica Masha on

    Even though they are invasive, I love morning glory and they remind me of my nana; poppies and geraniums will always remind me of my mom

    Reply
  355. Jessie on

    1. I love the vining plants. I turn to sweet peas and runner beans and clematis. But mostly sweet peas. I could bury my face in their heavenly scent all day long.

    2. I’d have to say borage. It’s so gorgeous, prolific, and my children, husband, and myself love to sit and gaze at the pollinators covering it. One year we had painted lady butterfly caterpillars hatch on it and that was so magical.

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  356. Elana Quinlan on

    I have always turned to plants in hard times. Two that come to mind are moss and sweet peas. Soft textures and sweet scents to pull me through emotional upheaval and sadness.
    If catalogs disappeared tomorrow I would save every seed I possibly could!

    Reply
  357. Kori Hendrix on

    Daffodils. My earliest memories include annual family photos at Daffodil Hill near Sutters Mill in California. Now I live in Texas and my cottage garden is filled with a wide variety daffodils each spring. The ritual of planting each fall fills me with the hope of blooms to come in the spring. That hope carries me though the winter connecting me to the roots of my past and my bright blossoming future.

    Reply
  358. Emily F on

    A few weeks ago I was left totally reeling after a sudden family tragedy. Usually I take time to slowly inspect every flower in my patch and make an arrangement as a way of centering myself- I especially adore my zinnias- but it being a miserable rainy January day there was really nothing. So I put in my rain gear and sat in the mud and rain and started weeding. Something about sitting directly on the earth and slowly pulling weeds with my hands was quite literally the most grounding experience while I was dizzy with grief. Never thought I would feel grateful for mud and weeds! I felt so much lighter.
    I was gifted sweet pea seeds by a neighbor last year and grew the most beautiful blooms. It inspired me to save seeds from anything I can manage to gift and swap! Especially zinnias, cosmos, and tomatoes!

    Reply
  359. Lori on

    When I think of where I’ve come from…without my grandmother’s love of gardening I wouldn’t have been taught by my mother. So when I garden, I feel close to my family who is no longer with me.
    Pinching snapdragons and shaking poppy seed heads will always be a childhood memory as years have now passed by and now I garden without my grandmother or mother, I feel close to them and remember the heritage I have and it all simply started from a few poppy seeds and so many garden memories will last forever ❤️

    Reply
  360. Tai Quirke on

    This year it’s Sweet peas, larkspur apple of Peru! But the more I grow the less dependent I’m becoming on seed companies. But to support independent growers like yourself that have a dream and go for it will always have space in my garden.

    Reply
  361. Riley on

    On hard days or mornings where I don’t want to get out of bed, I can take a peek out my bedroom window or go outside to experience the joy of flowers growing! Flowers are a mood booster and joy in the flesh! It’s an easy call as for what seeds I’d save: zinnias, dahlia tubers, ranuncula corms, cosmos, amaranth and celosia.

    Reply
  362. Peggy Crow on

    I’m most excited about Precious Metals! But watching you bring all of these to life has been so fun and inspiring!!

    Reply
  363. Laura Jennings on

    We have the most amazing sunsets where I live on Sauvie Island. I started my garden there a few years ago. One evening, a group of Buddha Hand Cosmos caught the fading sunlight just perfectly.. Their bright orange petals simply glowed. Whenever I’m in a difficult place I like to recall the cheery, orange/red flowers swaying with the breeze, illuminated by the glow of the sunset.
    I think I’m general, any Cosmos, with their light airy ways are my allies in hard time.

    If seed catalogs disappeared forever I’d be packing my zinnias, sunflowers, strawflowers, tomatoes, cosmos, calendula, nasturtium, lettuce mix and red roaster peppers.

    Reply
  364. Blanca García-Rinder on

    I will always save seed from the milkweed and checkermallow. Our native plants are the cornerstone.

    It seed catalogs disappeared I would save zinnias and sunflowers and from the veg basil and tomatoes.

    Reply
  365. Carmen Wishlow on

    I love how I am not the only one with having a relationship with plants is so important and meaningful. My plants are my babies and they connect me to my father who has taught me everything I know. He has recently diagnosed with Dementia and I grow everything he did to keep him close to me as I loose him to this disease. Dahlia’s, zinnias, lilies, roses and echinacea, blacked eyes susans. He taught me the appreciation of the the process from seed to the product and how each stage teaches us about the plant you grow and to pay attention to them as they will tell you everything you need to know.
    My love for zinnias though has gotten so much stronger as they are just so beautiful and my bees love them and watching them fall asleep as I water or when I see them in the morning my heat just bursts with happiness. So I turn to them for my peace and when I feel I need me dad with me.

    Seeds I would save for sure are zinnias, nasturtiums, Dahlia, nodding onion, cone flower, agastache, hyssop, sunflowers and calendula seeds for sure! I also remember all the seeds my father used to keep and wondering why he spent souch time and effort collecting when he could buy them again. As a young child I didn’t get it until I had my own garden and started saving my seeds. I have seeds from him that he has saved for 35 yrs over time from his first crop of lettuce that he grew when he came to Canada and I grow it to this day.

    This interview and all the interesting ways that plants have gotten you both to the journey you are at bring me hope that we all have a journey with plants we just have to follow and do what we love and know with hard work and passion it can happen. I admire you ladies so much and you have made an impact on all of us. So thank you!!!!!!

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  366. Christina on

    If there were no seed catalogs I would make sure to save seeds for both food and flowers. I think I would make sure to get tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, dahlias, sweet peas, zinnias and celosia.

    Reply
  367. Mollie on

    If seed catalogues disappeared I’d be sure to save foxgloves, agrostemma, stock and sweet peas! I have loved growing out and harvesting and saving floret azureus sweet pea seeds and koris blush agrostemma. Thank you!

    Reply
  368. Deborah Morgan and the furry gang on

    In the early 1990’s I had a difficult time. Death of my sweet Mother-in-law, request for a divorce from my husband of 15 years. Also a health scare…you may have cancer, no it’s TB, NO you’re healthy.

    The little patio home I purchased only had sad builder’s landscaping. I ripped it out and made a magical moon garden front and back yards. Since then I have had an all white garden at every home. I adore white!!! Sitting outside having coffee, wine or dinner with friends, I am at peace, my heart is full and my soul is restored.

    White cosmos and oriental lilies are special to me as are those sweet smelling heirloom petunias and Moon flower vine.

    Reply
  369. Krista Gogan on

    I truly love all flowers but the ones that I turn to most, when I need them the most are narcissus and tulips. There is so much hope and joy to be had when they start breaking through the soil during the doldrums of winter. I literally feel them in my soul, feel the upcoming beauty they will share with me and my friends I gift them to. They are a sign of sunshiny days on the way, hours of seed starting and hands in the dirt that will be my leisure time, my recharging spirit time, my joy. Thank you for all you and your team do to bring some much needed beauty and joy to this world!

    Reply
  370. Heather on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I’d save seed from the African marigolds I grow because they are edible, they are a dye plant, pollinators love them and I love their smell.

    Reply
  371. Tim on

    My wife’s roses have always brought me joy, celery and cherries have always helped me in hard times! I would save Appalachian greasy grits beans! Yum! And those black dahlias my girls hate!

    Reply
  372. Lori H on

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the process of creating these new seed varieties and about Kori’s personal journey and reflections. I’m also enjoying all the comments here!

    I think that plants touch our lives in more ways than we can imagine. They stir memories and emotions, and they can heal not just our bodies but our souls. Their natural cycles mirror our own and remind us of our connection to the natural world. They inspire us with their toughness and their beauty.

    Certain plants hold a special place in my heart. There is an orange oriental poppy that has been in our garden for over 20 years, a heliopolis that came back after I was sure that I killed it, and a patch of zinnias I plant every year in a semi-shaded spot that still manages to look like a little piece of heaven. They are like old friends; loyal, reliable and forgiving.

    I find plants and gardening to be therapeutic and essential to my sense of well-being. After immersing myself in the garden for an hour, I feel physically tired but emotionally refreshed. Spending time in the garden doesn’t make any of my problems go away, but it does help to relax me, lift my spirits and change my perspective. My garden is where I feel at home.

    Reply
  373. Juanita on

    For flowers, I enjoy zinnias and dahlias the most. Tomatoes and peppers for veggies. Some years, like last, the garden was hit with one storm after another. We had so many hail storms and even a tornado. The garden was shredded several times. So what ever bounced back and managed to thrive brought the greatest joy last year. Watering at dusk with the bats flying overhead. Watching the spiders and butterflies pass through during the day. Really I just enjoy being outside.

    Reply
  374. Isabella on

    Since I was little roses have always brought me joy (nothing can lift your spirits like stoping to smell the roses!) and of course foxglove, whether wild or in my garden they always make me smile. Both will be my lifelong companions! I’d be hoarding away seeds from foxgloves, sweet peas, zinnias, dahlias, and a little native plant called fringepods!!!

    Reply
  375. Kim Hoffelt on

    I always love roses in my yard, when I’m down they cheer me up! I’ve just found zinnias only 2 years ago and I now have an additional love! The seeds I would save would be from my Mexican sunflower. They are gorgeous!

    Reply
  376. KarenAnn on

    Choosing a favorite flower is about like choosing a favorite child or grandchild….I love them all!! It really gets down to whatever happens to be blooming at the time. Daisies, sweet peas, roses, you name it, I love it! Seed collecting is one of the favorite garden pastimes for my granddaughter and I and I love seeing that she has the same delight in flower seed gathering as I do. Some of my first memories are my grandma’s glads and peonies.

    Reply
  377. Sab on

    I enjoy watching flowers come the next season. Zinnias are fun because they evolve. I also enjoy seeing poppies, cosmos, love in a mist , and bachelor buttons come back with seed we saved.

    Reply
  378. Kimberly on

    When life is hardest, I turn toward my garden to bask in it’s beauty, to tend and weed, and to wander and discover. I spend hours in my garden during our short growing season here in the northwest corner of Massachusetts – often during work conference calls, after a hard day or before what I know will be a challenging busy day. Zinnia, cosmos, amaranth, dahlia, hollyhock, marigold, viola, yarrow and monarda all bring me joy. Zinnias most of all and I really enjoyed this interview with Kori because she articulated what I have often felt, which are that zinnias are allies! In good times and hard times, too.

    Reply
  379. DeAnna on

    Tulips and peonies in the first of Spring are so hopeful!
    as for saving seeds, I’ve not done much of that, but I’d love to learn…. At the moment, I’d save my Green been seeds😄. I’m only recently discovering the dahlia world and LOVE them

    Reply
  380. Taylor on

    I love saving tomato seeds because it’s a simple process and it’s hard to beat a homegrown tomato. But if seed catalogs were no more, I’d probably any seeds I came across! haha

    Reply
  381. Mandy on

    When I was struggling with pregnancy complications it was a very low point emotionally. My husband was was overseas, serving in the military, for a short period—and I was left with our then 3 year old daughter. On restrictions I was allowed to carefully walk around the house/garden and that was about it.I felt like a bad mom, since I couldn’t play and lift, and largely unseen without help from others. But a moment sitting in the backyard my daughter began to laugh hysterically—I looked up to see her chasing what seemed like hundreds of butterflies in the zinnia patch. It was the zinnias that caused such joy and a reminder that there is so much hope found in the little things that sometimes we need to adjust our hearts to fully see. We are seen, loved, and gifted with an enormous amount of beauty—if we choose to open our hearts.

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  382. Becky Merkley on

    1. Roses. My earliest memories of planting had to do with roses. Roses lined our driveway, walkway and fence line. We always bought my mom and grandmother barefoot roses for Mother’s Day.
    Right before my brother died we were walking through a church that had a lamp that was made to look like a bouquet of roses with the lamp coming out of the center. He loved the lamp because of the roses and kept coming back to it. He passed away a month later. I was in college studying horticulture at the time and the funeral director let me pick the flowers for the casket spray. I picked roses.
    One of my dreams is to become on expert on roses. When I watched the first episode of season 2 of Growing Floret and it was all about roses, I cried. It resonated with me. All of the other flowers I grow will never mean as much to me as roses.

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  383. Zoe D. on

    I have grown and saved the seeds from Golden Hour each year since purchasing the first seeds offered from Floret. The subtle yet rich colors work with dahlias in either summer or autumn arrangements. I am a seed saver but not a variety breeder. I geek out on all the science but am not wired to produce new varieties, just grow and enjoy what ever the zinnias decide they want to be. I want to add all the new zinnias! I was so excited to read Kori’s email last year that this project was a go! I remembered she said “You can think of each of these mixes as both a celebration of possibility, and a preview of the many beautiful things to come.” Flowers by their nature bring hope to the world with strength and resilience in each seed. I dwell in possibility and can’t wait until they bloom this summer!

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  384. Juliana fox on

    I love cosmos, they are resilient and happy and just bounce around in the wind without a care in the world!

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  385. Ruth van Rensburg on

    Zinnias are hands down the seeds that I would save. My grandmother grew them in her garden in the desert where nearly nothing grows, so they are little miracles to me. I always feel like she’s with me when I am among them in my garden, so they bring me a sense of peace and belonging. And they are also my children’s favorite flowers to make bouquets with. They have always been special but I continue to cherish them for what they bring me now that I am older.

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  386. Pamela Crawford on

    I would save my dahlias, cosmos and zinnias. They are the ones I love to grow and turn to when I need a smile on my face

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  387. Aspen Muraski on

    Sunflowers are the one flower that always brings a smile to my face! I planned our entire wedding around Sunflowers down to the colours of the decorations and bridesmaids dresses! They always bring such joy!

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  388. Gwendolyn Mullin on

    Dahlias always make me stop and appreciate them.
    I love to look for the frilly and striking colours that come from the many varieties.
    If the seed catalogue disappeared
    Dahlias, zinnias, lacy flower would be a few that I would choose to seed save

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  389. Monica DeMars on

    Marigolds and Zinnas are the flowers I will always want to grow. Lots of colors to keep me bright and cheerful. Easy to grow and keep the seed.

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  390. Megan on

    Tulips and daffodils are the bright spot that you’ve made it through another long, cold winter. They are a pop of color amongst the usually dreary landscapes. Planting the bulbs in the fall gives me the hope that yes winter is coming, but so is spring.

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  391. Lindsey Cohen on

    2. I have to say columbine is such a unique and special flower. I would definitely grab those. The seeds are super tiny and so difficult to gather. It’s also hard to find the true natives so after planting mostly native plants this past year (along with several Floret zinnias, cosmos, and sweet peas) I made the decision to go all in with natives. With that being said I am taking advice from the author Douglas Tallamy that it’s okay to keep non-native plants as long as they aren’t invasive and natives are the main attraction. I’m really excited about zinnias and cosmos. So besides my beloved columbine, I would keep zinnias and white cosmos right there where I could see them together. So sweet and gentle.

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  392. Jessica Labate on

    It’s both my veggies and my flowers that give me purpose and joy in summer. The flowers (zinnias and dahlias) for there beauty and ability to share gifts with those around me. And the veggies for filling my family’s bellies. Tomatoes are my favorite veggie and everything about my little orange tomatoes make me happy. I’d save zinnia seeds and tomato seeds.

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  393. Ashley on

    Alliums are my allies! They are my steadfast loves, that lighten my spirits with their Seuss-like vibes. I love how they emerge from the depths and shout look at me in all of their weirdness. And, who doesn’t love that the deer (mostly) leave them alone?!

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  394. Leslie on

    I’ve recently been introduced to zinnias. I’ve had two growing seasons with them. I’m 60 years old and each morning I go into my garden to see my beauties is thrilling. I dearly miss my friend who helped me with the planting! I never knew growing from seeds could be so satisfying! Thank you both for your stunning pictures, mine certainly don’t look like yours!

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  395. Susan on

    Hollyhocks always make me smile and remind me of my Grandmothers. And if I could only save one type of seed, that’s such a difficult decision. It would have to be Zinnias – for the sheer variety of forms and colors

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  396. Becky Joy on

    The plants that lift my spirits the most are definitely the tulips because they are crazy hardy, we got slammed by a very late season hard frost last year and they were coated in thick frost and I was sure they were done for, but the sun came up and they all perked right back up! And just a few weeks later the entire farm got hit by a freak hail storm that wiped out everything in minutes. And somehow the zinnias and sunflowers bounced right back despite all that.

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  397. Cheryl Mandler on

    I love dahlias and have been growing them and saving the tubers for 30 years. After reading about Erin’s dahlia breeding program i hope to buy some seeds and try to grow out my own as well as the tubers I saved last fall. We are moving from Massachusetts to Denver so not sure how that will work.

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  398. Erica on

    I’d daisies, zinnia, petunias and all of the veggies

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  399. Ashley Bowers on

    Cosmos, my grandparents always had them , they just make me smile and think of them

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  400. DarlaN on

    My absolute favourite flowers will always be ranunculus. They are such a miracle with their layers and layers of delicate petals and the prettiest colours. They always make me smile and can make any day better. 💐💖

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  401. Stacey Carpenter on

    I would say maybe roses have cheered me up the most over the last several difficult years, but then again, they also cause me a lot of stress with thrips and Japanese Beetles! Last year I grew mums for the first time, and their abundance and health was such an encouragement after a hard season!

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  402. Marnie on

    I turn to zinnias when I’m feeling down. They are so resilient AND cheerful. They can’t help but being a smile to your face.

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  403. Kariann Myers on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would be racing to Save some zinnias. I’m already a seed saver/collector. I currently don’t save zinnias seeds because I grow so many colors and like to know what I’m growing. I definitely don’t want to be without them.

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  404. Hannah wilhelm on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear? How scary!! The seeds I would focus on saving (not including vegetables)
    Zinnia- zinnias are such a favorite of mine, they are easy to grow, they come in so many great colors and some even look like cupcake icing. They make great bouquets, and they’re so cheery along my fence.
    Sweet peas-vintage sweet peas have become probably my #2 favorite flower. Their scent and their connection to vintage gardens fill a special part of my heart.
    Native wildflowers
    Sunflowers of all varieties- my micro flower farm is very focused on preserving nature and sunflowers are such a great way to keep the birds and the bees (and the flowers and the trees hehe) happy.

    And alongside forever I would have roses. My father, grandmother and great mother were all lovers of roses and I have so many memories of all of them and their immaculate rose gardens and all of the hard work they put into them.

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  405. Jolene on

    I would save seeds from dahlias, zinnias, and cosmos. I will also always grow roses 🌹

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  406. Stephanie on

    One flower I will always grow in my garden is the calendula. It is such a beautiful flower with understated beauty to it. Every time I find a seeds of a new to me variety I make room in my garden for another plant. They are one of the first flowers to bloom and continue to bring a smile all season long. They will forever be a part of my garden!

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  407. Jennifer on

    Sunflowers make me smile. I grew them from seed for the first time last year and loved their bright happy faces. Challenging times are just around the corner and I’m ready to plant! It’s great therapy.

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  408. Chris Moore on

    Isn’t it wonderful there are people like this in the world? Floret and Dawn Creek and countless others. If you listen to the headlines, everything is awful. But all over the globe thousands upon thousands of people are quietly going about their way and creating beauty, connection, new techniques or improving on old techniques tomake everything more beautiful and better. Than you so much.

    Reply
  409. Jentre Brault on

    Zinnias, sunflowers and any wildflowers native to Alberta would be what I would save. We have added multiple varieties of wildflowers around our pond to attract more pollinators and to always have perennial flowers. I’d also always love to have peonies and bleeding hearts forever since they remind me of my grandpa’s house.

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  410. Heather on

    My herbs save me. I can sit in silence in the garden with them all around me and smell their fragrant smells. The do so much for me and my garden.

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  411. Anne Phernetton on

    Zinnias are one of my most favorite flowers. I love all the varieties of form and colors that there are – from the pastels to the greens, to the brights – I love them all! When I’m stressed after a hard day’s work, I love to visit my flower garden to see what is new and admire the wonderful nature that we get to share. I actually enjoy weeding – though as I’m getting a little older, my back tells me when it’s time to wrap it up for the day. :-) Really all of my plants are my allies when times are tough. They all have their own personalities and I love that I can talk to them and they seem to absorb my worries/cares and expect nothing in return except some basic care in return.

    I resonate with Kori’s feelings of being very close with my plants both indoors and outdoors. I’m grateful for being part of generations of women who love flowers and love to grow them. I feel like I’m part of something ‘bigger’.

    It’s also very rewarding when the neighbors walk by and share their appreciation for my gardens and landscape. Glad that others can share in the beauty that comes from the hard work of growing things.

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  412. Jane on

    I would save seed for Iceland poppies, zinnias, and sweet peas. Color (poppies), texture (zinnias), and fragrance (sweet peas)
    But truly, I love all flowers so I’m sure I’d be trying to save everything!!!

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  413. Emma Teahan on

    The flower that has really kept me going the last couple of years have been the queen lime Zinnia flowers. I call them nature’s cupcakes and their beautiful coloured layers have given me a lot of joy.
    If catalogues disappeared I would be saving seed from the ruby parfait celosia my vegetables and these Zinnia in the hope that I could grow it all again!

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  414. Lauryn on

    I’d save the dahlias and the zinnias. They have won my heart over so many times I feel drawn by the universe towards these flowers. It’s a mild obsession!

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  415. Chris on

    Snapdragons! Have always picked the out with family at the greenhouse and just enjoyed their vibrantly coloured florets as we squeezed them open. Would definitely save their seeds and be surprised by the colours each season.

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  416. Patti Burns on

    Oh Zinnias and dahlias, peonies and so many more they are sweet reminders of my mom and grandmother and my cousin, all who have passed away. My mom would grow row after row, my grandmother loved the bouquets brought to her and my sweet cousin could arrange flowers into beautiful arrangements!

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  417. Amy on

    Zinnias! My mom has been saving zinnia seeds since I was a little girl. This year I am getting married and I’m growing a lot of my own flowers! I’m using the zinnia seeds my mom saved! This is something so special to me and I want to pass it down for generations to come 🥰. Along with saving zinnia seeds I’d save tomato seeds because I’ve always loved growing my own food and making salsa and sauces.

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  418. Sarah on

    Lavender is always a constant in my life and in our household. Its smell and calming beauty helps me be at peace. So I would always want to be along side of lavender and I’ve grown to love and cherish dahlia bees choice and zinnias because of their stunning colors and beauty so those are two seeds I would save if seed catalogs were to go away.

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  419. Jessie King on

    I’ve always loved peonies for their amazing smell and high petal count. They’re a symbol that summer is coming!

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  420. Fidel Negrete on

    The iris seems to always charm my soul. Cascading pedals withstanding the harsh winter rains in my Mediterranean climate are a symbol of hope, blooming time and time again throughout the ever-changing seasons!

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  421. Anne on

    I adore my iries in their many sizes and colors. I love spending time with them every season. If seed catalogs disappeared I’d save my celosia, zinnias, marigolds, tomatoes and bean seeds for sure!

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  422. Grace on

    I would forever save the dahlia seeds. Each year would be a new adventure as the seeds always give you something a little different and it a joy to grow them forever.

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  423. Alexys on

    My first plant ally was cannabis. She held my hand and heart through the most difficult of time. She grounded me down to the Earth and taught me my love for flowers which has expanded exponentially. I was especially touched by this article as my passion has become flower dyes and textiles. Calendula was the first seed I was gifted, by my best friend, and has helped my wounds for years. I have found a lot of delight in her cheery, giving, and easy to grow nature. In recent years, Hawthorne has been a love of mine. It is wonderful to know that after the first frost, one of the most powerful heart medicines is ready to harvest. I made the most delicious oxymel last year that lasted all winter. Speaking of winter, St. Joan’s Wort is a staple for me. It is so exciting to work with because of the deep red it produces from bright yellow flower. The intoxicating scents of lilac and jasmine have a special hold on me. I could spend every one of my days with them. They fill the air with the promise of brighter days. Last, but certainly not least, I must mention the tress. Oaks, redwoods, palms, eucalyptus, aspens, the list goes on. I have always found so much comfort in being amongst the trees. They have been there through it all and I am eternally grateful for their medicine.
    Much love and shout out to Summit Road!

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  424. Jenny Rose on

    In a year of profound loss, plants and flowers have gently walked with me. From my nightly soothing chamomile tea to the soft coloured zinnias that I grew myself for the very first time last summer. My hands in the dirt was a soul soothing balm. I take flower remedies every day and they have supported me immensely. This fall, I made a Rose hip oxymel from a neighbours rose bush for the first time. So, to answer your question, I could not choose just one as they are all allies.

    I just watched the documentary which led me to this beautiful article. The way you look at, touch and talk to flowers is so touching. Thank you for what you are launching into this world and sharing with others. The sense of community you are cultivating, through the seeds you will send out into the world, is as rich as the soil you plant in. I am deeply grateful.

    Jenny Rose (yes, that is my last name 🌹 😊)

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  425. Sara Hillegass on

    Celosia is the flower that grows so well and is stunning in bouquets. Love the variety of colors and shapes!

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  426. Cathy Dunn on

    There is a farmers market nearby and the mother and her daughters make the sweetest little bouquets that come from their gardens and always bring joy, even more delicious than John’s corn!! A Sunflower seed because my grands love to see them grow upwards…

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  427. Carla on

    If I could only grow what seed I collected from my garden this year I would have columbines, nasturtium, milkweed and butterfly weed. I could not have spring without alliums, tulips and daffodils. I love my perennials like the peonies and iris that come back every year to be divided and shared. I have irises that my Grandfather gave me, those ones are very special. I have a habit of collecting up wildflowers and bringing them into the garden. I might be ok if I couldn’t buy seeds but oh I am grateful that I can!

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  428. Paula on

    You guys always come up with the great questions! For Seed- I would save anything and everything I could. From potatoes to snapdragons, from tomatoes to zinnia….. It makes you really take a step back and think-” What if?!?” My garden would definitely look a lot different if I grew only the seed I saved… I read an article about the future of farming and one of the topics was seed saving – the comment that stuck with me about heirloom seeds and ancient seeds was ” the depth and knowledge that those seeds hold is so vast and so important, if only we take the time to listen to what they are saying”. Seeds are magical…. and they produce some pretty magical flowers……

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  429. Maryline on

    I miss flowers so badly during long winter in Quebec city, I miss peonies and ranunculus the most! I find confort in your pictures and stories, dreaming about spring.

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  430. Stephanie Peoples on

    Without a doubt, I would save all the zinnia and Cherokee purple seeds!
    I wish that I had discovered how healing the garden is 20 years ago. I didn’t start until about 10 years ago and even then it took awhile to stick. I have a son who was born 13.5 weeks early and had a brain hemorrhage at birth, and years later, another preemie at 29.5 weeks. I was mommy and caregiver and therapist and researcher. Advocate. ‘Crazy’ mom. Exhausted. I didn’t feel like I had the freedom to even dream of a garden. Freedom was the F word actually. Then one Spring my Father-in-law asked my husband to irrigate a designated area on a piece of land we owned out in the Hill Country. He planted (mostly) Cherokee purple tomatoes, and zinnias. A FIELD of Zinnias! Like maybe 1000 plants. We had a ball filling buckets full of incredible zinnias and baskets of tomatoes (the most intensely-flavored tomatoes I had ever tasted) and sharing with friends and family. It was a delight! The flowers were beautiful and the tomatoes were like nothing I’ve ever tasted- and we handed them over to people we loved. If you got some you knew you were special to us. And that was my first taste. The following year we sold that beautiful property (for good reason but it was painful). I vowed to plant them in my yard but as the next chapter in our life became more complex, the first things to be neglected were my plants. Looking back now, I know that God was showing me something he wanted for me but I wasn’t quite listening. A couple years later we moved into a new home-built to be accessible for my son. It was beautiful, and just what we needed, but I wasn’t comfortable there, not yet. We had a giant planter that needed to be not empty so I tossed some zinnia seed in there, and covered them with dirt, and watered. Sometimes. Though I barely watered it, it burst into the happiest corner of my yard. A constellation of color, abuzz with butterflies, hummingbirds, and all kinds of life (I’m not gonna lie I was constantly scanning for snakes because they live here too). Next season I called on my FIL to help me plant some tomatoes, and that finally took too. Fast forward, I might be a crazy tomato person alongside my FIL and it’s our special connection. We start talking about seeds at Thanksgiving. In fact, we just planted a few early seeds last weekend. For the last couple of years I’ve been thinking about that field of zinnias, and this year I’m hoping to dedicate some space to growing some special ones, along with a few other cut flowers. While in the rabbit hole I discovered Kori and Dawn Creek, only to find a dead end. It didn’t take me long to find Floret (while chasing down the dahlias-even though I know this isn’t the best place to grow them), and when I did, I realized I was under a serious rock. When I discovered Growing Floret, it was/is this amazing gift and I happened upon at the perfect time. Each episode stirred up my emotions and I would watch with tears pouring down my face, not really knowing why. And then rewind a little and watch again. I would tell my husband, “I’m not sad, I just really love this show and these people”! When I learned about the Floret originals, and also the collaboration with Kori, I couldn’t believe it. Honestly. I felt like I had picked the right page to read in the Choose your Own Adventure book. And since then, I have ordered the books, read the blog posts, signed up for whatever lists I could find, and checked the site everyday for any new little tidbit. ‘Growing Floret’ was a brilliant idea and a wonderful way to connect in a more personal way with so many. I have been enlisting a few friends and family members to think about Growing Floret originals with me. I’m most excited about getting to grow your precious zinnias, and plan to also add Celosia, and even try Dahlia from seed. I am trying to figure out the best plan for that right now. My little garden has become my escape. It grounds me. It heals me. And now I’m ready to make some garden friends :-). Thank you for opening up your heart, your family, and your farm!

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  431. Becky Barnes on

    Living in a place that has 4 distinct seasons, I look to different plants at different times for comfort and respite. In spring I love the bright cheerful daffodils that bring sunshine to still dreary drizzly days. In summer’s profusion of blooms, I especially take comfort in cosmos and daisies that always seem to brighten the day. Vivid scarlet maples bring joy in the autumn and beaded raindrops on drooping birch limbs delight in darkest winter.

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  432. Jude on

    Orchids, amaryllis, hibiscus – I live in New England and am fortunate to have a 1920s home with a south facing sun porch. It is very cool this February, however this climate has increased the beauty of these plants exponentially. This is where I read and dream about gardens and gardening. All my plants have been blossoming for months: outside snow-inside plant perfection. If there were no plant catalogues, I would harvest hellebore, lavender, anemone, love in a mist, and especially hollyhock❣️

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  433. Theresa on

    I always always come back to calendula. She grows year round for us here in Northern California and is always there for a bouquet, infused oil, dye or tea. It’s also one of the plants that I have continually grown from saved seed for so many years now.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I’d be saving all of my zinnias and winter squash!

    Loved this interview and learning more about Kori.

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  434. Nathalie on

    When life is hard, I look up to the tulips and daddofils, and others flowers of the moments in my garden. I sit there and observed them looking at there shape, the insects around them, smelling them, etc. Just taking a moment to pause and breath.

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  435. Ruthie Gibbs on

    When I need strength from the garden I gravitate to the zinnias, sweet peas, calendula and sunflowers. Always bring comfort joy and gratitude!

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  436. Lindsay Kozicz on

    Calendula! That color is so vibrant and brings a lift to my soul every time I lay eyes on them. 🤩

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  437. Holly Riehle on

    I’m just now, as ny husband and I retire from farming, finding that I have the time to devote to gardening. Cut flowers are speaking to me, and I am so excited to be able to plant my first dahlias, zinnias and celosia. I’m hoping to instill a love of flower gardens in my four-year-old granddaughter. She and I will be planting some flowers to take to the fair in our little county.

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  438. Tina on

    When I was diagnosed with cancer a few years back (all good now!), I felt so strongly that time spent with flowers might be important to my healing, and specifically time spent interacting with live flowers growing in my garden; even more specifically, flowers with a strong fragrance. Breathing in their essence both cheered and soothed me. I have a special fondness for lilacs, daffodils, sweet peas, and fragrant roses and peonies. For the sheer joy of their vibrantly colorful faces, though they aren’t fragrant, I always grow a variety of zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers and nasturtiums. Kori’s discussion of her relationship with plants was SO interesting to read! I’ve never heard that expressed before, and it was very moving and inspiring. Thank you for all you share with us Floret!

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  439. Jan L. on

    Roses are the flowers I turn to in hard seasons of life. I love their multi-petaled beauty coupled with their amazing fragrances.

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  440. Julie Anderson on

    There isn’t just one thing that I grow that does that for me. I have had some really hard things happen but anytime I just needed to feel like life was going to be okay, I could go in my garden. The roses that bloom every year, the catnip that my fat orange cat likes to roll around in, the blackberries with their sweet little flowers that usher in the heat of summer, the zinnias that were given in an envelope from a cousin with handwritten growing instructions that bloom with surprises of color. Those are my favorites, the things that spark joy and hope.

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  441. Andrea on

    When life is hard I find extra enjoyment in snapdragons, dahlias, peas, and tomatoes! 😂 They’re beautiful plants, workhorses and they are my kid’s favorites. So much magic in seeing an old garden favorite through your kiddos eyes.

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  442. Hien on

    I like to keep tomato, pea, carrot, broccoli and vegetables. I love to grown zinnas, dahlia and sunnflower.

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  443. Jasmin on

    I would grow sweet pea flowers and zinnias forever! Sweet pea flowers always make my day. Zinnias are just so cool to look at.

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  444. Nerissa VG on

    Besides vegetable seeds, probably sunflowers and celosia (but I don’t think I would stop at just those two BC everything is so pretty).
    Every flower bright and colourful because it brings so much joy to everyone’s life. There is nothing better then a beautiful, fresh and homegrown bouquet to lift up someone who is down.

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  445. Randi Pratini on

    Since food is the most important item (besides water) in a human’s life, I would save seed for the most nourishing and easy to grow. This would not be one seed but many; tomatoes, garlic, broccoli and greens. And, because we all need visual joy, I would save some flower seeds as well; eryngium “blue glitter”, strawflowers and violas.

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  446. Allison on

    When life is challenging, I find myself drawn to cosmos. They are my favorite. I love that they are quick to rebound, adaptive in their environment, and easy to grow with the necessary resources. It encourages me, that to can thrive with the simplest of things around me and be adaptive when I need to be. I would absolutely love to add flowers from this collection to my garden, offering not only more beauty and encouragement for myself, but also my community.

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  447. Sharon Tree on

    I would save my zinnia, sweet peas, bunny grass… Ih so many more!!!

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  448. Nicola on

    I don’t know what I would do with out my Snowdrops. They help me weather through the longest, darkest days of winter and give me such a sense of calm and hope. I can’t get over how they have such distinctive markings and how different they can be from one variety to the next. They just make me so happy!

    Last November, my 20 yr old well established english garden got completely destroyed to put a new septic system in. Gorgeous trees and shrubs gone to an excavators jaws. I tried to save what plants I could but many of them won’t be able to go back in their original spots. So I spent a lot of time thinking about what to save. I saved seeds of special unusual perennials but also my favorite sweetpeas, dahlias, and of course zinnias.

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  449. Ana on

    It’s interesting because the flowers I would choose is the same for both of those questions. I started growing Little Flower Girl zinnias when you first released them and they have carried me through each and every year since. As my seed numbers have dwindled, I’ve made an effort to save my own. They bring a familiar comfort that I don’t feel with any other flower. For this, I am eternally grateful for your work and Kori’s.

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  450. Tessa on

    Peonies are my anchoring plant, they ground me and bring me back to why I started growing.

    I would save my peony seeds to see what beautiful new plants I could welcome to the world.

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  451. Jessica on

    Peonies & Lilacs are my pick-me-ups. It’s a combination of the color and scent that I love. If I had to pick a seed to save, it’d be wild daisies.

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  452. Cassandre on

    Sunflowers for myself , the bees and the birds since they really enjoy them too 🌻

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  453. Danielle Becker on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save cosmos seeds. I love their wispy nature, and the way they move delicately in the breeze. I find it extremely therapeutic as they go to seed to collect clusters of seeds every few days and store them in a paper bag for the next planting season.

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  454. Elaine Forum Smidt on

    I have a small garden and grow flowers for my personal pleasure. I started gardening with more interest only about three years ago. Because I live where the climate is rather extreme, very, very hot summers and mild winters I have been choosing plants which can withstand these harsh summers and are at the same time pest resistant. What seeds would I harvest? Definitely Celosia, Zinnias, Snapdragon, Marigolds, Mandevilla and Egyptian Starcluster (pentas lanceolata). They are my go to plants. They fill my garden with colour and bloom all the time. The only thing I notice is that as the temperature rises the flowers of zinnias and mandevilla grow smaller in diameter and the colour seems to fade fast. My garden is definitely where I go when searching for peace. It makes me so happy to walk outside every day and visit each of my plants and see how they grow and the gifts they offer daily.

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  455. Debbie on

    I would try to save seeds from all the plants I could! I love having a large variety of flowers blooming throughout the year. Each season has its standouts, but my favorites are poppies, rudbeckia, salvia and zinnias. Their blooms bring me joy!

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  456. Mona Batchelor on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits?

    My three favorites are the historic daffodils and irises and then the zinnias. My daffodils and irises were handed down from my paternal grandmother and two aunts. It brings me joy to cultivate and care for them year after year, and to share bulbs and rhizomes with friends and neighbors.

    I began planting zinnias on my own and they are my summer salvation. Once the other two are spent, I work and cut zinnias until frost, saving and sharing those seeds. I have only ever grown the garden variety zinnias, but have longed for the day I could add Floret varieties. Now, it’s here!

    What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times? Ah, this may be cheating a bit, but my biggest plants are my champions—literally. On our small family farm, we have the former Tennessee State Champion American Beech, as well as the current state champion American Hophornbeam and Tulip Poplar, our state tree. I am a Lorax and derive lots of pleasure, not only caring for my trees, but educating others about the importance of preserving our big trees.

    Best to you, all.

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  457. Jessica on

    If I needed to save my own seed I’d definitely start with zinnias and celosia. I’m hoping to learn how to do this soon!

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  458. Sally Ervin-Mabry on

    While all flowers bring me joy, there are 3 of my grandmother’s roses that grow in my side bed. They’re the palest pink, so, so many petals, and just luxurious to look at. The best part is their fragrance. Once opened, I bury my nose in the petals, breathe in deeply and am filled with the sweetest aroma and, best of all, my grandmother’s smile.

    Forever?

    Daffodils, peonies, sunnies, peach blossoms, hydrangea, cosmos, dahlias, zinnias, tulips, and the loveliest purple violets who grow wild in the yard. I still pick handfuls of them just like I did when I was a kid. These flowers will keep me young as I grow old.

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  459. Jenna on

    #2

    Wow that is such a hard question ! I would have to lean towards saving some of my favorite vegetables like tomatoes and peppers. But I would absolutely save zinnia and snapdragon seeds -anything pale in color or purples.

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  460. Emily on

    My rose garden is where I go when I seek peace and a chance to center myself. They are like friends that I can rely on to bring me back to myself.

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  461. Catherine on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would save craspedia seeds. Craspedia are some of the funnest, conversation-provoking, joy-evoking flowers I’ve ever grown. They have such a wonderful and happy spirit. Craspedia are also a great dried flower. Really now that I’m writing this I think I’m discovering that they are my favourite flower to grow. So for the social, fun, practical, eye-catching qualities – for me it’s craspedia:)

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  462. Jenny G on

    I think double tulips/peony tulips would be the plant/flower that has helped me lift my spirits. Back a few years ago, I randomly planted some tulips (for the first time) since I found it on sale/clearance. Didn’t think much of it as I was planting it as a spontaneous trial (I didn’t do much of any gardening/planting at that time). A few months later I was going through some things and was at a really low point in my life when I saw the tulip buds peak out from the dirt. Those little buds gave me something to look forward to during those dark times. It gave me a glimmer of hope, of something good to look forward to. Everyday I would go out and check on them to see how much bigger it had grown. And ever since then I’ve been looking forward to growing flowers in my garden.

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  463. Marissa on

    I have so many beautiful flowers in my garden but I have a special spot in my heart for strawflowers. They remind me of when my kids were small always feeling the papery petals, enjoying the crinkle noise with a sense of satisfaction, making the booms close tight when theyd spray them with a water gun or spray bottle. I grow them every year and cant walk past without touching them.

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  464. Scarlett Dunn on

    A childhood spent in my mother’s flower gardens have always been my buoy in hard times. Lilacs & Daffodils announcing spring by their wafting scents or her burgundy Dahlias & heavenly Peonies that she treasured from our 90 year old neighbor, Mrs. Musser’s garden, coming back each generation with a place of honor in her garden. Life would be so terribly difficult without them.

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  465. Karen Holland on

    I love zinnias and they are the answer to both questions. They are easy to grow and sooo beautiful

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  466. Kelly on

    Living in New England the winter months can be brutal. I always find myself turning toward ostrich fern, blood root, trout lily, all other spring ephemerals, and the many shades of green that come from our native trees. Walking the paths by the river brings such joy because I know I can begin planting again soon. 💚

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  467. Megan Haney on

    Which seeds wouldn’t I save?? I already save my sweet peas, Dianthus Carthusinorum, helenium, zinnias, amaranth, you name it!

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  468. Elizabeth W Szamreta on

    I am a lover of dahlias and Zinnias more than any other flower, possibly because they were always in my mother’s garden. Twenty years after my mother’s passing I still have some of her dahlia that I dig up in the fall and plant in the spring. I try to add to my collection and last year I purchased seeds from Floret that produced beautiful flowers and this passed fall those were dug up with my others. It was amazing how large the roots were. I find it challenging to save the zinnia seeds and look forward to see how well they propagate. I do purchase from seed catalogs but only when I am not successful.
    This year I have a friend who will be getting married in September. The bride would like to have her flowers as Kori did for her wedding. It would be an honor to grow your seeds to provide her with unique blooms for her special day.

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  469. Cathy on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would be grateful for the seeds I do save and I would definitely look to save alot more. I love all the zinnias!!! The colors, shapes and sizes are great for bringing the love and happiness I feel in my garden into the house in bouquets. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  470. Carra S. Cripe on

    Roses love the smell and flower forms, especially the heirlooms! Nothing makes me happier than a vase full of them on the tables in every room of my house.

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  471. Morgan Gasser on

    My garden is definitely my happy place. Would I ever purchase a bouquet flowers from the grocery store to cheer me up? Probably not. But watching my baby seedlings poke up through the dirt… pure joy! If I’m ever having a bad day my husband “bans” me to my happy place.

    A few of my favorites are dahlias, lisianthus, ranunculus & zinnias 🌸🌼

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  472. Melissa Devore on

    I love daisies and zinnias. I have a delightful white zinnia bush that seems to be a mix of both. It blooms all summer like a zinnia but it looks like a tiny daisy. I get a lot of compliments and questions about it. I would definitely save the seeds from it but I would try to also to save seeds from all zinnias, daisies, and foxgloves. I am a crazy dahlia lady but they are the same without the beautiful mix of other flowers in my garden. My motto is my favorite flower is the one in bloom.

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  473. Soo-Jean Yee on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? For me I guess, when I was oh so tiny living in small town Saskatchewan I loved the lilac’s and honey suckle growing in our yard. Now so many years later and 2 provinces farther west I still have those images and smells in my head and always have wanted to bring them back into my life. So those are the ones I would want to have growing alongside me forever. And now with the knowledge I am learning through all of your posts and workshops I am learning to save seeds for so many flowers and already save vegetable seeds so my answer would be that I would save any and all seeds I could. I want to provide somewhere for my children and their children to go forward in this world and being able to grow your own gardens and provide for your family and your senses with your own garden is so amazing.

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  474. Sandy Bury on

    I love color as it helps to brighten our cloudy days in northern Illinois! Zinnias, black eyed susans, coneflower, snaps, along side beautiful grasses would always bring a smile to my face – and those I share my garden with. Best part, these attract birds and other pollinators.

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  475. Jayne Tiehes on

    I’m all about the zinnias. They are so cheerful, fun to grow, and give! That said, I also save foxglove, echinacea, and celosia.

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  476. Tracey Sherman on

    Roses, lilacs, peonies, and tulips help get me through the hard times. My love of roses evolved from the first time my boyfriend sent a bouquet of yellow roses to me at the beginning of our dating years (yellow, because we lived in Texas, and yellow represented friendship). This same man, now my husband of 43 years, still surprises me with bouquets of roses, though my favorite bouquet is often a single stem clipped from our potted balcony garden and set in a vase on our dining room table. I love nothing more than burrowing my nose into a blooming lilac bush and inhaling the fragrance, much as I did when we took our son to Montana and Glacier National Park for his college graduation. And the first time this southern girl saw a bouquet of peonies was at a cookout at a friend’s home in northern Virginia. A friend of hers had gifted her the bouquet, and they were the most exquisite flowers I’d ever seen. Tulips took on their magic for me the first time I visited Skagit county with my husband and son to see the blooming tulip fields. That beauty, against the backdrop of the Cascades, literally took my breath away. Flowers fill my soul. They give me reason to pause and reflect. They are a link to the past and offer hope for the future. And now, that future looks promising that we will finally settle after living in 55 homes (truly, 55), and will put down roots of our own. I cannot wait to grow my garden.

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  477. Eliza on

    1. Tomatoes and peonies

    2. Everything???

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  478. Lindsay on

    Before flowers, the forests of Montana were my companions in hard times. They have observed many highs and lows in my personal journey, standing testament to the resilience, the beauty, and community that I yearned for. No matter the season, they are there.

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  479. Joan Way on

    In the past few years I have had the privilege of planting flowers grown from seeds on my son’s vegetable farm. First nururing them and and then walking alone or with my grandchildren through rows of breathtaking colour and beauty. They have brought me peace and contentment at a difficult time. The zinnias and celossia brough the most joy and amazement, the movement so calming.

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  480. Emily on

    I have had success and failures in my backyard garden, and I have learned a lot from each, but zinnias have yet to fail me!! So I pick zinnias. Beautiful, loyal, and resilient.

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  481. Tricia on

    Goodness, these are beautiful questions! In my own garden, I love to save cosmos, zinnia, poppy, and amaranth. There are so many others I adore, but these 4 consistently bring me joy!

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  482. Dana Askew on

    In response to the second question, if seed catalogs were to disappear I would save seeds from the zinnias, stock, sweet peas, poppies, yarrow, delphinium, celosia, nigella, snapdragons, calendula, scabiosa, dahlias, amaranthus and I would try very hard to collect lisianthus seeds. Many of these find a way to reseed every year in my garden anyway but I couldn’t take a chance on losing them ❤️

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  483. Tey Stiteler on

    Zinnias and marigolds. Both flowers gave me the confidence to garden and save seed. I also love these flowers as they are native to Mexico ans they bring me closer to my Mexican heritage.

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  484. Carissa on

    I find flowers and plants with fragrance to be particularly buoying in the hardest times. And if they have a soft appearance even more so. Roses and sweet peas, among many others, are so comforting and inspiring to me. :)

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  485. Leanne on

    Dahlias. Dahlias will always be the plant I go to most when I’m struggling. Working the land to provide an area to grow and nurture, then tending to my dahlias gives me the space I need to heal, rest and find my next step. I will never not grow these beauties!

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  486. Dahlia Smith on

    Dahlias and Zinnias. I always find myself drawing near to these two plants. Being that my name is Dahlia I feel a special connection with them. I love how versatile, resilient, and beautiful they are. Watching the bud of a dahlia unfold never gets old. And seeing nee unique blooms pop up from your Bees Choice mix was the highlight of my first year flower farming!

    I can ALWAYS count of Zinnias to produce a beautiful bloom even when all the other flowers are falling behind. My one little patch of zinnias helped me through my first year of flower farming.

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  487. Dianna on

    I am pretty fond of my coneflowers and also bee balm. I love the pollinators. I like seeing these bright ones thrive Zinnias are a favorite also and hoping to get more to to bloom this year.

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  488. Kat on

    Question 1: When life gets hard I turn to the gladiolus in my garden! Glads were the first flower I ever planted when I rented my first home. I remember sitting in the garden bed googling which direction to plant the corms in the ground because I had almost no experience with gardening at that time. Later, I would learn that they needed to be dug up in the fall where I lived. That first year, the Glads encouraged me to persist in life even in the darkest times. Every year, I plant those same original bulbs and save them again in the winter. At the end of 2023, I saved a bundle of seeds for the first time and I am excited to see what I get this year! The process of planting the corms, enjoying the beauty of the blooms in late summer, tucking them away safely in the winter, and accidentally knocking into them in their stockings as I walk by them in the basement of late winter, provides me little reminders throughout the year to persist through the dark times. If the Glads can persist in my basement all winter and still bloom in the summer then I can persist through my dark times too!

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  489. Patricia on

    When I feel stressed out flowers always make it better. I love getting a fresh cut bouquet of peonies. They make my heart happy! and they were in my wedding bouquet. But I can only get them in early spring here. (Ontario, Canada) Another springtime garden favorite of mine is Lily of the Valley.

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  490. Amy on

    In response to the first question: When life is hardest, the plants in my little backyard garden that I turn towards the most are zinnias. Their strength and beauty inspire me. To boost my mental health, at the end of every week in the summer months I look forward to my “floral Fridays” where I harvest the zinnias I grew from seed and forage greenery and other fillers from around our yard to create arrangements for my home and to give to local family and friends. Zinnias are a constant source of hope in my life.

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  491. Anne McGilvray on

    If I could figure out how to collect cup and saucer vine seeds I would gather them all. I only recently discovered this vine and am amazed how swiftly it grows.

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  492. Marcina on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear, I would absolutely save pansies and violas. 😍

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  493. Kathleen Else on

    After struggling through the winter…pussy willows are the first signs of hope. Also…snow drops give me a reason to hope & have faith.

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  494. Stefani H on

    2. I’d have to save my tomato and Cosmo seeds! They’re just too easy and too much of a staple to ever give up

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  495. Erin on

    Dahlias and peonies have helped my little family through so many hard times. My daughter was born at the beginning of Covid lockdown, and for the first year of her life, we had to stay home. The summer of 2021 we were finally able to go outside and we found a wonderful little peony and lavender farm that provided a place of refuge. We also bought dahlias as a Mother’s Day present for us to grow together. Last year, we added peonies from our beloved local farm and Floret’s bees choice dahlia seeds. We’ve loved to watch them grow and we’re already getting excited for our 2024 garden as we know the flowers will get us through anything.

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  496. Julia Merrick on

    Turned 40 this year and a sudden ankle injury prompted an unexpected move to my parents’ cabin on Whidbey Island, a magical modest one bedroom cabin retreat they have started to created in their retirement.

    Captivated by Erin’s work at Floret Farm, I yearn to gift my hardworking parents a vibrant flower garden. However, financial constraints stand in the way. The magic and inspiration lies in the memories of my grandparents garden – it was an exact carbon copy of The Secret Garden, which they had me reading to them while they tended to the magical world they created, their legacy etched in my memory. I can still smell the light pink wild rose bushes and when I close my eyes I can see the beautiful flower dancing about while the wind chimes echoed through the yard.

    My Grandfather died unexpectedly two days before my 10th birthday. A conversation shared with him days before he passed during a sunset overlooking Lake Washington, guides my daily path: “Whenever life gets tough, always remember to stop and smell the flowers.”

    Awakening to the potential on my parents’ Whidbey land and with my mom’s expertise as a 1990s Master Gardener, a whimsical vision has bloomed in my mind.

    As my parents continue their tireless work in their 70s—mom caring for the elderly, dad driving a school bus for the island schools —I aspire to create a haven for them with the language of flowers. Winning seeds from Floret Farm would be the magical start, honoring my grandparents, parents, and transforming my parents cabin into a blooming sanctuary.

    It’s not solely a garden; it’s a dream emerging, a floral tapestry that binds the past, present, and future—a legacy of family, memories, and blossoming traditions for the coming generations.

    Thank you Erin and Floret Farm for creating such a beautiful farm and thank you for sharing and passing on the beauty and all of the knowledge.

    Reply
  497. Julia on

    No seed catalogues? Zinnias!

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  498. Lesley McCain on

    If seed catalogue’s were no longer available😳 securing the zinnia seeds would be first on my list! With all of the new gorgeous varieties you have given to the world my soul would still be filled up with this beauty!

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  499. Nicole babcock on

    If there was one seed I would save and couldn’t order any more it would be cotton seeds. The cotton seeds I have have been saved for generations through my family. Since we live in NJ where cotton doesn’t normally grow it makes these seeds extra special. My mom and I currently grow and save our seeds but before her my grandmother and great grandmother did the same process!

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  500. Ashlie Donaldson on

    I have not started my garden as this will be my first year! But I would have to think I’d save the sweet peas, dahlias, and zinnias because they are all so beautiful, how could you pick just one! I’m so excited to get started with growing flowers and having them bring me joy everyday. I can’t wait!

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  501. Brianne on

    I would hoard all the sweet pea seeds my plants would give me.
    I couldn’t imagine a year without getting to smell my way thru my sweet pea patch

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  502. Courtney on

    If the seed catalog disappeared, I would want to save seeds from my zinnias, coneflowers, and desert globe mallows. Zinnias always remind me of my grandmother, I’d love to alway have them in my garden. Desert globe mallows remind me of spring in the desert, something sweet and beautiful among hard circumstances. Coneflowers just remind me of the bees that love them and to remain hardworking and enjoy the beauty around me.

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  503. Amy on

    The beauty of zinnias and dahlias really lift my spirits! Last year I had an accident that kept me from the garden (significant fall with a broken pelvis that kept me in a wheelchair for 3 months before being able to rehab and walk again), and my mom and mother-in-law lovingly planted me a bed of each that I could sit on the back patio and watch for hours. There were many days I’d sit and look at the flowers and look forward to the day I could walk over and tend them. By the end of my 3 months of non- weight bearing, I walked to those beds every day, tended the flowers and brought them inside to enjoy in almost every room of the house! Now that I’m almost a year out from my injury and Spring is so close, I’m looking forward to nothing more than being in the garden, playing in the dirt and watching everything grow this year. Thank you for all you do, Floret Farms! Your beautiful books and puzzles helped me through my recovery and gave me even more appreciation for the beauty and ability of flowers to lift the spirits! And I’m so excited for the work you and Kori have done to breed more amazing flowers!

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  504. Kari on

    I love the springtime ranunculus! They are so beautiful and whimsical after winter.

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  505. Ruth on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would continue collecting all my cut flower seeds – esp Zinnia! I shared a huge amount of seed this past season with flower-loving friends and it brought me so much joy to see their delight growing their own flowers 🌸🪻🌸

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  506. Sara on

    Edible flowers are one of my first loves and a huge reason I became a gardener and now a farmer. I would pick borage, violets, chive flowers, comfrey blooms, nasturtium, any flower in mom’s garden that she had taught me was safe to eat. I would wrap them in a violet leaf, call them burritos, and ask my mom to eat them with me, which she always obliged. I learned not only medicinal uses for plants, but also the simple joys of flowers. I still find happiness in adding petals to salads and beverages just for the joy of it!

    So thankful for what Kori has helped bring to the world. I grew fundraiser zinnias a couple years ago and saved seed to grow in my personal garden. Such beauty 🥰

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  507. Jenny on

    I’m training as a trauma therapist and growing flowers and giving away bouquets has not only been a source of joy but truly part of my own self care as I navigate helping others heal. I love the sturdiness and dependability of zinnias and love the flamboyant showstopping nature of dinnerplate dahlias. Zinnias, dahlias, Bishops flowers, and celosia are my plan this year to grow some stunning bouquets!

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  508. Christina on

    I am drawn toward all the flowers in my garden . They all have such a different personality and make me smile. I particularly love those that sway, like guara or have lots of texture like Celosia.

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  509. Jennifer Karnowski on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? Everything honestly! I just love flowers (dahlias and orchids are my favorite) I really enjoy my vegetable garden too.

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  510. Noria on

    Daffodils to start the season bring me so much joy. Then the peonies, roses, lavender, and sedum!

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  511. Kate on

    When life is hard, I enjoy meandering around all the plants growing in our yard. It’s fun and meditative/therapeutic to see the growth and wildlife each day.

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  512. Caryn on

    Wild flowers in my garden bring me great joy.
    But I also love my roses , peony , and stock .
    I can’t wait for your blush colored zinnia !
    Thank you !!

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  513. Andrea Underwood on

    We always try to save seeds from most of the plants in our garden and experiment with them the next season to see what happens! Always a fun surprise to see what’s successful and what’s not. It’s hard to find great information on seed saving so we just decided to give it a shot!

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  514. Vicki Bryant on

    Dahlias buoy my spirits like nothing else. And the delight of sharing the multiplying tubers is sheer delight! Seeds from my garden…definitely the Queen Lime mix zinnias, Blue Lake pole beans, Lemon Gem marigold…

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  515. Catherine on

    Zinnias definitely lift my spirits during hard times. The resilience of zinnias is an amazing thing. Watching them volunteer out of season, grow in drought, and produce beauty in summer heat is a gift. The seeds I would save and currently do save are zinnias, Everglades tomatoes, and pickling peppers. Those three plants are so easy and can make any gardener feel confident in growing.

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  516. Melinda Rafferty on

    I would save seeds from my zinnias….they are my favorite of any flowers I have ever grown….they are resilient, strong(surviving our super hot STL summers), and they just make me smile everytime I cut them and put in vases. I cannot wait for to add your pastel beauties to my menagerie. Thank you so much for sharing your stories.

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  517. Jobiana maciel on

    Omg when I started reading this interview I didn’t expect at all that I was about to read of a loving relationship between Kori and the flowers . When she said “ Plants have for as long as I can remember called me into a relationship of REFUGE,PROTECTION and Quiet acceptance.” I started to cry. As I’m crying now writing this. My little tiny garden has carried me thru so many joys and grief. My zinnias always seems to know ,how to put a smile in my face, they are so resilient and by looking and observing them I learn how to be resilient myself. Flowers will speak to our hearts! I’ll tell you that I think they conspire with my herbs to bring Refuge,Protection and Quiet acceptance to my heart and soul. Thank you Floret for the Blog and Kori for sincerely opening her heart. It reasoned more than you can imagine. Sorry for any errors in my writing English isn’t my first language. Love and gratitude, Jobiana.

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  518. Samantha Hansen on

    I’ve found that for me it’s discovering that one unexpected flower still in bloom on difficult days that provide the greatest tender mercies to my soul. It’s being able to go out in the garden and appreciate what is there in the moment that helps me get through those difficult times. 💖

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  519. Kayla on

    My go to plant would be hellebore. It always feels like such a sign of hope amidst winter that sunny days and beautiful flowers are ahead!

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  520. Alena Haan on

    My go to plant will always be eucalyptus. How the simplicity in a flower vase single or bunched can create growth in any room. A bunch in the shower is relaxing. The scent of freshness will always be one to help during difficult times.

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  521. Sharlee Moran on

    2. I would have a long list of seeds I would save if I could no longer order from catalogs, zinnias, snapdragons, marigolds, dahlias, cosmos, sunflowers, beans, corn, squash. These are the ones I think of walking through the garden with my daughter taking it all in

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  522. Briana Green on

    Zinnias and Dahlias… when my husband and I first bought our house, that summer I knew I wanted a garden like my mother had. After having a disappointing… scarce… some my say sad looking garden, I was determined to try again. That winter I finally bought my first Floret book and discovered the of all cut flowers but drawn to zinnias and dahlias. I had only ever seen the varieties and colors at big box stores and still was so new to gardening that I really only knew to shop there. Obviously from there I was hooked on Floret seeds. My husband may even call it an addiction…

    Fast forward a few years, we welcomed our second baby girl. That previous year had brought many challenges for our family and this one was no easier. I have always struggled with anxiety but postpartum depression and anxiety started to consume me. It was clear to my husband and I that going back to my previous job was no longer an option for my family and mental health. That same spring I bought more zinnia and dahlia seeds I had room for which of course led to requests for more raised beds to be made. That summer when they started to bloom I often felt drawn to them when days felt sad, hard and overwhelming. Whenever I was able to get some self care time I was staring at my beautiful flowers that I grew from little seeds. That’s when I decided I could have a restart. Career change. Live again. And now with my little micro farm I call myself a Flower Farmer who is constantly dreaming up all the dahlia and zinnias varieties I plant to hopefully spark joy for someone else.

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  523. Levi on

    I really enjoy climbing flowers such as sweet peas, and climbing rose. The magic and free nature of them are amazing. If seed catalogs were to leave us tomorrow I would save anything I could! I’d start with the useful vegetables and fruits and then go with zinnias. We saved two gallons of zinnia seeds last year and have a dream of planting a small field this year!

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  524. Dawn Sowle on

    Zinnias, Sweet Pea and Poppies. But really..all the seeds I could grab from Thumbergia to Marigolds. How can we choose. Xo

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  525. Atty Collins on

    I gravitate towards herbs when life is challenging. I enjoy using them for cooking/baking and simply just to smell and use dried for decorations. Sunflowers also bring me so much joy! Especially the giant ones. If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save zinnia seeds and gladiolus bulbs and all my vegetable seeds like tomatoes, zucchini, sweet corn, and green beans.

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  526. Kathy Stewart on

    When things are hard, I head to the peony patch. They are always there. Popping up in late winter or early spring. Growing lush, green and budding up in mid spring. Blooming their heads off in late spring and early summer. Resting and absorbing that sunshine through the end of summer. Preparing for rest in early fall. I tend to them each season in some way but they also tend to me. I also know that if I am unable to tend to them in any season, they will still continue to tend to me when I need it.

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  527. Jordan on

    I have a bleeding heart in my garden that my grandmother planted years ago. It’s been split and moved and shared so many times. Now it’s my strongest physical memory tied to her.

    Marigolds make me think of my Mom and collecting marigold seeds are some of my earliest memories in her garden. They’re so prolific and great at deterring pests that I’d save these seeds time and time again

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  528. Patricia V on

    When life gets tough I do not find myself going to any specific plant to lift my spirits. The garden in general lifts my spirit. If there is anything blooming or harvestable that makes me happy. I will say that as a new gardener anything blooming is an ally since I am still learning and don’t really have a history or memory with anything in particular yet. I hope one day a specific flower can do that for me. Seeing anything bloom is a proud achievement and makes me happy.

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  529. Jen on

    At the end of the long snowy winter I begin my tomato planting indoors. Nurturing and watching my babies grow brings great joy and anticipation for the coming summer. Each year I try new varieties and then share what I learn in ‘off the vine’ taste tests with my friends all summer. I surround my gardens of vegetables with flowers to encourage pollinators and to brighten my visitors homes.

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  530. Dede Ledford on

    Immediately, violets and lavenders come to mind as they are my heirlooms from my grandfather, who shared his love of gardening with me. He made cuttings from his lavenders for my first garden and I always picked sweet smelling violets for him from his garden. Touching the aromatic lavender leaves and seeds always comforted me and raised my spirits, reminding me of his spirit. Zinnias were among the first seeds I successfully started and have always had them in my cutting garden. They flourished during our hot dry summers and delighted my senses with their range of bright colors and forms. I’m excited to grow the new zinnia seeds this year to experience their softer colors along with Chris’s Sunrise.

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  531. Michelle Furlong on

    I have Rose Lilys that have healed my soul more than once. They smell like spicy vanilla beans which reminds me of my grandmother. I sit down in the grass and go back in time

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  532. Victoria wilk on

    Having just come out a tough first year postpartum, I am so excited to use my love of growing a cut flower garden to feel like myself again! The things I love to grow the most are lace flower, zinnias, dahlias and ranunculus. I love flower arranging for my self care time and these varieties bring me the most joy when doing that! But if I had to save seeds it would be ALL the seeds, I couldn’t live without the joy of every flower I grow!

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  533. Rita on

    Today is my 77th birthday! So many years to learn, study, enjoy and grow as a gardener. As I age, I am overwhelmed by the amount of physical labor that is required to keep my 2 acres tamed. The discoveries that are made and the beauty I enjoy, mentally balance the deep aches and pain my senior body endures. Thank You Garden……it’s been an adventure and a joy to know you!

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  534. Mary Hoffman on

    I have found solace in aromatic herbs: lavender, rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, mint. Their faithful growth in my garden gives me hope. I have also loved the self-seeding columbine, and cheerful, sunny cosmos, whose tenacity on fragile little stems surprises me every spring & summer. I especially anticipate the pale blush blooms of peonies and shy lilac clusters that take my breath away with their subtle fragrance in the spring. I’m so thankful for their beauty, reminding me of the beautiful women in my life who have taught me how to live and love: grandmothers, mother, sisters, & my grown daughters, who all share a love for growing, cultivating, gathering, & enjoying the diversity of flowers. As we now live distanced, sharing seeds, flowers, and garden tips help us to continue to grow together.

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  535. Debra Booe on

    Lisianthus seem to be my go-to in the hardest times. They have to fight so hard just to germinate and begin life! They are comforting as I remember that If they can push through simply to be a part of nature’s world, surely I can see my way through whatever life brings!

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  536. Tamy Stewart on

    My last comment I posted wrong email – it was concerning compost tea.
    I have another question about dahlias. I am planning to order seeds from you on February 6 and after the season is over – do I dish up tubers or save seeds throughout the summer by deadheading? Thanks! Tamy in Georgia

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  537. Sharon Dejong on

    I would save impatiens, they do so well in my shady backyard with their cheery blooms.

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  538. Angelina on

    I love garden roses; they cast back to all things old fashioned and their scent is something to dream of! I always want them in my garden. I also really love saving seed from my dahlias to see what gems pop up each season! I just love the dawn creek pastels and I would definitely be saving them every year!

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  539. Tamy Stewart on

    I have a question about your compost tea. How do you make it? I really want to use these and just not sure how. We do compost on our farm here in Georgia. Thank you! Tamy

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  540. Christina on

    I’ve always been drawn to coneflowers. They are such a cheerful flower and there are so many beautiful colors. I love that they provide food for bees and birds. Every year I try to add more to my garden.

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  541. Jewel on

    Horrible thought to not have any seed catalogs!!! I would first save any and all zinnia seed, then the gomphrena, celosia and Victoria blue salvia seeds!

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  542. Angelina on

    I would save seeds from delphinium and foxglove, two whimsical flowers that I always want in my garden. They are peaceful and I love the magical way that they wave in the breeze! They beckon me to slow down and notice beauty in the world. I can’t wait for the dawn creek releases, they are so beautiful!

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  543. Tabitha chuprin on

    When going through bumps in the road I turn towards my vegetable garden, to be able to take a little seed and grow food that I can eat and enjoy really lifts my spirits, and then taking a walk through my perennial garden beds to look at the soft beauty really lifts me up. If I had to save seeds the most important flowers to save are zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, sweet peas, snapdragons and stock!

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  544. Melissa Kramer on

    When life is hard I hang out with my roses, baby them or look at pictures of there blooms to get me through the winter

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  545. Ericka on

    When hardships come my way, I always hide in my garden as a calm and secure place in this world to feel safe. I have deal with several chronic illnesses through the years, and a way to cope with the strong pain has been to grow flowers from seeds. There’s something about Calendulas, Zinnias and Cosmos, that turns my tears into happiness. No matter how I feel each day, I look forward to waking up and go out to my garden and watch these flowers grow and bloom. I could bring them into my house to put them in vases and cheer me up, but every summer I look forward to their blooms to cut them, put them in vases and share with others to cheer them up. If catalogs would get to disappear, I would keep saving these precious seeds from Calendulas, Cosmos and Zinnias for ever and for an eternity if I could.

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  546. Kristin Reilly on

    i never would have guessed just how much my soul needed daffodils. the first to rise up and bloom, reminding us that winter truly is just a season that comes to its end. in the summer months all my flowers, both perennial and annual being such comfort when the chaos inside or in my mind feels big. i love to do daily walks to watch as they grow, and of course ending the time by snipping a few to bring inside. hydrangeas also have been comforting me in news ways. they wither beautifully in such a free surrender to the warm season ending without letting the cold, darker days steal their joy.

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  547. Ally on

    I would save strawflower, rudbeckia and zinnia seeds!

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  548. Veronica on

    I started seriously seed saving in 2021 and have repurposed an old library card catalog for all my seeds. My goal with anything I grow is to replenish each tiny jam jar with seeds from flowers/fruits/herbs/veg I grew myself. I do the same with any local bouquets I’m gifted. I grew up hearing “waste not, want not” and try to carry this on through seed saving. My favorite things to seed save so far are loofah, calendula, and nasturtiums.

    Maybe unexpected but the plant I seek out for peace the most is moss. We have a handful of native varieties in our yard and it brings me comfort every time. It’s like a little tiny world and I imagine myself small enough to walk on top of without disturbing it.

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  549. Scott on

    Question 1.

    The plants we find ourselves turning to when times are hard are zinnias and dahlias. Not only are their wide array of shapes and colors mesmerizing, but our zinnias and dahlias are loved by our local pollinators. Watching swallowtail butterflies and hummingbirds dancing among our dahlias and zinnias brings us so much happiness. We can get so caught up in the demands of running a business. Wildlife enjoying our gardens reminds us of why we started growing flowers in the first place. Life can be challenging, but flowers help us navigate through it.

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  550. Angelica on

    I’ve always been enchanted by the beauty of nature and when my husband and I bought our house, we both absolutely loved that it was filled with lots of fruiting trees. In the middle of our front yard, is a really old avocado tree. Its branches hang down in a canopy and if you sit underneath it, it feels like it swallows you up in its world. I like to lay underneath it and watch its leaves shimmer and sparkle in the sunshine. When the wind moves through it, it makes this sound that cancels out everything else around you and grounds you to the earth. When times are hard, and even when times are perfect, this is where I go. It relaxes my soul.

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  551. Corinna Lau on

    I will answer # 2.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would start saving statice, scabiosa, sunflowers, zinnias, strawflowers and eucalyptus.

    What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? Definitely roses and dahlia in every color of the rainbow! 🌈

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  552. Ann on

    Tbh, roses would probably be my favorite when life is hardest. They’ve been with us for many years and started my dream of what I then called Rose Cottage. In more recent years, I started growing dahlias. Also, to be honest, they are beautiful but exhausting esp as my nest has emptied.
    So I’m learning what flowers I wouldn’t want to live without. I’m going to try harder with my annuals this year as they seem more sustainable over time for me. The farther I go, the more I discover the beginner I am. So I’m excited to try some zinnias in compelling colors both soft (Alpenglow and Golden Hour) and bright ( looking at you Chris’s sunrise) and petite floret dahlias. I have practiced seed saving on both dahlias and zinnias, but I haven’t tried growing much out yet. So that’s where I am. I’d love having flowers that have nice foliage for filler as well.

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  553. Janet on

    My soul is comforted in the garden. That feeling I get when watching my plant friends sway in summer breeze, and the bees , they work so hard , a bird perched on the fence to have a look around and my cat rubbing against me to to say hello!
    Flowers are beautiful.. sounds cliche, but they comfort and amaze me .
    Now, if seed catalogs were gone…I’d save, dahlia, zinnia,sweet pea, tomato.. hmmm,gladiolus, clematis.. ect..😊

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  554. Tami Volz on

    1. The flower that seems to always do well and give me joy is the dahlias! I just can’t believe how they continue to produce beautiful blooms. They help me overcome the frustration with so many of my other plants!

    2 if I couldn’t buy anymore seeds I would save sunflower seeds! They are prolific and so cheery in the summer!

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  555. Amanda Badger on

    In tough times especially I turn to my garden to recharge and settle my nerves. I never would have thought gardening would become such a special part of my life. Early morning walks in the garden with my coffee, casually weeding or watering, listening to the birds and the bees get to work is such a special feeling. There is no one particular plant for me, rather something about being surrounded by any and all plants that steadies my spirits.

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  556. Jana on

    My husband and I just bought our forever home on a beautiful piece of property in Whatcom County in November so we are still in the planning stages of our garden! However, we are lucky that the previous owner left us some surprises in the landscape and I’ve enjoyed discovering and attempting to identify what I can in the off-season. Looking forward to all that will appear come spring and beginning our own journey towards becoming flower farmers! I’m currently a major fan of yarrows and goldenrod, but I would save all the seeds I possibly could from every plant I had :)

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  557. Z Smith on

    I love saving native wildflower seeds! Last year I collected milkweed, bee balm, echinacea, beardtongue foxglove, and hoary skullcap seeds. I also collected petunia, zinnia, calendula, and snapdragon seeds :)

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  558. Tami Volz on

    Wow!! Sums it up! What a deep love for plants!

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  559. Alina on

    In our very hot climate, zinnias are one of the few flowers that really thrive. I will be saving their seeds forever 🤍

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  560. Brenda on

    It would have to be zinnias and sunflowers when life is the hardest. They never give up on me even when I start to give up on them! Zinnias…cut and come again!

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  561. JAN BURK on

    My go to flowers when I need a lift are zinnias and dahlias. I am almost 70 and just started growing them from seed and from tubers. I like to mix them with queen annes lace and some greens. I love to share my flowers with anyone else who needs a lift in life. I cannot wait till spring and already have new plans in my mind for extending the gardens.

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  562. Jennifer Rotter on

    In tough times I enjoy going to my garden in the early morning to water and see little pollen covered bees sleeping in the cups of cosmos or cozied up in between zinnia petals with their little fuzzy butts hanging out. I harvest these flowers and take them to the Montessori school I work at and share them with the children in their classroom for flower arranging lessons. This steadies my spirit because I can provide food for the many pollinators that visit my vegetable garden and introduce a love for flowers to children from 18 months to 6 years old.

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  563. Mary Lenker on

    During my hard times I love it when I can spend my time tending my garden! All aspects of the garden bring me great peace and solace! The beauty of the plants feed my soul! Well, maybe not the weeds, but I find them so intriguing as they find so many mechanisms to survive. They do amaze me and at times frustrate me. Some of my favorite flowers that make me happy are the Delphiniums and the foxgloves. Their tall spikes provide such magical flowers that remind me of fairy tales. Of course, I also love the zinnias and dahlias. Oh, can’t forget my pink roses. My garden is God’s gift to me and my neighbors!

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  564. Diane E. on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save seeds from all of my vegetables, hot and sweet peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, cantaloupe, and whatever else I am growing. I would want to grow alongside peonies and stargazer lilies forever. I love many flowers but those are my very favorite.

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  565. Lisa Godbolt on

    Pansies and sweet peas always put a smile on my face! I’d try to save those seeds as well as zinnias, iceland poppies, dianthus, godetia….so many beautiful flowers to chose from & save!

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  566. Ruth Brandt on

    During one of my darkest periods of clinical depression, I was gardening at our home in Virginia. Working around a mess of lambs ear, I paused to look and take in the beauty of one of the leaves. The softness of it spoke calm, and gentleness to my aching soul. God, creator of all things good and beautiful, was reflecting His tender heart, soft and gentle, towards mine through my lambs ear. It was a gift, reminding me of who He was. That I am seen and heard by Him. That He loves me and tenderly cares about all I am suffering through. That healing would come as I waited on His perfect timing. I’m happy to say that it did! I will forever have lambs ear in my garden. :)

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  567. Dawn on

    Where to begin! Gardening has and always be will at the heart of who I am. It has always provided a place of respite during difficult or challenging times. It keeps me grounded and is my therapy.

    I have only started growing for sale in the last year as having spent two years just growing for experience. A lifelong learner and there are so many lessons I can take away from this flower journey. And truth be told, it was only last year that I successfully grew zinnias. It took me 3 years to be able to grow them.

    Last year was the first year that I harvested seeds to save. Note: Not zinnia seed due to powdery mildew. Something, I am very interested in doing. Again another skill that needs doing to learn how too.

    So if catalogs went away, I would catalog my own flowers and find a way to harvest the seeds I really would want to grow and keep coming back too.

    And zinnias would definitely be at the top of my list! What’s not to love! And definitely dahlias too!

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  568. Judith Brook on

    I also grow zinnias and save seeds for following year. I absolutely LOVE and ADORE watching bees in my flowers, so I try to choose plants that help beneficial insects. They love to curl up to sleep in my dahlias, and in other flowers. I look for them at evening time, thinking of it, as ‘tucking them’ in for bedtime. I grew Crimson Clover as a cover crop and the bees went crazy for it. If seed catalogs were un-available, I would save seeds from my cutting garden tall snapdragons, the fantastic Cosmos Rubenza, and my dry beans such as Dutch Brown.

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  569. Heather on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I’d be sure to save:
    Zucchini- so prolific and surprising with such little effort!
    Peas- because there’s nothing like going to the garden to pick a snack
    Zinnias- so cheerful and low maintenance
    Lavender- there is something so soothing about running your hand through a plant and releasing the pent up fragrance.
    Actually now that I think about it I believe lavender would be the answer to question 1 as well! Even though it doesn’t thrive in our zone 3 climate I always have to grow at least one plant every summer, and this year it is the first seeds I am going to sow to get practice with my new soil blocker!

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  570. Dehnel Eekhoff on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would start by save seeds from my zinnia, sunflowers and my favorite heritage pumpkins. I love the cut flowers that I grow and share with family and friends. Growing my own vegetables and enjoying them is a must. Having healthy soil with many of our earthworm friends to keep the soil well drained is where my gardens shine. Learning from Erin and Kori is another way to keep my gardens growing and living forever here in Iowa!

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  571. Katie Noah Gibson on

    I love so many flowers, but tulips are my favorite – vivid and colorful, and a sure sign of spring in the Northeast U.S., where I live.

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  572. Kamala Naidu on

    Gardening always takes your mind out of stress. You forget once you start digging the soil.
    I would go to tuberoses if there are no seeds. Even Mary gold will fill our yard since we have a lot of seeds saved up. I have a few dahlia bulbs & am planning to increase them. Thanks to Erin, I learned how to save & replant dahlias.

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  573. Linda Schneider on

    My husband and I have been growing zinnia (and saving the seeds from year to year) for years.

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  574. Lori Oelfke on

    In tough times I have had to to distract myself by mentally taking myself on hikes through subalpine meadows full of colorful wildflowers, visualizing the colors, forms, and aromas as the gentle mountain breezes assuage my spirit. Now that I am a gardener, I create that colorful variety using zinnias, dahlias, roses, and other plants in my own yard. Those flowers buoyed my spirit while recovering from a bone fracture last summer. If seed catalogues were to disappear, I would definitely save seed from the dahlias and zinnias as well as seed from the tomato varieties that I grow. While flowers are a delight to my eyes, there’s nothing more tasty than a sun ripened tomato! 💕

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  575. Linda K. on

    Roses and dahlias. Roses have always been my ally. They are the smell of France where I lived when I was a child. I greet my roses with “Hello, Beauties!!” Dahlias are my happy-color palate. I love to mix roses and dahlias together in an arrangement. I would surely save my orange/ red dahlia bulbs, and root stock from my favorite pink Tea Rose, and a peach-colored Old Rose I resuscitated.

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  576. Linda Pettee on

    All flowers bring me joy ~ I think when I am feeling low, I tend to be drawn to light pastels in the garden, as they are very calming.

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  577. Nancy Jones on

    Delphiniums, bluer than the sky with their unique iridescence returning each year are an occasion to remember. Foxgloves popping up in stately pink and peaches, freckled, with their own independence to grow where they want! The most cheerful and long lasting perennial sunflowers , double, yellow and of such a sunny disposition!
    I admire seed growers and their crafted catalogues, having used this source to learn gardening and design, but save a grow my favorite seeds, in case….

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  578. Ronald Caldwell on

    Creating a flower bed keeps the soil active throughout the year and allows it to nurture and support a wide range of flowers and veggies. The process of maintaining the soils health is a key factor in both the quality of the flowers that bloom and your personal involvement in the process. Zinnia’s add a wide range of color and shapes to the flower area announcing the arrival of Summer until the Winter frost providing bouquets and hours of appreciation simply watching them grow and mature. Saving seeds from favorite plants whether veggie or flower adds a personal touch to the process that personalizes your relationship with the plants. Sweet Peas are a personal favorite that are started in early Fall and winter over in the mild Sacramento Winter. Watching them survive the Winter and magically transforming into a mass of Spring color makes for a deeper appreciation of the garden.

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  579. Cindy Hingley on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    The plant that kept me on this planet when my whole world was falling apart was lemon balm. I planted it for the first time that year and every day I smelt, tasted, talked to and listened to it. Lemon balm is the happiest plant I’ve ever met.

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  580. Jill Steiner on

    In the spring, I turn to the tulips. In the summer, it’s the zinnias and love-in-a mist nigella. Especially the nigella. It seeds itself and comes back again and again. I find that to be so encouraging. When life gets tough, there is still flowers that bloom and bring a joy.

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  581. Jennifer on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save my sunflower, gomphrena, celosia, dahlia, and zinnia seed’s because I can’t imagine not seeing them in my garden. I would be a bit panicked though because I have learned to save dahlia or zinnia seed yet which I am looking forward to doing this season. I am beyond grateful that Erin and the team will be showing us how to do that ! I am also grateful that Kori and Erin are encouraging us to our own seeds from the beautiful babies they have created. I hope to discover some unique treasures of my own to share 🩷

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  582. April on

    I love the way zinnias light up my yard. I live in a more urban neighborhood and I plant a mass planting in my front yard that attracts pollinators and people alike. It has become a bright spot that offers unexpected beauty in my neighborhood. Instead of a yard filled with well managed bushes and bark dust, my yard is a happy cacophony of color and beauty. I have found people delight in the unexpected beauty. So for those reasons, I think I would always save zinnia seeds and marigold seeds. These hardworking plants are just plain happy. Their bright sunny blooms are joyous. And I find they bring people a lot of joy. I often cut bouquets and offer them for free to passersby, it just makes people smile. And I think we all need more of that.

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  583. Jp on

    When life is hardest I find myself with my marigolds and zinnias. I love how reliably cheerful they are and how good it can feel to be amongst their joyful faces.

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  584. Paula Olivares on

    Thank you IMMENSELY Kori for all of the beautiful work you have done & all of the amazing knowledge you have freely shared! Every time I have received a message from you I have been so blessed by you kind and sweet words! You truly are a gem!
    To answer question #2 I would most definitely save the following seeds (which I already have been doing with many of these and it has been one of the most fun experiences on this flower journey):
    #1 Zinnias
    #2 Sunflower Steves Sunflowers
    #3 Celosia
    #4 Dahlias
    # 5 Amaranth
    #6 Sweet Peas

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  585. Emily on

    Flowers are such a great way to bless your neighbors and others…such a beautiful way to comfort, celebrate or encourage those around you. I think any flower can provide what the recipient needs…I most happy when I am gifting someone a bouquet or plant start, especially when it is a surprise. Zinnias are a favorite because my son loves to help me start and plant them. Just a sweet memory for me and hopefully for him too as he grows up.

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  586. Abigail Page on

    Zinnias really are the flower that gets me through hard times. They were one of my mom’s favorites, and I have lots of memories with her and zinnias. Whenever I grow them I feel closer to her and my grandmother.

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  587. Jessica on

    The Dawn Creek series are absolutely beautiful. So excited to add some to my garden this year.

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  588. Erin on

    When life if hardest, I am happy with anything that is blooming in the garden. In the summer, it is Sweet Peas and Zinnias. Right now I have Anenomes blooming and they are bringing me so much happiness.

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  589. Jessie Zanella on

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow I would save seed for Purple Sicily Cauliflower, Calima green beans, Sungold tomatoes( knowing they wouldn’t be totally stable), Grandma Hadleys lettuce, Chamomile, Dill, Marigolds, and Oklahoma Zinnias. Big Max is my favorite OP pumpkin so I would stash some of those too…

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  590. Tammy on

    Flowers are such a mood booster! There’s nothing quite like walking through rows of blooms for a refreshed outlook on life- particularly zinnias, snaps, yarrow are some of my favorites💚

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  591. Iliana Jones on

    Currently life is hitting us hard, we are going to move in with nana and help her through her dementia. I’m renting out my current garden as a way to keep peace in my mind and life as we navigate these new waters. My old reliable and special friends are Lisianthus. We have a greenhouse nearby that grows them from seed and I am forever grateful for them because that is a task. They are amazing flowers, every year I learn so much from them. I will for sure need them in my life these future growing seasons. I will need their healthy reminders, they need support and so will I, they need a healthy soil, I’ll need a healthy environment, they don’t complain when they are cut they come back, I will not let harsh words from my nana end our love, instead it will come back with as much grace and beauty as a lisianthus bloom.
    The seed savers in my garden that I will forever harvest are snapdragons, zinnias of course, and dahlias were new to me this previous year but I extremely enjoyed the process! I hope to save some of these new zinnia seeds to add to the beauty in life for as long as I can.

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  592. Elizabeth on

    Our winters are long, cold and dark and I often find myself low without energy from January into March…. just plodding through life until the sun breaks out in the spring. But this winter I’ve been experimenting w forcing tulips in my basement and the transformation of my spirit is delightful! The colors of the tulips, the flouncy petals of the big double buds, the work of tweaking the timing of the bloom! Amazing! So TULIPS are my go to flower! (At least from January to spring!!!)

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  593. Meghan on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would save zinnia seeds. They were the flower my grandmother grew that inspired my love of gardening and will forever hold a special place in my heart.

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  594. Cindy Metcalf on

    I come from a long line of gardeners and still to this day grow my father’s favorite crowder pea and several of my mother’s tomatoes and hot peppers. I know that they are smiling up in heaven seeing me carrying on their tradition of growing what you love and brings you serenity. These seed were saved from when I was in college and helping with our hobby farm of 4 acres. I dearly love all the new varieties of tomatoes that are offered and for the last 3 years have grown over 500 for our local community gardens and churches. Last year I grew 38 different varities – a rainbow of deliciousness and I have carefully saved seeds from the most productive and delicious ones. While I love to read my seed catalogs and long for anything new – my husband calls it “seed porn” LOL! I’d still be able to grow my garden with all my seed bank.
    So looking forward to growing the new varities of zinnias!!!

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  595. Jessalyn on

    If catalogs disappeared, and I had to pick only one, it would probably be sweet peas! They’re so simple to make a posey (don’t need any arranging skills), and smell soooo amazing. I love putting a little bouquet in each room, and have the fragrance fill up the space. And saving seed is so easy too!

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  596. Dana P. on

    Hi, to everyone involved in this beautiful world of growing precious little flower souls. I love all things colorful especially Zinnias. I only came across these girls in the last few years. Since losing my precious daughter, flowers are my saving grace. Thank-you for sharing these beauties. Peach variety Zinnias are my favorite because my girl had red hair. : )

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  597. Marisol on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would try and save every seed possible from my very small garden. I am amazed every time I plant a seed and get to watch it grow into something beautiful. As a new gardener, it’s a wonderful learning experience.

    Picking a favorite flower is hard because different flowers remind me of different people and evoke different emotions. Zinnias remind me of a friend that introduced me to them many years ago. She would invite me to cut bouquets of them for me to take home, and she shared her zinnia seeds. I now save zinnia seeds. Rudbeckia makes smile whenever I see the blooms and this will be my second year growing them from saved seed. Clematis is dainty and beautiful and I have much to learn about growing it. A sunflower is natures way of giving us a hug and then feeding us.

    If I had to pick only one today, it would be zinnias, for their ease in growing. It’s been nice to have a sure success every year while I learn to grow and try other flowers.

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  598. Crissy on

    My dahlias give me a peace and solace when things get rough. Their resiliency during tough times reminds me that I can overcome difficult situations. And their beauty makes me step back and appreciate all nature provides to us!!

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  599. lisa on

    Dahlias and zinnias are my go-to’s right now not just for my own personal benefit but they are my favorite flowers to give away. It’s so fun seeing people’s reaction to receiving stunning beautiful unique flowers. I loved this article and am so happy you guys found eachother. Tears, giddiness and feeling lit up with inspiration. Thank you!

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  600. Lezlie Loewen on

    I love the way Sweet Peas dance in the wind and the amazing sweet uplifting perfume that fills the air, they lift my spirits and fill my soul with joy when I’m feeling down
    I just attended a seed saving meeting at our local garden club I have saved seeds from sweet peas , chocolate lace flower , zinnias and orlaya , I would try to save as many as I could to keep growing flowers for the future and preserving the varieties of flowers I love

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  601. Kaitlyn Bearinger on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where to spend my gardening efforts. I’m starting a Ph.D program in the fall and my free time (and extra money) will be very limited, so the energy I spend growing flowers needs to be an investment into the future of my garden. With this in mind, I imagine myself growing alongside plants like zinnias and celosia that do well in my climate and are easy to save seed from. I want to reach a point where my garden is self-sufficient, with all perennials and open-pollinated varieties like celosia texas plume and zinnia dawn creek blush that can continue to grace my garden year after year. There’s something really exciting about one day, no longer relying on large corporations for seeds, but having my very own bank of home-grown seeds to share and trade with local friends and family.

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  602. Nicole Dorway on

    In 2020, when the world was quiet and still, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had time and space to think, rest and heal, and find peace in my garden. I enrolled in the Floret class of 2021 and soaked in every moment of teaching and learning about flowers. In March of 2021, alongside my 3 established vegetable beds, I started three small janky 4 x 4 raised beds made from pallet wood—zinnias, cosmos and nigella—and 10 rose bushes. My heart was smitten and each day I could not wait to see the growth and beauty that was taking place before my eyes. Absolutely miraculous. I was hooked.

    My cut flower beds have grown in size and number and variety, but zinnias and cosmos still make my heart smile the most. They are part of my healing and hope journey and forever will be.

    They say,“to plant a garden is to have hope for tomorrow,” and I could not agree more.

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  603. Peggy Hill on

    Nothing lifts my spirit like visiting a garden center, Greenhouse or a friends garden. I collected poppy seeds from my Mom’s garden and so many grew. When I’m really missing her I go to that spot and talk to her.

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  604. Beth on

    When life is hardest I find solace in the ecosystem as a whole. All I have to do is walk, one foot in front of the other, into the forest, into the desert, on the prairie, over the mountain. The perfect harmony of the natural world exsists complete with its myriad of relationships. Soil, plant, water, and air are in balance and too, so to am I. I hope someday to become as a flower does, on its own path of resilience.

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  605. Nancy on

    Zinnias and marigolds have always been my passion. They are so hardy and produce so many beautiful blooms. I love filling my house with them and sharing them with family and friends. Their bright beautiful flowers always bring a smile to all. Their flower beds are my happy place!

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  606. Haley Peterson on

    The seeds I would save from my garden would be the buckwheats, yarrow, lupine, self-heal, etc. All of the CA native plants that I’ve been acquiring over the years. The buckwheat, however, is ultimately the one that steals my heart. The tiny, delicate flowers combine with the robust and strong plant. The fact that it is food for so many pollinators and produces so much seed. I love it.

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  607. stephanie on

    My garden is my sanctuary! I do flowers and vegetable garden. It soothes my soul like nothing else. My husband supports my gardening addiction in large part because of this. He sees and understands what it does for me. My neighbor even jokes about how I’m always out there. I am currently obsessed and entranced by dahlias, zinnias and celosia. Sometimes you get those that have a glimmer in their color and it just looks so extra magical. But another thing I truly love is my buzzing pollinators it brings. I love finding them sleeping in my flowers in the morning and listening buzz as they work. It’s a complete circle of nature that just grounds me as we work together to make magic happen!

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  608. Pamela Ritchie on

    I love flowers first of all. I find myself wanting to grow more and more. I love Zinnias! I plant them just as soon as I can. The variety of colors are amazing. I’m a recent widow and I just can’t wait to get my hands dirty. My loneliness has just about got the best of me, but I think that growing more flowers will help me to ease the burden. I’m so glad that I came across these emails from you Erin. Thanks!

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  609. Jada on

    In so many ways I feel like a doe eyed newbie in this world. I fell into my own love of cut flowers just last summer and have spent every moment since researching, redesigning layouts, saving and cleaning seeds/tubers, and dreaming of what my cut garden can be like this spring. I deeply resonate with the analogy of music underscoring our relationship to these little treasures (and will be using that analogy going forward!) so for me my garden for the first time ever last year was filled with music. Waking up, gripping a warm mug of coffee, and walking through my dewey grass to check on my Zinnias had the most playful piano score to it. They have to be my current favorite. Filling my house with them was a constant reminder that joy comes in the morning.

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  610. Pat Smith on

    For years I have been saving seed from red field poppies, larkspur, California poppies, butterfly weed, Rudbeckia triloba, and columbine and scattering them around my crop farm (from the back of my horse) to establish wild populations. Whenever I find that a patch of them has “taken”, it fills me with complete delight.
    But for support in all times, including hard ones (which includes dark, drab, damp, cold, LONG winter in southwest Michigan) I cherish the collection of dwarf conifers scattered around the farmstead. Most of them are now 25 to 35 years old — mugo pines, Japanese white pines, birdsnest spruce, startlingly large dwarf Alberta spruce which sometimes produce witches’ brooms of totally unexpected textures and shapes, false cypresses, and a few other things whose tags got lost a long time ago. They stay green in the winter (various shades of green) when the rest of the world is all black and white, they produce the most wonderful lavish, energetic, soft green new foliage in spring, they pour clouds of pollen all over the place in mating season. They are very alive, all the time. They fill me with gratitude when things are good, and they replenish me when I’m a bit emptied out.

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  611. Beverly Spear on

    I turn to a variety of snapdragons when I want my spirits lifted. They start with the tiniest dark dot and grow into these beautiful tall elegant plants! My garden space is small, but every year I grow at least 12 varieties of snapdragons to keep me company all summer.

    I start seeds of several varieties of zinnias, snapdragons, cosmos & dahlias every year. I especially like growing dahlias from seed because you never know what color/form will emerge; I usually plant them in large pots around my patio & am amazed at their height and the large tubers I find at the end of the season. I would definitely save the seeds from these flowers so I would always have them blooming all summer long.

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  612. Rue on

    I’m partial to the common violet. I love that they pop up in random spots, and I have moved some into my garden beds. If you never have, I encourage you to lay yourself down in a patch of violets and wait for the bumble bees. They bounce from bloom to bloom as if they’re in a circus act.

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  613. Christine Mercer-Vernon on

    Anise Hyssop, Cosmos, day lilies, and Zinnias. As a floral painter, I love all my flowers, but these four alone bring me such joy. Day lilies reside in my flower beds and the shiny black seeds are like little gemstone, I couldn’t imagine a summer without them. But Anise Hyssop, Cosmos, and Zinnias, all happily reseed in my small garden and their existence there brings pollinators and beneficial insects galore. I try and save a little seed from them each year, just in case they don’t reseed. Although I kick myself for never saving the zinnias with unique colors. I end up cutting them for bouquets and painting. It’s a hard sacrifice.

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  614. Edith on

    Although finding many flowers comforting, when I see the life of our perennials in the beginning of Spring, I think to myself, they have survived. Through as much harshness in life as many of us, they have survived. This leads me to the one plant I look to—peonies. My grandmother’s favorite, I remember her walking to them in the mornings-smelling them, cutting them and telling me how old they are. I have one of her plants and it is just 1 of my memories of her as soon as I see it emerging in the Spring.
    One seed that I would save—would be the zinnias, long lasting, produces many different varieties, cut and come again, they are just a power house.

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  615. Aimee on

    Last summer I saved more seed from more flower varieties than I ever have before. I loved the gorgeous Cupcake Cosmos mix that I grew and I saved as many zinnia, Sweet Peas, Annual Phlox, Scabiosa and Pink Beauty Saponaria as I could. Now this year I can sow much of the seed I collected and share the seed with friends and co workers. Flowers have brought me so much joy and have been so therapeutic to work with. I look forward to learning as much as I can about growing them and enjoying all stages of their development. My shoe box of glass vials of seed is a precious thing indeed!

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  616. Janelle vert on

    I would save zinnia seeds for sure because when life is hard/busy and all you have time for sometimes is to throw down seeds they always come through. I can neglect them and they don’t care they still put on a show. I also would save pumpkin seeds. I love pumpkins and the big orange flower they put on before they fruit are so pretty.

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  617. Robin Proffitt on

    The seeds I would save from my garden this year are Chrysanthemum seeds. They are just beautiful and I don’t think they get the love and attention they deserve. They have so many colors and forms and last forever as a cut flower. I am really looking forward to a chrysanthemum resurgence.

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  618. Kim Felcher on

    I would absolutely save Zinnia seeds and probably daisies. Zinnias have been part of my life since childhood. Every year my mom would grow a row of zinnias along one side of our giant vegetable garden. My weekly “job” was to pick her a bouquet from that row and at the end of the season my mom (and later myself) would gather dried flower heads into a paper bag to save for next year. Zinnias are so bomb-proof and survive tough conditions! Daisies are a “happy” flower to me and always make me smile so they would need to stay!

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  619. Jean King on

    The answer to both questions is Zinnias of course! I’ve only been flower gardening for about 8 years and never had much success with seeds. But, a friend gave me some zinnia seeds and they grew beautifully and I was so happy. Every time I walked by the zinnias I had a great sense of accomplishment and happiness. I am now trying my best with Dahlias, not having too much success (zone 8b) but I will keep trying. Love your content!!

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  620. Melanie T on

    I find joy and solace in the roses, salvias, kale and rosemary (really all the herbs). Once winter sets in I turn to the evergreens – cedar, pine, spruce. Their fragrance, feel and beauty combine to provide such a lift and balm for the heart, spirit and mind. Thank you for your labours of love, creating these seeds and growing and nurturing such beauty in your corner of this planet. An true inspiration! Sincerely, Melanie

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  621. Sheri Bruun on

    The plant that has always encouraged me through my life is the columbine. I remember as a girl being introduced to this lovely flower on a walk with friends. My friend’s mother was escorting us through a lovely nature preserve pointing out interesting things. She explained how there is a bit of sweetness tucked deep into their long trumpet like petals. That fascinated me. As an adult, I have planted them everywhere I have lived. I was love how their seeds are well protected and rattle inside the dried flower. That is encouraging as well. It takes quite a force of nature for them to release their seeds; a good shaking to reproduce. I think of that in my own life when things are difficult. “This good shaking we allow for reproduction and growth in my life.” I do save these seeds from my yard!
    I’m just beginning the journey of seed saving and have planted a lot of perennials in my yard. I do love zinnias and sunflowers so those would be some seeds I would save as well. Thanks for all the encouragement with all things growing and for this opportunity.

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  622. Brie on

    The plant I turn towards are tomatoes because they are the first plant I ever grew in my garden. I planted six tomatoes in a small front garden as an attempt to share an activity with my young kids when I was deeply ill. It gave us something to watch grow and to talk about and share together.
    The seeds I would save from my garden this year, if I had to pick one are marigolds. Last year I picked all the flowers right before the frost and then strung them and hung they. I was able to enjoy they while they dried. Now I am parcelling out the kids to give to a friend’s kindergarten class. They are so easy to save and so easy to grow.

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  623. Brittney Plummer on

    Currently I’m in a hard season, I’m starting some very tricky seeds ( lisianthus) and they’re definitely keeping me occupied and bringing me joy because they’re finally growing in size. Every year, without fail I look forward to zinnias. The first year I grew them I didn’t know the joy and beauty those little seeds would bring. I’ve grown zinnias every year for almost a decade and I cannot wait to try out these new varieties from you and Dawn.

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  624. Sarah Strouse on

    Thank you for offering a seed giveaway contest! The Dawn Creek zinnias are just lovely 🥰 The plants that buoy my spirit are the bulbs, perennials and shrubs that return year after year. I look forward to the appearance of each one and look for them to start peeking out at their particular season when I walk the farm. They feel like old friends that visit at the same time each year. The seeds I would save are ALL OF THEM lol. I save seeds from more than 100 of our annuals and perennials. Often I buy seeds anyway for our cut flower production field, but I use the seeds I saved in different areas of the farm to make it a beautiful place to live and work and for others to visit. I love sharing the magic of the farm with other people :-) Our farm is @strawberryhillmd on insta, I’d love for you to see photos of the beautiful flowers we grow from your seeds.

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  625. Ellen Pierno on

    There’s the times in my summer days that are so joyful, and that’s when I’m amongst my vegetables and blooming flowers, dahlias and zinnias in particular, picking. I share the many buckets full of incredible colors and personalities with my friends, my cousins florist shop and local neighbors. I love that they go out into the world to be enjoyed.

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  626. Leah b on

    Seeing morning dew or raindrops on petals soothes my soul in the mornings as I sip my coffee. I turn to pansy’s and violas when I want to be reminded of my grandparents gardens- I would run out and see if the “Mickey mouse plants” had grown. It reminds me of that little girl, finding joy in flowers without a worry in the world. When I get The scent of sweet peas on the breeze- I am reminded to be present and still, I find it grounding. I am enjoying keeping my seeds from zinnias and Marigolds this year- they have supplied me with endless blooms & I’ve learnt from them. Cosmos is another love of mine! I love watching her buds & checking to see who they become.

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  627. Donna Cash on

    Zinnias have been, and always will be my favorites! My grandmother grew them, and my mother grew them so they take me back to my roots. Both my mother and grandmother were amazing gardeners. I wish that I had known about saving seeds then and I am thrilled to have read your blog and learn more about saving seeds. this is so encouraging and so inspiring. Thank you for all that you were doing to bring beautiful flowers into the world!

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  628. Austin on

    Peonies are my hope in the garden. They are fleeting in the presence, but the glory of their season is worth waiting the entire year. The memory of their scent lifts my heart and soul.

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  629. Chelsey Carmody on

    When life is hardest I have found that whatever happens to be blooming brings me most joy. The flowers all seem to stand out and have greater depth in those moments. This past year my apple blossom snapdragons, garden phlox and scabiosa were extra cheerful.

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  630. Linda on

    Zinnias…I planted zinnias for the first time last year, and enjoyed them all summer long. I would walk along my flower beds and see what new ones popped up overnight. It was therapeutic to walk among these amazing beautiful creations from God. I saved seeds from my zinnias and my dahlias, so I am excited to start some plants from seeds in a few months.

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  631. Cathy Henderson on

    I find that any time I walk through my garden it brings me peace. Different plants remind me of loved ones, holly hocks brings me back to my grandparents farm, bleeding hearts my husband. When I see the first tomato or pumpkin or new bulb come up in the spring brings hope and calm to my life. Can’t wait to try growing your flowers.

    Reply
  632. Donna Danner on

    My vegetable and flower gardens have given me a sense of purpose. My children are grown and I have retired. Growing vegetables and flowers have given me such joy. I was even asked to start plants for our church’s community garden. I have given plants to my neighbors and helped them grow successful gardens themselves. I have saved seeds from my beans and my flowers every year so that I can grow more of my favorites. I specifically love the zinnias I grew from seed. I love the comments I get from my friends on how successful my gardens are.

    Reply
  633. Tammi on

    Saving our Seminole pumpkin seeds would be top of the list since it is one of our first successful veg crops to produce delicious food and more seeds that have successfully germinated, but Veronica, echinacea, papaver somniferum, CA poppies, and columbine would be saved too…really any flower that thrives and blooms here!

    Reply
  634. Brooke on

    I will forever grow and save Shirley poppies. This time of year, I love to scatter their seeds over snow and mud and take in all the hope that their seeds hold. It’s magical to see how they scatter their seed around the garden. When it’s gray and mucky in the winter, I love to wander and see where they are starting to grow and dream about spring.

    Reply
  635. Jayme cain on

    I’m always looking towards marigold. She is my soother of hard times, simple yet always cheerful. I’m often burned by the intense oils in the leaves but I think that defines our relationship. I’ve found her useful in my new journey into the natural dye world. Such a useful flower, from keeping pests above and below ground away, bringing pollinators, flowering until the frost, drying into cute shapes, being the best bones for a bouquet, garnishing foods, changing garments into art, and bringing everyone cheer. Marigolds, while most see as a simple flower, is one that I will always hold on to.

    Reply
  636. Jill Childress on

    All plants but particularly flowers are a happy place for me . As a child I have early memories being in the tomato fields, playing in the dirt. My parents were crop farmers. Changing over to tobacco crops as I grew older my summers were spent pulling weeds in those long rows. I came to love the dirt, I loved getting side tracked watching all of the different bugs and beetles. I developed a heart of loving to see things grow things. I’m 48 now still sharing time with my family in the field although now it’s my Daddy’s vegetable garden. I started growing a few flowers in it just for hobby, I quickly fell in love with all flowers. This year I’m venturing out and starting a flower farm.
    I’m so excited!!! The dirt, bugs, and all flowers lift my spirits, growing flowers allows me to destress and let go of the hard things and focus on the good!!!!

    Reply
  637. Brandy on

    I don’t know if I could pick just one flower, they all bring me such joy! And sometimes the ones I enjoy most, change from season to season. Last year, I had one small section that I really enjoyed in my garden. A beautiful, bright mix of snap dragons and Valkyrie mix Asters, that I started from seed. I also love hollyhocks. I was so excited to have some first year blooms from seed last year! I won’t babe all the ones I love, we’d be here for awhile haha. I’m in the process of building up flower, and vegetable, gardens at our new home. Buying plants gets expensive really fast, so I’ve been starting many from seed!

    Reply
  638. Katherine on

    My garden is certainly a place where I can quiet my heart, and gardening is often my favorite time to pray. If I were to pick one plant that especially brings refreshment when the world is heavy, I would say it would be my roses. Their beauty and fragrance have been a source of joy since I started growing them, starting with my climbing rose, Madame Alfred Carrier.

    Reply
  639. Katie on

    This interview was very inspiring and reminded me that being true to yourself pays off in the most beautiful ways. I love Chamomile, Rosemary, Tumeric and especially Calendula. My Uncle has Alzheimers and when I have him smell flowers his eyes light up and he remembers joy, right now my lemon trees are blooming and those blossoms are out favorite to visit.

    Reply
  640. Kara M. on

    In the winter, I turn to Hellebores, the beautiful perennials that never fail to bring me joy in January. In the early spring, Virginia Bluebells. They are an ephemeral reminder of the beauty that can be found hidden in the shadows. All summer, Rudbeckia. Especially brown eyed Susan and the waterfalls of sunlight they produce.

    Reply
  641. Ali B on

    There are so many plants that I always want to grow in our garden! Hellebores, peonies, hydrangeas, irises, and dahlias are must haves for me.

    Reply
  642. Darla Batty on

    What relaxes me most after a day at work is getting out in my garden, pulling the organza bags off my dahlias, and cutting buckets of them. I’m always amazed how beautiful and different each one is. I love how the dinner plates barely fit the bags, and when I tease it off, the bloom unfurls. Breakout is the most impressive in that category. And then the ball dahlias in their uniformity, and the cactus with their whimsical form. I love taking pictures and videos of my flowers because it sustains me during our dreary Cleveland winters. There’s something about dahlias that captures light so we’ll and translates into magnificent photos. I often turn to those photos and screensavers when it’s dark and cold outsid and the winters feel so oppressive.They help me feel hope for the next growing season.
    If seed packets weren’t available anymore, I would collect veggie seeds first as a matter of survival. But as for flowers, I have about 30 varieties that I grow in my back yard garden. Lizzie’s, Snaps, Apple of Peru, Gypsophila, Feverfew, Statice, Bupleurum, Zinnia Bells of Ireland, and a few new varieties I’m trying this year.
    BTW- I saved some seed from my zinnias last year. Some really gorgeous large flower heads. Can’t wait to grow them out this year!

    Reply
  643. Marilu on

    This February 15 would have been Mums 80th and my garden has been tribute to her since she’s been gone. I’ve created a sanctuary where I can remind myself, if I’m surrounded by beauty, Mum is with me enjoying it too! Precious jewels emerging from tiny wonders are what you, Kori and Erin have been creating and knowing there will always be a magical beauty I can grow along side with makes for many more days to come. We lost Mum too early and I’d love to keep my memories of her in the garden last forever. Ty🦋

    Reply
  644. Martina Luppen on

    In my very small cutting flower garden cosmos and zinnias are the two flowers I wouldn’t want to do without. They are easy to grow and reliable and make me happy each time I look at them whether that is in the garden or in a vase in my home. I find immense joy in discovering unusual varieties of flowers and so am very excited about the Dawn Creek selections.

    Reply
  645. Margaret Ullman-Hess on

    Collecting seeds is such a wonderful experiment to see what returns the following year! If all catalogs were gone I would want to save as many of the flower and vegetable seeds as possible from what I usually grow. Living in an urban environment with close neighbors who also grow these plants I know there is lot of opportunity for pollen to spread and new varieties created. It would certainly be a learning curve to see which varieties I can isolate enough versus those I could not in this space.

    Reply
  646. Cynthia Rogers on

    When life has been at its hardest I’ve grown roses. Watching something that starts as bare root and a few stalks, and then branches, leaves and eventually buds and flowers, demonstrates nature’s way to heal and renew itself every year and mature into something beautiful. The amazing scent of roses brings such joy down to my soul. Being able to cut a bloom and bring that indoors to color and add life to the inside of our home just adds to the healing properties of this plant

    Reply
  647. Charlene Lee on

    I’m So fascinated with learning to collect seeds anytime I see flowers going to seed. I especially love wild flowers! The variety is so exciting and such a pleasant surprise. Flowers are truly amazing. I’m so grateful for all the knowledge you share!

    Reply
  648. Jennifer on

    Definitely dahlia seeds, and would all the bulbs we put in last fall count? Tried to focus on “older” strains for a bit if of a sense of history, so I could look in my garden and marvel at how long some of these flowers have been around.

    Reply
  649. Kari Stetson on

    I am new to gardening…but fell in love with flowers as a child visiting my grandmother’s house for vacations. She always had pansies growing in the flower beds and whenever I see them I instantly am taken back to sitting on the porch swing and feeling the warmth of the lazy day sun on my face and reminded of her. What I love about flowers is how it takes you back to a memory, a place and time so vividly that you can’t help but be right back in that moment. My favorite flowers have always been hydrangeas, but recently after finding Floret flowers, I have fallen for Zinnias. For me, it is the colors more than the shapes of the flowers. I plan to get some seeds and see if a little bit of grandmother’s gardening wore off on me all those years ago as a child swinging on the porch in the sun.

    Reply
  650. Heather Bright on

    When I am down I usually go to the garden centers or florist section in the grocery stores to look at all the flowers. How can anyone be sad when you have all those beautiful happy faces looking back up at you. I usually end up purchasing some of those flower, plants, or seeds to take home with me. That way I can watch them grow and continue to enjoy them. I am a bit obsessed with celosia, zinnias, and dahlias for a few reasons. One they produce like crazy, and two they can cross pollinate and possibly give you something new and special for you to call your own. The excitement of possibly discovering a new look or color can be overwhelming while waiting for them to bloom. I am getting excited just thinking about it. Reading this article and seeing how Kori and the Floret team have accomplished this let’s us all know it is possible and maybe just maybe I can have a wonderful new discovery of my very own. Thank you for all of the hard work you and your teams have put into these seed.

    Reply
  651. Alicia on

    When I lost my grandma this past fall, it was the Dahlias that I needed to turn to. For so many months they are work that I can barely keep up with. But in grief, the act of snipping, stripping, and bundling felt like a gift they were giving back to me. They were my companions.

    Reply
  652. Abigail on

    I have been thinking about how to answer these questions and it has caused me to peel back so many layers to the onion of my love of plants. It is so sweet to read other comments and see how blessed we are to enjoy nature!

    I ache every time an ancient tree is felled because I know how long it took to become so reassuringly steady. I feel a spark of joy when I see even the tiniest flower in nature amongst the greenery. I love to observe the life growing and moving around me.

    I think most of all I love the butterflies and flowers that attract them. Believe it or not, one year I had the privilege to save around 30 or more butterflies which had been hit by a hailstorm while flying over a lake in the mountains. As I sat by the water I noticed something fluttering on the surface of the water. At first I thought they were leaves, but I leaned in and saw they were orange butterflies. I scooped each one out to a sunny boulder and breathed on them to thaw them out. They started to move and one by one flew away. It was indescribable!

    The nearest I have had to that glorious experience was in a field of zinnias in Tennessee, surrounded by a variety of happy butterflies and bumble bees.

    It has been a dream of mine to have a garden with flowers to share. I have finally started working on this dream this year, for now in my backyard. I’d love to add your beautiful flowers to my growing collection of favorite plants.

    Reply
  653. Shelly on

    I saved sweet pea, Orlaya, honeywort, dahlia and apple of Peru seeds this past season. I hope to save more seeds from our farm this next season. I love the idea of growing roses from seed, how Marvelous would that be! It just always amazes me the beauty that comes from such a tiny seed. Everyone should try growing from seeds, it will amaze you and teach you so much about the wonderful world we live in.

    Reply
  654. Nina on

    My first experience of growing flowers was with your zinnias during Covid. I worked from home (telehealth) during Covid with children with special needs (0-3 years old). After 30 years in the field, it was extremely difficult not being able to see them in person and mostly seeing how difficult was for parents. I needed breaks between my calls so I started to garden more so I tried zinnias. I was amazed how wonderful it me feel being outside and seeing a new variety showing up. After that I started to think about roses and sweet peas (have hundreds of seeds saved now, their so amazing) I was always afraid to grow roses…so after watching you documentary about roses I ordered some roses…it has been amazing discovering new varieties and learning new skills. So if I had to save seeds if catalogs were gone, I would save sweet peas, zinnias and lavender (easy to grow from cuttings and seeds) and grow them among my roses.

    Reply
  655. Linda A. on

    Last Spring, a peony I’ve had for several years in a pot and moved with me twice to new homes, finally bloomed! Its foliage kept re-appearing each Spring and so, like it, I couldn’t give up on the prospect of it someday producing flowers.
    When it did, I was thrilled. Its huge pink blossoms were gorgeous.
    I learned I had planted it too deep. But it was its faithful return each Spring that kept saying to me, (figuratively, of course), “If I can hang in there through yet another move, so can you.”

    So now, we’re best friends, along with my irises – both of which will be in my garden forever.

    Reply
  656. Mellissa W. on

    In 2020 I paused my career and decided to stay home with my kids as we moved across the country. That decision to focus my time and efforts on my children has been a source of happiness and also of grief and sadness at times. Gardening has been a welcome and happy escape to the challenging focus of motherhood. It has become a way to meditate and also focus on myself and create.

    In my new home I decided to plant some Dahlias and Zinnias. Dahlias were new to me, but Zinnias were an old love that I’d help my grandmother tend in her garden as a child. These flowers brought me so much happiness to care for and bouquets soon ended up on the desks of my children’s teachers, on the kitchen tables of a friend battling cancer, and to many neighbors and church friends. It has been 4 almost years now and another cross country move for my family, but I’m still growing and sharing. I’ve sold out vases from local stores more than once and my husband always wonders where all of the mason jars are going.

    In the hard times I have experienced I found joy in these friendship bouquets with marigolds, basil, yarrow, and others. But my heart always finds joy in the Dahlias and Zinnias.

    Reply
  657. Michael on

    I’m hoping to save seeds from numerous plants this year! Peas, kale, tomatoes, ground cherries, radish, lettuce, melons, zinnia, strawflower, celosia, ageratum, chamomile, basil, cilantro, bouquet dill, white borage, new jersey tea, milkweed, joe pye, rudbeckia…I’m sure I’m missing some, but I like to share them at local seed swaps and seed libraries!

    Reply
  658. Sylvia Osterloh on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear and I would have to choose a lifelong flower I would have to pick the Chrysanthemums, Marigolds and Zinnias! I’ve had all three flowers around me all my life. Being a Mexican-American, the meaning of these flowers are such a strong connection to our family members that have passed on. What they symbolize for those of us still living gives us a garden of purpose and delight. I cannot imagine myself without these flowers…ever! They bring me peace, they allow me to cry and they give me purpose in planting them every year. Yes.. most definitely my Chrysanthemums, Marigolds and Zinnias , will always be a very important part of my life. It brings me joy knowing that the seeds I buy or gather every year will continue into our next generation of gardeners in my family.

    Reply
  659. Katelyn on

    When life is hardest, I find solace and comfort in the rose bushes, oak trees, and fruit trees in our garden. Their steadfast presence and predictable seasonal rhythms help me tap into those things in myself, and remember that I am in a particular season as well, whether of growth, flowering, fruiting, pruning, dormancy/rest, etc. My mom has grown lots of roses in her garden for as long as I can remember, so they have a special depth and sense of co-journeying with me. My journey with growing annual flowers is newer and I’m finding them to be a boon and a joy each in their own ways. I’ve always had an affinity for snapdragons though, for both their beauty and playfulness — I loved them as flower “puppets” as a kid. I’m very excited to add some of these incredible zinnias this year!

    I’m not a flower breeder so it’s a different iteration/particularity, but totally resonate with the musicality that Kori talks about. Loved reading this, thank you both for sharing so thoughtfully!

    Reply
  660. Chanel Patterson on

    The seeds I would save and grow for a lifetime— the foods I need to nourish my family! But when it comes to flowers- the plants that I’ve dug up and moved have all been sentimental- dahlias and daylillies given to my by my grandfather and a jasmine plant from my sister-in-law.

    Reply
  661. Cindy Schultz on

    Sunflowers are my happy flowers. Where we live there are fields of them, and I am always amazed at how they stand strong , tall, and bright. As often as possible I keep flowers in my home, I especially make sure that I have them during the winter months in Minnesota. As far as seeds go, I would save marigolds, salvia, zinnias, and sunflower seeds.

    Reply
  662. Kristin Teske on

    The garden is always a place of peace and reflection for me. From my foundling days, my grandmother inspired me with her begonias and her tall Gladiolas that she would cut and bring the house to make giant bouquets like I had never seen before. I always grow begonias in her honor . But it is the peonies and the lilacs that lift my heart and sooth my spirit.

    For over 25 years I’ve been a schoolteacher and in the spring it’s always a challenge for teachers to give their best. Weary and depleted, most teachers drag themselves to school for the last few months, trying to find a smile and some inspiration. But I traipse into the building each April dawn with my arms full of candy-sweet cream, lavender and plum blossoms, filling my classroom, my heart and my students’ imaginations with beauty. When I return home, with a little more light in the sky than the day before, the bright crimson tendrils of my beloved peonies are break through the ground. The anticipation they bring is a herald of hope, “summer is coming,” they whisper…and then, as if they need do more, for the last 8 weeks of the school year they deliver the fluffiest, yummiest, most deliciously gorgeous blooms, like a king sized fairy bed ready made for joy.

    Reply
  663. Kim on

    Thank you for sharing Kori’s story of resilience and her love of sharing beauty through the “music” of flowers. I would save the seeds from the marigolds I have saved the past 15 years growing in my city gardens including an alley garden. Having recently moved to the country in the woods, where we’re starting from scratch – the marigold seeds will be the first thing I plant this spring. I hope to always live with roses which remind me of my grandma, Mimi.

    Reply
  664. Zandy Russell on

    1. My Oak trees….Started so small …Acorns and now producing themselves. Started in pots in November…Planted in June the month my husband passed away when I knew I was able to stay on the property we fashioned together. Now they are showering me with acorns. I plant the acorns and give away baby trees.

    2. I save all my flowers and veggie seeds. So fun!

    Reply
  665. sara :o) on

    Thank you for sharing Kori’s story.

    Born and raised in Hawaii, but recently relocated to Oregon, my fragrant rose bushes (Lady of Shalott, Koko Loko, and Just Joey) as well as Spring Tulips are what bring me great joy, hope, and comfort.

    I am often home sick and miss my Hawaii family terribly, but Oregon’s cooler weather has opened an exciting new world of gardening for me. Home grown roses are quite rare in Hawaii, and Tulips are all shipped in for obvious reasons, so it’s been a treat to grow.

    Being from Hawaii, the seasons particularly Spring and Fall is such a treat to experience. That said, simply stepping out into my garden and experiencing so many miracles has been my greatest comfort…including my new garden friends (humming birds, bees, and even our mischievous squirrels). Nature is so welcoming and comforting, and wisdom can be found in abundance.

    Wish all a season of Beauty and Abundance!

    Sara.xo

    Reply
  666. Deanna on

    I thrive in nature. I live with the tallest redwood trees in the world. The redwoods breathe life into me and help keep my life in perspective. I also enjoy my flower garden. I love the zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, sweet peas, poppies, and pansies. My favorite flower is whatever is blooming at the time. Watching the bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds enjoy the flower garden helps every fiber in my being relax and breathe deeply. Behind the lens of a camera, I am often capturing natures beauty as an act of mindfulness and meditation.

    Reply
  667. Joanna Vinson on

    Connecting with nature and creation is food for my soul, growing a variety of flowers and food. Callas are on the top of my favorites then peonies and dahlias. If I had to save seeds this season, it would be green beans, peas, beets, tomatoes, dahlias, sweet peas, sweet williams. I could go on! Thank you Erin and Kori for your inspiration.

    Reply
  668. Elle on

    Sungold tomatoes, Mrs. Burns’ lemon basil, daffodils, garden roses and peonies.

    Reply
  669. Shannon Jarvis on

    Zinnias are just such happy flowers. They always lift my mood and I love how easy they are to grow.

    Reply
  670. Julie vaught on

    Roses lately, out of nowhere two years ago they seemed to have a banner year and this common rose my whole life I never noticed because of the trite context of our culture became this special magical being in my life- the beauty the fragrance – the gentleness and the thorns a symbol of healing and openness and boundaries and strength – I can’t get enough – it continues to unfold – the healing of the rose 🌹

    Reply
  671. Brenda on

    1. I get seasonal depression and gardening has really kept me going. Because I have to plan a season ahead, it keeps me looking towards the future and gets me excited to see things bloom instead of feeling stuck in my sadness. I do have to say that the ones I turn towards the most on my bad days are my roses. I love buying bare roots and seeing the progress of them growing and creating something so beautiful and fragrant. Every time anyone visits, I make them go smell my roses. Also, after it rains, i tend to get a lot of aphids on them but I always go out there and inspect them real close and make sure i get rid of the aphids. My grandma always had roses and I helped her trim them/deadhead them when I was little. My mom also loves roses and we live in different cities, so they always remind me of her. Roses help me in my darkest moments and bring me comfort, and closeness to my mom who I only get to see every couple of months.

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  672. Sarah A. on

    What a lovely interview!

    There are many plants I turn to in my garden that ground me. It’s all very seasonal, first is the pop of the crocus, it’s always the first sign of what’s to come. Then the daffodils and tulips give me so much joy after the cold and darkness of winter. After that, the peonies. It’s short lived, but their huge and bountiful blooms bring me so much joy.

    Then the zinnias and dahlias carry me through summer and fall. Their endless colors and shapes never cease to amaze me. I fall deeper in love with them every year.

    Thanks again for sharing. I’m so excited to order some seeds!

    Reply
  673. Jaime on

    I would save celosia seeds. They are my favorite. I would save as many different kinds as I could.

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  674. Christine Gonzales on

    Thank you for this beautiful interview! I love how Kori speaks of the magic and hope in these wondrous flowers, as well as the reverence with which she holds them.

    Because we live in the high desert, I never thought growing flowers made sense (with limited water, the dry climate, ecological concerns) but my mother in law inspired me with her stunning garden (flowers of all kinds) and her thoughtful practices. She brought so many people so much joy-brought herself so much joy as well– it was impossible to walk through her garden and not feel delighted and hopeful yourself. She gardened through cancer and up until her last weeks of life. I was learning alongside her, and struggling with my own physical illness as well, but we didn’t talk about this. We just kept faith in the seeds and our devotion to beauty and another day. She passed away before we had the chance to grow our first garden together. I knew I would continue to grow in absence, in honor of her, but what I did not expect, was the healing and joy I would find in the garden for myself.

    For this reason, the seeds I would save this year, and those I want to live alongside for a long time yet, are many. But above all, I will always think of her when I see delphiniums, dahlias, zinnias and sweet peas and so these are the ones I will plant in her memory, knowing her spirit is in these beautiful plant beings. Growing flowers and being in relationship with them has become my way of praying. I grow seedlings and plant with my young daughter–knees to the earth, heads lowered, hands together, we listen and we offer love to the moment and to the gift of the flowers.

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  675. Claire on

    This is my first year growing cut flowers, mainly Zinnias to get started! Up until now I’ve been a big veggie garden gal, so if seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, my focus would be on my veggies. My number one would be tomatos, I love them for their versatility and I just adore tomato plants, with no explanation other than I feel like I can relate to them.
    I am so excited to start growing Zinnias, we have a large acreage so I got to choose the “perfect” spot, I have been thinking a lot about getting my site prepped. I hope I love growing them and suspect I would feel the need to save seeds from them if I were no longer able to order from seed catalogs!

    Reply
  676. Meg on

    1. Yes! I love the challenge of gardening. I’m not very good at it, but I love learning and trying again. My zinnias and sunflowers boost my confidence when I can get things to grow (they never let me down haha).

    2. I’ll always grow sunflowers and zinnias because they are beautiful and reliable. I think I’d save some vegetables too. I want to try to grow the majority of my produce someday!

    So excited for this new release!

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  677. Kathleen Chandler on

    Dahlias are therapeutic for me. I love watching them sprout and gain their first leaves. I get so eager for the first pinch! Lol
    They calm and soothe me and bring such beauty into the world.

    Reply
  678. Sheila on

    I turn to the largest and smallest plants (or parts) when I need support— I love to hold my hands against trees, feel their bark and listen to their message. Sometimes they speak to me. I once found a tiny translucent mushroom maybe 5mm tall on a fallen log. It gave me hope and calm. I also look very closely at plants to see the lines in leaves, the fuzz, the colors. Both those large trees and those tiny plants provide me comfort and strength.

    Reply
  679. Chastity Propes on

    When life gets hard, I love looking at all my hibiscus flowers. They make me so happy! I save seeds from every food and flower I grow. This year will be my first year to grow a Cut flower garden. I’m super excited about all the possibilities with breeding flowers and putting a smile on so many people’s faces with beautiful bouquets!

    Reply
  680. Jeanne on

    I would save zucchini seeds because they have the best of everything. Amazing yellow blossoms, versatile enough to eat at any meal and so hearty anyone in the world could grow a crop big enough to share with everyone. Zucchini is a misunderstood flower, and that is a plant everyone should go on a journey with, because are we not all searching for compassionate understanding ?!

    Reply
  681. Susan Kay Waller on

    I was SO surprised when a packet of Zinnia seeds I bought at Walmart actually grew. I have always had problems growing anything from seed. It has given me confidence to try more. I want everything but will try more Zinnias, sweet peas and save my own seeds! Your IG account has given me lots of helpful information!

    Reply
  682. wendi on

    Peonies are my first love as they remind me of my grandmother. She had them surrounding her house and i loved them. After her passing several of us got a peony but i lived in a condo at the time and no longer have that one but have many others and think of her often. Dahlias, zinnias, snaps, amaranth, celosia and many others are my new loves that i am adding to my garden and feeding my soul.

    I save seeds today but would continue to save the seeds of my anise hyssop – the smell captivates me just brushing past and the hummingbirds and bees go crazy for their purple spikes. They are so alive with scent and life. I would also keep saving my lupine seeds as they are early blooming and so unique and come back year after year. So many others, rudbeckia, snaps, strawflowers – so unique! Loving this passion for growing new life. thank you both for all of your inspiration!

    Reply
  683. Veronica Runge on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    The plants in my garden that saved me when I was struggling though an unknown disease at the time and saved me through the recovery of it were zinnias and salvia. From the butterflies to the soil, every part of the joy those seeds brought me I cherish to this day. “All the power of creation starts from a single tiny seed,” ferngully.

    Reply
  684. lisa craddock thitoff on

    Which plants buoy me? Pretty much all
    of them. The whole garden. Together and separately. If I had to pick, I may be able to pick to season. Bleeding heart-a sweet spring flower which is just so calming and pretty. Sunflower- healthy and strong and defiant. The Siberian iris, the zinnia, the dahlia that has taken so long to show itself and is such a beauty. The native plants/flowers supporting our native species. The soil. The garden.

    Reply
  685. Kara on

    To pick one flower is a very difficult task. My true loves are flowers that dry with beauty and strength. Gomphrena, statice and straw flowers are a solid favorite in my garden I just love the sidekick flowers! But zinnias are where it all began! If I had the space I would have rainbow rows of zinnias in every shade and color!

    Reply
  686. Rhi Urton on

    I had some accidental zinnias pop up in my raised veggie beds a few years ago which brought me immeasurable joy now I tuck them everywhere for random glimpses of bright beautiful happiness.

    Oddly I’m obsessed with hit chili peppers! Colors, varieties, country of origin, those bring me most pride (I can’t possibly use even 10%)

    Reply
  687. Sylvia Barthel on

    So excited for your special seeds! Congratulations!! When life is tough as it has been for me and my husband the last few years the garden and all flowers really are what bring healing. I only discovered the beauty of zinnias a couple of years ago! They are absolutely amazing! I breathe in their beauty! Sadly, I had to leave behind a beautiful garden that I had put a lot of work into when we made a big move in order to be closer to kids and grandkids and am starting over from bare dirt so cannot save any seeds yet but if I did have some it would be zinnias I would save. Maybe next year! 😊

    Reply
  688. Lori Schutz on

    I find that my spirit is most buoyed by cheerful composite/daisy type flowers, especially rudbeckia sand coneflowers. It’s hard to pick a favorite!

    I grew Queen Lime Orange. Zinnias last summer and fell in love with all the colors seen in a single bloom. That led me to Facebook groups for zinnia enthusiasts. That is where I learned of the Floret and Dawn Creek varieties. I am eagerly awaiting launch day, and hope to land several.

    Should seed catalogs disappear, I’d save seeds from as many plants as I have growing. Zinnias, rudbeckia, coneflowers, tomatoes, peppers and garlic would be priority plants I want to carry with me into the future.

    Thank you for asking the thoughtful questions. Sending good vibes to everyone at Floret and Dawn Creek. You are all doing lovely things.

    Reply
  689. Edie Lang on

    I love my zinnias, dahlias, and ranunculus, but if I had to choose just one plant to take seeds from it would be my snap peas. I sow them with my kids every year and then harvest and eat right from the vine.

    Reply
  690. Kristin on

    Life hits each of us with days that we wish circumstances would allow us stay in the warm snuggles of our children, pets and warm blankets. A few tears might fall, but looking out the window and watching the sky brighten barely perceptively and remembering we have heaven on earth out in our gardens gets us up. A bit of caffeine and the knowledge that the universe is brightening again gets us out the door. It’s still mostly dark but the promise of a new day and the sunrise… always. A chance for beauty & growth. The turmoil of life forgotten for a moment while the beauty of the miracle of a tiny seed planted a week ago, a month ago, a season ago makes us get the silliest smile. I’m so thankful always. Best wishes & much love to us all who understand ❤️ We’re the lucky ones.

    Reply
  691. Rhonda Willms on

    My true flower loves for cut flower bouquets are snap dragons, sweet peas and dahlias. Tried and true and so many beautiful varieties. My flower garden has become essential in maintaining my mental health. Thank you, Erin and team, for your guidance and inspiration.

    Reply
  692. Kristin on

    Life hits each of us with days that we wish circumstances would allow us stay in the warm snuggles of our children, pets and warm blankets. A few tears might fall, but looking out the window and watching the sky brighten barely perceptively and remembering we have heaven on earth out in our gardens gets us up. A bit of caffeine and the knowledge that the universe is brightening again gets us out the door. It’s still mostly dark but the promise of a new day and the sunrise… always. A chance for beauty & growth. The turmoil of life forgotten for a moment while the beauty of the miracle of a tiny seed planted a week ago, a month ago, a season ago makes us get the silliest smile. I’m so thankful always. Best wishes & much love to us all who understand ❤️

    Reply
  693. Judy Mieger on

    1. Sweet peas have saved me. Since I can no longer garden in the ground much, I have a wonderful Deckfarm with huge waist- high planter beds, large pots, and horse troughs. There are sweet peas in most of them— they are long and faithful producers in our climate— I plant them with tomatoes, hanging onto the cages , trailing down the edges of the planter beds forming a blanket of color, with pot cukes, climbing the driftwood together, even with snap peas — I think they enjoy entwining with their cousins ( I won’t save those seeds…) I talk to them as I deadhead and pick flowers to tuck into little vases or test tube vials to give away each day. What a gift to see faces light up as flowers are inevitably pressed to noses and eyes close and they say FROM YOUR GARDEN??

    Reply
  694. Kathi on

    I love so many of my flowers but my Peonies are definitely the ones that I turn to to help steady my spirits. They hold a very special place for me because my daughter and I planted them together when she was little. We tend them together every spring, cutting them and bringing them in to enjoy in vases, hers in her bedroom and me in various places around the house. Now that she will be leaving for college this year, I am going to cherish our time tending them this spring even more.

    Reply
  695. Clarisse on

    Lilacs, peonies, sweet peas, sweet corn- all give peace to me- reminding me of my childhood
    I would save sweet peas, well truthfully I would try and save all my seeds if I knew no more ordering. Love love zinnias ,these colors are perfect

    Reply
  696. Erin on

    1. There’s about an acre of native joe pye weed and golden rod growing along a creek at the back of our property. They’re such simple plants on their own, but when growing together in such a large quantity it’s gorgeous! Along with the sound of the creek nearby, it’s so beautiful as the sun sets over them. Other than the garden, It’s the best place to go when I need a second to myself.
    2. There’s so many seeds I would save!! But at the top of the list would definitely be sunflower, zinnia, snapdragon, and sweet peas.

    Reply
  697. Michelle on

    Salvia has become my home in our garden. If I’m being honest, I would truly tear up to see hydrangeas in my yard, they seem to bring peace to the soul, but being in zone 9 brings it’s joys and sorrows.

    I would save my zinnia and allysum seeds..

    Reply
  698. Marilyn Regan on

    Nicotiana Alata Grandiflora and Brugmansia Charles Grimaldi! Their form and scent are balm for the soul on summer and fall evenings, the Nicotiana like fallen stars from the sky with an airy quality that dances in the breeze, and they blossom nonstop with abundance from early summer to hard frost here in Michigan.
    Brugmansia have always been a magical enchanting plant that especially makes me feel like I’m in another world, and Charles Grimaldi has my favorite peachy sunset glow as well as a lighter sweeter scent than other Brugmansia that makes the cares of the world fade and connect you to another. The wonders and beauty of the plant kingdom!

    Reply
  699. Cathryn irving on

    I would have to say dahlias and zinnias have my heart. I can’t imagine my garden without either of them.
    ~Cathryn

    Reply
  700. Kristi on

    I love so many plants, but in my garden each year I am
    so happy to see the irises that are descended from plants I planted with my grandparents when I was 7 (roughly 4 decades ago). They give me such comfort and joy.

    Reply
  701. Rachel on

    When life is hardest, my garden is my refuge. Roses, Hyacinths and Zinnias are a few of my most treasured.
    Every year I save as many OP flower and vegetable seeds as I possibly can!

    Reply
  702. Allie Richter on

    I have lived in apartments for all of my married life, until this last year. I am so excited to finally start my garden and grow FLOWERS! My mom has gorgeous hydrangeas in her front yard, watching her care for them, cut them and dry them to display around her home was always special to me. Whenever I see a hydrangea I think of my mom, so they always brighten my mood!

    Reply
  703. Heidi on

    My soul flowers are definitely Dahlias. The variety of colors, types and sizes is unmatched. I even saved seeds from some of mine this year! I’m excited to see what they produce for me. I have to say though, these Zinnias are pretty spectacular! I’m loving the colors. 🧡

    Reply
  704. Maureen Stratton on

    The plant that buoys my spirits year after year is my Kerria japonica (Japanese rose). I look forward to the first blooms every year…the cheerful yellow color, the crazy wild/overgrown spraying growth habit, the joy it brings me that it has come back for me in yet another season. I never tire of it. I smile. It’s my touchstone.

    Reply
  705. Rachel Burgoon on

    I would save my sunflower seeds, zinnias, asters and my dahlias tubers! Pretty hard to pick!

    Reply
  706. Jacky on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear I would make even more effort to save more seeds than I do now, which is currently a lot but room for more. My favorites are love in a puff vine, celosia, feverfew, larkspur, sweet sultan, and poppies to name a few. I have hand pollinated and bagged some Zinnias in years past and loved seeing the seeds I saved bloom the following year.

    Reply
  707. Patti on

    I always save a LOT of my seeds!
    Zinnias for their bright colors & my friends get seeds.
    Milkweed for the Monarchs I raise every year.
    Sunflowers, clematis, coreopsis, coneflower, columbine, hollyhocks, 4 leaf clover & bee balm.
    Just a few of many favorites
    Kansas flower lover! 🍀🌻🌼🌸

    Reply
  708. Kat on

    I often find myself gently grazing with my fingers any sort of new growth right before something blooms or ripens, always amazed that I grew these plants from a tiny seed. This brings me great peace when I’m needing to just unwind from the world on my own.

    Reply
  709. Christelle on

    The field where we grow our flowers is the place where I feel good and where I like to sit when the whirlwind of life carries me away.
    I especially love zinnias and looking at their differences. I am impressed each time by their similarities but by their singularity. All this calms me down, I take a lot of photos and I would like to share them with lots of people.

    Reply
  710. Pam on

    my roses get me thru all the seasons- they’re such a joy even when they’re dormant and working hard for Spring. They teach me slow down and be patient (or you will get stung!), which is what I typically need to ground me when life feels chaotic.

    Reply
  711. Tavia Hutchens on

    Dahlias are my soul flower. They had always thoroughly impressed and inspired me. My sister then expressed why the dahlia reminded her of me. I asked her why and she said, “the way the dahlia appears to be small and shy before she blooms and then as she blooms, there is just a never-ending flood of layers of petals.” This was said to me after I had left a very toxic marriage and had begun counseling, going to school and working hard at healing from childhood and adult trauma. Needless to say, I cried and the love I have for dahlias deepened 1,000 fold. They comfort me and remind me of all I’ve overcome and how resilient I am through all hard times in my life.

    Reply
  712. Vicki Sakioka on

    My Zinna’s lift my spirits every time I go out to my garden and see their cheerful faces. I miss them this time of year and look forward planting Florets & Dawn Creek’s new baby’s this year!

    Reply
  713. Regina on

    I would save as many zinnia varieties that I could. I have always loved them. My mother shared the same love. The spring after she passed away I planted an even bigger zinnia garden in her memory so that I could watch the butterflies dance among the multicolored flowers. I knew my mother was there with me whenever the butterflies and goldfinch came to visit.

    Reply
  714. Elizabeth on

    I don’t even want to think about seed catalogs disappearing because the catalogs themselves bring me so much joy haha!! :) But if that happened, I would make sure to save seeds from my delphiniums, zinnias, cosmos, lupine, and snapdragons. Oh, and chamomile too! (because I love how cheery those tiny daisy-like flowers are, plus they make delicious tea!)

    Reply
  715. Chris Pettine on

    Several years ago I retired from teaching and decided I wanted to start a small cut flower garden for my own pure enjoyment. Starting out I found it hard to limit myself when buying seeds – so much to choose from to attract bees, birds, and butterflies. I knew zinnias would be easy to start from seed because as a young child I helped my mother in her flower garden. I cherish her daffodils passed down from her mom, to my mom, and then to me and my sister. She also grew colorful bachelor buttons, gladiolas, zinnias, cosmos, salvia, and pansies she called “johnny-jump-ups”. Flowers bring back so many childhood memories of my growing up in a small town with a hard working mom with so much love in her heart. In winter I start to imagine which flowers to start, especially which varieties of zinnias. My mother’s love of nature has influenced my choice of flowers that bring me great comfort and love that I can share with others. My neighbors will often find a bouquet on their front porch when they least expect it- I hope these flowers bring them as much joy as they do me. I feel the warmth of these new zinnia colors. Thank you both for your love of flowers, imagination, and dedication to hard work.
    Chris Pettine

    Reply
  716. Stacy Walker on

    Zinnias for sure. My little garden always attracts hummingbirds and I love watching them fly from flower to flower. It looks so magical. Also, I love gardening and growing them with my daughter. It’s so wonderful to share the joy of growing and tending a garden together.

    Reply
  717. Jennifer Stark on

    Seed catalogs are my eye candy to get through the Chicago winter. This upcoming growing season will be my first time sowing zinnia seeds I saved from last year flowers. Not sure I did it right, but I have a box full of dried petals with dark seeds ready to scatter when spring finally starts warming the ground. I will always have zinnias growing within my view.

    Reply
  718. Erin on

    I would save all the herb seeds I could – they add colour to the garden and a brightness to anything you cook – even in the dead of winter in cold Canada! I would also save some seed potatoes (boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew) and of course, tomato seeds!

    Reply
  719. Sarah Hostetler on

    I have grown zinnias in my garden for close to 30 years. I save my own zinnia seeds as well. But I have never grown those beautiful pastel colors! I’m so in love with them!!

    Reply
  720. Adeline Mukwamugo on

    Hello ,
    Thank you for this interview!

    In 2020 when the world shut down I was forced to move from NYC back to my mom’s house in Texas. Everything was so scary but my mom has a garden in her back yard that kept me busy. She gave me a packet of flower seeds to plant in one of the raised beds and I remember laughing about the fact that everything was going to be over in 2 maybe 3 months and I’d be back in Brooklyn living life as usual and I wouldn’t get to see the flowers bloom. Well , life had other plans and as time went by I found myself watching YouTube videos on gardening, buying all sorts of seeds and plants from our local nursery just to keep myself occupied. In that time I fell in love with African Blue Basil that I found at the nursery. I had never seen this basil before and in my quest to find seeds I learned that it’s a sterile basil and only grown from cuttings. I propagated a few cuttings and planted them all over and watched as the beautiful pink flowers danced in the wind and attracted so many bees and butterflies. I have since then made it a point to plant some just so I can have my morning tea in the garden as I watch the bees and butterflies enjoy the beautiful flowers. Also this past year we harvested so many cucumbers and I think the African blue basil helped bring in the pollinators which helped our cucumber plants produce lots of fruits.
    So to answer your question : African blue basil is one of the plants that lifts my spirits. It smells amazing and helps me take care of the bees.

    Reply
  721. Jenna on

    I love all the flowers, it’s so hard to pick. One that comes to mind are foxgloves because they have so many seeds from one single plant and the bumblebees like to sleep on them which makes me happy. My daughter loves flowers and bees 🐝 🌷🌱at the end of the season we shake all the seeds on the fresh soil and look forward to watching the baby seeds pop up the following Spring. (She’s 3, this is the perfect activity for young kids in the garden) 💜

    Reply
  722. Jo-Anne MacLennan on

    I would save zinnias, marigolds and cosmos seeds.

    I get joy out of seeing the seeds sprout from the soil and the strength in the stems as they mature. The abundance of blooms off each variety puts a smile on my face every time.

    Reply
  723. Nicole on

    Flowers, planting, and gardening is a refuge for me to refocus and clear my mind. It keeps me busy weeding, even mowing is a break from the world. My full time career has been in corporate travel, which I enjoyed but it can be stressful, then my job was eliminated with a major world retailer. They outsourced our whole department. I was blessed to be able to transfer to the new agency then a few years Covid happened and I was laid off again. I bounced back, returned to the agency only to experience downsizing and I was laid off again. Third time is the charm, I have refocused, trying to find myself again by learning new skills from wood working to formulating all natural organic bath and body products. I have always loved flowers and I’m drawn to natives. I have several acres and want to start planting beautiful flowers and beneficial plants I can incorporate into my bath and body products. I’m currently reading, following social media flower farmers, watching floret on Magnolia and learning everything I can this winter so I can begin planting and experimenting what I can grow here in the corner of NW Arkansas.

    If I had to collect seeds I would start with the beneficial plants that help keep us healthy and heal our skin. I haven’t started yet but hope to this summer. Thank you for sharing your story, experiences, and passion. You are an inspiration. I hope to grow alongside the beautiful flowers this year.

    Reply
  724. Sarah Sterling on

    I would save as many seeds as I could from all of my plants! I love them all and I would promise to carefully separate and label each variety!
    Whatever is blooming when I am in need comes to my rescue.

    Reply
  725. Dora Varo on

    When life is at it’s hardest, I find myself turning to my lavender. It is so hardy and the smell is wonderful. The flower is also beautiful and lasts long. It is my easiest plant to care for. I love cutting bunches to place everywhere in my home. I also love my roses, they remind me of my mother. She grew several in her garden. I feel close to her when I look and smell my roses, I do take time to smell my roses. I would love to try to grow your seeds and open up new friendships with new flowers in my garden.

    Reply
  726. Caro on

    I would save baptisia, zinnias, french marigolds, calendula, dahlia, Shasta daisy and cosmos seeds. Peonies too!

    Reply
  727. Sarah Helman on

    The seeds I would save from my garden are heirloom tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, carrots, and zinnias.

    Reply
  728. Deborah Copeland on

    I would want to save them all.
    Zinnias have a special connection to my last year with my grandmother. And when she came to live with me. It was then that I planted my first Zinnias.
    My Grandmother had Alzheimers and Demmentia, so together we did things to keep her active. I would pick the Zinnas and cut herbs, and she would arrange them in jars we saved. I would tie a ribbon around the Jars and then we gifted the arrangments to people. We both have always loved flowers and planted and picked them.
    During covid the idea came to me to start a flower farm and take arrangements to the nursing homes and care facilities. I started then, collecting seeds and reading and learning in order to do this soon.
    Your flowers are special and beautiful and I hope to be able to grow some and use to bless others.
    Blessings
    Deborah

    Reply
  729. J on

    Thank you for such a wonderful, beautifully written piece. What a treat! As far as which plants I turn to- I don’t yet have my own garden, but at my childhood home was a beautiful lilac bush. That was always a source of peace and comfort to me. As an adult, I have potted dahlias that resemble sunsets that bring me joy and hope. I hope to have both of these plants along with zinnias and more in my garden one day!

    Reply
  730. Emily Martin on

    The wide variety of daffodils that bloom at the Henry Ford estate near where I live get me through the hard days of wavering weather we experience during early spring in Michigan. Every year it gives me hope to see those happy yellow flowers turning their faces toward the sun.

    Reply
  731. Brooke on

    I love nasturtiums! When I’m down, I love to see how quickly they bloom and bring life to my garden. So happy and bright.

    Reply
  732. Madi fielder on

    When life gets hard or overwhelming, zinnias are what makes me smile. Candy mix is what fills my cup! I’m hoping after this next planting season dahlias will also make me smile.
    I hope to plant ranunculus and zinnias forever. I’d save seeds from all of my floret zinnias. :)

    Reply
  733. Jo Lynn Kegler on

    I plant zinnias every year by my white picket fence. I love the different varieties of zinnias and all their bright colors!
    Zinnias definitely put me in my happy place!

    Reply
  734. Parker S. on

    Currently going through one of the hardest seasons of my life but what’s getting me through is knowing that in a few short weeks/months, I get to dig my hands in the dirt, and watch something come to life. My favorite changes yearly, but seeing amaranth sway in the wind always reminds me to be in the moment, be proud, and take a deep breath.

    Reply
  735. Jen Dionisio on

    When times get hard , sitting in my garden with the roses and lilacs remind me of sitting in my grandmothers garden. That’s where my love of flowers started. It grounds me and brings me back to those summers and reminds me of where it all began.
    Thank you for sharing your treasures with the world💚

    Reply
  736. Michelle Dyson on

    Different flowers for the different stages of life have gotten me through hard times. The ones that seem to make me the happiest at the hardest of times this last year when I was taking care of my dad and then following his passing seemed to be sunflowers, foxgloves and Dahlias! I am going to try to grow all from seeds this year!

    Reply
  737. Rochelle on

    I love growing basil varieties and saving their seeds – they’re so fragrant and so well in our climate. If I could only save one seed it would be a tulsi basil variety we grow each year.

    Reply
  738. Jessica on

    I love dahlias, zinnias and rudbeckia. They are so cheery! I would save seeds from the above flowers and tomatoes too. I love tomatoes! :)

    Reply
  739. Patti Byrne on

    I was blessed to have found Kori and her stunning zinnias the same year as the sudden loss of my Mom. I had already donated to Dawn Creek and had no idea what impact these flowers would have on me. I started the seeds and watched every single one sprout, I filled my garden and waited. My world had shifted, my garden was my solace. I couldn’t wait to grab my coffee in the morning and head out to see what Dawn Creek magic had occurred overnight. My extraordinary garden healed me that year…Kori’s extraordinary zinnias healed me that year… My Mom would have loved them. She has received bouquets of them weekly for the past three summers.

    Reply
  740. Sarah Lenssen on

    My mainstays of joy are definitely dahlias. I’ve been growing them for more than 20 years, and since finding you, I have expanded my collection into more pale varieties which are ethereal.

    If there were no seed packets, I would definitely save more zinnia seeds, and Shirley poppies because they are my very favorite.

    Reply
  741. Lisa Pedigo on

    I would have to save my sweet pea, zinnia and my growing pansy/viola collection. Love the new zinnias soon to be released!

    Reply
  742. Cindy Wilson on

    When life is hard I stand and enjoy looking at the intricate web that my sweet peas build. That may sound odd, but my peas bloom early and you can immerse yourself within the fragrance They reach out and stand together through an intricate web. I always learn something from the way they live; they come up with strong roots, not to be shaken, they lean on each other and grab to hold her neighbors up. They share their beauty with the world, and. Their fragrance lifts my spirits. Thank you for the joy you bring to those involved in the world of flowers.

    Reply
  743. Dorothy Albert on

    I live with my daughter in town and only have a few feet around the house for flowers. We plant different heights of zinnias and the tall snapdragons so we have our own cut flowers all summer long. I have a number of roses that I love, but they don’t always like our weather so every year is a question mark as to whether I will get some nice blossoms. Plants are my “”centering point.” We have a garden room which has two baker’s racks filled with African violets and all manner of greenery and an occasional orchid magically appears on my kitchen bar.

    Reply
  744. Irene on

    Thank you for this wonderful interview!! If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, the seeds that I would save from my garden would be zinnias, cosmos, sweet peas, snapdragons, strawflowers, poppies and orlaya. I would also save all my beans, tomatoes and pea seeds

    Reply
  745. Jennie on

    It is hard for me to pick a favorite go to flower. I guess it depends on the season. In spring I love my lilac bushes and the small violets that pop out in unexpected places. Then come the peonies that seem to come and go too quickly. Summer is dahlia time for me and I love growing them from seed. The seeds that I collect myself are: bupleurum, zinnias, dahlias, candy tuft, larkspur, calendula, lots of different types of poppies, sweet peas, stock, and feverfew. I also save vegetable seeds like tomatoes.

    Reply
  746. Emily on

    There’s nothing quite like looking a dahlia in the face. They’re so happy, so complex, so still. Just meeting one eye to eye calms me right down and steadies the storm. I feel like I am just at the beginning of my relationship with flowers. There are so many I know I’ll fall in love with once I can get my hands on them.

    I’d save – and do save! – zinnias and dahlias! I actually loved saving some cilantro seed, they make such a fun airy addition to arrangements when they are full of seed pods.

    Reply
  747. MARYANN DONAHUE on

    In spring tulips spark joy and make me smile. I love them so much. Love that they continue to grow in a vase, that the bouquet rearranges itself into a somewhat different shape or design. In early summer, peonies speak to me. They are so lush and gorgeous; perhaps the embodiment of a feminine flower. A seductress. Then during the high heat of summer, it is zinnias I depend on for cutting and for garden beauty. Cosmos too, but they aren’t as good as a cut flower. Thank you for adding floral beauty to the world.

    Reply
  748. Ashley on

    Dahlias. Hands down. Always and forever! The anticipation and surprise to see what it will be, who it will be etc. had me from day one.

    Reply
  749. Nicole H. on

    I love how Kori talks about her friendship/reliance on flowers. Such a great interview! For me, I look toward the tulips, peonies and irises blooming just as spring sets in. In summer, I delight in zinnias, dahlias, celosia and indigo. Looking forward to these seeds so much!

    Reply
  750. Rachelle on

    Sweet peas are my go to when I need a mental boost! I would save everything, but sweet peas, zinnias , and celisia would be on top of the list!

    Reply
  751. Shelly on

    Oh my after a long day of working as a nurse if I didn’t have my seed catalogs to drool over what would I do! I try every year to save sweet pea seeds but always buy more. Zinnias are my favorites I’m excited about the pastels and hoping to try the dahlia seeds. Zinnias are my forever flowers .

    Reply
  752. Sara Upshaw on

    I so enjoyed looking through seed catalogs for the first time this winter. I would be sad not to have them. It was my first summer growing flowers last year. It’s hard to know what particularly I’d want to save, except everything because I still don’t have a lot. Probably the things I enjoyed growing and giving the most last season were the Queen Lime Zinnias.

    Reply
  753. Jenn on

    I would choose to save zinnia seeds .. they bring me happiness every year! So many simple but beautiful flowers with lots of seeds to enjoy year after year. Close second would be sweet pea seeds. I catch myself wandering in my garden looking for the sweet scent of them.

    Reply
  754. Lisa West on

    So hard to pick just a few. I’ve been a plantaholic for 20 years. My favorite the past couple of years have been zinnas, echinaceas & feverfew.

    Reply
  755. Bianca on

    When times are hard I love the joy of having cut flowers in the garden and in the house! Vegetables just look like work, lol. But flowers mostly just require a quick snip and a drink of water. I have a teen daughter with a connective tissue disorder- the “glue” that holds her body together doesn’t quite work the way it’s supposed to, which means she lives a life of pain. She takes great joy in heading out to the garden and picking a vase full of flowers.

    Reply
  756. Sarah chute on

    I’m going to be honest, I have not really grown any flowers….well, or at least not well. I’m on year 3 of the tulip battle. I planted 50 and the first year only 1 came up. The second year only 2. Me trying to grow flowers got my son to grow a garden and he was only 13yrs old at the time. His first garden did pretty well so he decided to make it bigger and grow things like cauliflowers, cantaloupes and both were VERY successful in the learning process. His cantaloupes were the size of a baseball but they tasted better than store bought. The cauliflower was AMAZING, u til we realized the butterfly’s had laid eggs and it turned pink full of worms. But I admit, that I LOVED watching the plants sprout and then grow and to have vegetables to eat after was AMAZING. This year I have plans to actually plant a few different flowers but actually in the ground. I tried to grow ranunculus in a pot but they molded. The growing process is A LOT of trial and error, but I am SO here for it. I’s love to grow Dahlais, tulips, and Zinnias. Oh and sweet peas because they smell amazing and remind me of my grandparents.
    As far as saving seeds, well, I’d save ANY seeds if I could actually get the flowers to grow…ha ha. Baby steps. I’ll get there. It would seem that trial and error is the greatest teacher.

    Reply
  757. Belinda on

    I don’t think I could pick any one plant that I run to to lift my spirits. For me it’s all about the seasonality. In later winter the first daffodils bring so much joy that spring is around the corner. Mid spring it’s the irises from my grandmothers’ gardens I’ve transplanting into my own. Near Mother’s Day it’s my peonies which is always the best 2 weeks of the year. After that it’s the day lilies with their fleeting single day beauty. Towards the end of summer it’s the zinnias and dahlias that always have my heart! So much beauty and I love that flowers force us to enjoy seasonality.

    Reply
  758. Lauren on

    Thank you both for sharing such a wonderful interview! It’s so difficult to choose…. Flowers are my life. I cannot be without them! A few the always have a place in my garden and if a seed catalog was no longer, then I would save all that I could especially- Dahlias, Foxgloves or any floral spike, Zinnias, Sweet Peas….. I could go on forever because you can never have enough seeds or flowers, in my opinion!

    Reply
  759. Sara on

    Such a thought provoking interview, thank you both for sharing.

    When I feel utterly overwhelmed by the world, I turn to any plants that the pollinators are drawn to. Sometimes I’ll start by sitting and watching the chaotic traffic on the Mountain Mint. My front yard equivalent to a bustling metropolitan scene. Then, when I’ve had my fill of trying to track so many dancing figures and the incessant humming, I’ll make my way down to my flower field where the bees are more slow and less franetic. Where I can slowly walk down the rows watching the lumbering bumblebees crash land on giant puffy marigolds and blown dahlias while stopping and ogling the colors and shapes and textures of all the flowers. I particularly love when I’m awe struck by the perfect symmetry of a zinnia or how the color fades just so into the throat of a snapdragon bloom, and a bee lands right on it, joining me in deep appreciation. An interspecies connection over a perfect bloom.

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  760. Kara Adolphsen on

    When times are hard and I need a boost or a break I go to my apple trees, I have built my vegetable garden very near and I always plant the zinnia seeds my father game me years ago and I have saved year after year. These flowers have been passed down and saved since his grandmother. They are normal colors but nothing calms me more then standing in the shade of an apple tree with “my fathers zinnias”. I do have other flowers that I grow for cutting and bouquets but there is something about the fact that these come from family and have been saved by those I love for three generations now.

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  761. Patricia Gneiding on

    Thank you so much for sharing a bit about your personal health challenges. I also have some that keep me from being able to function well at times and flowers are my go to encouragement to get outta bed! My favorite flowers are Hollywood’s feverfew & foxglove. I can get lost spending the day watching the bumble bees get intoxicated on the blooms! I am new to zinnias but also enjoying the voulenteer stems that keep on giving! Hope to get my hands on some of your seeds to try out in the new beds we are preparing for this year!

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  762. Debbie Guy on

    I always enjoy your interviews, thank you for doing them. The seeds I would save from my garden would zinnia seeds. I already enjoy saving the zinnia seeds, but they are also my favorite because they are always there in my garden. I direct sow the seeds and watch in wonder as such variety always appears.
    It’s like searching for seashells on a beach, gathering different, beautiful colored leaves in the fall, or watching each different snowflake fall in the winter. Always different, always surprising, offering sheer delight. Going out to the garden each morning to see what different ones may have appeared is so exciting and takes me to a zen place-never gets old!

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  763. Karen DuBois on

    My dahlias are the light in the darkness. I work in oncology and started growing flowers for a few reasons. One: I’m acutely aware that we don’t all “make it” to retirement where we can flower farm full time and live the dream. Two: you don’t always bring joy to people when your whole job is to prescribe chemicals to hopefully kill cancer but not the person. I grow dahlias for joy for both myself and to gift bouquets to my patients. I truly believe I could not do my day job without my flowers and garden. Thank you both for the inspiration! Your hard work is spreading so much joy in the world right now!!

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  764. Helena Norden on

    Any flower growing outside that is either touched by the sun or moved in the wind makes me feel relaxed when I’m going through a hard time. My favorite varieties I have grown changes constantly and there are so many more I want to try and grow, but I also love wild flowers, so it’s what ever is in season and in it’s prime, near me at the time I need it most. My new passion are Dahlias. I grew some from your seeds for the first time last year, as well as some tubers I ordered online. My husband and myself with our two sons left our old suburban lives behind last summer and started a little farmstead in the Blue Ridge mountains in North Carolina. I was burned out from a very stressful career and my husband is a retired army vet. We are so grateful to be here and exploring what we want to do next. The seeds that I will save again this year are definitely tons of Dahlia seeds (like I did in 2023). Hopefully some of Floret daughters (Zinnias) will honor us and our farm with their beauty this year, and I will also collect their seeds. I will also always continue gathering seeds from the flowers on our farm that has medicinal properties. Thank you Erin for all the beauty, inspiration and generosity you share with the world.

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  765. Lauren on

    Kori’s zinnias fill my heart with so much excitement. It is so amazingly wonderful that she is sharing her precious babies 🌱 into the world and I cannot wait to incorporate into my garden! Congratulations Kori and Erin for continuing the hard work that will create and fill many gardens. Good lucky to you both and we can only hope for more flower breeding creations from you both!

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  766. Mary-lu Spinney on

    When I got my first apartment I met a quiet flower hiding in the shade under the more attention seeking rose. Sweet Woodrow continues to captivate me first in the garden. They are a mirror for my introverted nature and a place of calm, “all will be well” feeling when I gaze into their tiny white flowers and palmate leaves. After taking in this understory, my heart is able to drink in the extroverted palette of flowers able to withstand the attention of the sun’s rays. I am thrilled to see the pale blush Zinnia breeds that speak more quietly of beauty and seem to understand the gazer’s need for subtle beauty in a petal. Thank you for your willful hands and hearts that did the work to creat them.

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  767. Jen on

    Zinnias,dahlias.sunflowers,coneflowers, all the herbs. They all make people smile and lift spirits.

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  768. Anna on

    Zinnias and cosmos is my answer to both questions! They’re both beautiful and dependable and make beautiful bouquets just on their own.

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  769. Whitney Luna on

    These are such thoughtful questions!

    I think if seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would save seeds from my sweet peas. I love the colors of course but the scent is magical. Smells are associated with memories. They trigger memories. Every year you plant them the smell makes me think of springs past with my children as they grew. And it makes me excited for the growth ahead. The new memories we will make. And I guess when I’m long gone I would like to think that when my kids happen to smell and see some sweet peas they will have sweet memories with me as well.

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  770. Rebecca Chinworth on

    My grandma used to call them her “pennies.” It wasn’t until much later that I realized she was referring to the blush, gigantic, fragrant peonies that most brides go Gaga for in the common wedding month of June. My Mom grew them in long rows on either side of our driveway growing up: each plant divided or brought in my grandparent’s old Buick on their visits to see us “Grandbabies.” I think it’s where I first got interested in the relationships between people and plants and their whole microcosm. From the tiny ants eating away at the buds that I noticed on my way to the mailbox, to their smell that always reminds me of home, to trying to learn to drive in reverse out of the driveway without running over a peony bush. I still work on that one even as an adult. Growing up has been such a journey and these flowers have always seen me through. I wore their perfume on my wedding day to remind me of my grandmother and have planted these beauties at every place I’ve lived. I hope to continue this legacy of love in my own little family someday.

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  771. Kathleen on

    I suffer from Seasonal Deficit Disorder and anxiety so when I see any color late winter it helps to make me hopeful for new beginnings. Quince, crocus and daffodils in bud help me to hold on for things will get better and I will make it through the tough days of winter.

    Seeds I should be saving all – of them. Dahlias, sweet peas, zinnias, poppies, buplereum, grasses, carnation, ammi, dianthus, columbine…….

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  772. Helen R on

    What a lovely interview, I would love to have been a fly on the wall when the two of you were visiting. Hellebores are my go-to plants for restoring my spirits. Aside from being one of the first flowers to bloom here in the PNW, the blooms last so very long and the plants remain bold and beautiful throughout the growing season. I’ve been breeding my own special varieties, which gives me great satisfaction in otherwise shaky times.

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  773. Stacey Grytdal on

    California poppies are my favorite flower. I love the deep rich orange, which shimmers in the wind. Bumblebees arrive early and on cloudy mornings they have to wait for the poppies to open.

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  774. Stacia S on

    This interview was informative and so interesting. Thank you for this. I find great joy in any flowers I planted by seed. I work in social work which is stressful but I get summers off. Since my daughter flew the coop I’ve taken on the hobby of gardening. Growing veggies is rewarding but my flowers give me great joy and purpose. If I grew it by seed it’s my favorite. If it came up voluntarily it’s my favorite. I appreciate all you do. You have given me so much inspiration.

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  775. Bellamy on

    What great questions! I’m just starting my outdoor flower journey, but the crown of thorns passed down by my mom is the one I go back to. It just keeps growing and blooming. It’s tough, hearty and soft all at the same time. Reminds me it’s okay to be all of those things.

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  776. Deb on

    Just simply being in our garden and working my hands through the soil or caring for the flowers lifts my spirit on hard days. Being in the garden puts me in the midst of our Creator.
    Last year I planted my first dahlias and what joy I had watching from tuber to sprouts to young plant then mature plant in August! My granny grew hillsides of dahlias when I was a child and I loved walking through the rows and cutting bouquets for our church and my teachers. When I had my first bloom last summer, I was so excited to bring my childhood memory to life! Dahlias brighten my days with their endless petals of grace!

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  777. Colton on

    If I wasn’t able to buy seed any longer the main seeds I would save would be zinnias and breadseed poppies.

    I have always had a deep relationship with Hydrangeas. Something about them gives me hope.

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  778. Jules on

    I have always turned to the garden to lift my spirits and bring me through my darkest times. Connecting with the soil and tending to my plants is soothing and mesmerizing. I’ve been in a love affair with flowers and have grown them since I was a young adult. Although I love the beauty and joy that all flowers bring me, I feel closely connected to, and uplifted by zinnias, hydrangeas, and peonies.

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  779. Jen on

    Sunflowers & sweet peas are two of my favorites! Sunflowers are just so cheerful and bright, and sweet peas remind me of both my mother and grandmother’s gardens & countless memories together in those gardens.

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  780. Kym A. on

    Actually…dahlias and petunias. petunias because they remind me of my grandmother who grew them in Montana and dahlias because I had a huge (to me) dahlia garden (120 plants) when my children were young and I’ve just started growing a few (in my much smaller yard!) which remind me of those times!

    I totally agree with what Kori so eloquently said…we DO feel a connection with our plants!

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  781. Anne on

    There are two places I call home and two plants I can turn to like open arms, providing safety and respite from the world. In northwest Washington where I grew up it’s Salal. I love the vibrancy of fresh tips and the deep glossy green, this deep green is like wisdom with age. Hiking off trail in thickets of Salal can be nearly impossible and so I decided one day to crawl through the thickets and found myself transported to a hidden world where no one could find me, pure magic. I had my mother bring a bucket of Salal from her yard to Montana for my wedding.
    In Montana there is sage brush country. Silver tips and woody curving bases and the sweetest scent both clean and earthy. You can’t hide from the big sky in sage brush, you’re always exposed and raw; but you can maneuver through without being seen by the animals during hunting season and if you don’t catch your quarry, it will serve wonderfully to pass the time crafting a sage wreath.

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  782. YASMIN CHINOY on

    When life leaves you feeling overwhelmed the beauty of Peony blossoms gently dancing in the summer breeze always brings peace to my soul!

    Hydrangea blossoms almost covering their entire rich green leaves always leave a smile on my face as well as Crimson bean plants reaching as high as their trellis gives you joy all summer long!

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  783. Tammy on

    I would save more zinnia seeds. They are easy to grow and you can always count on them.
    Sunflowers would also be top on my list!! I can’t wait to try and grow some of all these new seeds. They are all gorgeous!!!

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  784. Catherine Gunther on

    First off I want to say what a lovely interview, and thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. After a long day at a desk job, I walk through my gardens and snap dragons, poppies, zinnia’s, celosia, and dahlia’s bring me the most joy. I already collect seed from most of my plants but if I had to choose only one it would be zinnia’s because they are the easiest to grow and care for.

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  785. Carissa on

    I would love to save more zinnia seeds. They are easy to grow and you can always count on them. Dahlias I love dahlias. I know they are not seeds but they would also be top on my list!! I can’t wait to try and grow some of all these new seeds. They are all gorgeous!!!

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  786. Michelle on

    During difficult times I find that it’s the nurturing of the flowers that brings peace to me. Maybe it comes from preparing a place for a seed to germinate and then tending to it as progresses to the next phase of growth. The joy of watching it sway in the wind when it’s in full bloom is pure magic. Perhaps the weight of difficult times is made lighter by the beauty of something you’ve tended and loved. It’s truly divine.

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  787. Randi Brinkman on

    I’ve have been growing plants from seed since 2009 just as a love: vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials; sunny raised beds, community gardens, sunny garden beds and shaded woodland paths and hillsides. I even go over to my friends houses to plant flowers in their yards. Putting something in the ground and watching something new and alive arise from the earth- it is hope in its truest sense. I’ve found a lot of hope in planting daffodil bulbs the last few years. Where I live, the winters are snowy, cold and 5-6 months long, so putting down those bulbs in the fall feels like a message to my body and soul that summer is going to come again, even as the temperatures drop and the days get shorter. It won’t always be dark. The sight of a bright yellow form pushing through the snow is the reward of patience.

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  788. Manon René de Cotret on

    Bonjour!
    J’ai récemment été introduite aux travaux de Mme Erin Benzakein. En m’inscrivant à l’infolettre de floretflowers, j’ai découvert un monde d’informations sur la culture des fleurs mais surtout j’ai découvert des personnes passionnées par la culture du vivant! Wow, c’est rempli d’espoir sur l’humanité ça! Alors pour répondre à la question “If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? ”
    I would say, that since I discovered, with the help of the videos I received with my subscription to the newsletter of floret (my flower letter), i would save dahlias (seeds ans tubers) for sure, then snapdragons (because they stand a long time here north even after some frost, pansies (so nice on a salad), scabiosas (some varieties are amazing for natural dyes, and seeds of tomatoes!

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  789. Judy on

    #1. I grow Zinnias in a container garden on my deck Watching them from seedlings as they stretch toward the sun and begin to bud. Such great expectation as the buds mature and begin to bloom. An adventure each day to monitor their growth and watch the marvelous shades of colors unfurl. A delight to the eye and sustenance to the spirit. Each year I am so grateful for my garden and the pleasure it provides

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  790. Kim Kavalsky on

    Zinnias, roses, hydrangeas, salvias, azaleas, blacked eyed susans, and sunflowers are favorites in my Mississippi yard. There is so much to learn about plants and that is what makes it so much fun. Gardening brings me immense joy and peace. It helps me slow down and appreciate my life. My grandmother was a gardener, and I feel connected to her spirit when I’m tending to my plants. Winter is always hard for me, but I know spring will be here soon. I have collected Zinnia seeds for the last 2 years and have had great success. They are so easy and hardworking. I tried larkspur for the first time this fall. I have seedlings now, but too early to tell if they will be keepers in the garden. One of my weaknesses is impatience so I think that is why I have not experimented a lot with seed.

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  791. Barb from PA on

    I loved your movie you shot together. I love plants and flowers and have flowers blooming till it snows here in Pa. Zinnias are planted every year, and I save all my seeds and even included a packet of my cosmos seeds in each Christmas card I sent I year. Sooo much fun seeing all the posies blooming the next summer and family and friends made sure to send me pics of their success! I sooo enjoyed the two of you running your hands through the blue bin of all the seeds. That fed my soul! Congratulations on all your work, fun to watch you both share your love of Zinnias

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  792. Lorri on

    When days are hard, simply digging, weeding, and planting allows my soul to breathe. Time in the garden gives me renewed energy. Every day a flower will show me a new surprise that makes my heart smile. Yes, working in my garden, has given me hope when times are bleak. I can’t say I have a particular flower that gives me peace rather the whole garden is my safe spot.
    If seed catalogues disappeared I would save so many flower seeds. Dahlias( my new favorite) are probably number one. They are number one because it’s fun to save the tuber to get an exact copy of the parent flower plus saving dahlia seeds is adventurous- never sure is what the seed will show next season. Zinnias, nigella, echinacea, sunflowers, stock, ranunculus corms, sweet peas, jewel of opar, cress, gladiolus , iris, yarrow, lambs ear, snap dragons, I know I’m forgetting some but these are the flowers that I have currently saved seeds, tubers, corms or bulbs . Crossing my fingers the seeds will grow; this coming season -my first year of trying 🤞

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  793. Beth on

    I saved my first zinnia seed this season, so I’m excited to see if it ‘worked’! I am also experimenting with saving dahlia tubers. I’m hopeful that this season more than 10 percent make it (which is what made it last year, my first attempt at saving tubies).
    Peonies are my heart flower. I wake up every spring day before work to spend time with my peonies. It’s just my absolute favorite.

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  794. Ness on

    If seed catalogs were suddenly extinct, I would try to save every seed I could! Though having to choose a few for this example – food staples, like tomatoes, peppers, peas, curcubits, broccoli, kale, lettuce, arugula, carrots, radish, beets, potatoes

    For flower seeds: calendula, zinnia, cosmos, morning glory, sunflower, forget-me-not, pansies.

    I think I now have my grow list for my 2024 postpartam garden season!

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  795. Megan on

    Last winter felt especially long, and it was the narcissus that lifted me out of the winter blues. Other than that, I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with peonies… and this year I had a few heirloom chrysanthemums that stole my heart.
    As for seed saving, if I could only pick one I’d have to go with dahlias. I love the surprise of seeing what comes up from the dahlias grown from seed.

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  796. Sarah Aumsbaugh on

    For flower seeds, I would save zinnias, dahlias, and sunflowers. This year, I am buying almost exclusively open pollinated flowers and vegetables. I plan to work towards saving seeds from each. It is a challenge I am looking forward to this year!

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  797. Sheree Finch on

    Sweet peas are the one for me. They just make me smile and instantly give me a great sense of calm. My first memory of sweet peas were on a trip to Oregon visiting relatives. They were growing wild everywhere. I was totally amazed. I’m sure my husband grew tired of my requests to “stop! pull the car over!” I couldn’t get enough of them. Sweet peas will always be my first and last love.

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  798. Abby Acuna on

    I find joy in my herb garden. Lemon balm and mint in particular calm me.

    I would save Dahlias, Zinnias, Snapdragons, and cucumber seeds!

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  799. Claire on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    When life is hard (and it has been recently — my husband hasn’t been able to work for the last 6 months due to injury followed by surgery)…it’s lavender. It just lifts me, makes me smile, & calls me close. My children love it too, especially my 5 year old daughter. We bunch it together, hang it to dry & hold our faces close as we enjoy its peaceful scent. Lavender’s gifts to us just keep on — in beauty for our home fresh and dried, in soaps and sachets, & in our nourishment (herbes de provence & garnishing desserts). I will always grow lavender.

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  800. Brenda on

    answer #2 I would save all the peony tubers I could!

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  801. Angela on

    #1 roses!
    #2 zinnias, celosia, amaranth, snap dragons

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  802. Megan on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I’d save tomato seeds and all the cosmos, asters, bachelor buttons, camomile, zinnia, echinacea and sunflower seeds I could get my hands on! As a general rule, I’m the one pulling culled plants out of the neighbor’s green bins…I try to save it all! 🤣

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  803. Megan Stenberg on

    Everything about my garden refreshes my soul but the last few years I count violas and pansies as especially stalwart friends. They are happy-go-lucky, resilient gals, and gladly reseed everywhere. I like to imagine their little faces are watching for me to join them in the garden.

    (But theres nothing like a bucket of zinnias to take my breath away!)

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  804. Krystle Schmidt on

    This will be my first year growing a cut flower garden and I am a bit nervous, but I’m diving in head first. My vision is to add to my growing zen garden into a 3 acre oasis to share with everyone. To answer the first question, I have always been drawn to roses, but in the recent years, seeing zinnias and dahlias in a few cut flower gardens have changed my mind. I envision walking through rows and rows of the different color pallets of flowers with their scent lingering in the air. I cannot wait!

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  805. Marlena Hirsch on

    I save seed from many garden plants and from the woodland plants. I am particularly excited about a pink and coral zinnia with different colored tips. One of the plants had lavender surrounding the disk. It was not a double, yet I was captivated by it. I am excited to grow the seed.
    The year before, a dahlia seedling grew after early October soaking rains and the next year, revealed almost black petals on a large daisy form. I am so grateful that I can recognize most seedlings when they sprout. I love the surprises that seeds provide. Out of a carnation seed packet, one plant didn’t look the same, but I planted it to see what it would be. It grew larger and faster than the carnations through cold and heavy rain. Today we saw the flower bud of a straw flower. Now I know to plant helicrysum in the fall in zone 9 along the stone wall.

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  806. Cessie on

    If catalogs were gone I would definitely continue to save seeds of everything I’m growing- sweet peas, zinnias, sunflowers, and calendula for sure, along with all the vegetables (pumpkins are so fun to grow!). The work you’ve both done and are doing for seed saving and developing is so important, thank you for sharing the beautiful results with us!

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  807. Kathi Hinckley-Vaughn on

    I would definitely save polish heart tomatoe seeds as they originally came from a local greenhouse that got them from a very old farmer. Then I would have to have dahlia seeds that are now second or third generation bees choice because it’s like Christmas when the first flower from each plant blooms

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  808. Sarah on

    I would save snapdragons, zinnias and dahlias! And an assortment of veggies.

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  809. kim on

    answer to #2 – I would save everything I possibly could!!!! answer to #1 – I love all plants. They are all inherently beautiful. I especially love the little natives you find on a walk or hike. Everything I grow is like my children – something to watch grow and change, to love and nurture. To figure out what they need and help them to thrive or to try to fix what’s wrong. I love being able to depend on certain things – the smell of lily of the valley, the delicateness of maidenhair fern, the healing help from yarrow when the bleeding won’t stop…..etc. etc.

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  810. Nicole on

    My peonies are here for such a short time each year, but most are from mine and my husbands grandmas’ gardens. Their blooms brighten my days remembering time with them and their flowers. Dahlia’s and zinnias bright colors help during the later summer days. When things get rough a walk in the fresh air and the flowers really calms me back down. These would be definitely the flowers I’d want to save and want to make sure I keep near me always.

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  811. Faye on

    My comfort flowers are primarily daylilies, cannas, and zinnias. Oh, and iris. but I have a lot of other flowers as well. If seed catalogs disappeared I would be saving every seed I could. I try to save seed every year but don’t always manage to do so.

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  812. Shandi on

    Dahlias and Sunflowers are my allies in hard times. As a new gardener that makes a lot of mistakes, I know that I can always count on them to bloom even if I don’t get the water, lighting or nutrient’s right. I love looking out and seeing them standing there strong and beautiful.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save all of my seeds, each flower is unique and adds joy. Besides, the bees would be unhappy with one or two varieties. LOL

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  813. Lauren on

    Clematis lift my spirit! There is a lot of symbolism in climbing up and continuing to climb and hold on through life’s storms. The type that bloom twice maybe even more so because somewhere they pull out the energy to shine again as the garden is preparing to sleep for winter. Their little wispy seeds are idyllic looking too and I leave some up in winter. It reminds me of the hope that we can still awaits us in dark seasons. Depression is a battle I’ve fought for years, and gardening is hands down the most effective medicine for my sensitive soul. Thank you for sharing your beauties Kori!

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  814. Elise Puhala on

    I love zinnia’s for their ease of growing. They never disappoint in my flower beds. I direct sow and toss a little dirt on top and they spring up like magic. I try many different seed varieties each year. Some never pan out, but that’s okay because I can count on my zinnia’s to put on a show. I am also very fond of Peonies. My late husband let me splurge on them every May when they showed up for a few weeks at Trader Joe’s in Tucson. I’m very fond of peonies and zinnia’s.

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  815. Lindsay on

    Poppies. As a veteran they remind me of the courage and strength our past and present men and women fight for everyday. It brings me peace.

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  816. Sara Rossi on

    I love my cosmos – they are so light and airy and seem to dance in the wind. I also love my zinnias – they are the first cut flower I tried to grow and they remind me of my sister’s beautiful backyard wedding – we created her an entire bouquet of backyard garden flowers on her big day.

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  817. Moe on

    Flowers saved me. Especially the dahlias and zinnias I grew in my garden! In dark times, I turn to my dahlia tubers or flowers (depending on season) and my seeds that I keep. The anticipation for the next season and the new beauties to come keeps me going in the winter when I have most of my blues. In the summertime, they are a huge part of what brings me joy in this life! Their sheer beauty and their little whispers for nurturing feed my soul. I would most definitely save seeds from my dahlias and zinnias this year if I had to because of no catalogues! They are the most magical little plant souls to me. I will grow them together, forever!

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  818. Becky Cook on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would rescue my prairie flowers first: zinnias, coneflowers, salvias, rudbeckias, liatris, and little bluestem grass for growing alongside. Just the thought of a prairie brings the song of wind, birds, and insects to my heart. And these will grow almost anywhere in the world I might go.

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  819. Abby Beard on

    My plants are my peace at so many times. My lady banks rose is planted near my sweet dogs for reminders of happiness. My red crepe myrtles are here for me from my grandfather and remind me of his long years of hard work in the field. The butterfly’s visiting my dahlias are a visit from Patterson. I had a zinnia last year that radiated orange and caught the evening sun. I visited it so many evenings, and I tried to keep sone seeds from it to see what this year might hold! I’m thankful for my yard and opportunities to smile and find joy in nature. Your seed collections are gorgeous!

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  820. Ashley King on

    I’ve always been drawn to morning glory’s and daisies. There is just something about first thing in the morning taking a walk in the garden and being greeted by the beauty of morning glory’s. And daisies just make me smile and happy. Whenever I’m feeling anxious and overwhelmed I picture myself laying in a field of daisies. They’re my happy place. I am growing zinnias for the first time this spring and I’m so excited. Thankyou for another beautiful story.

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  821. Annaleise on

    Roses and sweet peas cheer me when I’m feeling low… they have such sweet scents. During hard seasons, I find so much value and comfort when I can slow down and quite literally stop and smell the roses. Beautiful reminders of a great Designer!

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  822. Ashley labrum on

    When I have a hard day (I have 8 kids and that happens haha) I love to go outside to see my dahlias. I also love seeing the cosmos dance in the wind. They always make me feel better… like recharged. Then, I can go back inside to handle the family things. :)

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  823. Dee Lockwood-Hicks on

    I always save my favorite zinnia, little flower girl, purchased from Floret several years ago but if I knew I had to save seeds, feverfew would also be up there on my list.

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  824. Kathy Chambers on

    I have recently been crazy of both zinnias and dahlias. In my little brain, I thought that they were both ‘old lady’ plants. Why? I suppose because my grandmothers had them in their gardens.
    I am doing primarily these two this year. They both speak to my soul. Corny I know, but those are my feelings! I love the oranges, peaches, pinks and blushes of both.
    Spring cannot come soon enough!

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  825. Melanie Niland on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save seeds from zinnias and poppies. I’d also save and propagate my dahlias and peonies. As far as what I want to grow alongside forever- peonies hands down. I love them so much!

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  826. B.B. on

    Correction: prairie moon seeds

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  827. Jackie Mier on

    In the spring, Daffodils of course and Summer hostas. I was fortunate to acquire huge drifts of spring Daffodils and summer hostas with my first shade filled home purchase. When moving to our hilltop farm, I dug up as many of both as I could making me not ready for the major move of household furniture and goods. But, 30 years later I am surrounded by spring daffodils. Initially, my poor hostas suffered with all our hilltop sun, but my dependable white pine grew and provided the shade needed for them to flourish. I am not a breeder, but so much appreciate those trailblazers, including Floret Farm and Dawn creek who do. I would love to plant some of Dawn Creeks Seeds on my sunny hilltop.

    PS: Wild violets, white and purple, resonated and sang with me at both my homesteads. giving of themselves so freely. How can you not love them.

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  828. Christine Khoury on

    These are amazing questions! When life is hard, and let me tell you last year was one of the hardest, I don’t know if I could ever pin down one plant that was a single ally. Truthfully, the entire garden was my ally. It was an escape within my reach, and when I entered that calming, inviting space, nature alone tended to my wounds more than any tangible thing ever could. So my answer to the first question might not be the correct one, but when I went out to my garden and heard the birds sing, saw the bees & butterflies enjoying and taking from the flowers, smelt the organic scent of the earth, and felt the light breeze in the hot summer days, I felt surrounded by a true friend.
    For the second question, while I do save seeds from my veggies as much as possible, I believe if I could no longer flip through the beautiful pages of the seed catalogs, I would take a page from Erin’s book. I would save seeds for all the flowers I grow. Zinnias, marigolds, strawflower, asters, snapdragons, the list goes on & on. Though my garden is focused on growing food for my family, I couldn’t imagine growing it without the flowers. It would be the best type of anticipation to save seeds from all of them & see what blooms year after year. Erin, Kori & all of the Floret team, your hard work has done & continues to do such incredible things. I hope y’all never lose sight of the beauty y’all have created!

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  829. Meghan on

    That would be little bluestem for me. It’s so pretty and airy – and happily grows in my two favorite places in the world.

    I’ve started seed saving with my native plants – and the grasses seem to be the easiest to start with. And of course, I save alllllll the milkweed for our monarch friends.

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  830. B.B. on

    There is a little known small tough as nails, succulent , native, non invasive incredibly easy to grow from seed, American “wild” flower, that touched last year my soul,
    So incredible to witness its life
    So strong to survive the cold elements
    I actually mourned after it flowered
    It’s natural passing, after it set seed.
    You either sow its dust like seed in the autumn or tail end of winter, or at latest, earliest spring. It’s deemed “a winter’s annual”.
    I guarantee anyone reading this will fall in love with this tiny plant, reaching in height at maturity 6 inches tall.
    It’s a sedum, whose leaves begin as flat and in time slowly become needle shaped, bright Kelly green. To survive the harsh elements out of doors is the most amazing awe inspiring thing I’ve ever witnessed. The little plant is not troubled by insects or disease, just needs free draining soil in any kind of planter. The tiny individual baby pink flowers are typical shape for a sedum
    But the formation on the stem is what sets it apart, and gives it the name “widows cross” or “sea star” , botanically its “sedum puchellum”
    If anyone wants to see how this tough little seemingly delicate appearing plant can withstand adversity, to illustrate strength in the worst of weather, symbolically as well as literally, spend the but 3 dollars at Pine Tree seeds, for a packet, and witness what I had. Sheer unadulterated joy. The seeds are easiest to collect as well, the sudden passing of the plant after it’s completed it’s relatively brief life cycle however is not. It seems what was once so strong, so beautiful, literally turns after flowering, to toast, having one wonder”why? I thought we were friends”.
    There is nothing so dream inspiring than perusing a well photographed seed catalogue. With one’s fingers turning each page realizing better now, how plant breeders have devoted so much of their time, to bring before us what essentially is their life’s work.
    Yet to illustrate, that “widows cross” was never hybridized, doesn’t nor need be. I urge any reader that needs natures inspiration in the smallest of containers or spaces, right out of doors their sunny door or window, to witness but for a few months, that undemanding plant. Even the harshest of critics
    Cynics
    When seeing that plant in bloom
    Will exclaim
    “That’s pretty”

    Reply
  831. Mackenzie on

    Although I love flowers dearly, my answer to the first has to be the American sycamore. Like the sycamore, the riverside is my happy place. At my favorite swimming hole there is a particular old sycamore I have come to see as a symbol of resilience. I know I am not alone in this association because another tenacious old sycamore inspired a beautiful poem my favorite farmer-poet, Wendell Berry. He says it better than I ever could:

    The Sycamore
    In the place that is my own place, whose earth I am shaped in and must bear, there is an old tree growing, a great sycamore that is a wondrous healer of itself. Fences have been tied to it, nails driven into it, hacks and whittles cut in it, the lightning has burned it. There is no year it has flourished in that has not harmed it. There is a hollow in it that is its death, though its living brims whitely at the lip of the darkness and flows outward.
    Over all its scars has come the seamless white of the bark. It bears the gnarls of its history healed over. It has risen to a strange perfection in the warp and bending of its long growth. It has gathered all accidents into its purpose. It has become the intention and radiance of its dark fate. It is a fact, sublime, mystical and unassailable. In all the country there is no other like it. I recognize in it a principle, an indwelling the same as itself, and greater, that I would be ruled by. I see that it stands in its place and feeds upon it, and is fed upon, and is native, and maker. – Wendell Berry

    As to which seeds I would save, the honest answer is all of them I could. If I had to be selective, I would have to prioritize those that are native to my region like Echinacea and Rudbeckia. Native flowers are so vital to biodiversity and I feel like they often get overlooked. That being said I would love to get my hands on the new Dawn Creek varieties. The colors are to die for!

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  832. Deborah Jean Thompson on

    I don’t want to ever be without my dahlias. Maybe I won’t grow quite so many but they will always have a place in my garden. Thankfully they give seeds and from those seeds are beautiful possibilities.

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  833. Angela on

    I would save Always Tender beets and Campanula

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  834. Kelly Kallok on

    After my dad died I bought a bowl of cacti to protect his urn. One of the last goofy pictures I took of him was him pretending to poke a cactus so it just seemed like the right memorial plant to add to my house plant collection. A seed pod formed on one of the cacti so I searched the internet to figure out what I could do with it. I plopped the seeds in some germination soil and a bunch of little green balls started growing. I managed to grow them big enough to transplant. They are thriving in my little cottage overlooking the Mississippi River. I can’t wait to share them with friends and family who knew and loved my dad. This plant has been such an ally to me in my grieving process. It has also given me the confidence to keep growing my business with starting seeds.

    I will always collect lupine seeds. I just need to keep trying to figure them out. They are a struggle for me, but they bring me so much joy when we drive the north shore along Lake Superior in northern Minnesota. I want that at my farm.

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  835. Jan Walker on

    Walking through my garden, calms my heart, cutting blooms from my roses gives me Joy. I feel grounded in my garden .., it’s my 35 year old project… a never ending palette… of beauty. If I had save seeds… I already always do… I would save cosmos, nasturtiums and zinnas. I also would take cuttings of my roses … if I ever move, they are moving too. They are my lovely friends 💗

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  836. Ariella Noelle on

    I would definitely save delphinium seeds! Some of the more whimsical varieties are my absolute favorites!! The garden in general always boosts my spirits. I love to sit and read in the sunshine with the zinnias, dahlias and roses all around, (especially roses). There’s nothing more relaxing!

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  837. Pam F on

    #1 when hard times hit…. My peaceful place is our woods and a small roses garden on the edge. I have other flowers that I consider to be more of a favorite…. But the roses are constant, steady and always there to be enjoyed.

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  838. Michelle on

    I tend to talk most to my “ladies”. I have three different clematis as part of my perennial gardens. One of them is quite well established and a show stopper. The other two are newbies but doing well. They provide beautiful color as they weave their leaves and flowers.

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  839. Suzanne on

    1. I love any kind of flowers. Late spring are peonies. Where I am they always bloom around my birthday. Summer is zinnias. Fall is dahlias.
    2. I am learning to collect seeds from my flowers, but I also need my tomatoes!

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  840. Christy Shivell on

    1. Lavender, daffodils, peonies, baptisia
    2. Honeynut squash, snap peas, several lettuces and kales, several heirloom tomatoes and peppers, my husbands grandmothers feverfew, zinnias, cosmos, heirloom marigolds, Baja basil, so many more…

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  841. Kelly on

    If seed catalogues disappear I believe I’d be saving every seed I could so can’t tell you just one! My zinnias and peonies are my favorites though for refreshing my soul and bringing me peace and joy.

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  842. Anna on

    Chickens! They’re so silly and fun to watch – they might destroy the e garden – but they just take my mind off of things. If I had to save a seed – brown eyed Susan – they’re so easy to grow and save seed from and so happy and bloom forever.

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  843. Jenise Powell on

    I would do Marigolds, because each spring we plant marigolds all the way around our garden. They are a flower that will most of the time keep reseeding them selves in the spring time.

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  844. Patricia Sauer on

    My favorite uplifting spirit plant is phlox. It’s alluring scent and clusters of small flowers on strong stems remind me to stay the course through difficult times.

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  845. Kim Ackley on

    Honestly, question #1 is very difficult for me to answer. Life can be hard for all of us at times and I find great comfort getting lost in nurturing of all my plants. Digging in the dirt is my happy place. Whatever I decide to plant each year are my allies and I do my very best to make them happy as well!! I don’t think I’ve given Zinnias a try but, this will definitely be the year thanks to the lovely ladies of Floret and Dawn Creek Farms!!
    If seed catalogs were to disappear?? I’m 99.99999% positive my decision is going to be Zinnia seeds!!!
    Cheers to dirty hands!!!

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  846. Valerie on

    Cuttings from my grandmother’s variegated Hoya. I took cuttings in my 20s and am now 65. They’ve always been there, my entire life. Easy to care for, willing to put up with occasional neglect, and when they bloom those waxy light pink blossoms, what a surprising treat!

    I would save Poppies. All sorts of poppies. Rhoeas, somniferum , Iceland, California. Such gorgeous colors, paper thin, yet so tough. Plus, the seed heads are amazing.

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  847. Jane on

    The plants that lift my spirits: the flowers would be sweet peas and zinnias. Veggies would be tomatoes from choosing which seed to start to end of season picking the last greens left on 5he vine before 5he frost.
    The seeds to save: sweet peas, zinnias and iris.

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  848. Cindy Rust on

    Thank you Dawn! And Erin! And your collaboration! My neighbor told me about Floret last summer and I cannot tell you how you came along just when I needed to know there are people like both of you who have a passion for flowers.
    1. Nasturtiums are my first flower memory from my grandmother. I sniff the smell right out of them. Love them so much. Those and cosmos also grown by my grandmother 1950’s-1980’s when she was too infirm. By then I started growing.
    2. I am new to seed saving and would def be saving my zinnias! Love these new pastel colors. Grew zinderella peach for first time last summer! And would save my nasturtium also. Cosmos reseed independently usually. Lol.
    Thank you thank you thank you

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  849. Betty Szudy on

    1)Plants that give me comfort are kangaroo paw, salvia, and zinnias. 2)What I’d save is zinnia seed, salvia (don’t know how possible) and carnations.

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  850. Ruth on

    Good old dependable zinnias. I’m wowed when perennials do their thing at their time, but zinnias just keep giving right up to freeze. Always there when you need some cut flowers for an arrangement. They self sow to do it all again each year.

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  851. Kristin K. on

    I look forward to the snow drops and crocus to know that spring is here and the warm is returning!! They are a good reminder times and seasons go on even during hard times!

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  852. Nicole on

    1. Roses

    2. Sugar snap peas

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  853. Zoe on

    For me, the plants I’ve found myself turning to in hard times are the winter berries – overlooked but surprisingly precious amidst the harsh environment and leafless woods.

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  854. Lori on

    I always save impatient, petunia & coleus seeds, this year I saved zinnias and I’m looking forward to expanding my zinnia collection.

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  855. Ginger Sox on

    Just mixing the seed starter, planting seeds and seeing the first signs of life is one of the most relaxing things one can do. I especially love my snapdragons and zinnias because they offer so many colors. When my tea olive blooms, I immediately return to my happy childhood. My grandmother had one by her porch, and she is the one who fostered my love of flowers.

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  856. Kartini on

    I haven’t been able to grow them yet, but, it would be a rose. My mom always planted them at every home we had. She was so generous with them too, gifting them to teachers, neighbors, taking them to work. They bring so much joy to my heart whenever I see a garden rose.

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  857. Madeline Rivera on

    Lord have mercy. Took me 5 minutes just to scroll down to the comment box. I’ll make this quick. Everyone else wrote a long story. On the days I’m not feeling well, I walk thru my rose garden. The beauty and smell is intoxicating.
    I would save my veggie seeds.
    Thank you for considering me. I hope you have a biggggg team to help you read all these comments. The good news is I got all three of your books and I’m just wowed by them!!

    Reply
  858. Tamara B. on

    My punk rock bee balm is my happy place. They’re starting to come up in places they shouldn’t with their unruly pink “hair” and I don’t have the heart to pull them. I love to watch the hummingbirds drink from them. They nourish swarms of butterflies and bumblebees all summer. They always put a smile on my face. I’m planning more pollinator garden space this year so I can plant even more.

    I really enjoyed this interview. I started saving zinnia seeds a couple of years ago when I found a particularly pretty one. I didn’t quite find the replica last year, but I saved a bunch of seeds again and will see what I end up with this year. Thank you both for doing what you do for flowers!

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  859. Tricia C on

    Zinnias would be my answer for both. A friend encouraged me to start buying a couple seed packets and add zinnias to my garden years ago. I’m so thankful. They always grow and are so beautiful- even when other plants are not so successful. And I’ve never actually saved any seeds, but I would have to save zinnia seeds if necessary.

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  860. Michele Karpyn on

    Zinnias! I also have seeds from a long stemmed marigold grown at Mt. Vernon that I plant each year that make me so happy. Last year’s nicotenia flower perfumed My yard. Celosia! Seeds kept from the previous year grew beautifully, some were 7 ft. Tall and the birds came in bunches to enjoy the seeds. Also have tomato seeds from Georgia (country) that I plant each year. So much joy!

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  861. Janie B. on

    One of my good feeling flowers, for seed saving and gifting, would be columbine, not only because their foliage is almost as captivating as the blooms, but also because they are such shameless hussies! They cross pollinate with other columbines with happy abandon…..and all sorts of colors and forms result. Gaiety in the garden! Makes me smile everytime a new face unfolds!

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  862. Hedi Lee on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear tomorrow that would be a sad loss to inspirational winter garden reading. But i would be busy cleaning seed from every flower species in my garden and (‘ahem the public park next door’, she confesses in a soft whisper) Beyond the raw fingers from some of the tough flower heads and bracts, it would be therapeutic to push bits of flower debris across the white printer paper with the tip of a paring knife and shake out the treasured seed into a homemade packet. Can’t wait for first sowing date.

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  863. Debra on

    Sunflowers and zinnias are my go to’s for lifting my spirits. The way sunflowers stretch to the sky always make me happy and bring a smile to my face. I love how zinnias can be so abundant in a small space and they make such beautiful bouquets!

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  864. Martha Hughes on

    I think the thing that brings me the most joy is the wonder of a seed. That simple, small brown seed can be planted sprout and grow into a beautiful plant with flowers to harvest for the season what I consider a miracle. It points to the creator, the miracle of life, and the vast variety of plants that the creator created.
    I love to plant the Zinnia seeds and watch the plants grow, flourish and give beautiful cut flowers all summer.
    I have found the zinnia to be easy to grow and very hardy in the hot South Carolina. Looking forward to these beautiful new collections.

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  865. Ashley on

    When life is hardest, when it feels like all the patients I care for are at end of life, I find solace in watching any plant, but especially flowers and my Roma tomatoes, turn into something beautiful from the death of their seed. I would save my mother in-law’s giant Mexican sunflowers and my special Roma tomatoes that originated from Three Porch Farms.

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  866. Ling on

    1. Roses and dahlias
    2. For seeds, I would collect Zinnia and lavatera.

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  867. Lee Liburdi on

    Fifty-five years ago I collected common red poppy seeds from a relative’s backyard on my first trip to Italy. The obsession with poppies began. Then, every year, for many years, I bought every species of poppy I could find and grew them with my vegetables. Now, during poppy season people wonder where my veggies are because all that can be seen are poppies. They’ve mutated in the most amazing ways and although it’s a lot of extra work to accommodate them, that is the signiature, beloved plant in my garden.

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  868. Ashley on

    Beautiful! I believe you’ve given me a newfound appreciation for Zinnias:) can’t wait to start planting this year!

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  869. Doreen grzelak on

    Zinnias. They remind me of my mother as she always grew them. They were her favorite flower and I love them as well for their variety, beauty and relative ease to grow. As far as saving seeds obviously zinnias. But I love tomatoes for eating and I’m not sure I could go without either zinnias or tomatoes in the summer.

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  870. Laura Tuthill on

    When life gives me lemons, I find my lemonade outside in nature. My garden is a place where I can recenter and find peace. Dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias, and peonies are sure to brighten my spirits! It’s almost impossible to admire a flower and not feel a sense of warmth, happiness, and connection to something greater than myself. I am reminded that this beautiful creature began as a tiny seed and that simple magic amazes me every time!

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  871. april wilson on

    My go to for a lift in the gray days of the PNW winter is Hellebore. I planted one a few years ago to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of my dear grandmother. It is a deep almost black purple. So hopeful to see such beautiful signs of life in the winter landscape. Something is always blooming..it’s just staking the time to slow down and look around.

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  872. Rachel Kotanen on

    I think that Dahlias, zinnias, peonies and verbascum are really what captivates me. Last year I found myself wandering within these flowers on a constant basis. It seemed to just draw me near it and it provided peace and tranquility while the world spins in all of its hectic, inhumane pace. Growing flowers has also connected me more with God. I am continually amazed by His creation and how something so beautiful emerges from a tiny seed.
    If there were no more seed catalogues, I would always save as many vegetable seeds as possible, but zinnias and dahlias would be my top choice for flowers. It’s like how every snowflake is different. Every single seed from a dahlia or zinnia has been touched by Gods hand through tiny pollinators and the breath of his winds. Everyone is a fingerprint of who He is, His creation and beauty and a reminder that He does exist!

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  873. Sydney W on

    Thank you so much for sharing your story, Kori. It was wonderful getting to learn a little more about you! Hearing you speak about your deep relationship with these precious souls was really meaningful to me. I’m dreaming of tending a beautiful wave of Dawn Creek Pastels to seed this summer in my home garden. I’d love to grow alongside this variety for years to come, but who knows?! I’m just delighted to explore this path in this life, one that allows such creativity and connection with plants and the natural world. And I have some of the best teachers to look to for inspiration and guidance – thank you, Floret Team and Kori! Y’all really are cultivating beauty and hope out here.

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  874. Kim gruetter on

    I would have to start with my vegetable seeds for sure. I love all heirloom varieties and try to save as many as possible. But then I love saving snapdragon and stock seed,seeing what I get the next year. I love scented bouquets and the way people react when you share them. I tuck lovely scented stems in all my bouquets.

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  875. Katie Magness on

    Oh my goodness! How amazing. Thank you for sharing this interview, it is always so neat to learn from those who have so much more experience and knowledge!
    1. For sure Zinnias, they are so prolific and each one that opens is a sweet little surprise of wonder.
    2. For sure Zinnias, mostly because they are the only ones I’ve ever saved. I am excited to grow many more flowers this year and learn to save seeds from those plants as well.
    Again, thank you for your wealth of knowledge!!

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  876. Danielle Bullen on

    I have always loved dahlias, and they have cheered so many crazy seasons of life, but I think the ones that have actually stuck the longest for hard seasons are Straw Flowers. I have a bundle of them, celosia and a few others dried on my wall, and they have been so cheerful and heartwarming all year long.

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  877. Maureen on

    Sweet peas brighten my days and the days of all who see them growing wildly in the yard, and those who get vases of them delivered. By letting them come up on their own, I get a longer season. So less control works better for me. I would save sweet pea seeds, agrostemma, zinnias, nigella, everything, since I don’t want to do without anything.

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  878. Mandy Cruze on

    Zinnias always make me happy! They are a work horse on our farm and I know I can count on them plus their so cheerful and come in so many colors but lisianthus are so dreamy they have a way of transporting me to another place.
    This next question makes me feel so anxious because the answer is all of them! But I can’t imagine ever not growing celosia and Zinnias in the summer and sweat peas and Batchelor buttons and corn cockle in the spring. Oh and daffodils! (I better stop there)

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  879. Brooke on

    Dahlias- the seeds and tubers have my heart. Especially the little discoveries from seeds. Open centered ones are some of the ones that bring me joy no matter how hard the season. The pollinators buzzing around them and seeing the connection between the ecosystem components helps me feel more calm. It’s meditative. Thanks for your continued inspiration and sharing Kori’s story. What a wonderful partnership!

    Reply
  880. Casey T on

    I would always choose to save sweet peas. Before I even knew what flower farming was, I hired a grower in the Skagit Valley to supply flowers for my wedding. I was so happy to choose local like that. She put sweet peas in my bouquets and they were the highlight of my day. A few years later my husband stopped at a roadside stand and bought a bouquet of sweet pea flowers for me. They’ve always been our flower and I sit next to them when they’re in bloom and just soak in the smell.
    I wish I was better at growing them, but I’m improving, and there will never be a day that they don’t have a place in my garden.

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  881. Rebecca D on

    I tend to turn towards plants with wonderful scents when I need a pick me up. I love to pluck bits of lavender and lemon balm for a sniff as I walk by them. I also look forward to lily of the valley, lilacs and marigolds. Scents have an awesome power to bring back memories, often of childhood and playing in the garden.

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  882. Julie Smith on

    Thank you for sharing this interview and it totally hit home for me. I can relate to Kori’s words of her flowers speaking to her and lifting her up. 2023 brought one of the most emotional highs for me and my husband followed by one of my most personal lows and challenges. Our oldest child had the most amazing June wedding on our land and married the love of his life. It truly was a magical moment to be a part of such an amazing day full of so much love. Four days later I underwent a total knee replacement and began my journey of pain and recovery and facing a summer of what I thought would be sadness and limitation during my months of recovery. I had discovered Erin and Floret at the start of this and had ordered some different seeds and bought seeds locally hoping that as I was stuck at home and missing out on alll our normal Maine summer adventures that flowers would help me not feel sorry for myself. I started my flower growing journey at this time and it brought such joy and brightness to my days in so many unexpected ways. I would make my way to my flower boxes on crutches and watch my flowers grow. I gauged my improvement by how far and how many times I could get to my garden and flowers. Their beauty spoke to me and encouraged me every day and I just wondered at myself that I could actually grow something so beautiful! The best part at the end of the summer was making small bouquets in a mason jar and giving them to my family and beautiful new daughter-in-law. My favorite of my first season was growing dahlias and zinnias. If I could never buy seeds again these would be my two favorite to save seeds from. Since that time I have been consumed with gaining more flower knowledge and reading Erin’s books and interviews such as this one bring such joy and excitement for the possibilities of what 2024 will bring for me! I can’t wait to order seeds on Feb 6th and bring more varieties into my life including Dawn Creek seeds! My knee is healed and I just might be able to skip to my flower boxes this year!

    Reply
  883. Angela Bassett on

    There are certain flowers that remind me of my grandpa. When I saw Charleston Heston on the movies, I thought it was my grandpa-huge stature, big blue eyes and an incredible grin. But really, it was that he made me feel like the most important person in the room whenever we were together. He was my hero as a little girl, and I thought I could marry him when I grew up. I loved following behind him in the garden. He would turn over a shovelful of soil and wait for me to catch up a handful of worms before moving to the next.
    He had a large hedgerow of lilacs that both the bees and I looked forward to in spring. But I think it was the irises (he called them flags) that remind me most of him. Every Memorial Day visits would be made to the cemetery to honor family that had passed. Each tombstone would get irises for their marker.
    I lost him a couple years ago at age 98. Whenever I need to draw in strength, courage or humor, I can look to his memory. Irises do that for me.

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  884. Emma Voccio on

    The flowers in my garden that calm my spirit the most are my open-centered dahlias (Bumble Rumble or any with eyelashes are my favorites). These girls are truly the cheeriest little souls and on many occasions have snatched the air out of my lungs with their beauty. I tend to question and doubt myself a lot, but there is something about that type of dahlia that I feel so reassured by in the most gentle way. They are my favorite flowers to share with others for this reason too :)

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  885. KD Reese on

    Winter is hard… no fresh flowers to turn to. I turn to dahlias, Casablanca lilies, and lace cap hydrangea. Aside from completely caging them in hardware cloth, I have not been able to protect my hydrangea from the deer in our area. They don’t seem to bother my Oak leaf hydrangea, but I’ve had four hydrangeas that haven’t been able to get past about 8 inches high, before being chewed right down! The deer are beautiful but a real menace.

    I’m curious to see if my zinnia seed saving will result in what I hope for, this coming summer! Thank you both for your hard work and for sharing it with us.

    Reply
  886. Valarie Dunlevy on

    My go to flower in my gardens are always ZINNIAS! I love the bright and cheerful colors, the different heights of the plants. I use them, especially the tall ones, as a border around my delicious vegetables and other flowers, that the deer would love to eat, but can’t get through the wall of ZENNIAS!
    They are such beautiful cut flowers for surprise gifts and backgrounds for graduations and wedding photography.
    Thank you Floret for all you do to share the love of plants and to share people to inspire us even more!!

    Reply
  887. diane dawson on

    When life is hardest, just going into the garden and working in the soil is uplifting. I think all flowers are calming and deserve love. Dahlias are the best because they can continue to give.
    What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times? This is a hard question Its like asking , who is your favorite child?…hahaha
    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? All of them. That knowing I couldn’t get them anywhere else and have them in my possession would be a honor. What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? roses and dahlias.

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  888. Susan M. Anderson on

    The plants I turn to are the pollinator friendly plants in my perennial garden. These plants are my destination on a summer evening walk in the yard (Zone 5 in Indiana, btw). I photograph and enjoy identifying the varied insects — bees, butterflies, solitary wasps, butterflies — who visit both the bronze fennel and the mountain mint as well as many other perennials. I joke that bouquets I make from the perennial garden are varied but always about 6-8 inches high. Certainly the annuals I plant offer the drama and color!

    I’m sold on the Dara daucus carota both as a wonderful pollinator plant and a beauty in a big bouquet. I haven’t saved seed except for friends. My patch does a good job of self seeding.

    Thank you for all you do.

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  889. Joan Boyle on

    In 2021/22 in a three and a half month period, I lost my Mom, my Dad, and one of my sisters. Writing an obituary and planning a funeral three months in a row is something no one should ever have to do. On top of that, we are now in the process of selling Dad’s and Mom’s farm/ranch that I was raised on. This ranch has been in the family 80+ years. Also, My sister owned a home decor store and after her death, my Brother-in-Law and I had to organize a sale to liquidate her assets. After this hard and trying time, I turned to gardening. My Mother and sister were avid gardeners (and Dad a farmer), but I just dabbled in it. My neice gifted Discovering Dahlias to me. I read through it several times and then purchased and read Cut Flower Garden. I decided I needed somthing to focus on and realized gardening would help heal my soul. Last year I successfully grew 70 dahlias and a 100 X 3 foot row of zinnias. I shared boquets with family and friends and a local nursing home. I found healing in growing and nurturing my flowers and joy in giving them away. I’m excited to add more zinnias and dahilas to my garden this year to share with others.

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  890. Kristen Bryce on

    I think I would grow dahlias because the tubers multiple and can be divided. Seeds can also be harvested but are always a surprise!

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  891. Lorene Higgins on

    Peonies are my heart’s flower if there is such a thing. They are tied up in beautiful childhood memories and they give me such joy that I find myself giggling and screaming with delight when they start to blossom. They would be the flowers that would calm my spirit in difficult times.

    I do love the smell of lavender and the purple color. When things are hard it is lovely to rub the leaves, take the smell in and close my eyes to a nice breeze. So I would say that is my go to plant in hard times.

    If the world went black and white and cease to have seed catalogs my own personal seeds catalog would carry balloon flowers, crossandra, zinnias, geraniums, coreopsis, and tomatoes. It is hard to imagine a flower I will grow forever because as I age I am becoming more aware of beautiful species I have never seen before and my taste is getting more broad. If I had to pick just a few a ginkgo tree and peonies. These two are the first that I know I cared to actually learn their names as a small child. I love them in a pure childlike way.

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  892. Marla Corrado on

    I love saving seeds and am always thrilled when fall rolls around because I seem to see the seeds everywhere I go. I find myself drawn to the idea of perpetuity with seeds. Just like you and Kori and I am sure many, many breeders before you, there is an excitement in the promise of what just one single seed holds. I am unable to say I could narrow it down to just one or two or even several seeds. I have plants that were my late father’s and I would save seeds from those to keep them growing with me always… rose campion, feverfew, sea oats. Just to name a few that I grew from plants at his home when he was still here. While they might not be my favorite plants or flowers to grow, the idea that he is connected in some way to them means more and makes them that more treasured to me.

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  893. Marti Combs on

    I loved reading this and also really loved the YT video with Kori in it. Her Joni Mitchell-esque quote of holding sand too tightly went right to my core. To read her story and empathize with her recovery from illness, to learn she grew up in one of my favorite places (Santa Cruz was the last place I went before moving out of CA), and to find similitude in the way she converses with seeds and plants all seem to point to needing to forge the connection possibilities she has offered in this interview. Zinnias were the first seed I ever planted. They will always be special to me. Their blooms were what I’d see from bed when I could not get outside and they brought our first hummingbirds into our then very urban garden space (we have since relocated to a state and more rural area better for my health.) Pansies also uplift and inspire me greatly. They may appear delicate and unassuming but their resilience is unmatched. They do not let the outside world force them to lose their softness, to take their smiling faces away, nor do they shrink when the harshest of the elements do their worst. They bloom anyways and that is my mantra for life: bloom anyways!
    Dahlias are native to where my grandma and her family are from and I feel a very strong ancestral connection in growing them. The generations before me are with me when I’m in the dahlias.
    I’m a slightly obsessive seed saver and when my gut and the energies around me say, “save this & a lot of it,” I do it, not always knowing why in the moment. It always ends up benefiting someone I didn’t know at the time of harvest. The powers that be put them in my path at some point & I am able to share the seeds I’ve saved with then. You name it, I’m growing it & saving it lol! I’ve been able to save hundreds of dahlia & other flowering seeds, annuals, perennials and biennials, various food growing seeds, and medical herb seeds for my own growing space and to give away.
    If chosen, I’d really love to be able to share the seeds gifted to me with others. Fellow disabled growers like myself who can’t always type fast enough to get to the checkout before things sell out, a new farmer who also seed saves and speaks with the seeds, my daughter’s outdoor forest school program, my sweet neighbor, and my incredible mother in law who deserves the world.
    A few for each of us means a lot more for all of us.

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  894. Sonia on

    My relationship with flowers began with zinnias, my sweetest friends. The year I started market farming I read that vegetables love flowers and I grabbed a few packets of seeds on a whim without a clue how to grow them. I started some seeds with my vegetables and hoped the flowers would bring in more pollinators. To my surprise the flowers grew beautifully in such harsh conditions that first season. The zinnias gave me hope. I never knew of the emotional experience that flowers could bring. Now my whole life is centered around sharing that experience with my community.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear I’d save my dahlia, zinnia, and stock seed. Then I’d let the journey of saving seeds begin!

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  895. Cindy Noe on

    While I have flower beds of perennials, I LOVE growing annual flowers from seed. I can plant them at different times, use them for borders, and add so much color that my neighbors appreciate. But best of all, they’re all mine for cutting bouquets for at my house and as gifts. I am a “dead-header” and find it very relaxing to dead-head all by myself in my gardens. My very very best flowers which I grow from seeds are a variety of zinnias. I grow them in the full sunshine and they just glow. I also love watching the bees on the zinnias, and I dislike the Japanese Beetles which like to much on my zinnia flowers.

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  896. Abby Becker on

    I want to grow beside Zinnias forever. They are my favorite. I would also save some marigold seeds.

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  897. Jordan on

    I would save my ranunculus, cosmos and zinnias ♥️

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  898. Lisa Shumaker on

    Fragrance and color draw me in difficult or happy times. Lavender and other herbs amaze me. My zinnias last year were the highlight of my garden, beside the sunflowers! They were cheerful to all who came to our farm.
    Thank you for sharing and growing! Lisa

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  899. Alicia M. on

    I would save zinnia seeds, they have been a staple in my garden for years. And I love, love, love, the gorgeous new colors you gals have developed!

    Reply
  900. Sherri S. on

    Lavender always! And I am a budding dahlia obsessive (not just saying that because it’s Floret, LOL). I had an amazing summer last year and now I’m totally hooked. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  901. Robin Crosby on

    We are entering our third summer in our home, in a completely different climate & soil and our first time in a home that has these gorgeous, mature azaleas, hydrangeas, & rhododendrons. My neighbor is also a gardener and grows these stunning camellias that bloom at different times of the year. I grew up going to the Blue Ridge mountains and having these plants around me again just tugs at my heart strings. When I am stressed or can’t get my brain to stop, doing a walkabout in my yard always fixes my headspace.

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  902. Kate B. on

    The eloquence of Kori’s words has really resonated with me on a deeply personal level! This quote hits the nail right on the head for me; “ Plants have, for as long as I can remember, called me into a relationship of refuge, protection, and quiet acceptance.” I have long struggled with the emotional adaptation on the days getting shorter (aka seasonal depression), and it strikes out at me too soon each year. Dahlias entered my life story a few years ago (thanks in largest part to Erin and Floret), and to put it simply, the light from these amazing flowers healed a whole season of my seasonal struggles and gave me months of joy back. The beauty of their blooms that get brighter and more prolific as the days get shorter and darker quite literally saved me. Erin’s spoken and written words have always left a lasting impression on me, and I very much look forward to hopefully reading more of Kori’s soon! Thank you both for spreading joy to us all. 💛

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  903. Trey Rosenbaum on

    If I was unable to get seeds ever again the seeds I would save out of my garden would be my Dara, Zinnias, Celosia, Tomatoes, and my pumpkins and gourds. These are all some of my favorite plants and are things Ive grown for many years. Zinnias and Celosia were the first cut flowers I grew at scale. Ever since I was young Ive grown Tomatoes. Pumpkins and gourds have become my favorite food to feed to my chickens!

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  904. Melissa on

    The plants that buoy spirits are dahlias, cosmos, zinnias and lavender! I eagerly await spring and I dream about them all winter!

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  905. Valerie Cundiff on

    When my father in Pennsylvania became ill from a stroke, I asked him what vegetable he loved best growing in our family garden growing up. He exclaimed without hesitation : “Tomatoes!” So it became my mission that Spring to grow many types of tomatoes from seeds in my small greenhouse in North Vancouver, BC. I tended them so very carefully, spoke to them, nurtured them, touched them, smelled them. It made me feel so close to him even though he was thousands of miles away. When I wasn’t visiting him I was still “with” him in my garden greenhouse. As he withered away my tomatoes grew stronger, stretching towards the sun. Those tomatoes symbolized my brave, beloved father. He passed away before the tomatoes ripened but I truly continued to feel his presence in those tomatoes; I felt a sweeping sense of calm every time I opened the greenhouse door. “Hi Dad”. Can I tell you how amazing that first ripe cherry tomato tasted, the delicious juiciness bursting in my mouth? That experience confirmed to me how very intertwined we are with nature and its cycle of life. The act of gardening offers us healing and hope if we just open our hearts to it..

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  906. Linda on

    Here in northeast PA, our winters are long and cold and growing season can be any combo of hot, dry, wet, cool, overcast and grey, all of the above. One garden staple I can usually count on are begonias. Beautiful, frilly, ever blooming, full yellow and bright begonias.
    I’ve just started my hand at gardening for the purpose of cutting for my bouquets and I love the tenacity& variety of zinnias and my favorite beauty, snapdragons. Oh my!

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  907. Kelly Harms on

    I love lavenders and roses, and they have been a constant in my gardens over the years. We’ve moved several times over the past 35 years (but have been in our forever home on my family’s 160 year old farm) and many of my lavenders have made the moves with us. One in particular is huge and very misshapen — it has spread out and is about 8-9 feet in diameter but doesn’t bloom in the center so it looks like a giant donut! Every year I think about taking it out and using the precious garden space for something else but when it starts to bloom around the edges in the spring I’m reminded that the hardships that twist and bend us really only make us stronger and more beautiful in our imperfections.

    The 30-40 rose bushes we have are definitely hardy survivors. Many came originally from my Mom’s rose garden, but I’ve added ones in the colors and scents that I love. We tend to really let them go, with minimal pruning (mostly because when we need to be doing that we are in the middle of our lambing season and just don’t have the energy). Some of them grow to be 6-8 feet tall, full of beautiful blooms, that help provide fragrant shade for the west-facing side of our house. Once in a while we have a rose bush that just isn’t thriving and really looks out of place amongst all the giants. I’m loath to just pull it and toss on the compost pile, so we dig them up and plant them in a really awful place on the north side of the house. It is rocky soil and in the shade most of the day — really terrible conditions. We figure if they live there, fine; if not, they’d be dead anyway. We haven’t lost any, and now have several roses in this corner of our world. Every time I look at them I’m reminded that we can all thrive where we’re planted and can make the most of a bad situation — life lessons that have come in handy as I’ve taken on caretaking responsibilities for my elder parents with dementia.

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  908. Kathleen on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    I love plants that attract pollinators, can take the elements and that have a beautiful scent. Buoying the spirts with birds, bees, sun, rain and a scent that can bring me back to any moment in time. Sunflowers, phlox, sweetbox, echinacea just to name a few! Thanks for the chance to win some of your lovely seed packs. –

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  909. Heather on

    Thank you for the article! Delightful read….
    The seeds I would save are poppies! I have been blessed with orange poppies here from two distinctive different patches that I have had in the past. Both of them when they bloom delight me so and remind me of my favorite flower gardens I have had at other locations. I never realized their differences until they bloomed at the same times…..

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  910. Lisa W. on

    I already save zinnia seeds but I am looking forward to purchasing some of yours in the pastel colors. I also save ground cherry, spaghetti squash, basil, pumpkin, okra, and spinach seeds. I would expand and save seed from all my vegetable crops so I could feed my family. I would continue to save zinnia and cosmo seeds too. My dream job is to be a local flower farmer.

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  911. Edin on

    Sunflowers and lilacs always lift my spirits.

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  912. Desiree on

    There isn’t a specific plant that I can think of that helps lift my spirits, but our garden in it’s entirety. Our peak gardening season is my peak busy season in work and without our garden, I wouldn’t have a daily escape. I love my job , but the hours can be long and I am a workaholic. So, I try to step into our garden at least once a day at the end of the day to do a garden walk and allow myself to disconnect from day to day activities and enjoy the beauty of everything in the garden. I work from home, so this allows me to put a stop to working and focus on something beautiful.

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  913. Melinda Eubel on

    I would save my vegetables, herbs, and I love my rosemary “tree.” We grow dahlias and of course zinnias purchased from Floret so I would save those seeds/ubers as well!

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  914. Sarah Michalek on

    The plants that I tend to turn to most are those that attract multiple senses – roses, lilacs, catmint, allium – they not only bring beautiful structure and color to the garden but they also let you know they’re there before you see them because you can smell them! Just spending time wondering the garden and appreciating the haven I’ve created brings me peace.

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  915. Amy Keller on

    The seeds that I would save would be heirloom veggies and everything thing I could get from pollinator plants: hyssop, cuphea, sunflowers, zinnias, poppies, feverfew, rudbeckia, echinacea, salvias, leucanthemums, cosmos, penstemon and so much more!

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  916. MaryBeth Love on

    I have a very small garden, but I know every plant! I just started my seed starting journey, Hollyhock and Snapdragons to start. Freesias are the flowers I get most excited about.

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  917. Catherine Sy on

    1. During chemo for breast cancer, there would be days that were just so hard, the only thing that gave me strength was walking outside through my garden. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, and usually (since nights were the hardest) I would stroll through at 1am and 4am in the morning and I would touch the Cosmos that popped up everywhere. I can feel their soft petals and their button centers telling me it was going to be OK. Their bright pink faces greeted me during my walks during the day, and it never failed to brighten my spirit.

    I admired their tenacity and their ability to sprout from wherever it may be, be it a crack in a walkway, or in the driveway, they would not be deterred from living! Who knew when I planted them a year ago that they would be here again just when I needed them….a beautiful reminder that life will go on.

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  918. Michelle hudson on

    Growing up here in the south the only flowers we grew were those from seeds shared among family and friends. The smell of the old timey petunia in my grandmothers yard is a memory stored for life. I remember the first pack of seeds I bought as a young adult were Zinnias. I can still remember them, a beautiful solid bouquet in an old wooden half barrel. That seems like yesterday and I am now almost sixty. And when I am asked by younger people what flower seeds should they start out growing. I always say zinnias. Thank you Dawn for cherishing that one peach zinnia!!!!

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  919. Abby on

    My dahlias definitely bring me joy in tough times, but I get so much joy from flowers in all seasons.

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  920. Christina Gardner on

    The plants I find joy in the most during hard times are strawberries, poppies and zinnias with zinnias being my absolute #1 favorite!! We have lived in many different climates and while I can’t always rely on my tomato plants bearing fruit, I have found that zinnias seem to bloom wherever they are planted, just as I hope to do! Beyond excited to put some of these new seeds in the dirt!!

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  921. Christine on

    For me, Sweet peas!! I look forward to these flowers of happiness every Spring! Life is good when I have these flowers in my many vases displayed around my home. Also, Coral Zinnia’s, I can sit outdoors at stare at them forever!

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  922. PATRICIA A RICHTER on

    I live in MD and I would grow LENTEN ROSE for its beauty and the deer do not eat them and they flower in the winter.

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  923. Jacinda on

    I love all things flowers and they bring me such joy, but I turn to large, mature trees to ground me in tough times. Trees have always uplifted and inspired me and they remind me to be present.
    I would have to save zinnias, sunflowers, larkspur, rudbeckia, cosmos, and all my vegetables.

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  924. Ann on

    The Hellebores for me in the winter keep my love of flowers satisfied when very little is blooming. I feel like they love to bloom and let me know more are coming soon!

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  925. Bill on

    #2. My grandmothers green beans we’ve been saving for two generations and her peanut seeds handed down for three generations. And three tomatoes varieties given to me by our elderly neighbor. Finally, we have “wedding zinnias,” seeds we save and replant every year that remind us of our wedding which was held in our yard surrounded by Zinnias – which were given to me by my Great Aunt.

    Plus, our farm is covered in wild daffodils every spring and they will always be with us!

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  926. Brenda Lang on

    Last spring my husband and I planted Zinnias from seeds in one of our raised bed. We were amazed at how well they thrived in our garden. But as the temperatures increased, the garden was infested by grasshoppers. They were everywhere. I never experienced a summer when we had so many. As they died out, our zinnias managed to survive and were more beautiful. They outlasted the invasion of the grasshoppers and continued putting on a show last into the Summer season and early Fall. We will definitely grow more this year and hopefully without the grasshoppers.

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  927. Heather Frost on

    I find that the most calming activity I can do is to work in the soil. Flowers- their scent and the beauty they provide- fill my soul with joy. I always smile at a pansy face, bury my nose in a rose or the sweet pea patch, and run my fingers along the zinnias. These activities help keep me grounded through the ups and downs of life. I have saved seeds from bachelors buttons, poppies, sweet peas, stock, larkspur, love in a mist, baby’s breath, zinnias, nasturtiums, and snapdragons. I would hate it if seed catalogues were no more because I love day dreaming about what to add to my supply!

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  928. Julie H. on

    Ahhh…the joy my flowers bring to me is grand!

    My first love of gardening began with roses. Fragrant roses. David Austin roses. English roses. Maybe it’s something in eight with my English heritage that draws me to them. They are alluring and the fragrance can be intoxicating.

    My paternal grandfather loved rose gardening. When he died, I dug up one of his roses, and one that he had planted that was my aunt’s (his daughter who preceded him in death) and have moved them many times, along with us, from home to home. When I cut and prune and nurture them, I feel a connection to their spirits. Family. Heritage. Legacy 🌹 ♥️ They give me comfort and remind me of my roots- my belonging. They would be the first I would save.

    I also have the Rose named “Firefighter” , in honor of my son who is a fire fighter (promoted to Captain, yesterday! I am so proud!) And I treasure the Roses gifted to me for Mother’s Day. More flowers that make remind me of family and the love I have for them.

    There are three other flowers I can’t imagine life without, strictly for the pleasure they bring me.
    Lilacs are one. Again, the fragrance that perfumes my home on the spring with big, firm blooms of my Paul Thirion are treasured.

    The Hidcote lavender will have to come with me, too. Hardy and steadfast and fragrant.

    And, because of my discovering Floret, the show…on Magnolia Network, I discovered my love of zinnias! They were new to my garden, as an explored what I could grow in my new zone in central WA, after moving here from the coast. Zinnias love our climate here, and grace my kitchen island in long-lasting bouquets, along with roses, all summer long. They make me smile with their sturdy poms anns cheery colors. I am ecstatic to find a flower I love that grows well in the excessive heat here in Chelan, WA. I currently grow the “Salmon” variety I bought from Floret. They would be saved along with the roses and lilac and lavender.

    I can’t wait for the new showy blooms and soft color palette of the Dawn Creek zinnias and the Floret derivatives to grace my garden. You two ladies have inspired me to consider growing these for some local florists as I live in the heart of “wedding country” and I’d reap so much pride and joy seeing your seeds, grown with my hands, held by a bride on her most special day.

    Thank you for what you do! You seriously make my life, so many other’s lives, and the earth, brighter.

    Warmly,
    Julie H.

    Just living is not enough…
    One must have sunshine,
    freedom,
    and a little flower.
    ~ Hans Christian Anderson

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  929. Suzanne C on

    If I was tasked with saving seeds, I would save my rudbeckia (I’m a sunflower lover) and my coneflowers as both endure the long, hot summers of Texas with bravery and resilience. I love all my plants and learn every year from them. Saving and sharing seeds with friends and family drives my spirit. I loved reading about the zinnias and would love to add them to my list of seed-saving flowers!

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  930. Brenda Ruckstuhl on

    Oh the loveliness and passion you both share. I cannot wait to be a part of it too!

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  931. Rosalie Shepherd on

    I have been pursuing growing pastel colors of zinnias but can only grow small ones with not very nice petal structures. I think the ones you are showing and growing would hopefully work for me. I look forward to purchasing some of the larger peach colored zinnias.

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  932. Heather on

    I am always so excited for the first blooms of “spring” that we get to experience this time of year in zone 9b. I’ve struggled with getting any dahlias to grown in the heat of summer alone with just not wanting to go outside and care for the other heat lovers, but I will always be sure to have anemones and ranunculuses to look forward to during the mid-winter gloom.

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  933. Ingrid on

    Sweet peas, I consider them my birthday flower and grow them every year in the spring. For summer flowers I love zinnias, I really never paid attention to them until my friend pointed out how easy they are to grow, colorful and last the whole summer.

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  934. Becky Nixon on

    This past year, I had hundreds of zinnias pop up in my garden among my tomatoes, peppers, and zucchini. It was the prettiest garden I’ve ever had. I’ve always loved zinnias and their wide array of color. It raised my spirits every time I would go to the garden, spending extra time to look at the flowers, take pictures, watch the bees and butterflies do their magic, and eventually get around to picking vegetables. One can’t help but feel uplifted when surrounded by such beauty.

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  935. Al on

    I confess to enjoying the ox-eye daisy, not only in flower but all winter as it hugs the ground during our cold months.

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  936. Beth Glenn on

    I am an artist (watercolors and acrylics). What inspires my art are the many varieties and colors and textures found in dahlias, zinnias and irises. My mother was an artist and gardener as well. I lost her some years ago, but In the garden I feel closest to her and more at peace.

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  937. Lilian on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, the seeds I’d save from my garden would be the ones that bring me joy and my family nourishment. Dahlia seeds to bring intrigue and excitement with their unique colors and shapes. Sunflowers to shade the ground and share with friends and wildlife. Marigolds and calendula with their abundance of seed to scatter and sow. A garden full of flowers to thank the pollinators who in turn will help provide us with trusses of tomatoes, baskets of squash, buckets of cucumbers and arm loads full of beans to keep us nourished until spring arrives and we set out to do it all again.

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  938. Leilani Norton on

    When life seems mundane or even downright disappointing, I go out into the garden and wonder at all the colors and beauty I find in peonies. I love their form and scent when they’re in their bloom and photograph them to enjoy later in cards I print or paint to share with friends.

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  939. Jillian VanZytveld on

    In 2020, my mom and I started an overly ambitious garden together. In July of 2022, my mom died very unexpectedly. The garden we were tending together was suddenly mine alone. The rest of that season was a messy blur (as was the garden), but when spring of last year rolled around, I dreamed bigger than I ever had before. I mapped out an entire zone dedicated solely to zinnias, and it was the fulfillment of all the hopes and dreams I shared with my mom. I spent hours with the zinnias, marveling over all their shapes and colors and gradients. These beautiful flowers were truly a balm for my broken heart, and I can’t wait to see what happens this year.

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  940. Erma Yoder on

    My garden is my happy place. My biggest dilemma is what I want to grow in the space I now have. Zinnias are a must have. They make everyone happy.

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  941. Carrie Van Slyke on

    When considering which plants speak to me during difficulty, I would say any flowering plant is a favorite of mine. I love flowers as they can be used to remember both sad occasions as well as celebratory ones. I find that flowers are a favorite way to express my emotions to others when there are no words or I don’t know what to say. I like choosing flowers to send to others based on their preferences and or colors.

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  942. Elizabeth Mefford on

    I would save as many flower seeds as possible. The species really isn’t the point. It’s the joy you see in a dear friend’s face when you give them a handful of blooms. The closing of their eyes when they smell them. The moment they are required to slow down and enjoy something and be made aware of the fact that someone appreciates them so very much 🖤

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  943. Gwendolen Graovac on

    When life is hardest I turn to the pollinator-friendly flowers; anise hyssop and tulsi are top of my list.

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  944. Dee on

    We have very hot summers in B.C. with unprecedented wildfire seasons in the last five years. I have relied on my propagation of lavender to ease the sadness of smoke covering our skies during the summer season. Watching the pollinators loving the sweetness lavender offers is truly calming. I also love to save my favourite marigold seeds and watch each year as they reward me with their magnificent underrated beauty. These little gems remind me of my mom.

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  945. terry strachan on

    When I was growing up, every summer my Mom planted sweet peas all along our backyard fence. They were the scent and color of my childhood. Many, many years later I still love them so very much. I cannot walk past a sweet pea plant without stopping for a sniff – so delightful.
    In the wild I absolutely love yellow beach lupine. It is also very fragrant and so bright on the coastal sand dunes of the central California coast. The smell of these lupine flowers is DIVINE.
    Both of these two members of the pea family generously share their seed in an easy to harvest way. I am smiling just thinking about them!!

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  946. Kodi on

    I would save all of my polar bears zinnia seeds, dahlia tubers, and mulberry rose Nigella seeds

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  947. Nicole on

    When life gets hard I initially gravitate to color, the brightest of zinnias, dahlias, coneflower, snapdragon. I begin to analyze them like they are little smiling face reminding me of whats important. There is also so much calm I find in the shade of ferns, the smell of wild roses and herbs. It’s so hard to pick one in particular . So many of them provide a safe space

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  948. Kaleigh Berry on

    Spearmint was the first plant my grandmother taught me the name of in the garden, the one that makes me think of all the times I spent with her and my mother on long summer days, not knowing I was learning some of the most important lessons of my life. Then, when I moved to my first ever house of my own, heavily pregnant and time flying, I lost all hope of growing a garden before the season slipped away. But soon spearmint popped up in a thick carpet, filling the entire corner of our yard. Now that I’m venturing into selling flowers, spearmint carries me through the entire season as one of the first plants to pop up when the snow melts, rounding out almost every bouquet, and reminding me that even when I feel I’m failing in the garden the plants will still find their way up and out of the ground.

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  949. Lydia on

    When I felt overwhelmed last summer I would go and spend some time in our 4 long rows of cosmos. They were so prolific and made me feel so relaxed and in awe of their beauty.

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  950. Peggy Hoelting on

    There is no better way to boost your spirit in the spring than with native wildflowers. They pop up so quickly, showing their lovely faces, then disappear only to be replaced by something new. A parade of sorts, one variety more beautiful than the next. Then they rest and renew, preparing for a repeat performance in the years ahead.

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  951. Kate on

    We bought our home (Zone 5B/6A) in October of 2018. In April of 2019, my father passed away very suddenly as the result of a surgical error. I was 16 weeks pregnant, emotionally spent and feeling completely lost as we headed back home. When we drove up, I wept: our entire front garden was awash with bright yellows, whites and green daffodils. We had no idea that they had been there as it was our first spring in our home. Every year when the daffodils start coming up I feel hope and know that my dad is still here. :)

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  952. Di Berry on

    I love the way you two worked together in these beautiful zinnias. I can’t wait to purchase them and grow them all summer! Thank you!

    Reply
  953. Lisa on

    I find myself steadied, humbled, and awestruck by every flower I grow from a seed. Every stage of growing a tiny seed into a lovely blossom is almost miraculous. I find myself amazed that all that potential is packed into such a tiny seed. Providing it with the conditions that it needs brings me joy. Sharing with others brings even more joy.

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  954. Tracy on

    I would faithfully save Zinnia. Cosmos, and Celosia seeds for replanting. These flowers never fail!

    Reply
  955. Layna L. on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would save seeds from my sweet peas, zinnias and dahlias. They all have a special place in my garden! This past growing season I tried saving seeds for the first time – pink & red poppies and bachelor buttons in different colours. I can’t wait to plant them this year and see what grows!

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  956. Alexandra Ilteris on

    You know I have started recently with Dahlias, which I love, but I find myself really loving the simplicity of my marigolds and zinnia. They grow so happily and make me smile all summer long.

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  957. Megan on

    On hard days I find that walking through the trees really brings a calmness to my soul. I live in Louisiana and especially love the huge oak trees we are surrounded by.

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  958. Maureen Kenny on

    I would say the plant that I treasure each year seeing it bloom are peonies I just love them and no one bothers them🤣

    Reply
  959. Marie on

    I think hellebores would be the plant that gets me through long New England winters and give me
    hope. If they can thrive under such hard conditions the so can I.
    I would save dahlia seeds first and all the things I love with them, including some herbs for cooking and arranging, of course things like zinnias and celosia as well!

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  960. Arlene on

    Flowers, especially zinnias, are a wonderful gift from our Creator! How fun to grow them and give little day brightener bouquets to special friends and those shut in. So exciting to see them grow and bloom! Thank you for sharing the beauty w us!

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  961. Carmen Green on

    Flowers I turn to are dahlias, roses, ranunculus and anemones; however in the last several months I have become obsessed with Zinnias. I have my calendar marked for Tuesday’s launch! And reading this interview gave me chills (when the peach bloom magically returned!!!) and sparked even more excitement and joy for me. My husband and I have started saving seeds from last year’s garden and we’re hopeful they’ll come in this year (we had the most stunning bee balm last year) but if seed catalogs disappeared, I would save as much as possible from my own plants, read every book on saving seeds and then hopefully find communities with which to exchange seeds. Maybe I should be doing that already! Thanks for a lovely interview, Erin and Kori!

    Reply
  962. Jean Marie Adams on

    All of my plants help me through hard times.The garden, the earth itself does. Being outside, working with plants is always helpful to me. I’ve grown perennials , annuals and in the last 5 years cutting flowers. I do love zinnias and cosmos. The zinnias never give up and they are so prolific. I do love them all.

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  963. Natasha on

    Roses, Ranunculus, tulips, lisianthus and celosia always lift my spirits.

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  964. Heidi on

    I have to say that Heucheras are wonderful garden plants that I love. Foliage colors, wispy flowers and no special tools to keep them looking their best. They will thrive without attention in some modest amount of sun and shade but i love to see them in all seasons.

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  965. Georgina Kocher on

    Reading about your work developing the varieties you have is very inspiring and what seemed like you may have lost all your progress in that summer storm is something that only those who love plants and gardens can truly understand!
    As a teenager I hated gardening and said I would never have a garden when I grew up. despite the fact that my patents worked in the gardening and had amazing gardens if their own. Well, that has never materialized! When my husband and I first married we grew a large garden for necessity (it helped with costs) and I grew some purple morning glories in a tiny oval oval shaped garden under a large tree. The love of creative gardening grew on us and we began to incorporate more and more flowers and unusual varieties into our gardens. Then we learned about heirloom seeds about 20 years ago through a friend. When I saw my first catalogs of all the various varieties and colors I was truly in awe! Four years ago I grew cut flowers and sold them at local markets ( inspired by Floret) since we have moved and welcomed a little one and I’ve had to let the cut flower business go, at least for now. We continued to cultivate a cottage garden here and maybe someday I’ll be able to pick up cut flowers again.

    In the garden….long ago…..is where God placed man as a home and a haven. It was where mankind began, and I believe we were made and designed to be amongst the plants. That’s why I find there is often a human comfort and peace that is found working the ground and caring for the plants and seeds, again, it was the original form work man and woman were given…to tend the garden. I find when life it’s at its hardest I find comfort and can turn to God, the creator of all this magnificence and variety and wonder and do I find going into the garden or a nearby greenhouse to be such a calming and peaceful place, I sigh with relief as I walk through the doors of the greenhouse and a sort of peace washes over me. In every leaf, and stalk, and petal I see His fingerprints, and connect with the plants in the sense that they are meant to bring us pleasure and nurture and in that “they” praise Him and are meant to point towards Him. “Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these…”

    Roses and lavender, cosmos, and zinnias, and peonies are some of my favorites, although it is hard to choose. I love tending and learning about old roses, English roses especially.

    Seeds I’d save are, Italian green beans, beets, Rudbekia, chocolate lace (Queen Anne’s Lace), strawflower, Romaine lettuce, and Baby’s Breath. And more.
    G Kocher

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  966. Shanna on

    There are just so many wonderful flowers that I would want to save if seed catalogs disappeared, but some of the ones that stand out would be Cosmos for their delicate, frilly leaves with their simple, colorful and continual blooms. Another would be Larkspur, that I just planted from your seeds last year for the first time, and fell in love with their dainty, powdery purple blooms, that seemed to last for weeks. And then there is Sweet Peas, that I definitely have to put on that list as well. The house that we lived in where my children grew up some many years ago now, was built in the beginning of the 1900’s. When we purchased this home in the year 2000, it had tons of sweet peas growing next to rows of lilacs in the alley behind the house, I’m sure that they had been planted there many years before. Having since moved from there, I’ve always wanted to replicate that beauty, as it’s just one of those that bring fond memories of my childrens’ childhoods long gone, and would want the seeds to continue making new memories with my now grandchildren.

    Reply
  967. Johanna on

    Daffodils. Maybe it’s because they are the first ones to come up in spring, and they are especially welcome if you live in very wintry places. They are just very nostalgic for me from my childhood and teen years. They are steadfast, the flowers that don’t abandon, don’t change, same scent. No matter how much life and people and places may change, daffodils always come up in the spring, almost everywhere…

    Reply
  968. Connie Taylor on

    Lisianthus was may resurrection flower last year. They pulled me out of the ground when my heart, soul, spirit, and body was buried 6 feet under. I think Floret Originals are going to be my heart soaring flower this year. I am already giddy!!!!!!

    Reply
  969. Joanna Laney on

    Peonies are always my go to and bring so much joy. Also geraniums always make me think of my mom and growing up so I always have them on my porch, I love their scent!

    Reply
  970. Betty on

    My garden is my refuge, the most important “room” in my house and yes I love all my plants, especially my Legend rose that gives me 2-3 dinner size deep red roses followed by 3-4 smaller buds each summer.
    But my Mom always planted Zinnias. Every summer and I used them to decorate her August Birthday cake. Ants and all until I figured our I needed to wash them first.
    So this past summer I cleared a spot between two bougainvillea, added irrigation and planted 4 Floret Zinnia seed packets.
    What a glorious presentation. My little seedlings grew to over 6 ft tall. We had more butterflies than I can ever remember and a happy bee population. I had Zinnias for months. I can hardly wait to order seeds Feb 9 and plant again this year.

    Reply
  971. Dayna Love on

    My go to strength flower is the Hollyhock. I love its beauty, colors and its tall height. It makes me happy. I can look at it straight on instead of looking down.

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  972. Holly Stretch on

    I always seek out any and all plants that are yellow.
    They are my “go to”.

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  973. Karen on

    If seed catalogues disappeared, I’d continue to save my own petunia, cosmos, alyssum, brachycomb and of course sweet pea favourites. I have been collecting and growing from my own seeds for years, but also cannot resist purchasing new ones! Keep up the fantastic breeding work ladies!

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  974. Patricia Simmons-Clough on

    Pastel Zinnias?!?! Bring them on!!!
    I had been considering taking a break from Zinnias this year…not anymore!
    I’m so thankful for you growers and the inspiration you spread. Thank you for the close attention that finds and appreciates the “one” in a field of many.
    All of the varieties are spectacular, but the Dawn Creek Blush sings to me!

    Reply
  975. Lori Kilmer on

    Life get so crazy busy sometimes, it makes me happy to know my plumerias and garden are calling me to come out and play and forget the daily grind.

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  976. Christine McGuire on

    In hard times, I turn to my Dahlias as my allies. They bring such joy to the world. They are so beautiful and different. I love walking throughout the garden, with the bees and butterflies, enjoying their magic

    Reply
  977. christina moore on

    Oh my goodness my answer to both these questions may be really similar!!! I would definitely save my calendula and borage seeds which both sooth my soul during emotionally challenging times…plus the pollinators love them and they are such gentle wnd forgiving plants. My chamomile!!! As far as for Heart Face Flower Farm? I would hold on to some dahlia tubers – we could eat them if we really needed to!!! Plus everyone loves their sacred geometry haha ❤️ And i LOVE xeranthemum these days and probably some gomphrena for the mice and birdies ❤️

    Reply
  978. Melinda Bourg on

    My year of getting joy and solace from flowers goes like this: Daffodils, Sweet Peas, Ranunculus, Stock, Roses, Lilies, Cosmos, Zinnias, Sunflowers then Dahlias. These are my must haves to keep me sane.

    Sweet peas fill my heart in a magical way and my mother and I bond over our love of them. I always save their seeds and would be devastated without them.

    Reply
  979. Summer Shelton on

    My earliest flower memory is smelling each of my grandfather’s roses in turn and the smell of the alyssum he planted along the border of his flower patch. 40+ years later, I do my nightly flower tour and pick a small sprig of alyssum on the dark days to remind me of those lazy summer days laying on the grass and the wind pulling the smell of his roses and alyssum over and around me. I feel him with me as my son and I hunt for the bumblebees napping the the collarette dahlias or the honey bees wearing “pollen pantaloons” buzzing about the echinacea and sunflowers. It slows me down every time and I connect to my kiddo and the land I am so lucky to tend for this moment in time.

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  980. Jennifer on

    I’m just starting my gardening journey and I would be devastated if we couldn’t purchase seeds from others! Hoping this year to increase my flowers and medicinal herbs!

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  981. Debbie on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would save tomatoes from my garden that I have saved 2 years now…along with some of my other veggies. Zinnias grow in my flower beds every year. Last year was my first using zinnia seeds harvested the previous year. I love watching the everchanging colorful blooms. Hope to add some of your beautiful zinnias to my collection.

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  982. Ash on

    Dahlias are a treasure trove with their varieties all in abundance when it comes to seeing their seed personalities bloom. As a small flower grower I have always love the patient turnover of seasons.

    Roses are another top favourite to dahlias. Their scent and short life span of beauty is a reminder for me to slow down and enjoy what’s here now. There is something about scent that is so magical and timeless, but also so fleeting at the same time.

    Reply
  983. Barbara on

    There was always something I always gravitated when it came to snapdragons, till this they the bring me so much peace. Therefore those would be the very first flowers I would save seed from if there weren’t any catalogs for flower seeds.

    Reply
  984. Alaina on

    Two plants that help through hard times are sunflowers and Daisy’s . They spark joy and peace reminding that good things come. I love the reminder of following the sun and looking for the good.

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  985. Donna on

    I admire your passion for breeding new flowers. It is always exciting to try growing some new variety that you have not seen before and everyone loves zinnias. I wish you success in your future endeavours.

    Reply
  986. Chas on

    Whenever things get hard a walk through my garden always cheers me up and clears my head. In the winter and early spring I check on my hellebores, galanthus, & any perennials or cold hardy annuals showing signs of life in the colder months. In the summer and fall I am drawn to my zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos. I love to wander through the garden and check in on all of my plants. No matter the season, being outside amongst nature and plants always lifts my spirits. 💗🌸💗

    Reply
  987. Paris Olee on

    I do & yet do not understand how “Floret” as well as “Dawn Creek” could as two seemingly very small family farms, make first a ripple, than such an earth shattering impact not just in the actual gardening world, but as clearly expressed in this incredibly deeply personal as well as unselfishly shared story of Kori’s,
    one that now is further expressed, than ever before,
    I realize that it isn’t
    It isn’t “just me”
    That plants/flowers
    Have weaved this most beautiful tapestry in each one of our lives
    as anyone can now better see from this massive outpouring of collective gratitude as well as expression of THE most simplest accessible balm available, the choosing of which anyone with the desire and really not much effort expended
    It just leaves me surprised
    Grateful
    As well as hopeful
    It’s not just “the flowers”
    As people here will in time see
    It’s the act
    The sharing
    The day to day growing
    Learning
    Experiencing
    Extolling
    It can as one ANYONE can see
    Any flower or plant of one’s choosing
    The traditions
    This is nothing new
    What is however is the scale these two women that had some how gratefully crossed paths
    With their two small farms
    With their dreams
    My gosh
    Their dreams
    Have accomplished
    THAT is something NEW.
    THAT is something I shall always try to remember, when no longer will these uniquely colored and formed offered for sale as seed are AS special & priceless as they are even more today, before the memories “set in”.

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  988. Colleen Lagrange on

    If seed catalogs became unavailable I would save vegetable seeds specifically tomato and carrot. For flowers I would save zinnias as they are apparently easy to grow and sunflowers because they are unapologetically happy.

    Reply
  989. Maureen Fendrick on

    Living in the northeast, the season of flowers is short and so well loved by me and my friends. I’m a complete novice and haven’t gathered seeds ever, but having joined this site recently, I look forward to learning more about all that’s involved in creating the beautiful blooms represented on this site. Thank you for any consideration to help me fill my flower beds with beauty and joy.

    Reply
  990. Karen Baker on

    Since I retired in 2020 growing and sharing cut flowers has been the very best thing I have done. Losing my work identity was difficult but by starting to grow cut flowers I have been able to be a life- long learner, which is so very important to me. I love starting seeds, planting them out and seeing them bloom. Growing cut flowers gives me purpose.

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  991. Kari on

    Oh goodness id save all of them I could :) already collected some seed last year through your encouragement Erin! I grow snapdragons, zinnias, sunflower,xeranthemum, apple of Peru, celosia, dahlia, mignonette, basil and more!

    Reply
  992. Beatrice Pereira on

    I love seeing these stories. I have always loved flowers and their beauty. I grew up in California and had a great garden things grew easy. I have been learning about flowers more over the last few years. In 2022 we moved from California to Tennessee. I brought several roses and dahlia tubers . I learned about Dahlias from my mother in law . We went to visit in Acores Islands and she had the most beautiful red Dahlias I’d ever seen. Up until then, I didn’t even know what a dahlia was. In 2017 I started planting some and grew to love them. when we moved to Tennessee we bought 80 acres of mostly forest land and a barn we lived in an Rv till our house was built and the winters were very different. We lost all of the plants we had brought. We had nothing, our property didn’t even have water only a pond . In the summer of 2022 we started a vegetable garden for food but the heavy downpours pretty much rotted everything and I longed for my flowers in California . My ray of hope that did survive were surprisingly Zinnia’s.A pink zinnia I had ordered from floret farms. Thru you I figured out how to let them dry and get seeds I hope to plant them this summer. I will always plant them now just to have that ray of joy . I dream of walking in rows of flowers and dreaming of what I can do with them. I’m still very uncertain of the weather here, but I continue to try. Thank you for your inspiration. Beatrice

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  993. Muyly Miller on

    I find that my spring perennials always mark a sense of hope. I wouldn’t be able to get by the doldrums of mud and rain wi th out seeing tulips and daffodils

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  994. Dana Polhill on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? If seed catalogs disappeared, I would definitely save seeds from my zinnias, celosia, amaranth, snapdragons and dahlia tubers! All of these flowers bring me such “Joy”. Thank you so much for all of your breeding efforts and for being willing to share with us! I am excited to see these beautiful blooms throughout the world!

    Reply
  995. Kailee Bennett on

    When life is tough, I find solace in every spot in our garden. But in particular, the cosmos bring me the greatest inner peace. I really love inspecting each bloom to determine if they are ready to be picked and dried to save their seeds. My kids also think it is funny that the cosmo seeds are shaped like little bananas, and I’ll hold on to that memory forever.

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  996. Danyelle on

    Trees are the plants I turn to over and over again for their stalwart strength when times are tough. They seem to understand it all. I bought my first heirloom chrysanthemum blooms from Kori years ago and I’m so excited to see her work celebrated here. Fingers crossed I can nab some of her unicorn dahlias!

    Reply
  997. Jamie McMillen on

    For me it is my dahlias that have been a constant when life is hard. Regardless of what is happening in my world, they still “wake up” each morning and shine. They remind me that it may have rained the day before, but we can still keep looking to the sun. I love just standing at my small garden looking to see who is coming out to shine each day.

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  998. Colleen Brown on

    Love the early morning walk to view the flowers with a coffee in hand. My favourite are zinnias, peonies and lilacs. All do amazing in our short summer in zone 3.

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  999. Jess on

    Zinnias, hydrangeas and dahlias bring so much joy! In hot Texas, the zinnias are the friendliest and easiest to grow. They always remind me of my mom, who has been gone 5 years, because she loved to grow them.

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  1000. Connie Edgerton on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear it would just blow my mind! Wow but really, it would be devastating. I am quite new at saving seeds, but it is a new adventure. Celosia, zinnia’s, cress. As a small flower farmer my biggest desire would be to keep the verities true. Zinnia have always been a part of my vegetable garden even before I started flower farming.

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  1001. [email protected] on

    I have grown mostly roses through the years, but recently planted some zinnias as well, and I find they are easier to grow than roses (especially in my retirement home in a Wisconsin forest!) and they are impressive! I love how tall and stately they are, the colors are bright and mellow and familiar and friendly and hopeful and resilient and beautiful and heartwarming and encouraging and heavenly and …just the best! My woodland garden would be thrilled to grow your zinnias- thank you for the opportunity.

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  1002. Norma Williams on

    I would save the seeds from everything that grows in my garden. Zinnias are my favorite flower and they seem to take over in my raised beds. I love that they last so long as cut flowers in my house. Zinnias make me happy!

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  1003. Jeanne Mare Werle on

    1. The dogs that have chosen to live with me over the years have been great teachers about plants. They have shown me how to stop & listen to the songs of the plant people. Shawnee, a Saint Bernard, Golden Retriever & Malamute goddess of 145 pounds had joint pain in her later years. I have always grown medicinal Comfrey, both for her increbile beauty & her medicine. She use to go lay under the Comfrey when she was stiff. After a bit she would get up, stretch & prance about. I had a Pyreenes I rescued that had a broken leg as a puppy. He limped a bit when he was tired. Whenever we were down by the Creek he would eat horsetail. Those dogs have gone on but those two plants hold their spirits, keeping them close to my heart.

    2. Phlox & yarrow absolutely demand that I stop & chat with them in the field of Elderberry trees where they grow wild. Phlox has this crazy effect on me like I’m being tickled, I just feel immediate playful joy. Yarrow is a bit more serious, like a sculpture that needs to be adored. I would love for them to be around my sphere forever. Elderberry feels like an old friend, so she has to come along too!

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  1004. Terri Lorenz on

    It’s always tough to pick one flower! I live in the Midwest. Our growing time feels brief to me but I LOVE to see the constant green of evergreen hellebores in my garden throughout the winter. When an actual flower appears it’s the first sign that things are coming back to life and it’s so reassuring. As Kori mentioned, I talk to my flowers all the time (quietly). It’s wonderful to know that there are so many kindred spirits out there!

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  1005. Dalene Hodnett on

    I would save and zealously guard stock. Cheerful and fragrant, my faves!

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  1006. Mary Bundy on

    I’m drawn to save Sweat Pea seeds for a couple of reasons. They remind me of my mom and another dear friend. I grow them to share their beautiful petals and beautiful scent. I try to have purpose in my gardening and share with other people. In general growing flowers and vegetables and fruit is a blessing.

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  1007. Joanne Stahura on

    I would save poppy seeds as I find them so magical, beguiling. When times are hard, I like to go out in my garden and just observe. Makes me thankful.

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  1008. Danielle on

    When life feels heavy, I tend to head to my flower garden. I have two small raised beds that I’ve been growing cut flowers in for myself the past few years. To step outside, breath in the air, and spend time among my flowers is an immediate spirit lifter for me. I feel connected to all the flowers I grow, but more than any other I do find myself indebted to my zinnias. Despite changing climate, and difficult growing seasons, my zinnias are here for me, they show up and are ready to dazzle me. They make up the bulk of my bouquets, all summer long, and they hang around nearly to October these days. I love them throughout all stages of their lives with me – they’re the ones that I feel confident about, when I plant their seeds I know that I will be seeing them soon.

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  1009. Ryann on

    Spring Blooms! They’re my favorite. They buoy my spirits through the dark & gray winters. I know I need rest, like the plants & animals in these cold months, but tending to my seedlings & cold hardy annuals out in my tunnels reminds me of the beauty that’s to come. The rebirth that will happen for all living things, us & the flowers, if just given enough time to rest ❤️

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  1010. Rhonda on

    Zinnias always bring a smile to my face! They are so happy and cheerful. All ages migrate directly to the zinnia patch when they first see my flowers. Thanks to Dawn Creek and Floret for breeding lovely new varieties!

    Reply
  1011. Carol Cartwright on

    My husband and I moved to Tennessee 6yrs ago and the property that we bought was raw land. When we moved there we had no ideal what we were going to do with it. I knew nothing about farming but when the pandemic hit in 2020 I had to do something and that’s when I started farming Vegetable and Flowers. My heart was filled with joy when the flowers and the vegetable were growing, I knew then that’s what we needed to do with our property and we are working really hard at it!
    Zinnias, Sunflowers, & tulips they are some of my favorites flowers but when I came across your site I fell hard for the flowers that you’re growing on your farm and I’m so excited to get some of the flowers you will have on sell soon! I like to save as many seeds as I can so that I don’t have to rely on buying them year after year!

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  1012. Sonnia King on

    I am most drawn to the herbs in my garden. I have a huge sage bush that is unruly, and I love her just the way she is. I rarely trim or cut off old wood, I let the new seeds around the base grow into her. I love making smudge sticks, I love using her fresh leaves in my Thanksgiving dinner, as she usually maintains good growth throughout the fall. I grow a few herbs, but she is my garden staple, my matron. I have been growing plants indoor and outdoors for as long as I can remember, I began gardening my grandfather in our family vegetable garden. I have grown mostly perennials in the past, just in case I got busy.

    I am beyond excited to start seeds this spring and begin a cut flower section in my garden. I have been asking my little farm what she is supposed to turn into. We have held weddings, we grow hay, vegetables and flowers. We raise alpacas, cats, dogs and chickens. I am drawn to my garden above all else. I agreed to sell my lovely “view” home because the wind did not allow for any gardening at the top of the mountain. My garden is my haven. God is in the dirt! My garden is my church. #onekingfarms #alpacafarm #eatingwhatigrow #farmlife

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  1013. Nona on

    Being outside in the garden surrounded by nature is my happy place. It’s the most convenient, affordable therapy available and provides so much enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment. Choosing a favorite flower is difficult, but I’m especially fond of sweet peas, ranunculus, roses and dahlias.

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  1014. Megan Draper on

    I would save, Calendula, Zinnia, Dahlia and Strawflower

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  1015. Lori on

    Any flower with a fragrance is what I turn to in hard times, especially roses, they just smell soooo good.

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  1016. Melissa Jolly on

    As of right now, my indoor house plants and the woods surrounding our home are my solace! We have just built a house in the woods and cleared out a spot for planting and a large garden as well. (30″x30′) We have lots of areas that will have good sun and I want to fill with flowers and grasses! Hoping to continue to add plants to go to and tend and spend time with when life is hard and I need to disconnect from the world and reconnect to the earth.💕

    All of them! If I really had to choose only some though, I would pick from our most eaten garden foods- greens, tomatoes, potatoes, onion and garlic. And of course, my favorite flowers- Nasturtium, Bells of Ireland, Zinnias, Cosmos, Poppies, Sunflowers. Okay well, I guess I’m going back to my original answer! All of them! If it is a seed that I can save, or learn to save, then I would want to grow alongside all of them, forever!

    Reply
  1017. Bethany S on

    I turn to dahlias and zinnias to cheer me up!
    They are the main ones I’d try to save!

    Reply
  1018. Miranda on

    When I was twelve I saw some Johnny Jump Ups growing under a lilac bush and their happy little faces made me happy. When I started gardening as an adult I’ve always grown some viola’s or pansies. Over the years I’ve grown many different varieties of flowers in my garden but I have recently decided I’d be happy just growing zinnias…and the pansies… because they are so easy to grow in a variety of soil and weather. Zinnias and pansies are both happy flowers and they both make me smile when I see them.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would definitely save the zinnias, pansies, basil and my favorite tomato varieties.
    I do want to say thank you for providing us with such beautiful new zinnia colors!

    Reply
  1019. Yvonne on

    Dahlias are my rock! I enjoy them year-round because photographs of them are just as uplifting while they are sleeping and rejuvenating during the winter months. I would save zinnia and foxglove seeds and grow lisianthus and celosia alongside. I could continue to create beautiful bouquets to give to my family, friends, neighbors, and doctors who’ve helped me thru my illnesses and difficult times and also make the hummingbirds and bees happy too.

    Reply
  1020. Joanna Zerbel on

    Answer to question 1 is twofold. In late winter early spring I constantly find myself going outside and looking for the earliest signs of crocuses through the first thing to come up in our area, and the delicate little purple buds. Remind me that spring is almost here, even when they’re bursting through the snow sometimes.
    Throughout the summer, it’s zinnias. My mama would always buy a seed packet from the store and plant a row in our garden and it’s such a burst of happiness to see the beautiful flowers while you are busy working and trying to tame the vegetables

    The answer to question two is everything… we have always had a huge vegetable garden (I started 170 tomato plants last year and am about to start this year plants)
    And I can’t see myself not having any of the vegetables or flowers we currently plant. I have been saving flowers seeds from our zinnias and marigolds for the past four years. And planing on an even bigger harvest of seeds this year

    Reply
  1021. Roxane on

    I’ve been saving zinnia seeds for a few years but have only in this last year come to understand why I wouldn’t necessarily get the same variety year after year; thanks to Floret et al flower farmers for generously sharing their knowledge and experience. I look forward to growing the breeder seeds this spring!

    Reply
  1022. Sarah on

    When life is hard I love to look at my beautiful flowers, I love them all. My favorite flowers are Zinnias with all the colors and shapes. They are such great cut flowers.

    Reply
  1023. Ribin Murphy on

    My dahlias bring me so much joy! I love growing them, swapping tubers with friends and have bouquets of them in the house. And in the winter months (which can be long in Seattle!), I longingly look at photos I’ve taken of them! Oh and I’m from Santa Cruz by the way!

    Reply
  1024. Peggy on

    Zinnias are my happy plant! I remember planting zinnia seeds in a plastic cup at elementary school. You could be assured that seed would sprout. Zinnias give so much for so little. To me they represent simplicity & the beautiful things in life. And, the more you cut & share them, the more profusely they bloom!

    Reply
  1025. Joy on

    oh sadness if seed catalogs were to disappear! i would save all the seeds i could but if i must choose one it would be zinnias for sure! Zinnias are the ultimate willing flower, thriving in almost any condition and for a little love and care yielding dozens of blooms!

    Reply
  1026. Katharine McKee on

    I think Sweet Peas have always brought me joy. The fragrance, the colors and the simple bouquets brighten a space. Also love Dalhias and sunflowers, as they just scream summer to me!
    I would keep those seeds for sure, as well as whatever else I’m growing, because why not? They are free and it saves that variety for the future.
    Thanks for teaching us so much about the growing process!

    Reply
  1027. Yvie Hu on

    I can’t put my finger on one specific flower or plant that I turn to in hard time or down days. But rather the garden as a whole. Growing flowers is so much more then I ever imagined. The special stages of each and every flower, from seed to start, to plant, to bloom, and finally gifting you with seed again. Full circle. Full of beauty. When days are hard a moment soaking in any one of the stages is so refreshing, being in nature, basking in the awe inspiring beauty of the blooms a plant can produce and to think it came from a seed so small.

    I didn’t really like zinnias for there bright colors especially as someone who loves to design with flowers, bright colors just aren’t my favorite. I never thought I’d ever say it, but after growing zinnias this year…I get it! They are such a wonderful plant and flower. They are most definitely a favorite now. And that said I still didn’t love the colors so to say the least…I AM SOOO EXCITED FOR THESE NEW VARIETIES!!! Thank you Kori and Erin for sharing such beauty, hard work and dedication with the world.

    -From a fellow Flower lover and Farmer-Florist

    Reply
  1028. Megan Smith on

    In a world that is ever-changing, showing us equal parts hope and despair, I am buoyed by the constant flow of seasonal flowers, veggies, and other plants. If there is darkness, all I have to do to to keep my own personal ember of hope gleaming is tuck some seeds or bulbs into the grateful earth. The plants share their deepest secrets with me and shower me with love in every season. I am pulled through the darkness by this cycle. Growing these plants remains one of my most cherished actions and it seems like this also connects me with a larger community of people who also grow with reverence and humility. Growing from seed, more and more from seeds that are born in my own garden, gives me so much strength and hope for the future. Thank you for this interview and for the opportunity to hear more about the path of the flower breeder through Kori and her journey.

    Reply
  1029. Suzanne on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I’d save my nigella seeds! Something that turns from a flower to a pod, is just magical. What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? ALL of them, how could I pick just one?! Peony’s remind us that life is precious and by blooming just 1 week out of year – we are reminded to savor every moment. Dalias remind us that when we think the best of summer has passed, the best blooms are still yet to come.

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  1030. Carole Bundy on

    In 2021, my husband and I inherited a small farm from his parents. It is about an hour from our home, so we aren’t there all the time. It is mostly leased to a grower for hay production. There is one tiny stretch of soil by the log cabin where my mother-in-law grew zinnias for 15+ years. We plowed it and amended the soil last year. My husband sowed ( because he has the right fling for sowing, per his mother) an overabundance of different varieties of zinnias. I was beyond excited with the results. I was like a kid in a candy store every time we visited. I cut flowers and gave them away to everyone I knew. I marveled at some of the prettier varieties. At the end of the season, my daughter and I harvested some seeds. I’ll be interested in what grows this summer. I think I will always have zinnias now. As time allows, I might even mark certain flowers and attempt to save the seeds of my favorites. If seed catalogues disappeared, I would have to save zinnia seeds from the little farm crop. My home yard is geared more to perennials. From those, I’d continue to save coneflower, rudbeckia, & hellebore seeds. I’d also carefully tend my iris and daffodils so that I’d always have them. In the cold weather and gloom of winter, my heart rejoices when I can go out and gather hellebores and camellias. A bright spot in the winter. Thank you for sharing your love of flowers and your vast wealth of knowledge. It is very inspiring.

    Reply
  1031. Hema on

    Hello Floret flower team,

    I was lucky (grateful, blessed suits well) enough to be gifted with seeds from Dawn Creek Zinnia by Kori last year. Bless Kori!

    Thanks for sharing the seeds with others, Kori.

    Hema

    Reply
  1032. April Ellsworth on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?
    I have always turned to nature and the garden in both good and difficult times. I so connected with what was shared from this interview and found myself silently saying, “yes, yes, this is so beautifully stated and I can feel the rhythm of the song”.
    It is difficult to select just one, but Hellebores, Zinnias, Echinacea and Garden Roses are those I turn to. Hellebores early blooming and intricate color patterns, Zinnias cheer and amaze me, Echinacea’s resilience, and the Garden Roses fragrance and romance all take me to places of wonder and appreciation. I can only feel grateful among them.

    Reply
  1033. Leslie Featherly on

    I grow zinnias, dill and basil in with my vegetables plants. The garden is so beautiful and smells so good. I love to walk through the garden early in morning and drink my coffee. I tell the flowers how beautiful they are. The garden gives me energy and inspiration. It attracts butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. I love it.

    Reply
  1034. Tori on

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would be sure to save and guard many treasured seeds, but especially those my family asks me to grow year after year: double red sweet corn, fish peppers, costoluto Genovese tomato, winter luxury pumpkin, and every zinnia.

    Reply
  1035. Ellen on

    Im addicted to green beans! I would save those above all the other vegies. Excellent fresh and freeze well. Nothing beats a green bean.

    Reply
  1036. Lisa on

    If I had to choose a single variety that gives me comfort, it would be my basil plants. I love the fragrance, it reminds me of the delicious pesto that my dad would make for my end of August birthday dinner. I love the tiny white flowers that inevitably don’t get pinched but attract bees and butterfly pollinators. I love the touch of the green leaf after it has been warmed by the sun, almost softening and melting in my fingers. Thank you for sharing this interview and for a chance to add these seeds to my own little place in the world.

    Reply
  1037. Karen Bare on

    My Mom and maternal grandmother were avid seed gatherers, wherever we went! Grandma even made necklaces from “pretty” seeds that she gathered and strung! All 3 of us have always collected interesting pods, cones, & seeds so sowing and for crafting. The high desert where I live now has a short growing season but is known for producing extra hardy seed. Closest to my heart to always gather would be godetia, California bluebells, and delphinium. Peonies are my lifelong companions! My grandmother’s grandmother brought one by covered wagon from Missouri to California in the mid 1800’s!

    Reply
  1038. Annie Hart on

    My most powerful plant allies are dahlias.
    After having a stem cell transplant in 2019, I was told by my doctor to stay away from garden soil and even house plant soil because my immunity was so low. When I got better, I celebrated by planting a big row of dahlias, which have come back every year to help me celebrate wellness. They bring me so much joy because of their overwhelming beauty. I truly believe that they were partners in my healing. Kori, your story brought me to tears because of your relationship with your flowers and your perseverance. May you and your flowers thrive 💖

    Reply
  1039. Brandy Yates-Arnold on

    My love of roses, flowers and plants began in the early 90’s when going through a divorce. I had so much anger, and other emotions consuming me that I needed an outlet. My son was a toddler at the time and my two bonus children were young boy’s, and I didn’t want them to feel all the bad energy I was consumed with. I decided to try gardening starting with roses and vegetables. It was had work preparing the ground, which was exactly what I physically needed to exhaust myself and let go of all the anger. Seeing the results, enjoying their beauty and feeding my family vegetables I grew, gave me such joy. My life has been a journey, and roses, flowers, plants and vegetables have been a part of it since then. Now I’d like to try something new with trying to grow zinnias and dahlias. My garden gives my soul much peace.

    Reply
  1040. Heidi on

    Oh tough tough choices! My dahlias would be hard to give up. But for a true “seed” I’d have go with Double click Snow Puff Cosmos!

    Reply
  1041. Lisa on

    What a long winter it would be if there were no seed
    catalogs to peruse sitting by my sunny south window!!I would try to save every seed I could- favorites are zinnias, sunflowers, and snapdragons. Thank you so much for your work in forwarding and preserving all the varieties you work with. It truly has opened up so many new avenues for all of us backyard flower lovers.

    Reply
  1042. Amy on

    Cosmos never fail me! They grow with such little effort and I let them go to seed each year so I never need to plant more.

    Reply
  1043. Dian on

    I can’t imagine life without seed catalogs. I thumb through them all winter and plan and dream. If there were no seed catalogs, I would save seed from my zinnias, signet marigolds, cockscomb, salvia, pumpkin and gourd varieties.

    Reply
  1044. Brittany Buntain on

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow (AH!) I’d definitely save the sole dahlia seed pod I got from my crop last year (lol), celosia, snapdragons and stock. <3

    Reply
  1045. Charlotte Stockwell on

    In times of difficulty, I find solace in the calming presence of lavender, its soothing fragrance acting as a natural ally for my spirits. Also the vibrant hues of sunflowers bring me a sense of optimism, making them my go-to companions during Texas summers. I would love to include zinnias in my garden as they captivate with their beauty and diverse array of colors, providing an additional source of joy and resilience which is needed in all our lives today. Something we can share with friends and neighbors and spread the JOY.

    Reply
  1046. Charlene Yoder on

    If seed catalog disappeared, I would, of course, save vegetable seeds, because we preserve all our own food. But flower seeds would include zinnias, foxglove, dahlias, calendula, and so much more! I have a cut flower garden, and can’t wait for your seeds to hit the market.

    Reply
  1047. Anne Sterner on

    All of my plants buoy my spirits! The flowers that gave me unexpected joy in the last year (because it was the first year that I grew them) are agrostemma, sweet peas, annual phlox, scabiosa, xeranthemum and lisianthus. I grew these beauties form seed for my son’s wedding and they were stunning! They will always have a special place in my heart. I would save these seeds and do plan to grow alongside them forever.

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  1048. Tish Bloomer on

    When I feel less than myself, spending time in the cosmo row brings me up. They remind me of myself; they are tall, they are bright, they don’t look it but they are strong, they will bend with the wind but they do not crumble, they love to dance. Being surrounded by these traits makes me feel more confident and even proud to be who I am. Like the cosmo, we should all grow and shine.

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  1049. Una Mayfield on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would definitely save my Zinnia seeds first of all. I enjoy them so much because they are so pretty and so easy to grow. I Love all the new colors and varieties that have come out. They are also one flower that is so easy to save seeds from.
    Thank you for this opportunity to win some of your beautiful new flowers, I Love them all ♡

    Reply
  1050. Karla Young on

    I married a potato farmer 39 years ago. We struggled over the years building our vegetable farm. My husband and I began growing flowers and I soon found my inner strength and happiness. Our daughters have now found their love of flowers and began their own floral business.
    The selecting of flower seeds, the sowing, growing and harvesting beautiful flowers is lifestyle that I have come to love. Seeing our customers appreciation and joy when they see our beautiful flowers is rewarding to us. A perfect potato can’t create the love flowers can!

    Reply
  1051. Deb on

    So, without my beloved seed catalogs that are wrinkled and dog-eared by the end of January, I would have such a hard time limiting myself to just one or even a few flowers. However, if I had to choose, I would save my seeds first from pansies, then sweet peas and then likely zinnias. I love the old-fashioned flowers, particularly the fragrant ones. Plus, I love flowers that can be used in multiple ways…for cuts and for pressing or drying. Thank you for all you do for the cut flower world! It is truly appreciated.

    Reply
  1052. Becca on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I’d be hanging onto alllll the sweet pea seeds!

    Reply
  1053. Renee Rednour on

    I began to save Celosia seed (among many other seed types!) about 7 years ago. It was only last year that I realized I had been selecting certain types and composting others. Gardening is so therapeutic for me, being an adult with ADHD (inattentive not hyperactive). Until the past several years, I never approached it with a goal in mind, but I now realize that selecting seeds to save has given me hope in that I FEEL LIKE THERE’S SOMETHING I CAN CONTROL😂. I think everyone can relate to that. That control is sometimes an illusion, but it keeps me hopeful when so many other things are beyond my control. For those reasons, I try to ‘grow gardeners’ by sharing seeds that New Orleanians will have the highest chance of success with. I have created a seed mix for our region that will give people quick success to get them ‘hooked’ on gardening, so that they, too, might access the therapeutic benefits of ‘hands in the dirt’.

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  1054. Rose on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would save seeds from everything because I love them all! But I absolutely could not be without my dahlias and zinnias!

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  1055. Angela on

    As a herbalist, I often find solace in holy basil, catnip, lemon balm, and calendula, especially in the fall when frost claims most other plants. These resilient species continue to bloom long after the rest have withered. Valerian is my most reliable ally, with clary sage as a close second.

    I would opt to preserve the seeds from my mother’s cherished poppies and the rosebush passed down by a wise family friend many years ago. While I have a fondness for all the flowers in my garden, I am especially drawn to those with the most captivating fragrances, and I hope to cultivate them for a long time:-)

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  1056. Teresa Grotegut on

    Honestly the two plants that do best in my climate/ growing zone (5B) is basil and zinnias! Whenever I kill something unintentionally in my garden or an unexpected frost shows up (in my already very short growing season), I know that if I hold on long enough for deep summer to come, my basil and my zinnias will flourish. Both plants brighten my spirits, but its those zinnias that make up for all the losses! When I see the zinnias peak their heads, broaden and grow tall with beauty snd color my heart skips a beat! Would love to get hold of the amazing varieties you two offer! So incredibly beautiful. The colors cant be matched!

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  1057. Summer on

    My hardy hibiscus never fails to fill me with delight. She’s the last to emerge in the spring and doesn’t bloom until late summer, but takes my breath away every time.

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  1058. Shana Unruh on

    What to save… I love variety! But I really marvel when I look at and feel and smell a rose! Also irises amaze me, and I have found out I can’t ‘do’ very well without zinnias. They are so bright and prolific, and ‘always there’ for me and others to enjoy! I’d like to have the space to grow cosmos; also, ever since I discovered gomphrena, it is a must have in my garden and pots! Gardening is my relaxation. When I’m working out there in the flowerbeds, time always flies!

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  1059. Amy DeCastro on

    Hands down, this was my favorite Floret interview so far. Thank you Erin for your thoughtful questions, and Kori for your careful language and heartfelt answers.

    When life is hardest, I turn to trees. (I kind of wish my honest answer were a more traditional flower, to keep with the theme, but this is what comes up for me.) I am fortunate to live in a beautiful valley with access to hikes through mature forests full of cedar, fir, pine, and spruce. When I stop to look up into the canopy, I have the same feeling in my heart as I have when I am being hugged by someone I am close to. It is magic.

    We also have maples in the yard that some kind, brilliant soul planted here long ago. Their helicopter seeds generate volunteers in the garden beds sometimes, and I am working on harvesting and relocating those seedlings in hopes that people will enjoy their presence after I’m long gone.

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  1060. Jana Sifuentes on

    When life is hard I love to sit at the end of the day on a garden bench and just breath in the sweet scent of whatever is currently blooming, lilac or alyssum or someone else, look out over our pond and flower garden, listen to the water running. Which plant or flower? I couldn’t choose! I love them all!

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  1061. GEM on

    1. Peach and white narcissus, hands down! I learned about these non-yellow daffodils through one of Erin’s posts, and I have now planted hundreds of white and pink daffodils in my yard. They have the most heavenly scents and are such a gorgeous beginning to spring.

    2. I started saving dahlia seeds last year and have named new cultivars after my children. I love how each one is a surprise as they unfurl!

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  1062. Stephanie S. on

    Flowers in general make me happy. In the winter here in Alaska, if I can have flowers of some kind on my table it helps brighten the dreary dark winters. Wild flowers are probably some of my favorite, but I also love dahlias, lilacs, roses, and peonies to name a few. I’m excited for this spring as I get ready to plant many zinnias, dahlias and ranunculus on a much bigger scale than I’ve done before!!

    Reply
  1063. Jessica Defaymoreau on

    First off thank you Erin and Kori for sharing your years of hard work with the world! We see you and appreciate you both so much! I think for me I think of our farm in Santa Cruz as ebbs and flows of the season. With each month on the process of growing flowers there are hard times and rewarding times. In the Early Spring I seek solace in our green house amongst the Ranunculus then I find hope in the sweet peas. Beginning of June I find refuge in the Dahlias and in the summer I laugh and cry in the Zinnias. And just as another season comes to an end I give thanks to the Chrysanthemums and Marigolds. I save seed from our farm and store them in little jars and paper bags. Hard to pick just one particular variety I would continue to save if I could only pick one but, I would choose Dahlias. They are a year round job and I love a plant that makes me work for it and brings joy each step of its journey. Thank you Erin and Kori for your inspiring all us plant breeding nerds!

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  1064. Lynnda on

    I would save sweet pea seeds first of all. And then because we need to eat too, I would save my green beans and carrots.

    Reply
  1065. Christy Avey on

    What great questions…

    The peace and calm seem to come through a walk through the flowers and their foliage, noting the living and active growing happening constantly! Even looking out a window at what is growing brings a soft smile as I think of the variety and creativity there among the flowers. The flowers within a flower with zinnias have always amazed me. Dahlias have such pomp and playfulness both and have made me often out loud exclaim in praise as I see a new bloom on an early morning. Such exquisite joy they bring.

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  1066. Sharon Allen on

    When I was facing a life-threatening illness two years ago my flowers were what I concentrated my attention on to bring some joy and positivity to my everyday struggles. Any time I felt up to it I was out working with my flowers to take my mind away from what I was dealing with on a daily basis and keep my positive mindset going. The colors, the textures, digging in the dirt, I love it all and being surrounded by it I’m in my happy place. I found a love of dahlias a few years ago and am concentrating on them currently and all aspects of the growing cycle from seeds to cuttings to the beauty of their blooms. Dahlias, delphiniums, lilies, and zinnias are what I gather seeds from for continuing seasons.

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  1067. Stacey Calton on

    My flowers that bring me joy and encourage me in hard times are Holly Hocks, Delphinium, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, tulips, and daffodils. They all boost my level of happiness and all of the beauty they exude I will forever love these beautiful flowers. I also love a good, old-fashioned rose and their scents, they knocked me off my feet. Walking in the garden with these flowers, can really get me through a difficult day or situation.

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  1068. Tamsin Daffron on

    I’d save seeds from vegetable and flower plants that have shown superior cold hardiness in my area. like Red Russian Kale. Will always grow my dahlias, roses, asparagus and raspberries.

    Reply
  1069. Tracy Lee Sievers on

    When stuff gets tough I turn to trees. Truly, I go to the forest. If possible, being a PNW resident, I head into a cedar forest because they are my favorite but pines, larches, aspen, it’s all calming for me. Alas, I live in a city so there’s no forest in my immediate vicinity so at home I go to the garden where I have bulbs and coral bells and salvia and lilies. If I really need to run away, though, I head to the woods, the mossier the better.

    Reply
  1070. Lisa A. W on

    I loved this whole post- breeding is often the side people rarely see or think about. When life is my hardest I tend to find myself looking towards either my herbs. The different scents always makes me relax , focus and overcome whatever was bothering me.
    I save a lot of my seeds from year to year. This year I am concentrating on my dahlias and my more cold hearty tomato seeds.

    Reply
  1071. christie on

    This has been an inspiring and motivational partnership that you have blossomed. You both are pioneers in harboring sustainable relationships between the plants, growers and the community that binds us all. I will forever feel connected to my herbs and Dye plants but Zinnia was my gateway flower that turned my garden hobby into a full blown obsession. I now truly feel a kindship to Tori’s journey and her story as it parallels a few of my life passions. I have been fascinated with natural Dyeing ever since I took a weaving class in college back in the late 90s and we spent a semester focused on the cultural history of fiber arts and natural Dyeing. Ever since I have a special kindship to the plants that bring me great joy from Calendula to roses, herbs like tulsi and even my squash patch. The diversity and color range of nature is our greatest gift!

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  1072. Christian on

    I have to be honest, I am an amateur gardener. A few years back , my husband and son built me an above ground garden for Mothers Day. My absolute favorite thing to grow in it is zinnias. They are such an easy and happy flower. I love seeing them in the summer around the house in all my white pottery pitchers I collect. It gives me such an accomplished feeling growing my little garden and the zinnias extend a graciousness to me as I navigate learning to keep them healthy. Last September, my 17 yr old daughter, Lucy had a liver transplant ( she was born with a congenital liver disease). The last of my zinnias hung in there long enough to brighten her room as she recovered. (Having fresh flowers in her room has always been our love language.) Growing flowers extends a love and comfort during every occasion in my home. I think I’m ready for another garden for Mother’s Day this year :)

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  1073. Anna on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?
    I can truly attest to this after the year I had last year. It was the hardest year I’ve had, on so many levels. There were times I just didn’t want to exist anymore but thankfully all the heartache happened over the summer when I had plenty of flowers. It felt like a chore to go out each morning and cut the flowers, but when I got out there it was so healing to be with the flowers and watch the magic all around me. From the happy little bees, to each beautiful bloom, everything in the garden was life-giving and healing. I even saw multiple Monarach butterflies in my garden this summer, for the first time, which felt like a gift from the Lord. So while life continued to be hard for many months, my garden was always a place I could escape to, that would bring me joy and peace.

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  1074. Holly L Symons on

    This past year I was a first-time seed collector. I saved seed from most of my flowers. I had an array of zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, dahlias, gladiolus, yarrow, sunflowers, sweet peas, snapdragons, bells of Ireland, poppies, ranunculus, and a ton of wildflowers. Being new to seed saving, I found out how much work goes into the process but truly enjoyed the whole process and plan to experiment with it more in the future. As a beginner in cut flower gardening (I have always had a vegetable garden), I found a new love. My gardens have gotten me through the toughest of times and the stressfulness of days. No matter how many hours I work, I know I can come home to my gardens and find peace and my place. I do not consider working in my gardens as work, but a creative outlet and a passion and desire to showcase God’s creations.

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  1075. Darlene Smith-Gianelli on

    Thank you for this interview. I have been saving my own seed for many years as well as purchasing new seeds every year. Although I have never lived in one place long enough to consider multiple generations. Growing plants or animals gives one a certain insight into life and what is truly important. Without that grounding I personally would have to spend way too much time fighting depression. So my flowers are a lifesaver, all the different ones! Zinnias were the first seeds mom trusted me with, and they have never failed me. I look forward to Floret’s and Kori’s Dawn Creek offerings and hope I can gather new friends for the future.

    Reply
  1076. Fiona on

    I grew my first small garden full of Zinnias last year so seeing them has excited me beyond belief.I also had poppies everywhere.In hard times just being in the garden seeing the beauty of of all flowers, grounds me,makes me stop listen and look at the beauty.

    Reply
  1077. Amy Gailey on

    There are two flowers that I turn to each year for strength and encouragement – freesia and roses. Freesia make their appearance first (early February) and remind me that winter never lasts forever. Once the freesia are winding down (around May), the roses erupt. I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love with them each year.

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  1078. Giselle Young on

    Simple Promise Farms is a local grower of zinnias, marigolds and vegetables. They are a Rehab affiliated organization that offers new growth and hope. When I wander their fields, picking teacup bouquets and posies to share, I’m refreshed. My resilience finds soil to replenish me in the challenging world of Healthcare where I specialize.

    Reply
  1079. Rita Lauer on

    I am cheered by all the beautiful flowers that I grow but last year I was in love with the white and purple lavender that I grew…it was so lush and fragrant and I loved its sweet scent and graceful stems covered with blossoms.

    Reply
  1080. Ericka Moran on

    I will always save celosia. Nothing more satisfying than hearing those seeds pop into the bag. My aunt sent me celosia seeds and has really encouraged my growing. These seeds will always make me think of her.

    Reply
  1081. cyd on

    i save seeds from everything. some come back true, some are whackadoo, and many are one-offs. but all are interesting, and all save me having to repurchase everything, every year. my cache is getting ridiculous, but i also have so much to share, that friends know they can ask if i have what they want, and i often do. best feeling ever to gift seeds you’ve harvested yourself, from plants you tended or encouraged all season.

    Reply
  1082. Colleen on

    1. When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    I grew up on the water in several different locations; in fact I currently live on an island in the PNW. I have always turned to the water for peace and to heal my soul. However, that changed two years ago when I fell ill and had emergency surgery. During my recovery, I found myself leaning towards my flowers and evergreens to heal me. This is where I found my peace. This past year, we purchased 16 acres that is surrounded by trees and open meadows. We are planning to move away from the water and begin a new adventure where we will have numerous flower fields, an event center to bring people together to learn, heal, and celebrate. I am so lucky and fortunate that I have a husband who is willing to help me heal by moving to the flowers and trees!! So with that being said, all of my flowers and greenery bring me the peace that I need. I find myself singing to them as I walk through the rows, thanking them as well for the beauty and the healing that they bring :) Now I just have to figure out how to take some of my treasures with me as we move to this new location. Unfortuantely, I think they will have to remain behind for the next owners, but then I get to plan new flower fields. Yay!

    Reply
  1083. Judy on

    Zinnias were the first flowers I grew as a young bride living in married student housing at Iowa State University. They started my lifelong love of flowers. A peach colored zinnia just makes me smile inside!

    Reply
  1084. Diane Kline on

    When life is the hardest…I was there not so ago. Thinking here I am sitting here pregnant with my third child it’s surreal for me I never thought I would be here. I had my
    Second child during Covid and coded on the table during the preparation for my C-section as my
    Husband watched about about 15 extra people
    Rush into the OR as the alarms sound. I told the anesthesiologist I started to feel tightness in my chest so she put oxygen on me and I faded away. I woke to everyone bringing me back to life. And saving the baby inside me… when I asked what happened no one would tell me. Not the staff not my
    OB doctor everyone swept us under the rug. Made me lose my faith in our healthcare system. I was in a bad place I felt defeated and was suffering from severe post partum and ptsd. Not even six months later I broke my leg in front of my two children and had to face my fears and have surgery again. That was the darkest time for me. I have to move in my mother in law I had a baby I couldn’t even rock to sleep because I could not walk and a 2 year old who didn’t understand. As a mom it was the hardest time not being able to care for my
    Family. My husband was determined to give me something back that loved and that was therapeutic to me! I remember him helping me get on my scooter to go out side and wheel myself to the garden so I could get my hands in the dirt and have my garden with my kids something my whole family does together. It’s been almost 4 years and I’m finally feeling like myself again and I’ve been growing flowers ever since your class I took in 2019! And I will say that flowers and gardening helped saved me! My kids love growing dahlias and zinnas and sunnies! But they also really love their sugar snap peas and carrots! They always grow their own gardens for our homeschool program! So during my
    Hardest years when I had to even take a seat and rest and heal my kids always knew how to heal mom and bring her joy!❤️

    Reply
  1085. Marm on

    I live in Idaho where we have beautiful winters, but they are long. Tulips are the flowers that let me know there is respite from the cold and hope for an exciting growing season ahead. Knowing they have lived through cold and dark and used that time to rest and renew makes me feel a kinship to them. When they bravely push through the soil to put on their colorful show, they usually face yet a little more snow and unfriendly circumstances. Do they give up? No! They muscle through it and bring and beauty and hope to my world.

    Reply
  1086. Samantha on

    There is no better pick-me-up than checking on my dahlia field each evening and discovering new beauties and visiting old friends. They bring me so much joy and give me something to look forward to each day (when they are in season, which is a short window here in NH). But there is also something so comforting about wandering through a field of wild asters, clover, and daisies. I grew up and live on a rural farm where these beauties are native. Whenever life gets hard, I find myself walking the farm roads. Watching the wildflowers and grasses bobbing and swaying in the breeze in the evening golden hour light instantly calms me and quiets the anxious thoughts running through my mind.

    Reply
  1087. Bliss White McIntosh on

    Daffodils are the flower that makes me happiest both because of their timing in the spring but also because they seem so brave and cheerful. I have a special connection to an old variety called Mrs R O Backhouse. They grew in front of our porch when I was a child. They were a gift from a bulb grower who was a friend of my seedsman father. I have spread them all over the country at this point. They are delicate in color and in form, often falling over in a storm. I bring armloads into the house and enjoy mixing them with apple blossoms, bleeding hearts and all sorts of spring greenery. I can’t imagine life without them.

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  1088. Kaitlin B. on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, the seeds I would save from garden would be Asclepias… I absolutely love butterflies and the combination of the flowers + butterflies in the garden is one of my favorite parts of summer.

    Reply
  1089. Yolan Walters on

    I would collect every seed I could find-native and cultivated. Ours lives and the world should be filled with diversity. Every seed represents this diversity and should be regarded as irreplaceable. I would first collect my dahlia seeds. Not only do they offer a beautiful bloom to feed the soul but their tubers are edible. What a combo- nourish the body and soul in one plant. Every seed should be valued just as every human being should be. Any loss is a cause for concern. We lost our son in November after a 40 year battle with a leukodystrophy. He loved flowers and spending time with me in the garden. As I plant my garden this year I’ll feel is presence and love of nature. The garden is a source of rejuvenation and a feeling of hope for the future with each seed planted.
    Can’t wait to get my hands in the dirt.

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  1090. Vanessa on

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would save seed from sweet peas, Nigella, bells of Ireland, Iceland, poppies. I really love the cool season flowers. Where I live we typically have cooler temperatures until June. I love being able to plant things that are in our climate.

    Reply
  1091. Brittany Cook on

    I have a sentimental attachment to dahlias as my grandparents that I visited every summer vacation grew huge gardens full of them. Hours spent following gramma along the rows holding the stems she selected and cut. Every dinner setting had a huge bouquet, and extras were sold on the road side stand. I have been scared to try and grow them myself for fear of failure, but 2024 is the year I dive in! They are deeply part of my heart. If I was to save seeds, it would be from zinnias. I grew them from a grocery store seed packet for the first time last summer. And the immense joy I got from them was worth having no other flowers. I never cut them (the wasn’t many) but everyday I came out and checked on them, praised the bees stopping by and took pictures

    Reply
  1092. Emily on

    Anise Hyssop always brings my mood up. I love the smell and run my hands along the foliage whenever I walk through the garden. I enjoy coming out early in the morning to find the bumblebees asleep on the flowers. When I make bouquets the purple spires always peek out and look great. It’s a constant in my garden and a source of joy.

    Reply
  1093. Shauna on

    2023 was the year that almost broke me and it was also the year that growing flowers saved me as well. It was my very first year growing a cutting garden. My mother ended up sick, real sick and in the midst of it all, all I could think about was growing cut flowers and making sure my mom got a regular bouquet of flowers whenever possible. I grew roses for the first time, along with zinnias and I cannot tell you the emotions I went through as they grew and eventually bloomed. One zinnia plant in particular bloomed the prettiest mauvey pink color late in the year and she was my absolute treasure. I always included her into the bouquets for my mother.

    Now zinnia’s will always have a special place in my heart, in the bouquets for my mother, and for my two little girls to fall in love with while they grow up as well. They are what gives me hope and joy when I feel like my world is crumbling apart. Especially when I find a fat little bumble taking a nap on one or hiding under during a rain storm.

    Reply
  1094. ali on

    Hydrangeas – in hard times and happy ones. They remind me of my mom.

    Reply
  1095. Annie Chen on

    I start building my garden since I moved to southern California. I have 4 flower beds, a dozen of roses ( including tree roses, brush roses and climbing roses ) I have grown varies kind of flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. After 7 years hard work, my back yard becomes blooming garden all year round. I love dahlias, lavenders, hibiscus and cactus. I make flower bouquet for holidays, specials events with the flowers in my garden.
    I would like try any new species which suit for our zone, like zinnias, camellias peonies and many more. Beautiful flowers make me feel young and peaceful every day.

    Reply
  1096. Carole Lexa Schaefer on

    From childhood hot summer times in Missouri on, ‘Heavenly Blue’ morning glories spoke to me. I at last began attempting to grow them as an adult settled in cooler summered Seattle. Year after year, up to the present where I now live in retirement on a Camano Island acre, I planted the seeds indoors during spring. Always full of hope, which I tried to let swell above my concerns, I tended the seedlings. When setting out and planting time came the trick was/is always: location, location, location. I talk to the ‘baby blue glories’ about this. Oh yes, and sing to them too! Together we know: they want every ray of sun on their upturned faces, just the right amount of damp on their toes, room to climb and mingle (it may sometimes matter a great deal with whom). My job is to figure out the places where these life preserving conditions can be sustained. Over the years, I have not always succeeded. But, I shall ever continue trying. The fulfillment of that anticipated summer morning when the first ‘heavenly blue’ blossom opens its exquisite petals in full celebration of its one day of sweet life is, for both of us, worth the work and the glory of it.

    Reply
  1097. Naomi Wise on

    With the stress of everyday life and family health issues, i need my garden more than ever to keep myself grounded. I find so much pleasure in my garden, especially the dahlias and zinnias, which ive really only discovered in the last 2 years

    Reply
  1098. Kimberly on

    My garden is my saving grace when times get tough or I just want to relax. I’ve made it my sanctuary, it’s where I want to spend most of my time. So much so I put off housework to be outside. So I would say it’s both a steady and buoyancy of my spirit. If catalogs disappeared I’d save all my favorites as well as necessary seeds to survive. All the veggies and herbs of course as well as zinnia, Dahlias, Cosmos, Salvia, foxglove, rudbeckia, hollyhocks. I love a cottage/ English garden.

    Reply
  1099. brenda devauld on

    The lovely Cottage ” Pinks” that smell like spices have been following me as long as I can remember. I remember running as a child and bending over to smell them as I rushed by, they are in some of my earliest memories. Trees of all kinds are also special to me, they offer quiet , peace and reflection. I love touching them and used to spend many hours as a child perched up high on branches, just being in the wind and fresh air. I consider it an honour to be surrounded by life in so many forms and for them to be able to feel me, as I feel them.
    I would try to save all the seeds in my garden! How could I pick and choose? Sweet peas, roses, peonies, snapdragons, zinnias, and dahlias to name just a few,, what a wonderful dilemma!

    Reply
  1100. Jennifer Zissou on

    There is a huge silver maple in my yard that my rescue dog and constant farming companion Ace loved to nap under while I worked nearby. Now he is buried in that spot. When lonely or tired or burned out I sit under that tree and think about him.

    Reply
  1101. Allison on

    For me, when life is the hardest, I have always turned to gardening. I love tending to and talking to my roses. They bring such joy and satisfaction. I talk to them while pruning, explaing to them why I’m doing it and letting them know how much I love and appreciate them. I also love fuschias. I love bringing them back year after year. Gardening really is therapeutic for me. Thank you for sharing your story and all your hard work.

    Reply
  1102. Kia Gardner on

    The plants in my garden that I always turn to are those that are native to my area; specifically, rudbeckia, goldenrods, and New England asters. These plants keep me grounded and connected to the earth. Knowing that they are a safe place for pollinators and local wildlife makes them all the more special and worthwhile. I love sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias, peonies, and all the other cut flowers as much as the next person, but there is something about growing these lovely flowers that thrive in my region, like when they are planted, they snuggle into the dirt and sigh with relief.

    Reply
  1103. Katherine McCafferty on

    Thank you Erin and Kori for your vision and all of your hard work over the years. I have always loved flowers and seed saving. I am fascinated with the breeding process and in awe of all the information a seed contains! I love zinnias and love to grow them , dahlias from seed, fragrant sweet peas and lilies. I also like to grow flowers and shrubs that are good for pollinators and birds. I grow vegetables as well.

    Reply
  1104. Meegan Davis on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear tomorrow, I definitely couldn’t pick just one thing to save seed from! #1 would be dahlias! I love everything about them. My best days have been spent watching, nurturing and sharing these beauties with my community.
    #2 would be zinnias. I always loved the ease of growing them and I am crossing fingers and toes that I will be able to get my hands on some of Erin and Kori’s seeds this year. They have both inspired me to dive into seed saving!
    I have been wanting to learn about seed saving after my first year of flower farming but I never found good information on doing so. I am going to purchase Tiffany Jones’ book and look forward to Erin’s contribution to this practice!

    Reply
  1105. Kristin on

    I currently save seeds from my rattlesnake green beans. These seeds were initially given to me by a dear friend who has taught me so much about gardening. Last year I grew sweet peas for the first time and Floret’s videos walked me through saving those seeds. If seed catalogs disappeared I would definitely be saving more seeds, cosmos, and zinnias from my garden. The flowers and vegetables that I grow bring so much beauty and joy to my life and to the people that I share them with. Thank you for the work that you do to spread the joy and beauty of growing plants!

    Reply
  1106. Genny Verbruggen on

    Great questions!!
    I honestly rely on my entire garden during tough times. Heading outside with my sidekick kitty every morning to putter and check each plant’s progress makes my heart happy and free. And everyday because of this I am late for my real job. I do focus on dahlias and zinnias the most, with black-eyes Susan’s and sweet peas closely behind. I’ve been collecting and planting my own seeds for a couple years now and the fascination and joy has exponentially increased as I cannot get enough of the anticipation and mystery of each plant.

    I do already collect seeds from all my plants, but if catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would be start my own hand/cross-pollination to ensure viable seeds of zinnias and dahlias. And with our short season up here in Calgary, Canada, I would be ensuring seed maturation starts right away as our growing season is our limiting factor for generating seeds.

    Thank you for the chance to win seeds. I am so excited for this years growing season with some new special additions.

    Reply
  1107. Jennifer Shears on

    Dahlias, snapdragons, sweet peas, cosmos, corn cockle & of course zinnias are all flowers that I have been enjoying- the deer leave them alone & all have such abundance there is always plenty to share. I would definitely harvest allllll of those seeds if I knew I wouldn’t be able to get them from you!

    Reply
  1108. Jill Sharp Weeks on

    Comfort for me comes in the form of almost black hollyhocks that poke up through the roughest conditions – pinched up through sidewalk cracks or against chain link fences in Santa Fe – their perseverance is always pure inspiration + they really only prosper where they decide suits them best. I’m also so drawn to edgeworthia, fruiting fig branches and black+ white panda anemones – I used these in my wedding bouquet along with fresh indigo, cotton and mushrooms wired into some old family ribbon – a tribute to my other hometown of Charleston. Flower Power is a real thing + I’m so grateful to see how you celebrate this sense.

    Reply
  1109. Maureen Matteson on

    My zinnias and dahlias have become my joy! Over the last couple of years my husband has really struggled with his sobriety, which in turn is a huge mental struggle for me. With that and the stress of raising teenagers my garden has become my safe haven. Cut flowers bring me so much joy and ground me. I’ve only been growing for about 4 years and don’t think I can ever grow without now ❤️

    Reply
  1110. Jana Hannigan on

    When life is difficult, which it always will be, I turn to my garden, period. Just looking out the window, even at the curling dead leaves left over from fall, is a door leading to another world. But in particular, when I ponder this question, I think of the time in mid June when my white peonies, the honeysuckle and my Russian Olive trees are all blooming and filling the world with their trifecta of potent fragrances. Miraculous!

    Reply
  1111. Cynthia Sterling on

    1. When life is at its hardest, the flowers that buoy me and keep me going are Icelandic Poppies. These cool-growing, delicate blooms are incredibly resilient. I find them self-sowing in the most unlikely spots in my kitchen garden, and continuing to bloom even through out (very) hot, dry summers. Their tough-but-delicate nature gives me hope and joy.
    2. If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I’d save my own seeds of zinnias, poppies, pansies, scabiosa and all the vegetables we love. Saving seeds empowers me, and also allows the plants to adapt to my little micro-climate, evolving over generations to thrive in this place with less help from me.

    Reply
  1112. Kathy on

    I’d like to try saving more seeds of my favorite flowers. Last year I harvested seeds of some calendula, zinnias and sweet peas that I grew and will try to propagate them this spring. I don’t know much about the process of hybridizing & breeding new varieties, but am anxious to learn more about that.
    Erin has been an inspiration and I love reading about all her projects! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  1113. Mary Ann Martin on

    When life is hard, the flowers that bring me most joy are: peonies, hydrangeas and dahlias!

    Reply
  1114. tabby hoffman on

    I grew up in the Santa Cruz mountains and have always loved flowers. They are my simple joy. I moved away as a young bride and raised my family in the PNW. Now widowed (at a young age), empty nester and learning my new career as an RN I find I have more time to donate to growing flowers. I love to keep fresh bouquets on my vintage kitchen table as well as give bouquets away. My current favorite flower is Zinnia’s. I love the peach, honey and blush colors. If I only had Zinnia seeds to grow in my garden I would still be filled with “simple joy”!

    Reply
  1115. Caeli Bislich on

    The Midwest can be awfully cold and grey during the winter. It always seems like on the lowest, grossest day in February this one purple crocus blooms. In a sea of browns it provides the first pop of color and a promise of something beautiful to come! Although I’ve planted many more crocus across my property, that one blooms before them all and lifts my spirit each year.

    Reply
  1116. Carol on

    I save seeds every year, but I would miss new varieties. I always save seeds from my varieties of Asclepius, verbena, delphinium, poppies, echinacea, moss rose and zinnia. Kori’s zinnias are beautiful.

    Reply
  1117. Fallon on

    When my life was the hardest I started my farm. I was wrapped in addiction and had to really look at why my life was so challenging and why my farm wasn’t taking off like it “should” be. I was the only thing holding myself back. With a year and a half sobriety behind me and hundreds of plants in the ground, each time I go out and see them growing, I am beyond grateful for each and every one I have touched. Seeing my previously forgotten land grow and change along with me has been the most rewarding time in my life. Every bee, butterfly, and bird that grace my yard gives me pride I have never felt before. Flower farming and the support of my loved ones saved my life.

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  1118. Janet Green on

    English fragrant roses always transport me to another state of consciousness and I would save agrostemma, calendula, zinnia and sweet pea seeds if I couldn’t get any others. I love how Kori talks about resonance and her musical harmonic relationships with plants, I really relate to that with my friends in the garden. Thanks Kori, such a beautiful and touching interview.

    Reply
  1119. Deanna Boettcher on

    My garden/s are my sanctuary and the place I can go for grounding and taking down my stress levels. It is an absolute gift that my work can offer me this soul enriching experience. I am not sure I can choose just one plant that I turn to. What I do find is that when I am overwhelmed from life or even the actual farm-life workload- if I just stop, forget my to-do list and just dead-head and weed – this settles me down. Something about the slowness of caring for the plants, showcasing their beauty and becoming one with them – this is magic!

    Reply
  1120. Renee Dauk-Bleess on

    “Thank you for your beauty “ I whisper to my tulips and iris in the spring, to my peonies and petunias, my snapdragons and zinnias in summer, to my rudbeckia and sunflowers in the fall. Plants have always brought me solace. I hug and hold my beloved decades old apple tree and an old oak when I need comfort. I do believe we are all connected, so I truly appreciated and resonated with Kori in this interview, as well as with Erin in her documentary. Thank you both for sharing and speaking the truth of your love of flowers.
    I would probably choose to save my broom corn seed and my sunflower seeds; both bring beauty and practicality to my garden. The finches and my chickens love both as well! Now that I’ve seen how to save zinnia seed, I would love to try and save those as well, especially if I’m honored with a packet of one of Floret Farms new releases!

    Reply
  1121. Tiffani Masellis on

    I always turn to my dahlias, I never tire of them. Six years ago I bought 25 dahlia plants from a breeder and have kept most of them going each year. And of course I have added to my collection over the years. The process of growing and storing them each season gives me a lot of satisfaction and happiness, no matter what is going on in life. I have to take care of them, they need me! Dahlias have become an outlet and way of life for me.

    Reply
  1122. Karen Lee on

    What a great read. I’m a new gardener and my roses seem to like where I’ve put them, so we have a happy balance and I marvel at the flowers every time a new bud opens up.
    If I had to save seeds, it would be my dahlias. I had never attempted it before and last fall, I was able to save about 5 precious seeds. I watched KA’s video on pollinating, dug out a paint brush and made an envelope catcher. It was so fun to pretend I was doing some cross breeding 😂

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  1123. Paige Donnelly on

    As I have ventured on my healing journey from childhood trauma, all the flowers that I grow have guided and comforting me but there is one that has taught me more then others…that is the Dahlia. I especially love to grow from seeds collected from our farm. I wait with excitement as to see what the flower will look like and it always feels like the greatest gift to know that the new bloom is only found on our farm. That feels so special and something that has given me courage to face my past and bloomed into something new and beautiful.

    Reply
  1124. Kara on

    When life is hardest, I find myself turning towards the plants that grow wild and without much fuss – the ones that continue to grow without force and with just a little help with the weather or the wind. These plants remind me that we’re not in control. Nasturtiums, poppies, native wildflowers, paperwhites and bulbs, acorns and oak trees, and many other self-seeding flowers that revisit us each year again and again.

    Reply
  1125. Julie on

    Thank you for sharing Kori’s story! You can really feel her passion and connection to plants and flowers.

    I’ve always loved vining, rambling flowers, and I feel lucky that there are always some in every season in my neighborhood to bring me joy and remind me I can always climb back up. Currently we have early pink jasmine and California honeysuckle.

    Reply
  1126. Cheryl Tcimpidis on

    My entire garden is my sanctuary, I can get list and hide away in it. With the stress of the last year of losing my father in law and now my husband and I are caring for his mother it’s been a lot. I am now switching gears and turning my garden from mostly vegetable to flower garden. I save all seeds possible from my current collection of flowers (zinnias, cosmos, nasturtium and daisies) my love would be a large cut flower garden here in Alaska.

    Reply
  1127. Nicole Berberena on

    These are two tough questions but I think I’d answer the same to both. I’m a spring girl so I live for those little first signs of life. When I see those little green shoots popping up around the dogwood tree I get so excited. It’s life enhancing. Every time I leave the house I have to walk past them and it just starts my day off with a little bit of magic. They haven’t even flowered yet and they are already bringing me joy. Crocus that is. But once I see the crocus shoots then I head to the backyard to look for other signs of life, like the ethereal snowdrops that magically appeared one year, and the green points of the daffodils just breaking ground. The bright red points of the peonies slowly peaking out and waiting for their time to shine. Then my birth flower, the lily of the valley. The patch that once only grew under my bedroom window when we first moved into my childhood home (which back then I took as a sign that the fairies welcomed me and put there on purpose for my benefit) but now grows in the front yard, in a bed, against a fence, covered in ivy and wisteria. How they got there is because as a young girl I threw a fit, a real fit, tears and all when my Dad ripped out all the Lily of the Vally to build a deck over the area. I ran crying to my mother asking her to save the plants and to put them back. Of course they couldn’t put them back but they could find a new home for them and they’ve been there ever since. I’m forty two now and my Dad passed seven and a half years ago. I take care of this house and this property with more passion than I probably do anything else in my life. And yes, since he’s passed I’ve added a lot more crocus, all over the property but it’s the ones around the dogwood that always sprout first and start this chain reaction of happiness.

    Reply
  1128. Nhi on

    I hit a rough patch and burn out last year and took to flower gardening to calm my mind and anxiety of juggling all things in life. I started growing roses, zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, and sunflowers as a stress relief. I was most impressed by the zinnias I planted from seed and by the end of summer, I started saving the seeds and googling more on zinnia care. That’s when I discovered Dawn Creek and Floret and fell in love with the amazing breeding program and bloom colors. 2023 was a really tough year, but the zinnias in my garden have me the most excited for the changes and possibilities of this year.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would hold on most dearly to my zinnia and cosmo seeds collected from my garden. Their heat and drought tolerance and love of sun makes gardening so much less stressful, and it brings me the most joy and peace to watch the pollinators around the blooms.

    Reply
  1129. Michelle Mayer on

    My uplifting plants are all in the vegetable garden! They aren’t the prettiest to look at, but I come from a long line of people who have put their hands in the earth. We might not have had much, but we have always had enough- the vegetable garden has always yielded us full bellies, warm hearts, and coarse hands.

    Tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, and corn have carried us through some tough times. When I look at them now, growing in my own backyard garden, I feel strong in the way my people are strong; the way my great grandfather sharecropped to feed his children, the way we have always made ends meet by weaving our garden harvests into our dinner time traditions, the way I preserve vegetables in glass jars as my mother and grandmother did. We have a legacy among us that is hand in hand with the earth, and when I tend to my own garden I feel those coarse hands of my ancestors on my shoulders.

    Reply
  1130. Gabrielle Heide on

    I feel like OMG, how did I get here, one of my favorite, Talking Heads songs. But by absolute kismet, I fell deep deep deep into your rabbit hole one morning while just drinking a regular cup of joe, I think by absolute divine intervention or magic, and since then I have been devouring every offering you’ve been putting out. Thank you, especially cause therapy is so expensive! So you already know my answer will be completely of the mark, which sums up who I am, a retired lady who lost her mind and sold her yard during the pandemic, moved to new home in San Diego, close to the airport and downtown, with the teeniest tiniest lot and now is regretting that decision everyday! Is San Diego great? Of course it is, but I have NO YARD! So I’m the kid in class who takes the teacher on a tangent to a different BIG QUESTION… Can I do all these wonderful flowers in patio pots? I would love to have tons of flowers in my teeny yard to make me feel happy and for my relationship with my super close neighbors too. However, I don’t like most of my neighbors, I’m thinking lots of flowers might help our relationship, IDK??? I would love to make my entire patio, which btw faces the entire neighborhood, into planted patio pots of flowers. When we moved here, we had 3 moving trucks and one was just for pots! My husband says he’s gonna die moving pots around, but he’s madly in love with me, so I get away with A LOT!!!
    Back to the original question, I would save my artichoke seeds, they are the most amazing plant with a “to die for” flower! I planted one in my tiny strip in front of my house and it’s getting huge!!! Everyone walks by in amazement with so many questions about when it’s gonna bloom, what is it and they all seem excited for the big day! It’s like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn! There’s a chance that someone is definitely gonna steal the flower and eat it cause they all look at it with a faraway gaze. Thankfully, I think all this community excitement has subdued the HOA coming after me, because I went rogue and planted this non approved plant outside my wall, and if the HOA says anything about it, I’m calling a lawyer! Don’t get scared, I’m not writing this from prison and I’m not as scary as I sound, just excited:) So see how much you all mean to me, I know that sounds creepy but it’s true. Thanks for sharing all you do, it means A LOT to all of us, even if we don’t have a yard!

    Reply
  1131. Annita Phillips on

    Love the interview! I have to say one of my favorite things is after direct seeding is going back to that area only to discover weeds! Knowing there are some beauties in there start slowly exposing them and after a bit see a whole plot of them soaking up the sunshine.
    Weed free garden =weed free brain😊

    Reply
  1132. Becca Foley on

    I can’t imagine living without foxglove. I love watching them spring to life, shoot up long stems of flowers and invite all of the fat, lazy bumble bees to stop for a rest. I have hummingbirds that visit, and a full array of insects. Their freckled insides make me smile. I hate that they are toxic to some creatures, but they are so much fun to watch nature interact with.

    The fact that the pack of deer in my neighborhood leave them alone is a huge bonus too.

    Reply
  1133. Jo Margolin on

    Dahlias, dahlias, dahlias. I’m particularly fond of the dinner place flower size. They are simply magical.

    Reply
  1134. Beth on

    Just being outside with my hands in the dirt and growing anything is my saving grace. I do understand the passion for zinnias. I’ve been growing them every year since my first garden. I would collect Zinnias seeds. Zinnias are beautiful, colorful and make me feel so successful as a cut gardener.

    Reply
  1135. Samantha House on

    I have not had much experience with seed saving but would love to learn more! I would want to save as much as possible, but definitely my sunflowers as they brighten my heart, zinnias, and continue saving my dahlia and glad tubers and bulbs.

    Reply
  1136. Alison on

    I’ve always had a real affinity for bachelor buttons, but also discovered that sweet peas and cosmos really make my days brighter. They’re all so cheerful. Saving more sweet pea seeds is my goal this year, but also continuing to save feverfew, cosmos and bbs.

    Reply
  1137. Rachel Hart on

    My plant allies in hard times are my roses all fragrant as there is something special about roses. I also get a mood boost from my daffodils which are often first to bloom. I also love my lime tree as it thrives in a special spot in my yard and most lines cannot live in my ca climate.

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  1138. Mary Berg Lass on

    I live in Minnesota so our outdoor gardening time is limited. I spend time in my garden every single day, if I can . I also care for many house plants. I’m not religious but I consider it my “church” or “sanctuary “ that fills my cup!! It makes me happy & productive by starting all my flowers & vegetables from seed & nurturing them as they grow. I’ve always saved seeds & I am so excited for the beautiful colors that you guys have offered for sale! I’ll be in vacationing in Palm Springs, Ca on the 6th & will still be trying to order seeds poolside!!!😎

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  1139. Tracy on

    I love my calla lillies. They remind me of beautiful trumpets. I know they are bulbs and not seeds, but I consider them “my” flower. 😊

    Reply
  1140. Jesse on

    I’ve always loved tulips, but now that I grow them myself, they bring me so much joy. For me they mark the moment in the year when the winter blues start to fade, and I can come out of winter hibernation and truly jump into the year!

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  1141. Marie Mueller on

    During the cold winter months, the plants that bring me hope are always the wild daffodils on the walking trails in our neighborhood. Most likely planted by sneaky squirrels who have dug them up from home gardens & scattered them thru the woods for safe keeping. Our state is odd in that it has warm winter days, and then drops to bitter cold temperatures drastically. This typically tricks the blooms into springing up early. It’s a welcome sign for me though, that if they can hang in through the last few weeks of cold, surely I can too.

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  1142. Stephanie Rivas on

    I would save every seed I could get my hands on. I am a huge vegi gardener but have incorporated quite a bit of flowers to my garden in the past few years and I am absolutely in love with their beauty. Zinnias, lavender, hollyhocks and sunflowers have always taken my breath away with their beauty so I would absolutely make those as my priority for my flower seeds but I am still learning so much about flowers so every seed has a place in my collection. It’s just the most absolute best feeling looking at my garden and knowing I grew most of my plants from a tiny seed. Thanks to wonderful people like you all that I get the opportunity to grow such beautiful plants created with so much love. ❤️

    Reply
  1143. Nicole Brink on

    I am big on aromatherapy and color therapy, I love eucalyptus and lavender, my go to for scents. I love pastel colors, for me they are grounding and relaxing. I always have soft colored dahlias in my garden in my fav hues, soft peach, soft yellow, soft purple.

    Reply
  1144. Tiffany G on

    Thank you for this wonderful interview!
    I am constantly finding solace in plants. The plants in my garden, as well as those I see on my walks around the neighborhood and countryside. Depending on the day or particular ailment/emotion different plants call to me. I also feel very strong relationships with plants and feel drawn to their healing on a daily basis. I’ve began making flower Essences and this has opened up communication between us even more. How to pick favorites? Nearly impossible. The Rose is always enlightening and heart opening. The Apple blossom guides me. The Zinnia (was my grandma’s favorite) brings joy. The Violet brings healing in so many forms. I could go on.. Thank you for sharing these delightful seeds that turn into gorgeous and healing flowers!

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  1145. Maggie on

    I love poppies of all kinds. When things are hard I feel lifted by their vibrancy and delicacy, how they show us they cannot be rushed or controlled, and will reward us for our patience when they arrive on their own time frame.

    I have been learning more about saving seed over the last few years and I think I will always grow (along with poppies): cosmos, sweet peas, lettuces, garlic, potatoes, carrots, green peas, and chard.

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  1146. Jan Sutter on

    Thank you for an in depth view into your world of plants, what an amazing journey! In my hard times, I wander the gardens and look what nature has to offer and it is amazing how nature calms the soul. I tend to grow rare varieties of plants and look forward each year to see them grow and flourish. I also have a soft spot for Zinnias and I am anxiously awaiting Florets seed sale!

    Reply
  1147. Maisie on

    To answer the first question, there are so many! But the first that comes to mind in the garden is snapdragon. There is something about the smell and the bright colors and their collection of talking face blooms that just makes me feel happy and peaceful. And in our ecosystem, here in the foothills of the Sierras, I would say manzanita – at all times of year – the flowers and berries are magical and relate for me to self-love and compassion, and the smooth, red bark is gorgeous and grounding in the winters.

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  1148. Monica at Prince Snow Farm on

    I have grown flowers since I was 12. I am now 58. I totally understand the connection between human and plant. When I was young I was all about petunias, the old fashioned varieties gifted to me by my neighbor Aurore. In my 20’s I realized that zinnias were my thing, and I never looked back. They grow beautifully here in coastal Massachusetts, every size, shape and color. I adore them all. I miss them terribly in the winter, and dream about visiting them every morning once summer is here.

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  1149. Carolyn Miller on

    Ahhh.. seeds. I have been gathering seeds from so many of my plants over the years and it’s hard to leave any out. Right now I have milkweed, because the monarch butterflies need them .. I scatter them wherever I go. I have oriental poppies and California poppies.. so beautiful. I have tall pink hollyhocks.. they grow 10 feet tall and are amazing. I have soft pink cosmos, white sweet peas, blue Love in Mist, mystery dahlias, and a salmon colored gazania that I recently gathered seeds from to see if I can grow more. And.. I have Cherokee Purple tomato seeds that I have been growing for years… yummmmmmm. Every year I package up seeds for my friends and hand paint the flowers on the packages and give them as Christmas gifts. If I can’t harvest the seed, I will take cuttings.. especially roses. As a self declared flower addict I will always find space for more flowers and will sneak harvest seed pods from neighbors’ yards.

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  1150. Smi on

    Hydrangea is my spirit plant if such a thing exists! I am always amazed by how strong and resilient this plant is. I get inspired by how a plant that looks like dead stick in the winter grows into an attractive green shrub and produces magnificent flowers year after year!

    Reply
  1151. Christina vm on

    While going through a particularly difficult period of recurrent miscarriages, my dahlias (and broader cutflower garden) were a source of joy and a reminder of the changing seasons of life.

    Reply
  1152. Peggy Cobb on

    Zinnias have become a big part of all my gardens. They are so dependable in the heat of central eastern Washington. Their colors last so long (into the start of November this year). Dahlias are new to my gardens. When they finally bloomed it was so fun to see their lovely flowers. Actually dug the tubers up and stored. Hopefully I will have tubers that are viable to plant again!

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  1153. Kelly Hering on

    When life is challenging, I must grow flowers. They bring me joy and I have been growing zinnias from Floret farms ever since a good friend felt led to buy me your book. I even grew zinnias for my son’s wedding two years ago.

    I grow food, but the zinnias bring the joy to my gardening. I love to give away bouquets. I now have lots of women giving me vases. It’s such a delight. Thank you for introducing me to this passion.

    Reply
  1154. Joelle Guilfoyle on

    In July of last year I was diagnosed with an immunodeficiency. It requires weekly infusions. On infusion day I go into the garden and visit my babies. I find that my breathing slows and my shoulders retreat to where they should be. This time of year I am waiting for my ranunculus, anemones and tulips. I’m excited that it’s almost time to prune my roses. It’s a tough job but I just know it brings the most beautiful roses in April and May. I live in Houston so I have a long growing season. I’m excited to start some seeds. This year I will be growing zinnias, cosmos, celosia, Queen Anne’s lace, poppies and bachelor buttons. I love to sit near my raised beds and just watch the butterflies and hummers.

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  1155. Kate Rozelle on

    I would save ANY and all Zinnia seeds! They are SO prolific and they make me happy! I love how soon you get to SEE and enjoy them! (Sorry Dahlias, I love you too but MAN you’re SLOW to arrive!) The range of colors are GORGEOUS! I CANNOT wait to try some of the Floret Originals!

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  1156. Ryan on

    With no more seed catalogs I’d save seeds from my favorite tomatoes, zinnias and foxglove.

    Reply
  1157. Patricia Vodopest on

    When life is hardest, I can only grin when I see pollinators covering my flowers. I love growing flowers for cut flowers for bouquets spring, summer, and fall, which I share with neighbors, which brings joy into their lives as well.
    Who doesn’t love zinnias—such pretty blooms and lovely in bouquets!

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would have to save sweet pea seeds—they grow wonderfully in my Pacific Northwest garden, are the earliest to give me cut flowers for my home and my neighbor’s homes, they come in lovely colors, and they have my favorite fragrance on earth!

    Reply
  1158. Lori Miles on

    Thank you for sharing! It is fascinating to learn more about Kori and her breeding journey. My love of sweet peas is deep as my father gave me the nickname as a child and I miss him dearly. But I am very excited about my zinnias this year, it will be my first year growing them and I can’t wait!

    Reply
  1159. Christine Knecht on

    My houseplants and my outdoor plants all bring me peace. I love the springtime when the indoor ones comes outside for bonding time with the outdoor ones! I sit on my front step in the mornings and breathe in the coolness and the wonder of new growth on all of these plants ( hydrangeas, columbine, pothos, raven zz). It’s soothing and awe inspiring. It brings me joy and peace.

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  1160. Jennifer the Gardener on

    What great questions! Plants that buoy my spirits always include: everbearing raspberries (sweet healthy indulgence!); Cosmic Crisp apples (my dog loves and steals them from the tree!); cosmos (bees love them too); roses (the perfume!); dahlias (late summer abundance and the surprise of the tubers!); winter squash (their leaves and tendrils are so beautiful!); tomatoes (adore their pretty golden sparkles and fabulous fresh taste!!!); kale and beets (the stunning beauty of their leaves, their endurance, and their healthful properties!)

    I’m a dedicated seed-saver of kale, beet, cosmos, dahlia and squash seeds. Each plant gives so generously. Each seed is a true miracle of the magnificent plant world. We are so very blessed!

    Reply
  1161. Gail on

    Daffodils are my uplifting flower. Their bright yellow flower that shows up the end of winter/ beginning of spring gets me excited for growing season to come.

    Seeing them stand tall in an end of winter ice or snow storm shows how resilient and tuff they can be. It reminds me that if they can face the hard times so can I.

    As a cancer survivor tending to my flowers was my therapy during treatment. Seeing the colorful flowers brightened my day. I loved watching the bees, dragonflies and hummingbirds enjoy them as much as I do. It is so peaceful.

    Reply
  1162. Crystal Morrison on

    I take pictures of my gardens when they are in full bloom so I can look at them during the winter. They remind me of how beautiful they were and what will soon be again. While I love ALL flowers, I will always have zinnias and celosia. The crested cock’s comb has me mesmerized, how amazing it is to not only look at, but touch it. Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day and I’m hoping he doesn’t see his shadow! My bulbs will be popping through!

    Reply
  1163. Dr Sonya Pancucci on

    2. I have fallen in love with the “Shirley Mother of Pearl” poppies and I would collect those seeds and enjoy them forever. My floral watercolour painting teacher Sushma described my photographs and paintings of them as the following:
    “Oh my goodness what are these poppies. They look like they are made of a thin sheet of ice! I’ve never seen these before. So beautiful! I love your painting too.” I would want to keep black eyed Susan and Cosmo seeds, which my father grew in our family garden and gave us all joy year after year and keep their beauty and my father’s memory in our hearts. Best regards, Dr. Sonya Pancucci

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  1164. Brenda on

    I would save everything I could, but right now, my faves are dahlias, zinnias, and cosmos. Thank you all for the work you’re doing to bring beauty into the world!

    Reply
  1165. Zandria Mazzaferro on

    If grow old alongside my hydrangea and gladiola. They steady me more than anything else, returning blooms year after year.
    I just want to say, I love all y’all’s flowers!

    Reply
  1166. Jessica on

    When life is hardest, snapdragons to the rescue. My first experience with gardening was helping my grandmother plant snapdragons in her yard. I love the quirky blooms and sweet, loving memories are abundant.

    Reply
  1167. Sandra McCarthy on

    I love the Black-eyed Susan’s . Love the way they multiply filling a garden with their joyful yellow color and absolutely enjoy watching the gold finches trying to balance on the heads as they devour the seeds. Also love this little poem that follows: I used to love my garden, but now that love is dead; I found a Batchelor’s Button in Black-eyed Susan’s bed.

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  1168. Jan on

    What a great interview! I began my love of growing in my twenties in the Santa Cruz mountains, a beautiful and abundant area! I too have a continuing love and fascination for zinnias. I enjoyed the reference to the feeling of a musical resonance with some flowers, I agree!
    Thank you to both of you and your journey in breeding breathtaking flowers and sharing their seeds with the world.

    Reply
  1169. Taylor on

    I grew up on the coast of florida where most of the natural ecosystem is filled with tropical foliage. I was never inspired much by plantings there and my husband and I would often grumble “oh look, another palm tree.” We moved to the coast of North Carolina and the world of gardening exploded for me. I was overwhelmed with lush, fluffy, beautiful flowers that I had never really experienced before. My first love were hydrangeas, especially limelights. Blooms bigger than my face and flowers that lasted forever in a vase. Then I discovered English roses. I never knew a rose could grow so beautifully with such an incredible scent. Total face smushers is what I lovingly describe them as. Roses are the plants that I turn to as allies. I have them lining a gravel path and there is some sort of magic that stems from the sound of soft crunching, beautiful blooms peeking out of dark green foliage, and the different scents that you enjoy as you stop and bury your face so far into the bloom. My first year growing a cutting garden continued this love for me. Now when the roses are between flushes, I have cheerful zinnias, or the delicate heads of Queen Anne’s lace to bridge the gap as allies. In the long days of mothering littles, all of them offer moments of slowing down and rest for our souls for everyone in our house.

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  1170. Janis Ruhl on

    Plants have been a big part of my life for many years. The snow drops that peek their heads through the ground before I am ready to get back into the dirt is a reminder that life is in a constant cycle and doesn’t skip a beat. Mock Orange is a spring favorite along with lilac. Zinnias and dahlias are summer staples that wouldn’t be summer without them. Fall heralds in seed pods with their uniqueness. And in winter we eagerly look forward to orchids and amaryllis to give a splash of brightness to the dull days.

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  1171. Connie Howard on

    1. When life got rough I found myself relying upon my chicory root and pumpkins for sustainability. All parts of these plants are edible and they flower profusely for six months. I boiled and ate leaves, stems, flowers and fruit. During winter I lovingly overwintered my 40 foot pumpkin vines with sheets and a blankie.

    2. If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would save seed from my Moroccan pumpkin, chicory root and my boysenberry forest. FYI: I know my boysenberry patch is currently attempting world domination but it requires no irrigation, fertilizer, harvest, or dividing once established. All parts of the plants are edible, the flowers are fragrant, and it can be used as a natural barrier to home invasion.

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  1172. Kellie on

    Zinnias fill me with childlike joy. I can’t help smiling when I see them! I also gravitate toward cosmos, Queen Anne’s lace, and eucalyptus. I really love wildflowers and reveling in the lighthearted curiosity of what I might find. The green green of zinnia leaves and stems is both exciting and so calming. Flowers both growing in the garden and cut and displayed in my house are so encouraging and make me peaceful and hopeful.

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  1173. Paula Walton on

    I already save so many seeds… but if seed catalogs were to disappear I know I would feel an even deeper urgency to save as many as I could. Those I truly try to save the most are sweet little Flower of an Hour seeds, certain varieties of very tiny tomatoes that my granddaughter loves, pink varieties of “Cockscomb” celosia ~ from pale pinks to the huge brilliant fuchsias that my mother loved, and then there are all of the unruly flowering tobacco plants that try so hard to move themselves in between all bricks in my garden paths. Plus deep blue bachelor’s buttons, perennial foxgloves, false indigo baptisia, … In truth I would have to say that I would attempt to save seeds from all of the antique flowers and dye plants that I grow.

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  1174. Catherine on

    I would totally save aquilegia seeds. So elegant and dainty! I’m always happy when them reseed themselves!

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  1175. Catherine Stewart on

    I would need to grow alongside zinnias & dahlias for my entire life! Zinnias for me are the happiest flower and I am beyond excited to grow these beautiful colors and forms that Kori has steward into this world.
    Kori’s words that she experiences an ‘inner resonance’ with flowers is something I can relate to. Dahlias and Gladiolus literally carried me through my most difficult years. My sweet husband planted them for the first time when I as in the midst of a major health crisis. He knew how I love flowers and that having cut flowers in our home would make me so happy. That single act of love, was a major factor in my healing. The flowers have given me the inspiration and energy I’ve needed to we well again and start to thrive again in this world. I too hear a song or a voice from the flowers. Kori mentioned “flowers singing inside my body”. I feel this and I feel the messages they send. Mostly I hear, “Share me”, “Bring my beauty to others so they can feel joy”. It’s a dream to be growing all this beauty and helping it find it’s way into the world. I look forward to seeing the future projects Kori is working on. This interview touches my soul and I think my heart grew, just hearing all the passion Kori has for these beautiful blooms.

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  1176. Claudia D. on

    When life is hardest I turn to the Roses,Violas, Alstromeria and Hellabore, Gardenia’s to help steady my spirits. Walking through a garden my mom and I have created has brought a sense of Joy and wonder that makes all the noise quiet down in that moment and all you see and hear is the beautiful treasure of Mother Nature.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow the seeds I would save would be roses and violas because ever since I can remember they’ve always been a part of my life when I’d be in the garden with my mom helping plant them there so special to me and closest to my heart.

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  1177. Tina May on

    Roses are my love and dahlias and zinnias are my second loves. I would save dahlia and zinnia seeds to live beside forever. I have 5 acres I’m covering with fruit trees and flowers, my life giving paradise.

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  1178. Jill P. on

    The plants I turn to at tough times are those I have grown from seed – like my Himalayan blue poppy. I did love the zinnias I grew last year, though the colours were nowhere near as beautiful as Kory’s. I always save some seed, sweet peas are a must, and I will definitely try zinnias this year also. I save rat tailed radish seeds, because you only need a couple plants to provide lots of pods for arrangements (and salads).
    The zinnia colours you and Kory have developed are so ethereal!

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  1179. Kayla on

    I think for me it’s not just one plant that lifts my spirits in hard times. I think it’s just plants in general. I can be working in my vegetable garden or with the flowers in my front yard and the act of working with them has such a calming effect. It’s a great way to get grounded again and reflect on life and see the beauty in things.

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  1180. Tracy Duncan on

    I love all flowers. I add new things to my gardens each year. One of my favorite flowers is Dianthus. I love how it smells and I love how they have all different forms. Some look like carnations, and some fan out, some are low growing and some are taller. Another favorite of mine is Bee Balm. The butterflies and hummingbirds love them, so I look forward to seeing them bloom each year. One of my favorite annuals is Zinnias. I have a variety that I saved last year that I am hoping comes back true to seed. It is a deep cherry red and white mix. I tried to grow the seed before, and they didn’t make it. They are probably a hybridized version. I would love zinnias that I could grow year after year, which is why I am so excited for your offerings.

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  1181. Lari Barager on

    I can always count on my Zinnias. They come up quickly and reliably and grow like gangbusters in Texas, so when everything else is burning up in the summer heat, I know my Zinnias will still be there for me! They draw butterflies and bees to my garden, and I love bringing bunches of them to my friends at work. They remind me of my favorite aunt who, amongst all the vegetables my uncle grew in his garden, there was a row dedicated just for her to plant her Zinnias. She would go out before the day got too hot and steamy on their Mississippi farm and bring back enough Zinnias to place on her dining and kitchen tables. I will always save Zinnia seeds, and I treasure the thought that friends who received some from me are now growing their own.

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  1182. Michelle Strasser on

    I’m surprised at my own viseral reaction to the question about seed catalogs disappearing. It felt like a punch to the gut and utter dismay to even imagine it. That said, I like the idea of having to think about which flowers I continue to need in my life and I realize most of the seeds I would absolutely have to save were all introduced to me by Floret!! Bells of Ireland, Cress, Zinnia, Dahlia, and Celosia are my go-tos for creating bouquets that bring me joy and help me spread joy to friends!

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  1183. Vanessa Diaz on

    If I had to save seeds from my garden they would be ranunculus, zinnias , and dahlias. They make me so happy when I look at them. I could grow along side them forever!

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  1184. Giselle Fillion on

    I love to surround myself with plants. All different kinds. I am in the Canadian prairies and grow in zone 3. Hot humid summers and cold harsh windy winters. I have house plants that I care for year round.. just under 70 of them 😅. I am quite attached to a Monstera that I have grown from a tiny baby about 6 years ago, it has such a presence in my home & life! His name is Monty 🤭. I am blessed to have a south facing enclosed sunroom/ porch that I heat… in the winter months the blooms from my Geraniums, Orchids, Bougainvillea, Mandevilla, Mini Rose, Peace Lilly, and Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas Cactus bring me joy & help get me through the long, dark & cold winters. I have a very small yard but I grew lots of vegetables and more and more flowers each year. In spring I love to see the tulips pop up sometimes through the snow ,lovely iris , the columbines and the bleeding hearts and the beautiful fragrant apple blossoms. In the early summer next comes the peonies, hostas and lillies. Followed by my Annabelle and pinky windy hydrhydrangeas. All the vegetable and herb plants take off & start offering a harvest. The gladiolus bloom so beautifully. The annual petunias, bachelor buttons, calendula, sweet peas, morning glory, and so many others. Nearing the end of summer the dahlias put on their big show. I love having something new growing & blooming all through the year. Something about being able to witness the cycles of plants growing through the progression of the seasons and time… its very grounding for me. I can’t say that I have a particular plant that I turn to, more that plants as a collective support me as I journey through this life. Thank you for sharing your love of plants & flowers with the world on such a big scale Erin & team Floret! It’s been such a refreshing treat following your journey & learning from you !

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  1185. Carol Perry on

    Big love for this inspiring and informative interview. I just discovered a love for zinnias two year ago. They are works of art in my bouquets that often inspire the colour pallet. The only thing missing is fragrance. I began seed saving last year with sweet peas. The ease of collection was my gateway. Dahlias and celosia followed. I now have so many seeds to share at seedy Saturday next month. I did not get the timing right for saving the zinnia seeds. Flowers brought me out of a deep sadness in 2022 when I started my flower garden in honour of my brother who was dying of brain cancer. Digging the beds in an old pig pen helped me grieve while still feeling a sense of purpose. The flower garden was pure bliss. The endless flowers and brilliant bouquets allowed me to share the joy with my friends and neighbours. It is hard to pick one flower that helps me achieve the balance and support I need. Just time visiting with ALL the flowers brings me back to the moment and stops the mind from worry. So my top five – sunflower, sweet pea, cosmos, zinnias and dahlia.

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  1186. Carole Shaw on

    It’s super interesting to learn about your flower breeding programs, glad that you are able to connect with a kindred spirit! I especially love seeing what you grow since I live so nearby, if you can grow it I am encouraged to try myself … with seeds from Floret!!!

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  1187. Diane Hollister on

    I was a CASFS apprentice in2006 and it was an experience for a lifetime!

    A focal point in my garden is a plumeria that is probably 30 feet tall(in coastal San Diego). For the first 20 years I lived in my house my dear next door neighbor would dutifully wheel his can of lawn clippings over to my yard and spread them on a mound in the backyard. After he passed I planted the plumeria there and it has grown and flourished. The beautiful fragrant flowers delight me spring, summer, and fall and the wild twisted shape in the winter. All year round the memory of my sweet, kind neighbor is with me reminding me of peace and endurance.

    Reply
  1188. AlexAndria Winans on

    When life is the hardest, I gravitate to the garden. I find joy in all flowers, but have a fond appreciation for peonies, double click cosmos, sunflowers dahlias and zinnias. Growing flowers has been a massive part in my healing journey. Each new chapter and season of life brings challenges, but I find solace and peace in my garden. As a new mom balancing life, work and flower farming has been a challenge with an infant, but I’m choosing to keep moving forward, even if that means I have to scale back and be intentional in the varieties I grow. I am dying to get my hands on these zinnias and look forward to learning more about breeding and seed saving!

    Reply
  1189. Robin Avenmarg on

    If I couldn’t buy from a seed catalog, I would save my sweet peas , zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, anything that I have blooming that can be saved for seeds. I actually already do this, but I’m truly glad I can still buy seeds.

    Reply
  1190. Stephanie Newkirk on

    #2 Cosmos, they are so generous and life giving. Of course I would want to save as many flowers as possible.

    Reply
  1191. Amy mullen on

    I would say this past year my dahlias brought me the most joy! Digging the tubers up at the end of the year may have been my favorite part. Just knowing I will be able to have more next year, so rewarding!

    Reply
  1192. A nice Karen on

    There isn’t a particular plant that brings me peace. It is the collective of the season – from beginning to end, again and again. Checking in on the weather, getting organized (certainly not my strong point), figuring out the next step, failing, killing stuff, trying again. Trying not to watch too many social media posts about others. Creating a business that helps this world. As a nurse, I’m a little shocked at how unprepared I always feel at the sheer sadness of my job.

    I’ve definitely inherited the gardening bug from someone – my mother or father, both who passed in the last three years. Tough stuff. So, my plan is to just grow whatever I can, learn, enjoy it all, then pass the flowers to others. I’ve joined the “Growing Kindness Project”. I don’t sell my flowers, I bring them to local nursing homes, memory care facilities, hospitals and this avenue suits me well. I still work as a nurse to support the expensive stuff I need to grow flowers. One day soon, I’ll retire from nursing but I hope to always be growing – doesn’t matter what scale, small or large. I just enjoy it, so I’ll keep doing it. Cheers!

    Reply
  1193. Ronda on

    The Dahlia! Their is so much warmth and beauty in Dahlias that they make me feel like a little girl again.. MESMERIZING!

    Reply
  1194. Megan on

    I very literally ‘discovered’ the magic and healing power that the beauty of flowers offer in one of the most pivotal hardest times in my life when my understanding of how the world functioned and what made sense imploded… flowers made me recognize that there is always beauty in the world, you just need to be willing to see it. I think the most tiny, unassuming flowers, actually especially things that are deemed ‘weeds’ offer up the most magic in their tenacity and soil-building and pollinator-supporting good they do without the glory or credit more showy blooms behold. That said – I am also obviously enamoured by ruffly petals and colour gradients and unique nuanced hard-to-describe colours. I think in a world without access to outside seed sources… I might actually prioritize saving seed and growing out more bearded iris’! Alongside me forever though… I think Japanese anemones would be my top choice. The fluff of their seed heads can be used as insulating material for hummingbird nests which is just the most magical next life for a flower. :) Thank you Kori for doing the hard work of breeding and stewarding such beautiful flowers into the world and sharing them with us. x

    Reply
  1195. Jocelyn Callahan on

    I’m not sure I can limit to one plant. Perhaps zinnias, because I have known them the longest. Certainly dahlias, but they are recent friends.
    The ever evolving garden is incredibly and often supernaturally encouraging to me. The constancy and variety fill me up. I completely understand Kori when she speaks of a personal relationship with her flowers. I have always felt that way. They often offer me a quiet, peaceful contentment, with their persistent growth, through wind, rain, and storm. Intrepid, always beautiful, in any form. They show me how to be beautiful in aging. I could go on and on. They are my friends. I am beyond excited to introduce Kori’s zinnias to my garden friends.

    Reply
  1196. Lisa on

    Like our own human babies, it’s impossible to pick just one floral baby that is a favorite. But to select one that has the most power to provide a feeling of peace and boost my spirits, it would have to be a dahlia. I often take a break from work, or whatever is heavy on my mind, to just go outside and look at the beauty of their colors, petal shapes and incredible sizes. A joy that is tough to beat!

    Reply
  1197. Jennifer on

    I almost alway default to fragrance when I collect what we have coined the “emotional support bouquet” in our home; sweet peas being at the top of my preferred “treatments”. Other floral balms for my soul include stock, fragrant Chabaud dianthus, dames rocket and garden roses.

    Reply
  1198. Susan Kay Jones on

    I didn’t really get into gardening until I retired. Gardening brings me such joy. I love to share the beauty of my garden. I hope the joy rubs off on my grandkids and that I can enjoy their gardens someday.

    Reply
  1199. Alissa C on

    I find that all plants, including my houseplants, give me solice, hope, and joy. I especially love seeing the new growth; a newly sprouted seedling, a fern frond unfurling, a bloom opening.

    Reply
  1200. Beth Johnston on

    I love my roses; I find picking the flowers to put in bouquets in the summer so uplifting. But every winter here in northern CA it rains for extended periods of time—some years more than others and in January when it’s dark, cold, and often rainy I find a lot of satisfaction pruning the roses for the next year. I can see the new buds coming out and it’s the hope of new flowers coming. Plus it’s the best way to get frustration out wrangling all the thorny bushes and cutting the dead stuff off.

    If I had to keep seeds from my garden, I would probably pick my sweet peas. I mean, all my vegetable seeds would sustain me and nourish me, but those little peas coming up in the middle of winter would feed my soul. I’d grow them forever. Plus, they’re easy to collect and grow!

    Reply
  1201. Susan on

    Thank you for sharing your story of hope Kori! When life is hardest I turn to peonies. I reluctantly planted them one cold December evening as snowflakes were flying. The roots had just arrived in the mail from a “must have flower farm bundle.” I didn’t like peonies but needed flowers for the early summer bloom period. It’s the first time that I had asked Karl, my fiance, for help and actually was grateful for it. The following Spring, I was contacted by a local, large peony farmer to see if I wanted to purchase any of his roots. I still didn’t like herbaceous peonies, and when I told Karl, he encouraged me to meet with this farmer. We purchased plants and in the process of dividing the roots and then planting them with my 2 daughters, I began to like the process. I fell in love with peonies once I saw the varieties that we had purchased flowering on the farm we purchased them from. Fast forward a few years, I now love to divide, and grow the roots to sell, spend countless hours weeding and watching the stages of growth, and my anticipation for when the flowers bloom is a small part of sitting in our fields observing and maintaining the plants. Peonies came in my life when I needed the lesson to ask for help, open my heart and love unconditionally. Daily I walk through and sit in our our fields and witness how love, hope, hard work and dedication can foster beauty. The ways that some stems are solid and sturdy, yet have the most frilly petals that dance in the breeze, remind me to have a strong support system and yet enjoy life with a smile. My latest project has been collecting the seeds, planting them and seeing what new varieties will bloom.

    Reply
  1202. Leora on

    I’m in awe of the way Kori speaks about Zinnias. It leaves me with such a magical feeling and that ember of hope. I find there’s 3 plants (so far) I gravitate towards to instantly brighten my spirits, dahlias, zinnias, and sunflowers. They immediately put a smile on my face. Maybe it’s their pure beauty, or knowing that the bees and birds are enjoying them just as much as me, or that I’ll have cut flowers to share. Dahlias beside their beauty I love their smell, when cut, the stems have a distinct smell, that’s the best! Thank you for sharing this inspiring and magical interview!

    Reply
  1203. April on

    Flowers are my calm place, I don’t think I could ever live without them. I have two sweet young girls, and this is my 4th year growing flowers. I started growing when my first daughter was born! When the evenings are longer and the kids are in bed, my favourite thing to do is to go sit with the blooms. It’s so grounding. Dahlias have been the main flower for me that I’ve been drawn too, I also find myself sitting with my sweet peas often. They are all so unique with amazing aromas!

    This last year I grew a patch of zinderella lilac zinnias. I almost passed them over, I planted them wherever I could find the space. Much to my surprise, when they bloomed, they were one of my all-time favourited, so much so, this year I hope to plant an entire row. I saved as much seed as I could! I also saved alllll the sweet pea seeds and will continue to do it every year.

    I absolutely loved reading this article and getting to know Kori more! This is an amazing opportunity to win these seeds, best of luck to everyone!

    Reply
  1204. Kathy on

    I want to add an addendum to the attributes of the Pussy Willow tree.
    (Please do not publish this if you think that it would be a liability to discuss medicinal properties.)

    Salix is healing. It is the original source of aspirin which is an analgesic, anti-inflammatory & a natural rooting hormone.
    Whether the bark is stripped, the leaves made into tea, or the root or branch removed and crushed, the plant must be hurt to extract its benefits for others.
    A part of the salix must be cut off and wounded to help the beneficiary to heal and/or grow.
    Think of it, it is when we are wounded and/or cut off that we have the opportunity to grow and subsequently help others to grow/heal also.
    The salix is also lightweight, strong & flexible.
    This is a tree that sets a wonderful example and speaks of our opportunity to become strong yet flexible (emotionally mature and empathetic) and lightweight (meaning to be uplifting rather than an emotional burden to others).

    Reply
  1205. Angela Webster on

    Zinnia would be the flower that I would save forever and a tomato would be the vegetable. Hugs

    Reply
  1206. Shaun on

    Really, all flower varieties bring me such joy. However, now that I’ve started growing dahlias, I don’t ever want to live without them anymore!

    Reply
  1207. Sandra on

    I enjoy my five Clematis vines that come back every year with their beautiful flowers and vines and Zinnias with Swallowtail and Monarchs swirling over them .

    Reply
  1208. Darlene MacDonald on

    Flowers bring joy & I love planting joy to those struggling; & to those who have touched my life! Some favorite are peonies, sweet peas, tulips, dahlias; so many!
    I will save sweet peas, zinnias & cosmos again this year.
    Thank you for sharing your beauty with the world!

    Reply
  1209. Andrea Greway on

    When life is hardest my peonies and raspberries buoy my spirits. Those two types of plants are hardy in my garden so I can always depend on them to produce well. The peonies with their beautiful color and smell always bring a smile to my face. I love cutting them and giving them away to people in glass jars that I saved throughout the winter. The raspberries on the other hand aren’t necessarily the prettiest to look at, but the fruit tastes amazing. My kids and I eat it right off the plant. I harvest what doesn’t get eaten outside and use it to bake all kinds of treats. What I don’t have time to bake at the time of harvest I freeze, so in the middle of winter when things are gloomy (like now) I grab some from the freezer and bake something that reminds me that summer will come again soon.

    Reply
  1210. Pat on

    I don’t feel I have the experience to respond to the questions but I wanted to comment only to say thank you for sharing Kori’s story. I’m new to growing cut flowers, this is my first year and while I have a deep love for Sweet Peas, I have had very little success in growing the beauties my mom always had planted under my bedroom window, This year is going to be different, I can feel it in my bones.

    Reply
  1211. Season on

    I have been following Kori’s story and I loved learning more about her in this interview! I have seen her beautiful zinnias popping up all over Instagram and I have been dying to get my hands on some seeds! I am so excited for the 6th! I’ll answer question 2- I would save zinnia seeds! Zinnias were the first flower seed that I sowed and they grew and thrived and after that I was hooked on growing and growing cut flowers! Zinnias gave me the bug and I love them. They thrive in our hot and humid Southern California climate and they are so unique and darling, you won’t find them at Trader Joe’s. People fall in love with them! So zinnias would be at the top of my list to save seed from. Can’t wait to get my hands on these seeds, the hardest part will be narrowing down which varieties. Would love them all!! Thank you Erin and Kori!

    Reply
  1212. Bethany Empert Guenther on

    Although plants have been a huge part of my life, I felt like I dove into the world of horticulture late, and never wanted to be a farmer, but had hopes to someday have my own nursery and breed hellebores. Since childhood, yarrow and columbine were companions and mentors along my journey, and hellebores (gifts from my first gardening mentor) became the passion force of my momentum into a life led by plants. Farming became an unexpected passion when I had the opportunity to work growing the first biodynamic nursery starts in the country, and was thrown into being the on site seed farmer. Farming stoked the little fire of passion for seeds that hid inside me, and I knew that I was being lead to something greater than me. Flower farming seemed to be the framework that could support my passions and someday, little me could make a difference in this world.

    I stumbled across Kori’s first Dawn Creek zinnias fundraiser at a pivotal moment of questioning my direction when I had to make a painful exit from the first farm I started after only 5 months. Not sure my heart was ready to start over, the gorgeous Dawn Creek Zinnias captivated me, and Kori’s story reminded me that little passion fire for seeds was still in me. I realized that supporting seed breeders is incredibly important to me, especially breeders that called home to the same mountains that I do. Donating to the Dawn Creek breeding program felt like an important way to start building the core values of my business, and the gorgeous zinnias would set my farm a little bit apart from all the other flower farms in my area. Being a convert from perennial nursery production, I was never really interested in annual flowers, and zinnias came in such harsh and garish colors, they really didn’t excite me. The Dawn Creek Zinnias totally changed my mind with their health and magical form and color, and have been a forgiving companion, helping me navigate the world of annual flowers that challenged me for so long. Hearing how Kori lets her heart guide the science of seed breeding reminds me that I chose flower farming because it felt like the way to nourish and share my love of plants while encouraging my creativity and connection to nature and myself.

    Flowers and plants give me hope! If all the seed companies went away, I would save all the seeds I can, and help others learn how to save seed, so we could start a community seed garden for the preservation and sharing of seed diversity. I am so excited to grow out the Dawn Creek zinnias seeds that I have collected, but can’t wait to try the more refined color groups this year!

    Reply
  1213. Rebecca on

    To answer both questions, easily sunflowers. In many ways, I am still a gardening novice as I continue to learn and practice year after year. I love variety and find myself wanting to plant everything (an impossible desire because of space), but I cannot go without sunflowers. I think I enjoy them because the grow so fast once they sprout that you can watch them progress, the sunshiney yellow invites joy, and the bees love them so much that even if I did nothing else, I can say I’ve made a difference. <3

    Reply
  1214. Nikki Burke on

    Good night! This interview article could not have shown up at a more perfect time. After a very long year and some very low times I feel like Kori has shown up through you for a reason! Thank you!!! Just the confirmation I needed. Just last week I ordered my new greenhouse and I have been making my list of seed selections as I get back to starting seeds as part of a way to lift my spirits, a part of just general therapy for the soul. Even on the days that it’s hard to get out to the garden I know that I always feel better after being out there. I had decided earlier this summer that I was going to focus more on zinnias due to our extreme heat here in Northern California. I’ve been doubling with Dahlia’s but the zinnias always come through, always thrive and are always there for me . Whether it’s when I need to go make a beautiful bouquet and tap into some creativity or maybe just a needed distraction. The zinnias are always there calling out when I feel compelled to share beauty with a friend who needs to pick me up. Zinnias always spark joy and they are such fighters like so many of us women. The zinnias are a constant friend. I feel like they’re so symbolic of my life and if all of the Seed catalogs disappeared I definitely would gather seed from all of the things that thrive here in our climate… Celosia, Amaranth, Tobacco flower and of course I would continue gathering seeds from the most beautiful zinnias that grace my garden! I’d be so grateful and honored to have Dawn Creek in my healing garden to share with others in need. When life is hardest, I always turn back towards the reliable Zinnias to buoy spirits. I only wish the winters were shorter;) I promise to share joy forward if selected<3

    Reply
  1215. Laurel on

    I would definitely save seeds from everything that flowers! Cone flowers, zinnias, hollyhocks, hydrangeas to name a few. Tomatoes would be the other seeds saved. My grandson eats every single cherry tomato I grow and my neighbor’s too! Everything about your garden is so inspiring, thank you for sharing with us all.

    Reply
  1216. Samantha on

    1. When life is hardest it’s the wind in the trees that lift my spirits. Nasturtiums are my personal garden ally. Steadfast and patient with all of my varying growing conditions, nasturtium’s softness is willing to show up for me.

    2. No seed catalog? Nasturtiums! As a soul companion and cilantro as my kitchen companion…

    3. If my neighbors don’t have seed catalogs either I would endeavor to save garlic and onions to share. The garlic I’m growing was a moving gift, they have the feeling of being imbued with community goodwill. I’d want that to continue.

    Reply
  1217. Shayne Darling-Meyer on

    Honestly, I can’t name just one. For I enjoy gifting a bottle or jar I have recycled full of anything even including weeds, to someone who is going through a difficult time. It fuels my soul most.
    I have been growing small meadows of wildflowers for 7 years now. My gift to the bees, butterflies and others who need a home, food or a smile. I am expanding this year to cut flowers, focusing on fresh, dried and dyed! I plan to share my journey with others in person, to inspire them to do the same! Imagine what the world would look like?
    Keeping with my mission to reuse, reduce and repurpose, I would love to learn to save seeds too. I hope by following you both to gain all the knowledge needed!

    Thanks for giving us the opportunity to buy or win your beautiful seeds!

    Much love!

    Reply
  1218. Liz Boyce on

    I have been fortunate to have a garden around me since I was young. I would always have lavender in my garden since it’s fragrance makes any day feel better.
    Then zinnias, old fashioned roses, marigolds, nasturtiums, snapdragons, lemon verbena and mint always brings a smile when times get tough. Thank goodness for flowers and the ability to grow and share.

    Reply
  1219. Jackie on

    I always make sure to plant sweet peas! I can’t get enough of their fragrant smell. I love being able to share these beautiful flowers with family and friends. My plants are grown from seeds purchased from Floret. I’ve been sharing the seeds. Now that I know Floret won’t be selling them anymore, I hope I didn’t give away too many.

    Reply
  1220. Alicia on

    Sweet pea flowers are so dainty but the plants are so hardy. They have shown me that strength and delicate beauty can come from the same being. I look forward to planting them out each year in late winter. They serve as hope that we will get through our cold wet PNW winters with beauty to come.

    If seeds became endangered, I would (and already do) save my sweet peas and dahlia seeds. I enjoy seeing the surprises that come with dahlia seeds every year. I also do quite a bit of vegetable gardening. I would save tomato, choi, and cucumber seeds too!

    Reply
  1221. Jodie on

    For me there is nothing more uplifting then walking amongst the zinnia zinderella lilacs. From her beautiful soft blush and lavender color to the way the butterflies float around her is pure bliss! Thankyou so much for sharing your beautiful story and all your hard work creating these stunning flowers!! 🌸💜

    Reply
  1222. Kim Dowd on

    I love growing dahlias from tuber and seed, Poppies , Sunflowers and Zinnias. It is my life’s joy to grow plants and nuture them to maturity. I love teaching the love of a garden to my grandkids, just as my grandmother did, when I was their age.

    Reply
  1223. Joyce Winget on

    I have been planting more Dahlia seeds every year. I love the Single and Novelty Open Dahlias. And in the fall , I save the tubers from my favorite We have a couple bee hives on our acre. I seem to grow more flowers that my bees prefer. I love Waltzing Matilda. When life seems hard I love to go in my garden and watch my bees, my hummingbirds and Waltzing Matilda blowing in the breeze.

    Reply
  1224. julie lee on

    Dahlias in all their forms are mesmerizing, I could stare at them all day. Amaryllis get me through the gloomy winter months.
    I would save seeds from dahlias, zinnias, basil, coleus!

    Reply
  1225. Diane Evans on

    Thanks for sharing your story! I guess I have always loved Zinnias. After I graduated from College, I lived in a small apartment and had a small garden plot at a near by community garden. The first year I grew tomatoes, cucumbers, Zinnias and Sweet Williams. Growing Zinnias was so satisfying- they grew and grew! My Grandmother passed away in the fall of that year. Because her name was Rose everyone sent Roses to the funeral. I was too poor to do that so I brought a jar full of my hand grown Zinnias, and placed them amongst the roses. The Funeral Director told my Mom he had never seen so many Roses, but whoever brought the Zinnias was the one who really, really loved her. I spent a great deal of time with her growing up and we took flowers mostly Zinnias and Sweet Williams to the cemetery on Sundays. Guess that is really where my love of the Zinnia started and I grow them every summer. Keep doing what you do! It is so inspiring for us back yard gardeners.

    Reply
  1226. Jenny B on

    Thank you for this interview. I loved reading Kori’s tender description of her relationship with flowers – she put such beautiful words to describe the experience! I have always struggled with anxiety and challenges of the last few years have dropped me to a lower place than I’ve ever been. Growing and harvesting flowers has brought me a sense of peace in my climb back to my “regular” self. Roses, dahlias, sweet peas and peonies have been my flowers of choice, but reading about Kori’s love of zinnias has convinced me that they will be a part of my garden going forward.

    In terms of saving seeds, if I had to choose one to collect – it would be sweet peas.

    Reply
  1227. Donna Huntley on

    When I find myself feeling like I just can’t do it any more.. and I’m crying in the field of dahlias.. I look around me at all the beauty that God has put on this earth for us humans to nurture and care for. The flowers give me strength to get up, wipe my tears, reminding me I have a responsibility to care for them, and share them, bringing happiness to those who receive them… which gives me a sense of purpose.♥️

    Reply
  1228. Julie Trulson on

    In my current garden, the plants I turn to are the succulents in my rock garden, because I can imagine that I’m actually under water in a coral reef, and the echinaceas and salvias that support the birds and insects in our water wise garden. I designed and planted the garden as a grass meadow, and had turned away from having annual flowers due to the water needs, but I’ve found I’ve lost interest in the plants and have been mostly focusing on our bird visitors. After watching the Growing Floret story I realized that I needed more flowers in my life and have planned for way more varieties than my little San Jose, CA (very near Santa Cruz) garden can hold, but I’m determined to find a way. Most of the year we sit on our front porch in the evenings and I’m very excited to see the carpet of color and form that will be showing up this year.

    Reply
  1229. Yolan Walters on

    I would save every seed I could find. Life should be filled with diversity. Every plant has its special attributes which fuels your spirits.
    The first ones I would gather would be my dahlia seeds. We lost our dear son in November after a 40 year battle with a leukodystrophy.
    He loved flowers and spent many hours in the garden with me. Being in the garden I know I will be surrounded by his love and presence. The garden blooms will be a means of healing from our loss.

    Reply
  1230. Julie Remy on

    While I love every flower I grow in the garden, always anticipating ranunculus season in the spring and zinnias later in the summer, I find myself turning towards dahlias to lift my spirits. Not just because of the blooms themselves, as beautiful as they are, but because of the ecosystem they bring to our garden. Walking amongst them, I enjoy observing the hundreds of bees cozily sleeping among their colorful, delicate petals. Witnessing little frogs looking so happy in their midst is a delight. During the winter days, I find myself longing for the return of the dahlias, so I can stroll among them and witness life at its fullest.

    Reply
  1231. Gwen Garcia on

    Thank you for pricking my memory of Peonies! Several years ago, while on a walk, a young woman rushed out of her house
    and ran to her front yard. She quickly noticed that a peony plant had a small, round pink bud. She cupped her hands around it
    like you’d do with a small child’s face and said, “You make me so happy!” Peonies make me happy too! I love stroking the cool petals.
    Those are good memories to have in the middle of a cold January day!

    Reply
  1232. Kathryn on

    Gotta be canna lilies. I received them as a gift from a local nursery that specializes in the more uncommon plants; give them enough water and sunlight and they’ll reach 8’ by September in west Michigan. These were such a blessing and really made an impact to our place. Harvesting them after the first snow has been a fun day outside, away from screens, and is such a hopeful time as the seeds are plentiful. I always look forward to spring time and getting them in the ground.

    The canna lily seeds are the ones I would save along with any of the veggies that inevitably are available. Summer is not complete without grapevine tomatoes, cucumbers, and snap peas!

    Reply
  1233. Mary on

    I have a stellata magnolia that has rebloomed at odd times for me thru the past 20 years of a difficult marriage/ family situation. In the winter it goes dormant in Ca. and looks dead but it comes back and my heart is filled with joy. That tree has brought me more happiness. Thank you for the article it was great.

    Reply
  1234. Norene on

    After reading your article, I think I would save snapdragon seeds. I am drawn to them especially for bouquets. But I would have a hard time deciding because I like so many. This has really made me think more about saving my own seed and adapting it to my soil and climate. Thanks so much for all your work and sharing information so freely.

    Reply
  1235. Kerri Antes on

    Sweet Peas will forever be a part of my life. In the dark days of winter carefully tending and planting the seeds always reminds me that springtime and the deeply perfumed scent they bring to my home lies ahead.

    Reply
  1236. Jessica Munz on

    Thank you for sharing her story! Great interview! Can I save them all? 😆 my goal this year is to do a better job saving seeds and dive in to that world. I would save celosia, zinnias, dahlia seeds, and snapdragons. I have new to me seed packets arriving that I’m looking forward to growing this year, so I’m sure I’d love to save those too! And a plant i want to grow alongside forever are peonies. I planted 178 this year, and I look forward to the day that I’m in my 80s with grandchildren, cutting blooms from this same 178. (I’m in my mid-30s right now). And knowing they’ll be there for future generations, is something so special.

    Reply
  1237. Krystn Nelsen on

    There is something about plants and their tenacity to withstand and endure, to flourish and produce, and to fill the world with both simple and intricate beauty that inspires.
    Every flower has the capability of making me stop in my tracks; to touch; breathe. Growing things is part of my being-with it comes hope, renewal and joy. Also- exasperation, frustration and utter despair, which in turn makes me more determined to try again!
    Sharing with others- a bouquet, harvested seed, a saved tuber, helpful advice or side by side guidance is balm for one’s soul!

    Reply
  1238. Josh McAllister on

    There’s nothing like stepping out in the garden, being amidst the life of plants and insects, picking a cherry tomato warmed by the sun and popping it into your mouth and having it burst it’s sweet and acidic flavor. It’s one of those eye closing moments that you can just forget the world for just a moment. Especially if your cherry tomato plants have over encumbered their trellises and give you a little hideaway from everything else. Can you imagine the smell of the plants? The slight breeze carrying that unique scent. Rays of golden sunshine slip through the intertwined branches dancing all around. As long as I can help it, I will grow these little gems of all kinds to give me that little piece of serenity.

    Reply
  1239. Randy Horn on

    I am glad that you can save seeds and they come back the same every year.

    Reply
  1240. Liane Donohue on

    When life is tough I tend to wander towards the hollyhocks. My grandmother grew them & they are my reminder to be strong when the wind blows, to appreciate everything about them , not just the flowers but the sturdy stems& seed pods. My love for flowers comes my grandmothers, so I find myself enjoying the roses they grew , sweet peas & delphiniums.they are my comfort flowers. If all the flower catalogs grew no more, then would continue growing my delphiniums, zinnias,dahlia,and Nana’s hollyhocks

    Reply
  1241. Angela Henderson on

    I’m an autistic adult. The world of flowers has given me love, beauty and a lifetime career in horticulture. Been growing zinnias in my cutting garden for decades and am beyond excited to push the limits of what I can grow this coming season! These flowers give me peace of mind and steady my busy brain. If I could only gather seeds from my gardens zinnias, rudbeckias and gaillardias would be on top of my list. Love the thought of more natives being breed too.

    Reply
  1242. Marilynn Kirk on

    Honeysuckle is a memories scent for me.

    I would save zinnia seeds to always have their cheerful beauty and Calendula for medicinal use.

    Reply
  1243. Shannon on

    Dahlias have been that steadying friend when times have been tough. I have taken over an old pasture and have added row by row to now plant over 1,000 tubers last year. Walking between the rows and tending to them has brought me so much peace that this year I am going to reinvent a overgrown berry patch to grow a variety of cut flowers.

    Reply
  1244. S. Lewis on

    Wildflowers! We were walking through an incredibly hard season with health issues, financial hardship and just life feeling like it kicks you time and time again, but we were on a walk and my boys brought me a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers, they were so proud! These flowers reminded me of Matthew 6:25-33 when it says Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as well as these, talking of the lilies of the filed. They remind me first and foremost God will provide always, he hears and he listens and he can grow beauty anywhere anytime. And these wildflowers began my love and desire to start growing cut flowers to remind myself and others of that beauty every day.

    Reply
  1245. Sharon S on

    My small flowerbeds are sprinkled with flowers from people who were or are very special in my life. It’s the yellow corydalis from Grandma(she always called it tame bleeding heart) that the birds have reseeded in my big flower pots. The sweet lily of the valley that blooms in June. Variegated lung worts early spring blossoms. The hint of white staring to show on the snow bells. All of these are reminders of my Mom & Grandma. I love my memories of them & how flowers now “fill my cup”. The feeling I get after a walk around the yard is amazing. ❤️

    Reply
  1246. Ellen on

    Zinnias for sure—so generous, cheerful, stouthearted! But stocks and nicotiana also offer an opportunity to inhale and lose oneself in pure beauty. These are all seeds I can’t help but save each year, along with sweet peas and kale.

    Reply
  1247. Christy on

    If seed catalogs went away I would save all of the Zinnia seed. (I try to save it all even with catalogs!) They are so generous with seed! You could have an abundance and huge variety of amazing flowers forever with just the saving and multiplying zinnias.

    Reply
  1248. Amy Diliberto on

    When life is hardest I am always inspired by the cool season annuals that survive and thrive through the coldest darkest days of winter only to emerge more vibrant and strong in the spring. Such an inspiring thing to watch and be part of.

    I am also so thankful for zinnias and how they give all season. It is truly amazing how they keep giving and producing through the season for our pleasure and profit. I feel a little indebted to them and see them as a selfless plant that pushes through.

    Reply
  1249. Lydia on

    I also find myself drawn to zinnias when life feels hard. something about their permeance throughout the season, they are reliable and comforting to know that if everything fails me, they will still grow and flourish. I also find comfort in oak trees, probably for a similar reason. They feel strong and grounded and the sound of their leaves in the wind can make you forget everything else.

    Reply
  1250. Tamar on

    For me, yarrows is truly my healing plant especially in hard times. I love their fern-like wide lower leaves, and they tall strong stems. Their calming aroma from their greenery. Their big-faced beautiful blooms composed of lots of small flowers. And the power of their growth both by abundant seeds and rhizomes under the soil. The subtle white blooms support me (and any bouquet) as an always present ally in my garden.

    Reply
  1251. Amanda Boomer on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, and I had to pick a single variety, I would have to save sweet peas. They always make me remember my grandmother and the sweet peas that covered the fence in her beautiful garden that was so magical during my childhood.

    Reply
  1252. Sarah Bartsch on

    Peonies. I love peonies so deeply! In my area of southern Manitoba we have a very strong Mennonite heritage and many Mennonites who settled here in the late 1800’s brought peonies and dahlias, and many other flower seeds, with them from Russia and Ukraine. There is hardly a Mennonite homestead without peonies growing in the garden. I have roots from my childhood home that I have moved with me to 4 consecutive homes! I’m growing my collection every year!

    Reply
  1253. Mel B on

    One of my favorite plants is Anise Hyssop. It’s beautiful, smells amazing, and the bees, beneficial insects and humming birds adore it. When I am feeling stressed I rub its leaves, taste their yummy black licorice flavor and admire how this beautiful plant provides nutrition to not only insects and humming birds, it is also a highly beneficial herb to humans. The plant that keeps on giving!

    I have been collecting seeds the last few years because I have been worried about seed shortages. My priority is always food and herbs as we need them to survive, so all the veggies! But my top flowers to seed save are Zinnias, Nigella, False Queen Anne’s Lace, Snap dragons, and Rudbeckia haha.

    Love your story, thanks for sharing!

    Mel

    Reply
  1254. Melissa T. on

    During the most challenging periods of my life, especially through my battle with postpartum anxiety, the plants that stand out as my steadfast allies are zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers. Zinnias gave me confidence in myself as a grower. In my first year of gardening, almost everything struggled in my garden – but not my zinnias! They made me feel like I could stick it out through the steep learning curve of the world of cut flowers. And those wild, whimsical cosmos make me smile whenever I see them. I love the way they wave “hello” in the wind and flop down wherever they please. These “cut-and-come-again” flowers are such a good reminder for me that, as many times as it feels like life cuts me down, I know that I’ll bounce back in time. My love for sunflowers comes from my mother, who decorated her (very 90’s) kitchen from top to bottom with sunflower wallpaper, dish towels, and utensils. Yellow has always been a favorite color of hers, so these bright flowers, with their faces turned to the sun, are very precious to me.
    I would save the seeds of the sunflowers and dahlias from my garden. Sunflowers are native to North America area and were first grown by indigenous tribes over 4,500 years ago. Being part of that history, sharing their light and positivity with others, and paying homage to my mother by saving these seeds would be an honor. Dahlias, with all their forms and colors, fascinate, frustrate, and captivate me! The fact that the seeds can come back as something other than the mother plant is such a fun surprise from nature. I feel like I could grow alongside dahlias forever because they require so much work and specialized care. Instead of seeing that work as a downside, I see it as something that will keep me busy for years to come and provide me with a deep connection to the cycles of nature.

    Reply
  1255. Sydnie on

    The plants I turn to the most are hands down my zinnias. Next would be my cucurbits. There is so much joy in the flowers alone, but the environment they attract is astonishing! I love watching the insect interactions throughout the beautiful blossoms.

    If I had to save the seed I had in the garden currently, I would first and foremost save my zinnias, then okra, green beans, celosia, and squash. The peace and joy zinnias being me is almost too hard to describe.

    Reply
  1256. Marie Abaya on

    I love collecting seeds! Zinnia, poppies, cosmos, calendula, marigold, and anything you can ‘throw and grow’

    Reply
  1257. Lisa on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    That’s a hard one to answer. I love all the plants! Just being out in the garden among the flowers and greenery and digging in the dirt does me so much good. I even find weeding to be therapeutic! Whenever the plant catalogues arrive, I circle all the ones I want. Then my husband has to remind me that our garden isn’t that big! My top favorites are daisies, zinnias, cosmos, dahlias, Gerbera, portulaca, hibiscus, hydrangea, liliacs, and roses. Trees are probably my biggest allies in hard times. They contain so much wisdom. Psithurism, the sound of the wind through the leaves, is comforting in hard times.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? daisies, zinnias, cosmos, dahlia tubers, Gerbera, portulaca, maple and oak.

    Reply
  1258. Courtney on

    In hard time’s recently dealing with health issues I’ve planted dahlias the last 4 years and found them to be very therapeutic, along with a handful of other flowers and just a garden in general. I can relate to Kori in how plants have helped and how they speak to you. It’s a very unique experience being able to in a sense listen to the plants

    Reply
  1259. Amanda Reynolds on

    When my life gets hard and tossed into a tizzy or my two and three year old daughters are making me dizzy I head towards scented geraniums. Their fragrance boosts my spirit, transporting me to a place where I am able to stop and reboot. So many delicious smells like, mint, rose, orange fizz, coconut, and pine, to name a few. It seems like Everything about them delights me! I pop them in planters along side herbs and annuals and even have a few that overwinter in my garden. The shapes and textures of their foliage, bright blooms and surprising scents when you rub the leaves between your fingers heightens my senses and brings a smile to my face. Sometimes I carry a leaf or two in my pocket for fun!

    Reply
  1260. Adele Haney LeChien on

    It’s Feb 1st and already the yard thinks it’s spring here in Florence, OR. The new shoots of survivors coming up now gives me hope that this new year will indeed be alive and well. I don’t have very good luck growing flowers here, but when I am successful, the narcissus and sweet peas are my favorites. I will have to go over to the vets office again to see if they will share another narcissus bulb with me this year. The one they gave me last year sadly did not come up. I can’t find the variety anywhere and have tried to mail order the seed with no luck. The vet doesn’t know the name of it so it’s been trial and error to try to order one of that same variety. If they’ll give me another bulb, I may have to send it to you to grow it for me LOL. If I can get cosmos and hollyhocks to grow it will make it an epic year. Thank you for your inspiring videos and newsletters.

    Reply
  1261. Kim on

    1. When life is hardest- plants are my sanctuary. Growing a garden, especially flowers is a magical experience. Cutting whatever I have blooming and making a bouquet that I can bring indoors is something that brightens my day and brings healing to my soul.

    Reply
  1262. Sandra Martensen on

    Our Japanese conifers give me the greatest joy. Most have been sourced from a wonderful site called Conifer Kingdom and over the years the little inexpensive starts have become the small gnarled trees of my dreams. Now I look for interesting rocks and grasses for the mix. This spring I hope to experiment with rock mosaics for what we call Conifer Park.

    Reply
  1263. Allyson on

    The seeds I would save would be from my gomphrena plants and green rose bush. I use these flowers to make haku leis for people celebrating special occasions. It gives me joy to tend and nurture my plants then be able to use them in making my haku leis. I’m always looking for other flowers to grow to use in my lei making. I’m excited to try and grow zinnias to use in my haku leis.

    Reply
  1264. Jaime Preston on

    I’ve always loved to grow things since childhood. I come from a family of growers so it has always been familiar. But growing flowers has been therapy and a Joy giving labor of love the last 12 years for me. After discovering Floret and beginning to invest in quality seed it’s been a game changer! The gorgeous blooms have been magical. I’m always excited to see what new beauties have opened up each morning during my watering routine. It’s exciting to find those blooms full of personality and unique color and texture variations. There’s a peace that comes in spending time amongst them! I too am a lover of Zinnias. They’re one of my very favorites. My paternal Grandfather used to line his driveway with him waist high! I spent summers making bouquets for him to sell alongside his tomatoes and other vegetables that he was well known for locally. He was the first person to teach me about seed saving!
    They encompass beautiful memories! So if there was one flower that I will always grow it would be these! 💐

    Reply
  1265. Amy on

    The scent of a sweet pea bloom instantly lifts my spirits. They remind me of my mom’s garden and thinking about her and her green thumb helps in the hardest of times.

    Reply
  1266. Lisa Pilz on

    I would find myself turning to my rose garden when I need my spirit uplifted! Roses remind me of my mom and grandma who are the strongest women I know!! But if find all my flowers bring me incredible joy! I seem to have my favorites based on the season.
    If I had to save seed I believe that in the flower department it would be zinnias, celosia, sweet peas and sunflowers. I would save seed from every vegetable we grow also! We have to feed the body and the soul!!!

    Reply
  1267. Maggie on

    anticipate and savour every new shoot that comes with the changing seasons. Here on the west coast of Canada the seasons are a huge part of our lives and the different blooms all mingling. We are currently waiting on “signs of spring”
    I would save all the seeds of my dahlias and zinnias and pretty much every plant I could!
    I loved reading about your story Cori and all these hard working women and men finding their way back to the garden.
    Thank you Floret!

    Reply
  1268. Deborah Barnard on

    I would save seeds from plants of my childhood like four o’clocks, calendula, sweet peas, “snaps” impatience, of course zinnias .

    Reply
  1269. Sue G. on

    Freesias, zinnias and sweet peas, poppies, roses and sunflower, dahlias… There’s more- I guess there’s not one! Zinnias and chrysanthemums are essentially satisfying as cut flowers in the house. This year I have started to save seeds and have a favorite zinnia that I’ve been growing for three years now, also sweet peas and sunflower seeds. We’ll see what happens! I’m truly inspired, and I definitely replenish my soul in the garden.
    I would save all the seeds that I could.

    Reply
  1270. Claire on

    I have always had an obsession with plants and flowers, and this summer will be the first time that I have a garden. I cannot wait to fill it with flowers, fruits and vegetable, pollinator houses etc.

    I started my first year of a medical residency training young and bushy tailed (and with 10 houseplants). Within 6 months the pandemic hit and I found myself in the Covid intensive care unit. The team of wonderful nurses, residents, attendings, techs, worked tirelessly, but it was the early days and we were overwhelmed. I could tell you so many stories about that time… but to answer your question: my plants helped me through this tough time. I have a tiny balcony and I FILLED it with zinnias, one dahlia (all that I could fit), basil, scabiosas, dwarf sunflowers, cacti, succulents, lavender, a passion fruit vine, and many other flowers. I strung up market lights and added planter baskets all around. I filled every inch with pots and plants but left one tiny spot to sit and look up at the amazingness around me.

    Gardening and creating beauty kept my mind off the extreme sadness, helplessness, and awfulness I was experiencing in the hospital. In those moments I could (literally) disappear into my flowers and relax. I’d sip a drink under my market lights in the evening among the plants and for that moment, everything was ok.

    I’ve kept up the urban gardening on my tiny balcony and it makes me so happy. I’ve even had a few hummingbirds, monarch’s, and many bees come visit!! I love overhearing people walking below in the street saying things like: “look at that balcony! It’s amazing!”, “ so many plants!! , “Beautiful, I love it!” Even if people don’t know me, they know the balcony. When I tell them I’m the plant lady with the corner apartment they invariably say “oh that’s you?!! You have so many beautiful plants! I love your balcony!”

    This summer I will finally graduate and move into a home with a garden (!). I cannot tell you how excited I am. I am already planning the garden and have been collecting seeds wherever I can. If I had to pick one, I’d likely save sweat pea seeds (they remind me of my grandmother and the smell is out of this world). I’ve been learning about soil and green manures from the Land Gardner’s books, reading every Floret book, following dawn creek/floret and a bunch of others online, got my hands on as many gardening books as possible and devoured them. My excitement is out of control and I just cannot wait. I’m also looking forward to bringing flowers to my new neighbors and hopefully making friends this way :). The joy flowers bring just goes on and on. Thank you for reading my ramblings and bringing beauty into the world through your wonderful work. I’m so glad (& lucky) that you are sharing it with us!

    Reply
  1271. Nancy Roberts Patterson on

    Flowers i gravitate toward in challenging times are zinnias in the summer and camellias in the winter. During the year, however, I’m always searching for something in the yard or garden that i can cut and bring into the house. Even if it’s just anise or Fern fronds. I haven’t gotten proficient at saving seeds yet other than zinnias and celosia but I’m working my way in that direction. .

    Reply
  1272. Gwen Sayers on

    I will answer #2, I would save seeds from sooo many of my plants! Probably all and any that produced seeds😂 I love zinnias of course, delphiniums, sweet peas, Agrostemma, ammi dara, poppies… the list goes on! Lettuce, peas and some other veggies would be important to me too.
    Thank you for introducing us to Kori and giving us a glimpse of her story and passion!

    Reply
  1273. Marsha on

    I love it when the hellebores start breaking from the soil in my garden. They are a signal to me that Spring is on its way! I find their lovely muted shades to be very calming and peaceful. I have not had great success with growing hellebores from seed so their successful cultivation gives me even more reasons to celebrate!

    Reply
  1274. Teresa Hart on

    I especially love the shy, early spring flowers both in my garden (snowdrops and hellebores) and later in the spring the abundant, pink fawn lilies in our local natural areas. Painting flowers gets me through the winters and I understand what Kori says about her special connection to the plants. I wouldn’t want to live in a world without flowers!

    Reply
  1275. Lynda on

    I was one of the lucky ones in 2022 to receive your Dawn Creek Blush Zinnias thru your donation program!!! I had fallen in love with the pictures of that plant, but never did I expect just how much better they were in person!!! I planted 15 of the seedlings at my dads house and asked him to tend to them in hopes of saving some of the seed. My dad is 90 years old and had never gardened before, well he quickly was so delighted with this plants.
    Thank you for putting your heart and soul into these plants.

    I’m a sucker for the plants that my mom used to grow, sweet peas and pansies, they make me feel happy.

    Reply
  1276. Nina on

    I would say plant’s definitely are a hugely important for lifting my spirits when things are hard. I think every year it’s different for me, especially coming out of winter. I’m in Northern California as well where the winters are mild so I overwinter many of my flower crops, but inevitably there are losses due to poor timing, gophers, too much rain, etc. So often the first big healthy crop is the one to lift me out of my feelings of failure and disappointment. Last year it was my roses, the previous one an April crop of 6 foot snapdragons. This year I took a break and traveled to Oaxaca and the incredible plant biodiversity there made my heart swell! Plants are magic, they’re my best friends.

    Reply
  1277. Corina Pennington on

    I’m so thankful for the passion that you pour into your posts, resources and content. I think the plants that I hold dear are herbs, fragrant flowers and fruits. The act of pausing and harvesting has been my way of resetting from the high needs of motherhood. There is something very restorative about smelling and processing herbs. I especially love being able to share and preserve them for the winter months.

    Reply
  1278. Rebecca Landel-Hernandez on

    I love Snapdragons and Foxgloves. I search for unusual colors like soft rust. I’ve started a “Victorian ” black flower garden on one side of our garden and am on a quest for all deep, dark burgundy and black annuals and perennials. I’ve mixed in some perennial veggies to keep things interesting. I love it that you have an art background. I think of planning out the garden as a way of painting with nature.

    Reply
  1279. Cara on

    I love to save seeds and fry to propagate any and all plants. It’s like a science experiment. I love collecting unique flowers that I have grown and try to save their seeds for the next season. That being said, I would try to save all my seeds and share them with friends and family. No matter how long I’ve been growing or how many seeds I’ve planted I still admire each plant that spouts from that tiny little pod.

    Reply
  1280. Kelli Jayn Nichols on

    It would be sweet peas, simple to save and too sweet to live without! I would really miss these lovelies. ( I would also work had to baby my narcissi, because, to answer question 1, nothing beats their cheerful faces after a dark Seattle winter!)

    Reply
  1281. Cathy on

    I definitely feel drawn to dahlias. I believe it is because there is something every season to do with them, winter storing, spring waking them up and dividing, sharing them in the summer and then growing them on to give out in bouquets and then digging and putting to bed in the fall. I feel like there is a dahlia for everyone! If seed catalogs disappeared I would definitely be saving more seeds from my poppies, salvias, zinnias, celosia and amaranth. I usually let them self sow now, because I like the cottage look and feel like they picked their spot and should be able to grow on there.

    Reply
  1282. Ella K. on

    1. I love this question, as the answer is something I have been living out so practically over the last couple of years. In the past being with the plants has buoyed me amidst intense grief around my health worsening in new ways, and tethering myself to a vision of next year’s garden is quite literally keeping me alive as I navigate seismic life changes and depression due to a traumatic divorce. I am drawn right now towards the steady abundance & humble generosity of flowers like calendula, borage & zinnia. And cosmos. In the midst of the summer before, which was spent regularly in the numbing throes of recurring, uncontrollable fevers, I was visited by an image of quiet surrender just outside the door: the light stems of the orange cosmos flowers I planted yielding softly to the tiny bodies of the native bumblebees landing to indulge in sweetness. Seeing that taught me so much about the possible gifts of surrender & flexibility.
    2. All of the above. And I fell in love with growing gaillardia lorenziana and an open pollinated mixture of snapdragons this past summer, both of which embodied such an unusual and playful energy that I found so sweet. They grew in kind of a wild, bendy way that somehow complemented their unusual but delicate blooms (ha – maybe in part because neither variety was staked). I am an anxious person who really likes to have a clear sense of how things will turn out, and being in relationship with varieties like those whose variation is surprising helps ground me in the sense that uncertain futures can turn out to be really beautiful (not always terrifying and desolate as my mind would assume).

    Reply
  1283. Kristy Muller on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? My answer to this question is zinnias for sure. They are the happiest flower! Looking through my gallery of pictures on my phone will prove this! I have so many pictures of zinnias. I am excited about breeding programs, but I wish people would breed for the darker, rich, jewel tones. Many of my zinnias have hybridized, I guess, because I get some of the weirdest, most beautiful colors from saved seed. I have a chocolately coral pinky orange that is dreamy!

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? When I was a little girl, my grandmother had planted zinnia seeds around a birdbath in the front yard. They had a well, and we had not had any rain for several weeks. She forbade me from watering those zinnias because she was afraid we wouldn’t have water to drink, cook, or bathe. I snuck outside in the middle of the night and watered them anyway! So I guess I have always been a champion for the preservation of zinnias, and I will continue to do so. I love seed surprises too! I purchased a few pink fluffy flowered chrysanthemums over 20 years ago. I had a sand and pea gravel walkway near where they were planted. The next fall, I had two different seedlings from these mums. A single flowered dusty rose mum and a large single flowered blush pink FRAGRANT mum. I still have them both. They have both produced seedlings that have come true and have produced new offspring. I have a large single flowered apricot mum that is a baby of the dusty pink. It doesn’t have any fragrance, but it is a beauty! I also love that I have had no part in this other than recognizing the seedlings and trying to nurture them. I have had a lot of new colors of Sweet Williams (dianthus barbatus) too. I would love some of the Dawn Creek seeds you are giving away. Thank you for doing this!

    Reply
  1284. Jenny on

    Most of my pockets will be lined with lavender seeds, reaped from spent flowers all over the metro NYC area.
    From my tiny community garden plot, I’ll save calendula, nasturtium and borage seeds as they will almost never fail, and keep going long after zinnias and others have wilted.

    Reply
  1285. Dana Haynie on

    We have a large vegetable and fruit garden and last year, I started a cutting garden as well. For sure I want to continue growing zinnias and dahlias forever more! The flowers drew in so many pollinators and helped improve our garden as a whole.

    Reply
  1286. Shelley mclendon on

    Dahlias are magical to me. I thrive as they progress through their growing season. It’s miraculous that they create tubers at such a massive pace.

    Reply
  1287. Pam Derby on

    My go to has been zinnias. I am just starting a wider floral garden, but zinnias have been so easy, and so pretty that it would be hard to pick another. My second would be gladiolus.

    I have saved lots of zinnia seeds, celosia, sunflowers, morning glory. And my bough seed collection will get me through a few years without seed catologs!

    Reply
  1288. Jennifer on

    What an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing this interview. Sharing flowers is 50% of why I grow them (the other 50% is for my own home & happiness). I take 2 bouquets of my own flowers to work every week, 1 for each computer station in my nurse supervisor office in a busy Postpartum unit in a local hospital. Everyone who sees me walking in carrying them, who walks into the office, and those of us who work primarily in the office, are cheered instantly when we see them. The power of fresh flowers!

    Reply
  1289. Lisa Taylor on

    Hard to pick favorites, but I love hellebores, because they arrive in the dark of the long grey winter and bring me such joy and hope.

    Reply
  1290. Winnie Pitrone on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, starting with food, we would continue to save our prized Fava Bean that we have been successfully saving for 30 years, since the initial four beans were given to us by a man who had been saving and selecting seed based on flavor. With the Favas we have not experienced inbreeding depression) I would also continue saving arugula, mizuna, cress, potatoes (we have many varieties that we save the tubers from previous years planting, but my husband has also saved and started seeds from plants that set seed, grew them out and then selected a couple of varieties that were desirable and that we continue to grow from tubers), peas, corn (we were recently gifted a land race corn variety from a local seed saver that is totally amazing!), kale, chard, beans, peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, parsley, dill, celery and sprouting broccoli.
    When it comes to flowers, I would continue saving Agrostemma (I only bought one packet of the purple/pink Agro seeds and then have saved my own for over a decade, but recently bought Ocean Pearls and the light pink to introduce into my mix), Sunflowers, Penny Cress, Malope, Centaurea, Ammi, Daucus, Marigold, Amaranth, Sweet Peas, Larkspur, Cannabis, Scabiosa, Cosmos, Digitalis, Tweedia, Nigella, Calendula, Cerinthe, Orlaya, Aquilegia, Lavatera, Lagarus, Oenthera, Campanula, Feverfew, Hollyhock and Helichrysum. I think I have covered them all, and there are really none that I would want to live without, but Calendula and Borage and Kale! come to mind because they have always been so happy self sowing on their own and because I value them for their medicinal properties.

    Reply
  1291. Morganne Lehr on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I’m not sure I could pick just one to start collecting. I started collecting seeds for the first time last year and am excited to replant them this season. I started with some of the easier seeds to harvest, including snap dragons, calendula, holly hocks, and cosmos. Even a few dahlia seeds as an experiment! This will be one of my first years growing zinnias as a cut flower. I’ve always grown the bush zinnias that aren’t necessary the best for arrangement. I’m excited to dive in and see them alongside my dahlias! Dahlias have been my go to flower for the past few years. I work in Incident Management which can be quite stressful during fire season. The garden is my place to clear the mind, be creative and reset for the days to follow. I’d love to be considered for your giveaway!

    Reply
  1292. Susan on

    I’m so inspired by Floret and by Kori. I have never grown anything from seed but am very excited to try. My guest bathroom will become my growing room, and I’ve built a raised bed in my extremely hot patio. I’m hopeful that amazing, beautiful zinnias will flourish so I can share the cut flowers with people in my community. Thank-you so much for sharing your thoughts, experience, and motivation.

    Reply
  1293. Beth on

    I go less to particular flower plants and more to color so anything in the peach/apricot/pink/rose range of colors feeds my soul and makes me happy.

    Reply
  1294. Elisa on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would save seeds from all of the flowers I grow. Last year I saved seeds from zinnias, a couple of poppy varieties, bachelor buttons, hyacinth beans and cosmos. I also collected seeds from flowers my mother was growing at her property. I have been following Dawn Creek and Floret for quite awhile now and I think is is amazing the beautiful colors of zinnias you have been growing. This past summer I let some random zinnia seedlings grow up from the previous year. I felt so gifted to see what grew. It was a beautiful zinnia that looked like it could have come from your breeding program. It was between pink and peach and almost looked like a Queen lime variety with hints of green in the middle and the back of the petals. As the flower matured it looked like a cactus variety. The plant grew taller than me and produced so many flowers. I saved as many seeds from that plant as possible and bought bags to cover the flowers and tried to pollinate the flowers so the seed would come back true to the mother. I kept feeling like I had randomly received a dawn creek variety! It brought me so much joy! I still look through my pictures of the flowers when I feel down during these winter months and remember the joy I felt from growing beautiful flowers! Thank you for sharing what you have grown with the world!

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  1295. Tina Cummings on

    When life took a difficult turn, I turned to cheerful tough bloomers like calendula and marigolds. The bright flowers warmed my heart and saving their seeds gave me hope for the following year.

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  1296. marybeth pusillo on

    When I first started gardening, I thought I could only grow vegetables to feed the family, flowers were a luxury that we couldn’t afford. Many years later, I finally had the realization that I should grow what I like, including flowers! I am now starting more flowers than ever (I built a greenhouse!!) and look forward to the opportunities that await with each and every vegetable and flower that I can grow. I have started saving seed, but I am a complete beginner at that.

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  1297. Rana Boland on

    My grandmother’s garden – the wild sunchokes, towering hollyhocks, the most exquisite single peony on beautiful cut-leaf foliage, the pink dogwood and tangle of mint under the hose spigot. These plants always bring comfort and wonder when life is hard.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save and share everything I could.

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  1298. Cecily Thompson on

    Growing flowers in general has been hugely important in pulling me up out of despair and keeping me up out of it. My community was destroyed through personal malice. I can’t express how hopeless, helpless and lonely I have been, as I navigate my life without it. Throughout it all, I look out at my flower garden and am continually reminded that God still loves us. He didn’t have to make these wonderfully beautiful flowers; they’re just pure gifts to help, console and comfort us. No matter how much evil people choose, flowers come up and bloom every year without fail. Evil can’t stop that. I think of and am cheered by my beautiful flowers every time I feel tempted to be overwhelmed by sadness over evil. In particular, growing cut flowers cheers and comforts me, as I am able to spread beauty and joy in the world by giving them away to other suffering people. I would save zinnias if forced to only choose one, as they are so easy to save and grow, as well as being so productive.

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  1299. Mika Tsertos on

    When life gets hard. I take a stroll in my rose garden here in Michigan. I not only love roses, I have transitioned my garden over to the more winter hardy kinds. This requires less effort for someone that has several chronic illnesses. Although I love perennials because they’re carefree, I always end up buying a bunch of flowers every year and planting seeds! I love the tall dark blue salvia, cosmos, dahlia’s, marigolds petunias. In other words, I love flowers! 🌸

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  1300. Karen Zischke on

    I loved this interview! I was an apprentice at the UC farm and garden and feel I saw Kori and her sister wandering around the gardens. I love the way she speaks about flowers and how they speak to her. Blessings

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  1301. Ashley Loflin on

    Gosh, how to say this in short… I grew up basically in the middle of nowhere. The fields and forests were my friends, my adventures, my frustrations, my curiosity, my refuge… my solace. I was different in small town MS. I was a big thinker, an artist, a dreamer… nature took all the parts of me and orchestrated them into a beautiful, working, living, thriving whole.
    In college I got my degree in biology. I specialized in medical botany. I studied plants, animals, and ecosystems from their wholes to their to atoms. From their existence to their interactions.
    My married life gave me the opportunity to studied these things all over the world. That same life drove me to who I am today. After a decade of silent abuse, I fled with my two children. Blanketed by the mountains of VA, I tucked them away into the safety of nature, and our little garden of healing was created. Though I had been growing and studying plants my whole life, this new adventure evolved into something I thought someone could only dream of! I moved them to my home state of MS and we started a farm that is now my every day job!
    We grow cut flowers, herbals, teach workshops, help people in need and are currently working diligently on becoming the first and only certified flower seed company in our state.
    After working 5 years with USDA, leaning on my educational background, and decades of observation, I am piecing together this lucrative, concealed, secluded, and almost inaccessible world of flowers and seed production purely through my own research and experimentation.
    For me it’s less about developing new cultivars, plenty of people are doing that, it’s more about reverse genetics. It’s taking all of our amazing developments and those still in their natural states and either bringing back or ensuring the stability of their natural resiliencies. I want to undo our “drug” addicted, chemical dependent, plants. I want to reintroduce the ability to withstand pest and weather fluctuation pressures to ensure the futures of plants far beyond our own existence.
    My area is the perfect place for such a feat! We have temperatures that range from extreme highs to frigid lows. We experience crushing humidity, excessive moisture, and drought. We have high winds, invasive species of every kind, pests all of types above and below ground, and issues with drift. This is our typical yearly cycle! All of it!
    I feel that I have been situated back home in the state of MS so that I could my gifts and interests to better the world. We may be small, we may be new to the game, but we are mighty, hungry, and just looking to partner, collaborate, give and receive help to make these goals realities. We have a motto and it reads: Healing hearts, minds and the environment through flowers. That’s exactly what we are set out to do!

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  1302. Sophia on

    Hands down, I would definitely save seeds from and want to grow alongside forever with my dahlias! They are ever so beautiful!

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  1303. Towns on

    When life is the hardest, I turn to my Amaryllis raised bed and Roses. My Grandma Janice was one of the foundational people in my life who introduced me to gardening and the love of flowers. When she passed in 2020, I inherited her Amaryllis and had some cuttings of a wild red Rose she had in her backyard. Ever since then, I have continued to add to the collection and enjoy the sweet-spicy scent of the Amaryllis each spring. I have also added Roses to my garden for cutting and enjoyment. She would be ecstatic knowing I am pursuing a career in something she loved so much.

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  1304. Erin on

    After growing up in the Skagit Valley, tulips have become a favorite flower though I didn’t start appreciating them until I moved away. The beauty and hope they bring in those early spring days after long rainy winters can’t be replaced. I started growing cut flowers several years ago and my first year I only had success with dahlias. I would spend so much time just taking in the intricacies of their shapes and marveling at their colors when I needed a quiet moment to myself after a hard day of parenting two young kids. As the years have gone on, I found success with growing from seeds and have been delighted by zinnias, sweet peas and cosmos, especially when the pandemic hit and the world felt so heavy. Flowers and gardening have become such a grounding practice for me and nothing feels better than watching something you’ve nurtured begin to flourish.

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  1305. Chrissie Mckinney on

    The past few years I’ve enjoyed my hydrangea bushes when things are hard. I have several varieties. The blooms are so beautiful and just make me smile. The green folage has such a long lasting season that you feel like the growing season is still thriving. Which of course is my favorite season.

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  1306. Meghan Schuurman on

    In hard times this year I am immersing myself in roses, and trying to learn as much about them as possible!

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  1307. Kim Howell on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I definitely would save seeds from the sweet peas that I grow. I’ve been a lifelong gardener and sweet peas have always had a place on trellises in my garden. Their happy blooms and intoxicating scents are what I want to grow alongside forever!

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  1308. Kathy on

    When life is the hardest my small garden is where i go to recharge. To dig in the soil, clean up the unwanted weeds and to tether me to something my Mom taught me to do and love many years ago. My peonies are my favourites.. watching the ants do their, bringing these beauties into the house, capturing their ruffles with my beloved camera capturing beauty to be made into cards or calendars to bring joy all year long🥰
    My hashtag when i post photos of my flowers is “Love grows in a garden” this is a truth i know♥️

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  1309. kiira portet on

    I have recently fell in love with dahlia’s, partly because of Floret and they bring me a lot of joy in saving the seeds and discovering what grows out of them.

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  1310. Sandy on

    During the challenging times in my life from a young person on up to the age, I am now I always always go to my grandmother’s flowers. Her lilacs and peonies always remind me of her and her home place. When I moved, I brought some from her home place to my home, where I live now. They remind me of her kindness, love, strength, and calmness that she always carried with her. She was such a huge part of my life, and I continue to honor her using the love and standards that she had throughout her life with my children and grandchildren.❤️

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  1311. Chantal Roussy on

    I will forever grow zinnias, dahlias and sweet peas. Because they bring me joy, calmness, stillness…and hope. So if I’m feeling down, or things are hard and messy, just walking through them, gently touching them, Somehow I know this hardship will pass… Flowers have that kind of super power! One thing I am starting this year is saving seeds, from as many varieties I can. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity🌸

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  1312. Abby Keith on

    In memories throughout my childhood, I have clear pictures of my mother planting daffodil bulbs at each house we moved to. I can’t help wondering if it was one way of coping with change, finding constancy in the midst of the chaos of frequent moves. Daffodils have always been special to me—they’re the first bright bloomers and a sign that the dark and cold is ending and spring is coming. I’ve planted them at every house I’ve lived in, and I can’t help but hope that the children of the bulbs my mom and I have planted are bringing cheer to others at those houses.

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  1313. Melissa Cook on

    Thank you for sharing what you do! I absolutely love flowers!
    Daylilies brighten my summer days. I get so excited watching them as the buds open. I have many different colors and they are all beautiful.
    If I could only pick one, I would definitely pick zinnias. I save the seeds every fall and I have been happy with the results! I planted some in my garden and we watched beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds most of the summer. I was able to take some beautiful photos. Flowers really make me happy!

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  1314. Laurie Sanders on

    I am constantly amazed and awe struck in my garden. I feel there is so very much going on that is truly magical and energetic. Thank you Kori and Erin for the work you do, following your intuition with your heart and incredibly hard work has opened up an amazing path which you share so beautifully.
    It is so hard to choose one plant but there are a few that I seem to gravitate to. I often walk my garden at night after the busyness of the day, it both soothes and inspires. I gravitate towards scent and as I walk I smell the flowers but really love to rub my fingers on scented leaves. Scented geranium leaves are my magic, “Attar of Roses” being my favorite. I also love lemon verbena, pineapple sage, clary sage, mint, rosemary and lavender. Flowers that call to me strongest would be sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias, yarrow and I love the wild currant in early spring that welcome hummingbirds and pollinators. Last but not least I love the volunteer plants that appear in random spots in the garden. If able I let them grow where they chose because that is garden magic at best…….

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  1315. Shelley Geary on

    As a longtime gardener, my love for growing flowers is only a few years old. If seed catalogs disappeared I would save seeds from my favorites like zinnias, celosia, scented stock, lisianthus, snapdragons, dahlias and sunflowers. Hopefully my bulbs and corms would still exist for ranunculus, narcissis and dahlias.

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  1316. Sarah on

    Hmmm, I have to say poppies. My daughters love to collect poppy seeds each spring. Last year, I watched them show their friends how to gather them and explain the flower’s life cycle. Witnessing that was such a core memory

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  1317. Kathryn Owens on

    I instinctively think of two plants that bring me the most joy! They would be my sunflowers ( because who can’t resist a huge smile when you see their happy sunshiny faces.) And mint of all varieties. I love everything about it. Smell, texture and taste. Thank you for the chance to enter this generous giveaway of spectacular seed treasures!

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  1318. Jordan Gardner-Hoffman on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save all of the seeds from my garden and anywhere else I possibly could! Just as I do now. I even started carrying empty pill bottles in my purse because you never know when you might encounter some seed in the wild!

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  1319. Dorey on

    If seed catalogues disappeared, I would save zinnia seeds. Zinnias are just so pretty!

    Last summer, I grew my first garden. I’m a teen, so I don’t have much experience. The Floret books were so helpful! I found answers to my many questions, and learned so much because of it. I tried scary things, like pinching my zinnias and dahlias. I made mistakes. I planted my seeds way too late and my flowers didn’t bloom until the very end of summer, when I’d wanted them to bloom throughout the season.

    But the important thing is, they did bloom. Before, I had no idea just how pretty, how special flowers could be, but thanks to Floret, I’m beginning to know.

    Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put into your books, your flowers, and your seeds!

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  1320. Stacey Gomez on

    I’ve loved flowers and gardening for as long as I can remember. I remember my grandparents garden being full of life and abundance. The first thing I would do when I went to my grandparent’s home as a child was to go to the garden and walk through it taking in the smells, sights, and tastes. I at some of the vegetables as I walked through stopping at the peas to eat as many as I could before getting called in to the house. I also remember the flower beds planted all around their home full of colors from the rainbow.
    When I was in my teens, my mom and I started flower gardening at our house. I couldn’t wait to go shopping for flowers at all the local farms. I grew up in Vermont and still live here to this day. I have a home with flower gardens all around. I spend every evening and weekend in the spring and summer tending to my flowers. My favorite flowers are peonies, zinnias, and dahlias. I can’t say that they are the only ones that bring me joy when I’m down. I love all flowers. I love being in my gardens. It’s my therapy. It brings me peace and joy.
    I love hearing from my mother how proud my grandparents would be if they could see how beautiful my gardens are. Last fall I watched videos on how to save seeds and tubers and I was able to save zinnia seeds and dahlia tubers for the first time. I can’t wait to replant them this spring.

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  1321. Martha Bryan on

    I LOVE Hellebores. They are one of the first plants to come up and bloom after a long, dark winter in Vermont. Every year, when I see the first one pop up, I actually gasp with excitement and yell to whoever is here “The Hellebore is blooming!!!” Winter is over!

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  1322. April Citti on

    The plants I enjoy that help buoy me in difficult times bloom at different times. I get such joy from the first roses in May and zinnias and sunflowers mid summer. I have a couple of plants that are new points of joy for me – violas which I found self sown in nooks and crannies in my garden and feverfew, so abundant and cheerful.

    I save seeds from most of my flowers. Most recently rudbeckia has been such a wonderful discovery as it has put up with drought like a champ and has grown with little help from me.

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  1323. Sarah on

    When life is hard, I always turn to lilies. While planning is required to get bulbs… They are so special to me because my Dad, who passed when I was young, grew them outside in our front garden. I even had to name my daughter Lily. Lay year, I planted the same kinds he did in our front garden, having removed ugly bushes to make space. I know nothing about the long process of growing any lilies from seed… But you bet your bottom dollar I saved some seeds from these and am going to plant them and see how it rolls!

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  1324. Lindsey Sanquenetti on

    When life gets tough, I turn to my sunflower patch. To me, no flower is as cheerful or happy as a sunflower, and my spirits are instantly lifted when I’m around them! I really wish I could have cut flower bouquets in my house, but I have cats instead. Haha!

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  1325. Kelsey Frank on

    This is probably the most boring comment you’ll receive but I will never go a season without a few sungold tomato plants. If seed catalogs were to go away, I’d be focusing on safeguarding tomatoes. Living in Maine, our growing season is short, and tomato season is fleeting and precious. My runners-up are bush beans for their sheer volume and shelling beans, which I find uniquely satisfying. Having the ability to toss some of my own cranberry beans into a pot of soup in the dead of winter really fills my cup. For flowers, it’s gotta be peonies.

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  1326. Kathleen Miller on

    Bachelor buttons and coreopsis for their breathtaking complementary color but I would try for everything that has managed to give me return beauty year after year in my SW Colorado garden. Every year we toss out a packet of local wildflower mix on one untended slope; each year a few more take hold. We also tuck in a few plants each year to refresh the existing planted garden and to see what else might thrive in this rugged climate. In California, my solace was camellias and roses; in Colorado I have learned to cherish other flowers and many more natives. That said, zinnias sound like a rewarding try because I love getting cut blooms from my own yard too.

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  1327. Susan on

    Last summer was the first year I have grown flowers of any kind, and they brought me SO much joy. Zinnias, sunflowers and calendula were all easy enough for me to grow, and they’ll all be in my gardens every year from now on. This year I’m trying several new types of flowers for a butterfly & bee garden. If seed catalogs disappeared, I’d save seed from anything and everything I could, food and flowers.

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  1328. Susan Bates on

    Such an interesting and inspiring interview with Kori and I’m thrilled to learn that she is relocated back to the Santa Cruz area, only an hour away from my home ground. I discovered zinnias 2 years ago and now I am obsessed with them! I can hardly wait to see the varieties in Kori’s mixes

    When I’m at a low point, what lifts my spirits are my numerous floribunda roses and varieties of lavender. Their carefree, sturdy, resilient and abundant nature give me hope and joy whenever I am near them. In the spring, summer and fall I also turn to perennials and biennials that I love, such as delphinium, cosmos, snapdragons and scabiosas, and numerous zinnia and basil varieties in summer and fall.

    But in late winter and spring, ranunculus and anemones are a new obsession (first planted last year), and I’ve just finished replanting about 200 of them this week. I gave away so many bouquets of them to friends and family and they brought joy to so many people who marveled at their beauty and vase endurance. Last year was also my first planting of daffodils (many varieties), alliums and snowdrops (over 1,500). I also gave away many extra pots of planted paperwhite bulbs to friends and family who sent pictures to me of them blooming in their homes with joyful captions, and this week I’ve begun receiving more photos of them reblooming for them and it warms my heart to hear that those little gifts are bringing repeat joy to loved ones. And of course to see them all in my own garden popping up and starting to bloom this year, gives me an overwhelming sense of renewal and joy.

    If I were to need to rely upon my own seed saving, it would surely be from the aforementioned perennials and annuals.

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  1329. Barbara on

    My garden is my happy place . As a retired florist , it’s difficult to name a favorite…. Sort of like naming your favorite child . Although you’re asking about plants , I am grounded by my beautiful trees , specifically Tri Color Beech as my favorite tree. Last year was my first year growing annuals from seed . Of all the varieties started , the zinnias were the strongest. The vigour of the plantings and the steady appearances of buds lasting long into the growing season , brought glorious and dependable color to my garden . The zinnias were showing me that they were not to be overlooked.
    What buoys the spirits more than the reliable and steady show of their beauty?

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  1330. Carol Birch on

    Love the article and Kori’s life path!! I save seeds from Zinnias, special Marigolds, Asters both tall and tiny, Love in a Mist and so many more! My girlfriend and I have saved seeds for years and share them with other seed savers. We have a wonderful program at our local library that is “donate seeds and take seeds”. Just watched a lovely movie that reminded me of your farm called “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart” it all takes place on a wonderful flower farm!!
    I would be heartbroken if I were not able to order seeds from a catalogue but I have lots saved to keep me going in my garden and lots of fellow gardeners to share with, both giving and receiving!!

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  1331. Andrea killmer (The happy hour gardener) on

    No seed catalog would hurt my soul and give me no reason to go to my mailbox in winter. I pay all bills online hahaha! The new varieties I live for. I am a cottage garden flower lover and of course things that can be used for crafting. I would do as I already done now. Save seeds from all of my flower and of course the beautiful peppers, tomatoes, winter and summer squash, melons, strawberries, asparagus, gourds, corn, beams. Herbs like Lavendar, echinacea, lemon balm, mints, basil, cumin, cilantro, rosemary, sage and every culinary and medicinal plant I have. Flowers would definitely include Cosmos, Hollyhock, Delphinium, Foxglove, Salvia, Cockscomb, marigolds, rudbeckia, brown eyed susan, coleus, grasses, all my native wild flowers…SO many different sunflowers, Mums, asters, Celosia, I don’t even know. I have 6 very large plastic totes saved of seeds from what I grow. And I am always looking to improve them each year. I have been doing this for the last 20 years and have created some super incredible varieties. I love the work on Zinnias, they are such a great seed to share. And every year some GEMS come out don’t they? My love is the blush and browns. In every single flower.

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  1332. Susan Rich on

    Gosh these 2 questions leave so many thoughts in my head! I’ll go with if seed catalogs were to stop: I have purchased quite a few seed packets to grow this year, so I’d work to save seeds from Zinnia varieties (I collected from several last year), Amaranth, Celosia, Dahlia, Sweet Peas, Foxglove, Poppies, Marigolds and any other plants that produce seeds because our earth needs more plants for a healthier us! Last year I also collected seeds from a Japanese maple which will be my experiment this year to see if the seeds are viable or sterile as I’ve never seen seedlings appear around this tree. Can’t wait for summer blooms!

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  1333. Jacquie on

    My spirit plant is the rose, i dont save seed from them but i love to take cuttings and start new plants! I live near a small town that had heirloom roses along a strip by the road. One day i went and took cuttings and they all survived! A few years later that property was sold and all the roses took out. Im so happy i was able to rescue them by my cuttings, they live on!

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  1334. Amy Martin on

    I started saving seeds a few years ago but last fall mostly gathered the easy ones, the self-sowers. Natives in our area while trying to make my gardens more densely flowered with less upkeep and constant color. Last year was my first excellent Dahlia year and now I’m hooked on Zinnias as our home & Garden renovations continue – I will save every seed I can this year & share with friends.

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  1335. Toni Combs on

    wow… such great questions! I have a special relationship with my hydrangeas… I am landlocked in central Ohio, but I love the sea & it’s ability to wash all my worries away. They always give me that New England coastal feeling when I walk by or cut a bundle for inside. Being fairly new to growing dahlias and zinnias, last year was my first in actually planning a cut flower garden. I can’t explain the joy which came from growing these two flowers ,especially. I work long, sunless hours inside most days… being able to come home in the evening and walk through the garden or cut for arrangement inside literally made my days. I was able to spread the joy by making small bouquets for my mom, sisters, and daughter-in-laws… they LOVED receiving surprise flowers and it literally made my heart skip a bit to see the happiness it brought them. I can’t wait for spring :)

    I think I would save seeds from dahlias and zinnias… their lovely colors, shapes, and sizes are something to behold for sure . . Oh, and tomato seeds…because I can’t imagine a world without them!

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  1336. Jenny Carriker on

    For the first time last year, I grew zinnias, marigolds, petunias and dahlias mixed in with my vegetable garden. Even when the garden was tough, the flowers made my day. They were an added beauty that I didn’t realize my garden and spirit needed.

    If catalogs all disappeared, I’d save as many seeds as I could from all varieties. I collect rare and harder to find varieties, especially tomatoes. I love the backstory and the history associated with rare varieties and don’t want to see them lost forever.

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  1337. Catherine L on

    While I love all flowers, I am looking forward to daffodils to lift my spirits as their cheerful yellow faces signal the start of another growing season.

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  1338. Mary on

    Kori has so eloquently described the way I, too, feel about flowers that I cried reading her words. Thank you for this interview, you are both lights in the world!

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  1339. Christine Colter on

    When life gets hard, I first and for most always try to find my escape to regather and reground myself. That quiet place where I can throw my shoes off and let me toes touch the soil, and my garden is always that place. I came back to my roots of gardening after I lost my beloved grandmama, the one who raised me, who I went to for advice, and who showed me all that I know about the garden a few years back. Anxiety is never something we want to pass down the line in our genetic traits, but we get no option to choose. This was her therapeutic and medicinal escape from the crippling Illness, and has now become mine to understand and come to learn for my own struggles and coping. Her legacy has become mine to carry on by choice , for as long as she is remembered, she will forever live. Zinnias were her favorite and she shared them with so many people in her community, and church. She would be in awe of these breeds and I most importantly want to grow them for her to see, and to then spread around the community just as she did.

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  1340. Caitlin Richardson on

    Needless to say, 2020 was an interesting moment in time for all of us. Looking back and reflecting what was supposed to be the happiest moment when expecting our first child felt like a far cry from what I had envisioned all these years. I spent countless hours in the garden as a way to escape the noise of the world and navigate this new life as a mom. I found myself constantly clinging to each season and holding steadfast to its ebbs and flows, much like my new role in life. If you have experienced that chapter of postpartum where sometimes she isn’t so kind, you understand completely. It isn’t one particular plant, but gardening in general has brought me much needed familiarity and healing in ways I couldn’t imagine possible. Four years later we introduced a lot more plants, expanded our garden beds and even our family. It’s beautiful to see how gardening has weaved her way through our life despite the ups and downs. To this day, our son picks me flowers and I started pressing each one (even if it’s a weed) to save in a journal to capture these precious moments as a reminder that no matter what is happening to savor the smallest memories. Although our daughter is only 2 months, I cannot wait to experience and show her all the beauty gardening has to offer.

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  1341. Leslie DeBona on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save ALL the Zinnia seeds. They perform so well in our long hot dry summers in North Texas.

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  1342. Stacie Glenn on

    I’m always look forward to seeing the first bloom of the summer in my zinnia garden. Yes, it’s exciting to see the first leaves popping up out of the ground in spring… but seeing that first bloom of the season…..that is magic. It makes my heart sing. And from then until the first fall frost my heart is happy. So Zinnias definitely are my favorite mood lifter. I can’t be sad when looking at my them. It’s impossible.

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  1343. Lauren on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would most definitely save Zinnia, Sweet Pea, Hollyhock, and Strawflower seeds. Although I’d try my best to save all of them if I could!! I really am loving my zinnas and strawflowers right now.

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  1344. Krissy on

    Roses taught me how to soften and open my heart. I will always grow roses on my land!

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  1345. Katie Hawkinson on

    Zinnias without question. I love watching them grow from little sprouts through all of the stages of flowering, even the dry last gasp is sculpturally dignified. Mostly they make me happy and feel hopeful, grateful.

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  1346. Crystal Ratzlaff on

    First I would like to say that I completely understand Kori’s relationship and feelings towards flowers. I have never met anyone who explained how I feel so perfectly and have never been able to explain it myself. I noticed this view of the world when I was very young and assigned personalities and almost human traits to all the plants and creatures living in and around our pond. I won’t go into all of it but it was nice to read that I am not alone in these beliefs.

    With regard to the questions, I will answer both. Recently I have gone through the darkest period of my life that had me contemplating not being here anymore. The love of my children and the need to not cause them pain kept me here but my garden brought me peace. Walking amongst the zinnias, cosmos and sweet peas (all seeds that I found at Floret in the most beautiful colors) calmed my tormented soul. In addition, their resilience to withstand hungry marmots and fierce winds provided me with hope that I too could withstand the attacks I was experiencing. The zinnias are the protectors of the garden with their strong stems and and helmets of brilliant color, they never let me down and are always standing when others fall. The cosmos are the pretty little girls of the garden always dancing and giggling and bringing joy to the garden. The sweet peas are the older matriarchs of the garden bringing sweet comfort and stability to my garden. These are the flowers I cannot live without.

    The seeds I would keep would be from zinnias, cosmos, sweet peas, poppies, celosia and even dahlias although I find them a little more difficult to grow in my garden perhaps due to not ideal weather. I would want to keep these flowers for not only myself but my grandchildren to come and others so they too could experience the joy they create.

    Thank you so very much for sharing so thoroughly and deeply what you have learned, experienced and gone through. It resonated with me more than I can explain. I hope you completely quickly and that your permit gets approved asap.

    Reply
  1347. Samantha Wojnowiak on

    Ever since a young age, I am loved flowers. When I was 8 years old, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. This began a lifelong journey of managing a chronic illness and the many heartbreaks, medications, hospitalizations, and surgeries that would go with that. My journey continues, now with Crohn’s Disease despite having had a major surgery to remove my colon in 2012.

    Sunshine, gardening, and especially flowers have lifted my spirits and given me new purpose. When I haven’t felt my best, or when I’ve been hospitalized, friends and family have sent me flowers. This is a typical way we often provide comfort to the sick – but for me, it’s been far from typical. It’s allowed me to see right in front of me that even when things seem hopeless, there is still beauty to behold and witness.

    Sunflowers have been the one flower that I have always grown. They are my favorite, and were a focal point for my wedding flowers. They turn to face the sunshine. I, too, want to be like the sunflowers – turning toward the light in times of darkness. Thank you, Floret, and Dawn Creek for turning us all toward more light.

    Reply
  1348. Jill McAdams on

    I love growing my own herbs, culinary and medicinal. It is so amazing harvesting herbs year round. I also love hydrangeas and zinnias. Hydrangeas are truly magical. If seeds were to disappear, I would store cucumbers, tomatoes, and basil!

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  1349. Marlene Clayton on

    Thank you sharing the labor and love that went into breeding all these beautiful varieties. They’re gorgeous!

    Viola is one that is my ally and I admire and will forever keep in my garden. Their resilience to the cold frosts and bright faces always cheer me up and have helped me on my life journey. They got me into flowers.
    The flowers that come for just a short while really help me put life into perspective to enjoy the tiny moments that only come once in a lifetime.

    Reply
  1350. Melissa Melancon on

    I love all flowers but Zinnia’s, Dahlias and Cosmos have always been my favorites. My grandmother and mother always had them growing in their gardens and allowed us to pick as many as we wanted. We always had a bouquet sitting on our table during the growing season. I think these flowers are simple and beautiful, just looking at them has always made me smile. They bring back memories of an easier time. It is amazing to me that they bring such joy. I have introduced several friends and family to the joy that flowers can bring into our lives. All of my grandchildren are flower lovers and look foward to planting the new flowers that we find. We are all excited about trying several of your varieties of Zinnias and Celosia. Zinnias, dahlias and cosmos are always in our gardens but we also have a huge selection of others that are ready to be chosen to incorporate into the garden

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  1351. Kathy Damron on

    I love the majesty of my English roses. I’ve started a rose garden in our new home’s garden and each year I add as many varieties from David Austin Roses as I can afford.
    Now I’m turning my attention to starting zinnias from seed. Cannot wait for the Feb 6 sale!!

    Reply
  1352. Jessica on

    The plants that I turn towards during hard times are sunflowers. Just looking at a sunflower makes me happier and my day brighter! If seed catalogues were to disappear tomorrow I would save seeds from sunflowers, zinnias, and celosia for my garden. I’m excited to plant all three in my garden this year! :)

    Reply
  1353. Jessica M on

    Flowers that I’ve grown in my garden always lift my spirits. Hydrangeas have been one of my favorites because I love the bluish purple blooms that show up every year. ❤️ The seed I am saving is Floret’s moonstone Aster. They’re so beautiful and I haven’t seen them listed for sale again.

    Reply
  1354. Gina Fisher on

    When life is hard for me, I turn to the plants that came to me in my hour of need. I led a life of hard work, that included harsh chemicals. I have COPD, asthma, and permanently lung damage. Finally ending in ICU, and almost losing my life. We own 22 acres in the North country of NY, and one summer day, mullein and stinging nettle popped up. Not one for pulling up any plant before giving it the benefit of doubt, I researched, and started making tincture with them to take daily. They healed me.
    With their loving properties, I take them daily, and they protect me from any respiratory attacks. I am able to live my life to the fullest. To get back outside in my gardens, to be able to R&D flowers so I can continue designing my wood flower collection! Lilybugs-n-queenbees is my life, it quite literally saved me in so many ways… Physically, medically, emotionally, spiritually… And it all was made possible because of a chance meeting of mullein and stinging nettle.

    Reply
  1355. Sierra Tolman on

    Oh my goodness- to answer the first question is both exciting and challenging. In the summers, my favorite thing in the world is to walk out into my garden first thing in the morning and just look at how everything is doing. I do it every day in the summer- first thing in the morning. Just being out there among the plants and flowers fills me with something I don’t get anywhere else. It brings me so much joy and gives me the energy to go throughout my day. I’ve found flowers from a garden or local farm have this magical quality that is unmatched by other flowers. The first year I grew Dawn Creek zinnias was thrilling for me! Seeing the new treasures in my garden every day was breathtaking and changed my mind about zinnias. Seeing our roses bloom before almost anything else with their delicate petals was amazing. The dahlias that we babied beyond belief were so exciting to see after months of waiting. When I’m struggling with the weight of life, every flower in my garden lightens the load.

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  1356. Ellen on

    I could so relate to Kori’s story! Long-term healing is such a journey and oftentimes flowers are our very special friends and bless us with such joy and beauty!!!

    I have always loved Sweet Peas since seeing them during childhood at my grandmother’s home. Their fragrance and beautiful colors bless me so much!!!! And should seed catalogs be no more, I have a glorious stash of them in my freezer…yeah!!!

    Thanks again fir all of your work!!!

    Reply
  1357. Katir on

    The easier question would be which seeds wouldn’t I save. Having only grown flowers for a few seasons my seed stock is very dear to me. Each flower has awakened something new in me. Sometimes all emotions hit when walking through my garden. Joy, peace, excitement, disappointment and frustration. Each plant adds to the story. I would save a few from each plant to continue the story for years to come.

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  1358. Alexis on

    I would save seed from my Echinacea pallida. She always lifts my heart with her delicate downturned petal skirt. A native that appears so very delicate but is actually tough as nails. In any setting a beautiful flower, but in a natural setting, dotted across our back meadow, she stops me in my tracks every time.

    Reply
  1359. Linda Owens on

    I can’t help but smile when I look out my window and see my zinnias dancing in the breeze.

    Hollyhocks always seem to pick me up when I’m feeling down- probably because my parents always had them in their garden and when they turned 90 they packaged seeds from their hollyhocks and gave them away as “party favors” at their birthday party. I have yet to figure out how to keep the bugs from demolishing their leaves though.

    Reply
  1360. Estee on

    The things I know I want to grow forever are tomatoes, watermelon, zinnias and sunflowers. They can hang in the hot Vegas climate and always bring me joy when I see them.

    Reply
  1361. Roxann Hadley on

    1) Zinnias buoy my spirits through difficult times because they bloom through the fiery heat of summer reminding me to remain steadfast under the heat of adversity.

    2) All my bulbs, rhizomes, seed, and tubers would be saved from my garden so I could share them as you (at Dawn Creek and at Floret) have to replenish the earth so once again there could be bounty from Alyssum to Zinnias!

    Reply
  1362. Chelsea Monsevais on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save
    as much as I could – truly! I have a 4-year old daughter who gardens with me and I’m trying to save seed (and replant – save- replant along the way) so she can have something when she’s older if she’d like it from when she was little. She loved our Oklahoma salmon zinnias this past year (floret seed) that I saved seed from so we’ll continue with that :)

    I would like to grow alongside nasturtium forever. I know it’s a little weird but where I live, it lives all year, but its foliage thrives in some seasons (right now) and it bursts with blooms in others. I also love its completely edible. Right now I have a few varieties and there’s something whimsical and lively about it in my mini urban garden and I think it’s often overlooked.

    Reply
  1363. Sarah on

    When I need relief from the world, my life, or truly any discomfort I turn to my garden. Depending on the time of year I seek out different plants for comfort. In late winter the smell of Daphne buoys me up. A patch of Snowdrops from my grandma that have moved with me every place I have lived since my early 20’s remind me this too shall pass as the push through the wet spring soil. Dainty Bess an antique rose starts off summer, a riot of color and tomatos eaten straight from the plant. And late summer is turned over to finding glory in zinnias and dahlias. I am so grateful to my garden.

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  1364. Lauren on

    For me it’s less about the type of plant that I turn to and more about the seeds. Starting seeds, seeing new life, nurturing it and watching grow. It’s a symbol of hope and change.

    I have this creamy yellow zinnia that popped up two summers ago that’s I’ve been saving seeds from, so I would probably continue doing that. Admittedly I let a lot go to seed in my garden so I always have flowers and veggies randomly popping up everywhere !

    Reply
  1365. Mary Murphy on

    I save them all. Zinnias, Sunflower seeds, Batchelor Buttons, Nigella, Morning Glory, Echinacea, Baptisia, Nasturtium, Cosmos, Poppies, Hollyhocks and all kinds of grasses.
    I want to grow all of them forever, the best is when the seed just falls and plants come back yearly!

    Reply
  1366. Taylor Jarboe on

    If catalogs were to disappear I would save zinnia seed. They are easy and abundant. I’d also save my favorite tomato seeds. Cherokee Purple, German Pink, and Mexican Midget would be my top three.
    I loved reading this about Dawn Creek and can’t wait to get my hands on some of this stunning seed.

    Reply
  1367. Jennifer Veale on

    Roses are the flower that brings me the greatest joy. All stages of the flowering cycle are amazing: the colour, the velvety texture of the petals, the aroma that changes depending on the time of day, weather etc and the pollinators that they attract. I even save the petals that drop as they are too beautiful to let go.

    Reply
  1368. Aglaia Ramey on

    I can’t believe how gorgeous these zinnias are. If seed catalogs were to disappear, I’d save foxglove, zinnia, and snapdragon seed. Also dahlia seed! It would be hard to choose. I can’t wait to grow floret original and dawn creek zinnias in my own garden!

    Reply
  1369. Susann Rehbock on

    What a wondrous path she has paved. Glory be to those that pave the walkways of life with flowers. I’m following you all and can’t wait to see what promises I can flower in the months ahead.

    Reply
  1370. Lisa Svenson on

    Life as a full time retail worker and Mom to a 10 year old son with challenges can be so noisy and chaotic sometimes.
    My garden is my respite. It gives me a chance to regain my sense of calm. The flowers that nurture me in hard times & lift my spirits are the ones that I can easily share with others by making a bouquet or sharing seeds, rhizomes or tubers. I got the flower gardening bug from a 100 year old variety of Bearded iris called Alcazar, that I have propagated and shared many rhizomes with to neighbors and friends.

    I have practiced saving my seeds and sharing with friends and neighbors for a few years now. So if the seed catalogs all disappeared I would hope to continue the practice of sharing and swapping seeds. I have saved seeds from some of my favorite Dahlias this past year and I am so excited to see what brand new flower varieties appear! This year I will continue to save and share my seedlings from both Dahlias and Zinnias (especially from the Dawn Creek & Floret varieties!)
    The plants that I look forward to growing every year for my eternity are : Bearded iris, Zinnias, Dahlias, Strawflowers, Peonies, Snapdragons & Lavender. :)

    Reply
  1371. Amanda Pike Livingston on

    Cultivating dahlias and zinnias has been a transformative journey, a source of profound joy that allowed me to rediscover myself. Amid the vibrant blooms, I find solace, relishing precious moments of solitude and contemplation (something I don’t get very often as a working mom raising two rambunctious boys). As I navigate the challenges of motherhood, I feel I have momentarily lost touch with my identity. However, amidst the petals and leaves, I am gradually rediscovering the essence of who I am. 2023 was my first growing season and I’m absolutely hooked on growing organic cut flowers. I saved and divided as many dahlia tubers as possible, and I plan to save seed from all the zinnias I grow this year, as well. Dahlias and zinnias, with their timeless beauty, will forever hold a special place in my heart, serving as a reminder of the resilience and growth that accompanies self-discovery.

    Reply
  1372. Catharine on

    If there were no longer seed catalogues I would try to collect seeds from almost everything I grow. The joy of nurturing plants from seed is a tangible magic.
    I do wonder about some of the F1 hybrids? Thinking of tomatoes, they may revert to something not so great or perhaps something wonderful?

    Reply
  1373. Robin Guterson on

    I love zinnias too, but find them hard to grow on Bainbridge Island! Not enough heat, and too many slugs. I turn to scented plants for my happiness. Roses, rosemary, right now there’s hammamillus. I know I didn’t spell that correctly!. Heaven. And Erin, I hope you grow clethera ! The most beautiful perfume, and lovely in arrangements. Thanks for all your company does.

    Reply
  1374. Jane giesecke on

    Hydrangeas. They love the soil in my yard and grow abundantly. And give me continuous joy and solace throughout the summer. I share bouquets with friends and family the community several times a week, at least and hydrangeas are always at the center of the arrangement because I have so many of them. I look forward to growing new varieties this spring with the help of the beautiful Floret seeds.
    Beautiful! Congratulations on all the success of your beautiful flowers and the joy they bring into our world.Jane

    Reply
  1375. James on

    I have beach sunflowers that reseed each year. The plants are multi-branching and low growing. Bees absolutely love them. The flowers are in different shades of yellow with different colors in the center. I always grab a handful of the seeds to keep just in case something happens and I don’t get volunteers the following year. I’ve always grown zinnias forever. But, I don’t usually save the seeds. However, the past couple of years, I’ve been finding volunteers popping up and I let them grow. I kinda like the “wildness” of this or that growing randomly wherever. So, the dependability on having flowers is comforting to me and with these two I know that I will always have flowers.

    As for seed catalogs, I would miss them terribly if I didn’t receive a collection each winter. I don’t always order from each one but each one motivates me to get back out in the garden. 2023 was a bad year for me because I broke my ankle badly in February of that year and was unable to do anything in my garden. But, having the seed catalogs to thumb through while I was bedridden encouraged me to think about “next year, I’m going to plant ‘X’ in my garden.” Kinda gave me hope in that the catalogs encouraged me to think about the future and overcoming my injury so that I could get back out in the sunshine and the dirt.

    Reply
  1376. Gail Barth on

    I am drawn to any flowers with fragrance, especially Alyssum. I just need to shut my eyes and can be taken away to my childhood.

    I save seed from my poppies, the purple are my favourite. But if seed catalogs disappeared, I’d save any seeds possible

    Reply
  1377. Shelley on

    Question 1. The plant I turn to is the zinnias. I never really thought about that question before, but when I think on it, they are the ones that cheer me most. I love dahlias and have 100s but the zinnias are so much simpler. I think the ease of growing and how absolutely happy they are, combine for a calming effect in the garden. Plus my hummingbirds love them and often flit about in the garden when I’m out there in the zinnias.

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  1378. Jessica on

    I had my first real foray into cut flowers over 2022/2023, after the death of my father-in-law. Turning to flowers to heal was such a comforting way for our family to grieve. Watching the cycles of nature, spending time outside on our farm where he spent so much time. The onions he loved were interplanted with the flowers and I though if him often as the plants worked together to create a healthy relationship.

    I would save all the zinnia seeds – I’ve truly fallen in love with them. The favourite I saved that I’m hoping to grow out next year is a little puffy pink Lilliput.

    Reply
  1379. Michelle on

    Zinnias are the first flower I planted and are my workhorse! They show up at the hardest of times under the harshest conditions!

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  1380. Kim S on

    When life is hardest, I turn to a plant that gives me quick and instant relief and joy. That plant for me are morning glories. Seed saving is a breeze and I gladly share them with friends and families, especially the first time gardeners.

    Reply
  1381. Lorraine on

    For me it’s always been sweet peas. I am a critical care nurse and that first year of Covid was really tough almost unspeakable. Spending my days off in my small flower garden with my sweet peas saved me. The fragrance and the beauty of the sweet peas ( and all my flowers) helped me process what I was feeling and seeing. My flower garden restores my soul and fills my cup which in turn allows me to give back to others.

    Reply
  1382. Brittany Smuin on

    Zinnias and Dahlias are my uplifting flowers, they are so cheerful. However Roses I feel a more personal connection, maybe because the rose is my birth flower.

    I would have to save all three of those flowers for sure, but my journey with flowers is just at the beginning and there are so many more plants and flowers I would love to grow.

    Reply
  1383. Fawna on

    This is amazing! What wonderful work you are all doing. We have moved several times over the last handful of years and I always make room for some sort of garden and it always has flowers,annd usually a few veggies also, and over the years has gained more and more flowers. The couple that have moved with us though are the peonies from my great grandmother’s garden and my artichoke I grew from seed. I carefully dig them up each time and plant them in our new place. Hopefully where we are now they can call home for a long time. :) If seed catalogs were to disappear… I would for sure save as many flowers as possible but I would also save as many seeds from the variety of veggies we grow here also! That’s a hard choice for just one!

    Reply
  1384. Jane giesecke on

    Beautiful! Congratulations on all the success of your beautiful flowers and the joy they bring into our world.Jane

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  1385. Helen on

    Cosmos. I just love furling my fingers around those spiky prickly seeds and saving them. I love growing Cosmos – they are so easy, low maintenance, cheerful and abundant.
    I feel like I can get lost in the cosmos patch that grows tall and waves to gently and gracefully in the breeze. Each flower is different, in my patch and I can literally spend hours just looking at them, one by one!

    Reply
  1386. Marie on

    Roses for my spirit, and any plants I received from friends, family or sweet neighbours. Walking through my garden and remembering all these people and stories is so good for my heart.
    Among many, I would probably work hard to keep foxgloves and black daucus carota seeds.

    Reply
  1387. Eliana on

    2.
    Living in New York City, there’s not much of a natural ecosystem that exists. We are the concrete jungle! However, during summer, there is a stretch in Brooklyn that I love to bike down because it is covered in sunflowers. I’m not sure if the rows of homes and businesses coordinate this mass planting of sunflowers, but I’m grateful to everyone that does. I always bike down that row when I am sad or working through something and the sunflowers almost immediately change my mood. It always reminds me to be more like a sunflower and turn towards the sun.

    Reply
  1388. Ashley on

    When life gets hard I like to just wander through my garden. I do particularly love Peonies, but those are done so quickly. I am also drawn to lilies. If I could no longer buy seeds from a catalog, I would save the zinnias and vegetables! I cannot wait to snag some of your beautiful zinnias this year!

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  1389. Lesley on

    I would especially save foxglove, cosmos, and zinnia seeds– all tried and true and never fail cease to bring me joy.

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  1390. Twila Smucker on

    My roses are the plants that give me the most joy. I planted a lot of them after the death of three of our parents in less than two weeks. I have to baby them in zone 4b to 5a but the beauty of them is worth it all.

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  1391. Shelby on

    Flowers are 100% the calm to my storm. They bring me so much joy in life and give me so much peace and appreciation. The flowers that I cannot live without are violas/pansies. My mothers gardens were always filled with their happy little faces. It was like a carpet of violas, it was perfection. Foxglove, poppies, roses, fennel, daphne and hellebore will ALWAYS have a spot in my garden, but I wouldn’t want to live without the other beautiful flowers either.
    I will be saving as many flower seeds as I can this year. Too many to list and will attempt to save the veggie seeds as well.

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  1392. Allison on

    I will always grow dahlias and Zinnias and would collect seeds from them, but my number one plants to collect seeds from are Sweet Peas. When I was growing up my mother always had a small jar of sweet peas in her kitchen. The fragrance of the sweet peas always reminds me of her and the comfort of home. I follow her tradition and always have a jar of sweet peas on my kitchen counter. I hope my children and grandchildren will follow the tradition in their homes.

    Reply
  1393. Tamara Hudson on

    Ah, I have to say peonies are my happy place. They smile to me and reassure me that life is beautiful and worth every moment

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  1394. Andrea on

    What a lovely, heartfelt interview. I revel in the excitement each year when the sarcococca bloom and the smell wafts in the February cold and gloom. moving from Oregon from California I delight in watching the landscape literally come to life. The daffodils followed by tulips, then all the dormant plants awakening are such a treat.
    My dahlias are clearly the most fun for me and I’m excited for the new seeds Erin has grown. Can’t wait!

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  1395. Susan Rodgers on

    Although my chronic pain makes gardening difficult, I still find ways to make gardening manageable. Zinnias and Roses are my happy place! Zinnias are intriguing to me. They all grow differently. I love how each petal has a seed. Saving the seeds is so much fun! And Roses! The fragrance takes me away! I love old English Roses. I love the cupped shapes. I enjoy watching all the pollinators on the Zinnias and Roses, especially the Zinnas. I sit out hours and hours watching them. It’s one of the most beautiful things to watch.
    Thanking for sharing your Zinnias with the world. They are stunning.

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  1396. Kristin Wright on

    The plants that give me the most joy when out in my garden tend to be the super fragrant herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary. I however really enjoy midsummer when my huge sunflowers are in full bloom. I don’t think I can remain sad when looking at the tall beautiful sunflowers.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear I definitely would have to save sunflowers, peppers, and tomatoes from my garden.

    Reply
  1397. Deb on

    Twenty- three years ago, after our five year old son died, we bought our first home. As we put in our backyard garden, my desire was for it to become a place of refuge. Never having a home of my own, made cultivating this space something really special. We included two hibiscus shrubs given to us at his memorial, along with a Kwanza Cherry tree we purchased on the first anniversary of his death. We added a half dozen peony bare roots. Each spring as they bloom, I find solace and joy as the beautiful flowers begin to open. Sharing the abundance of peonies with friends is a way to brighten someone’s day, just as the flowers have brought me comfort as I’ve walked this journey of grieving.

    The other flowers that have brought much delight are my sweet-peas. Their fragrance is an instant day brightener. Last year I saved the seeds from the Floret varieties that I planted. This year I added five more varieties from your fall sale. I will again let some of the blossoms go to seed, so I can save and replant to enjoy and share for years to come.

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  1398. Nancy Martinez on

    When my life journey brings its challenges, I lean on my trifecta of hope: zinnias, dahlias and sunflowers! My garden is my sacred place.
    Zinnias are my ride-or-die flower. They are my top choice if I had to choose one solo flower seed to save.

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful and inspiring story.
    Forever Grateful,
    Nancy

    Reply
  1399. Annie on

    The flower I turn to when I’m sad or discouraged is the lilac! It’s impossible not be be uplifted with a scent like that!

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  1400. Alli on

    When life has been the hardest for me, I always walk out and look at my zinnias and hydrangeas. My grandmother, mother, and now me all have these flowers for as long as I remember. I often think about the pictures my mom took of me dancing through her gardens when I was little filled with joy. Now 20 years later, I got diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at such a young age that I cling to my flowers. In the summer. I feel at my best with movement and motivation because the flowers need me!

    Reply
  1401. Rina Kozlowski on

    Such a great question! 1) I turn to my peonies – they are big and beautiful and scream gentle, soft existence!

    2) I would save my zinnias, peonies, and herbs (too hard to pick one!) love the seed catalog; it’s like the Christmas catalogs we paged through as kids! 🌺

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  1402. Christine Lyon on

    I am always so interested in hearing how other growers work to explain their relationships with the flowers in their lives. I understand and appreciate Kori clearly being in-tune with those she holds dearest. If I had to choose to save seeds from only one flower in my garden, it would likely be from Osteospermum.

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  1403. Emily on

    Thanks you for sharing your personal story and love of zinnias! I grow zinnias every year in my backyard mixed borders. With a climate similar to Kori’s (90°+ summers that are long), zinnias fare the best. Their colors stand out brilliantly while other flowers fade or go dormant in the heat. This year there were two generations of zinnias that grew thanks to the long growing season and one of the babies was a beautiful peach! I’d love to grow Dawn Creek peach zinnias because the peach matches the Texas sunsets. Looking forward to the release!

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  1404. Erin C on

    “When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?”

    I had to chuckle when I read this question as my husband and children enjoy teasing me for stepping outside to “pet my plants” when I need a moment to relax, count my blessings, and reset.

    I enjoy checking on my cuttings, walking through the Agastache, Peonies, Roses, Stock, and Zinnias, or review the branch positions and progress on my fruit trees. I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling, foster/adoptive to five young children and plants are my go-to for bringing balance in times of stress or overwhelm.

    Reply
  1405. Whitney Franck on

    Learning about seed saving has really opened my eyes to my dependence on seed catalogues. While I’m thankful for small seed farms and breeders like Dawn Creek & Floret working so hard to make more interesting, natural, and locally dependent varieties available to small growers, I’m so thankful for their willingness to share the methods. I’d immediately save (and hope to) the seeds from Zinnias, Dahlias, and other favorite flowers but then push to learn more about seed saving from veggies. How amazing if our whole plant ecosystem—art, beauty, and food—became more self sustainable and accessible.

    Reply
  1406. Sheila on

    Marigolds remind me of Mom. Over 50 years ago she timidly sowed a packet in the front bed of our rented house and was rewarded with a riot of sunset-colored blooms all summer. Thus began my journey with flowers. Marigolds appear among my veggies every year, and the surprise never grows old. I let them self-sow and they draw pollinators and smiles. Thanks again, Mom.

    Reply
  1407. Teresa on

    I can’t imagine life without my zinnias so I would definitely do my best to save seed from them if seed catalogs were no longer an option.

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  1408. Vickie Taton on

    The flower I reach for when I’m feeling blue or stressed is a rose that I took from my mom’s house after she passed away. I took it because even as she became too ill to go outside I could bring her blooms from that rose inside and she loved looking at it.
    If there were no seed catalogs I would definitely be saving hollyhock seeds and my dahlia tubers – two of the most beautiful members of my challenging mountain garden.
    Thanks for the interview; it was fascinating to read about a true passion for zinnias (which I’ll definitely try adding to my own garden).

    Reply
  1409. Marla Caldwell on

    Hmmm….. no seed catalogs would lead me to collect 3 seeds in particular….. sweet peas, zinnias and snaps. Sweet peas for my scent senses. That smell brings instant peace. Zinnias because they are dependable, stable, shout “ just plant me and I will grow”. No Houdini skills involved to them. Lastly would be the snaps. A linear flower that can survive in adverse conditions. No bouquet is complete without those tall, unique florets.

    Reply
  1410. Caitlyn Parker on

    This interview is so inspiring and filled with so much hope for gardening! I always find myself turning to zinnias, snapdragons and anemones in my garden. They bring me so much joy and highlight all my outdoor space with so much color and radiance even in harder times with it seems like nothing else is growing that well. I always save my snapdragon and zinnias seeds so that I can hold onto their beauty for as long as I can to tell more of their story with the next growing season. I would also hope to save anemone seeds as well.

    Reply
  1411. Natalie Tegarden on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times? I can remember when Covid hit my first instinct was to purchase food seed. It relieved my stress and lifter a huge weight of uncertainty. There were so many food shortages (let’s not forget the toilet paper;) and the relief and comfort I felt having seed on hand gave me huge relief because I knew with just a bit of seed I could collect more at the end of the season to continually feed my family and never be without. Basics were heirloom drying corn, zucchini, kale, beans, cucumbers and tomatoes vs the F1 hybrids that I had on hand. I had no panic over flowers because I already collect seed of my favorites including sweet peas, love in a puff, starflower, cress, wheat, sweet rocket, columbine, poppies, sweet William, foxglove, orlaya, rattle poppy, calendula, cerinthe, monarda, feverfew, xersntgemum, bunny tails, Linaria, mignonette, phlox, bells of Ireland, apple of Peru, sweet Annie, poor man’s orchid, red foliated cotton, zinnias and more each season. I also have an affinity for drying and tissue culture propagation of scented geraniums, helichrysum, woody perennials, dahlia cuttings, and chrysanthemums.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? I collect seed from any singular species plant that I’m growing in the field and difficult to source annuals get isolated in my greenhouse, some rotationally, for seed. My most prized seed is an heirloom barley that my great great grandparent’s brought across country in a wagon train where they finally settled in the Arizona desert. Both grandparents died young (one from accident the other with tuberculosis) and the three children, including my grandmother, wound up in an orphanage and yet they kept that precious seed as children. My mother is an avid gardener and that was her inheritance and she passed it to me. It will be with me forever and is steeped in my family history.

    Reply
  1412. Monica Poston on

    When life is hard a walk through the flowers is a blessing to my soul. I never knew that it would be that way. Who needs a therapist when you have flowers. Zinnias are definitely an ally…they are tough, long lasting, and beautiful.

    Reply
  1413. Mary-Alice Beneteau on

    I have begun turning my garden to natives to support local pollinators. When I see the native hyssop covered in bees it makes me so happy. I always plant zinnias along the garden edge. They are so cheerful and welcome everything to the garden. If there were no seed catalogues I’d continue to wintersow my natives and collect seed from zinnias and sunflowers.

    Reply
  1414. Jane on

    The Creator who formed the flowers we enjoy is my Rock and constant hope, but the flowers are an extension of His love for me. I am new to the planting/breeding world, and encouraged by those who go before me. I have a collection of Floret seeds I look forward to starting this spring.
    Interestingly, I have never really depended on seed catalogs for my seed sources (unless you count Floret! But that’s a new venture), and have always gone to local sources such as seed libraries and friends fields, even the side of the road! It creates quite a haphazard and eclectic mix, but as Kori says, it speaks to the soul. I look forward to refining and streamlining my efforts as I let go of the plants that just cause busy-ness, and intentionally develop those that cause us to thrive.
    Thank you for the interview!

    Reply
  1415. Colette on

    When life is hard for me, I turn to my boxwood Topiary. It is there throughout all seasons, remaining green and beautiful. I love it, planted most with flowers in spring tulips and summer roses. I love color and look forward to adding your beautiful zinnias to my formal garden.
    I don’t think I’ve been so exited about a flower color in my life!
    If all seed catalogs were to disappear I would grow zinnia, echinacea and alyssum forever!
    Thank you for sharing your life story thus far and your love and companionship with flowers as your friends and fellow beings getting you thru some very hard times in your life. I look forward to getting your seeds and looking at them differently here on out.

    Reply
  1416. Margaret C W. on

    I would grow zinnias, dahlias and marigolds. For me their bright faces are like sunshine on a rainy day. I collect seeds from many of my flowers and share them with the local seed exchange group. I am always trying to grow new to me varieties of flowers, and have been scouring the seed catalogs to make final decisions for this year. I already have some of Floret’s beautiful sweet pea seeds and can’t wait to get those planted. Flowers make my heart sing.

    Reply
  1417. Heidi Mulcahy on

    1) Roses, are definitely where I find my roots during tough times.

    2) this was my first year saving sweet pea seeds. Oh! I could go for a bundle full of these fragrant babies every year. My tried & true flowers I’ll forever grow dahlias, sweet peas, zinnias, cosmos ! Can’t wait to learn how to save & grow more varieties this year.

    Reply
  1418. Vanessa Lienert on

    When life hits hard I tend to head outside to nature. Since I’m not able to grow year round what I’m drawn towards is seasonal, which is fitting. Winter time, which seems to be the hardest, I head outside and down to the eastern hemlock trees and creek to find my peace. During warmer weather anything that blooms outside honestly brings me joy. Zinnias are such a gem to work with. The array of colors and sizes, and easy of growing make them top notch around here! The love for perennials is also strong! Peony’s, lilac, and hydrangeas are some allies I don’t need to fuss with.

    If sadly the seed magazines stopped, of course I would continue saving seed like I did last year! Zinnias, celosia, milkweed 😉🦋 are just some of what I saved. I plan to grow a mix of zinnias, sunflowers, celosia, yarrow, snapdragons and of course dahlias, ranunculus and tulips along with others not listed. I love growing all flowers they just each have their own personality and deserve to be shown off to the world!

    Great work Erin and Cori and everyone else involved. The Zinnias all look truly magical!

    Reply
  1419. Susan Green on

    Personally and in the past few years, I have found my garden to be my sanctuary and I have delighted in experimenting with many varieties however, my 2 favourites that I adore are peonies and poppies.

    I can’t deny, that due to Florets enthusiasm and educational content, the seeds that I am inspired to keep and wish to experiment with this year would be zinnias and dahlias. Their cheery and gorgeous structure are what I am planning to use to create a new cutting garden filled with them.

    Reply
  1420. Allyson on

    Kori struck a note when she said she could call plants friends. Plants I have turned to are ones I knew as a child and consequentially were part of my gift garden wherever I have lived-two are snow drops and red flowering currant. They are resilient and exquisite.

    Reply
  1421. Sangita on

    Well, any flower in hard times is great, which makes winter in Canada so hard. But that is when I am starting my seeds for snapdragons, stock and later zinnia’s and dahlias, the promise of a better future is comforting.
    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow I would want to save all the seeds in my garden, but probably not know how to, but would attempt to save everything that grows in my garden.
    I am realizing that it has been information that has been lost but is important for our future.

    Reply
  1422. Kim Runion on

    I grow a lot of herbs in my garden, but the two I turn to the most are chamomile and calendula. During winter when it’s cold and dark outside, a cup of chamomile tea with it’s pineapple scent, takes me to those summer days when I sit in the garden and harvest the flowers for drying. And every year I look forward to those happy blooms of calendula with their sticky tops, knowing that the sticky residue will provide medicinal benefits for the future. I love these two flowers so much, they are tattooed on my arm so they are always with me.

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  1423. Kelly on

    I have loved zinnias from a young age. I can remember my mom explaining that zinnias germinated quickly and I was so happy to see those little seed babies grow. I love growing zinnias now as an adult. I love how strong they grow with such sunny faces. I am always delighted when butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds visit the zinnias. My happy place is definitely sitting in the sun in my yard, looking at my zinnias. I have been day dreaming about this years flowers. Imagining those pretty babies helps during these grey winter weeks.

    Reply
  1424. Jean S on

    This is a remarkable interview; thank you.

    I have so many plant friends and allies! Right now, I’m thinking of crocosmia and their blend of beauty, grace, and sheer stubbornness. Here in the Willamette valley, they bloom right around the 4th of July, and I love to watch the hummingbirds perch on the swaying fronds.

    Reply
  1425. Catherine McAllister on

    I can’t narrow down the garden’s spirit-lifting to just one plant. I find that when hard times come, and they come often, the garden itself is the buoy. I live in a desert and can relate to the drought stricken plants as they shrivel with stress. But, the tomatoes still grow and provide fruit, and the flowers still bloom, providing color.
    If catalogs stopped printing, I would save tomatoes, zinnias, and whatever other flowers I could get my hands on. Tomatoes for the fruit and flowers for the joy.

    Reply
  1426. Jaclyn Hall on

    When my first baby was 3 months old, I left Texas for my husbands home state of Oregon and moved onto a Christmas tree farm far from any other people or society. I quickly (and not intentionally) had a second child. A monster case of postpartum depression followed. It was the most challenging 3 years of my whole life. I found flower farming from my friend in Texas sharing Erin’s Instagram. Even the pictures of the beautiful flowers helped lift my soul. After scraping the money together to take Florets Flower course, I went from being a person who couldn’t care for house plants to growing 1/2 an acre of cut flowers.

    My flower farm has saved me. It gave me a light and direction out of my deep, deep depression. I honestly feel all the flowers , caring and growing and physically and mentally challenging myself with the whole process, helped me be a better person and mother. I’m extremely grateful for the science of it all, the solution oriented tasks and of course the beauty.

    The biggest reason I wanted to be a grower, although clearly the beauty was a motivator, was for the community and I love the flower farmer and growing community. I found a place to belong, and I’m very grateful.

    Reply
  1427. Martha on

    some of the plants that always bring me back to joy are bachelor buttons, sweet peas, cosmos, zinnias, sage, butterfly weed – so many… in hard times and in easy times :)

    Reply
  1428. Jen on

    I would save all the zinnia, celosia, and dahlia seeds I possibly could! Along with some mint would make a perfect bouquet combo :)

    Reply
  1429. Mindy Pickens on

    We’ve spent the last two years developing some raw property on a family homestead, where we now live. We are in the forest, and are getting to know all the different native plants. But in hard times, I walk out to the bedraggled orchard I’ve put so much love into, and check on the trees. Anybody have buds? How are we doing out here? You see, no one pruned it or tended it for more than 50 years so it was in a very sorry state. It took faith to begin cutting these broken and overgrown trees, and so much learning. But they thrived this year, and they give me hope that even when it looks bad, like it’s too late, life wants to sprout, green and hopeful.

    Reply
  1430. Sheyla on

    Hello garden family!, I had to really think hard about this question. To me there is a special feeling I get with walking around my garden and not being able to stop staring and touching admiring all the beautiful colors and shapes from the flowers in my garden, the morning mist and the huming bird’s visiting is all so magical. I have always wanted to put everything that I can fit in my space, not a single inch of dirt empty if possible. I am also a seed saver, I have saved my favorite flower seeds for years. But after every season I find my self drying and harvesting my most favorite flower seeds the one flower that asked for nothing and gave it all… Zinnia!. I share my harvest with family and friends I have made in my garden club, and the rest I wait patiently for spring to plant. I can’t tell you how excited I get when I see my big zinnia flowers bloom, I also love to bring beautiful flowers indoors. They last forever in a vase and even when they are dry they look lovely. My grandmother loves zinnias and when I miss her I go over to my zinnias and just stare for awhile, she loves to come over and hang out in the garden….it’s not often because she lives far from my area but we could be outside for hours if she could. I can see myself planting zinnias for as long as I live,my grandmother she is the one that started it all for me. When I was a little girl I remember being in the garden with my grandmother and those moments still last forever in my mind and they live on in my garden. Thank you for letting me share.

    Reply
  1431. Debbie Wetmore on

    My goal is to grow as much of the food we eat as possible, some of my favorites are the things that will store over winter like cabbage and celeriac. I save a certain amount of seeds from easy veggies and some flowers but since there still are seed sources I have not pursued saving everything. My Giant Pumpkins however are my pride and joy! Collecting and saving their seed for over 15 years, keeping them isolated from all other squash things. Saving seeds from biggest, best color and a few other traits I desire. I have always loved zinnias, especially the “Queen Lime” series in peach and rose, but successfully saving their seed has so far eluded me : ( Like where is the fertile seed ….. in the middle or on the edges? And when I have saved fat looking seed nothing germinates ??? So I keep buying seed ! Love my garden !!

    Reply
  1432. Karen Woodward on

    There are always be plants at my house I’m a born Natural Gardener thank you to the gift given to me by my parents. Have a dear friend that passed away many years ago who grew up in Europe during the war in the 40s. She said the one greatest thing she remembered was her mother always going to the flower market once a week and buying a small bouquet of flowers to brighten their dull cold room that they lived in.
    One of the greatest treasures we can pass on to our family members is the love of nature that God has made for us all

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  1433. Shawn Vieth on

    This is the start of my third year flower farming. It has allowed/caused me to add more and more flowers I would not want to live without. The types change from season to season and sometimes day to day as I feel a tingle of joy when I see something new blooming, setting buds, or emerging from the soil. I collected many of my own seeds this past fall including dahlia seed from ball dahlia types, Celosia, Orlaya, Sunflower, Cress, Strawflower, Dara, Feverfew, and many more. I can not say all of these have been successful since it is a bit of a learning process to know the correct harvesting and cleaning of each seed type, but I will continue to try more this fall and take notes on what works and doesn’t work. If I had to pick 10 plants/seeds I would not want to live without, I would choose Hellebores, Strawflower, Narcissus, Zinnia, Snapdragons, Dahlia, Cress, Orlaya, Scabiosa, and Lisianthus to surround me forever!

    Reply
  1434. Pam Burke on

    I’ve just started a propagation hobby and have a small greenhouse. In the greenhouse with all my hopeful new developing seeds I feel peaceful and creative
    Without catalogs I’d rely on vegetable seeds and flower seeds I’ve saved . When I’ve noticed a lovely flower for my bees I’ve asked the owner for next years seeds

    Reply
  1435. Darcy Kovacs on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    For me, it is passion vine and clematis that provide me solace. Both were favorites of my parents. Those plants, and tending to my garden in general, make me feel like I am with them, and they are with me. My passion for gardening is because of them and something I have passed down to my children and grandchildren.

    Reply
  1436. Joanne Dubrow on

    I like to start my day with the Sunflowers in my garden, they always lighten any mood and radiate happiness all around, and the birds love them. I am new to growing zinnias and love just all the shapes and colors they bring into my garden, they make me smile. Every year I try and save as many seeds as I can before the rains set in and at times this is a challenge.
    Thank you for sharing your story and passion.

    Reply
  1437. Dawn Morrissey on

    I love my roses, honeysuckle, sweet peas, and sunflowers. Sunflowers mainly because they are like super strong weeds- have always showed up with very little care.
    Can’t live without forget me nots in the garden- my mom used to have them and it keeps me imagining fairies in our garden.

    Reply
  1438. Audra H on

    I grew my first cut flowers right as I hit an extremely hard time in my life. I literally gathered bundles of zinnias on the day I found out I was pregnant with my fourth child, only to lose that babe shortly after. Two months later I went through the same thing. I planted some tulips and daffodils as I was physically healing and that spring my harvest reminded me that new life is always there. Unfortunately, lost a third babe the following Fall. But again I saw those daffodils and tulips bloom and it reminded me again of new life. I’m blessed to say that as a I write this right now, I am holding my new five-week old babe on my chest. Those daffodils and tulips will bloom again this spring and I’ll be reminded of my sorrow and joy and how a garden looks a lot like life.

    Reply
  1439. Joyce on

    My go to plants are Salvias, Lantanas, Russian Sage, Lavenders and Yarrow. I consider them the Work Horses of my garden. No seed catalogs…No Way!!! But I would try to save all the vegetable seeds and some from my Larkspurs, Bachelor Buttons, Hollyhocks and Zinnias.

    Reply
  1440. Kelli Wickline on

    Gosh, I find it hard to narrow my choice of flowers to just one variety. I live in Lynnwood, WA. and our growing season is fairly short so I start a lot of seedlings to make sure the flowers can catch up to everything and anything else. Idk if I can pick 1 variety as I sit in my garden on my bench and take everything in. I love my coreopsis and my peonies. My sweet peas and my zinnias. I sure don’t have any zinnias as lovely as what is grown at these 2 farms. I guess it would have to be a tie between my peonies,dahlias and asters. They come at different times, obviously, and just bring me so much joy. I bought the floret dahlia mix and I can’t wait to grow them this years. Fingers crossed they germinate.

    Last year the seeds I was able to save the most of were my white zinnias. I had a mixed pack that were dark magenta and bright orange and white. I didn’t like the shade of orange, and it was the first time I attempted saving seeds so I guess my answer to the second question is honestly I don’t know. It’s like picking a favorite song or book. How do you pick just one?

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  1441. Julie Hawthorne on

    We’re in the process of relocating from Sacramento, CA, to Port Townsend, WA. We’re moving a very sunny yard that’s overgrown with hundreds of plant species, to a cool, relatively undeveloped, forested lot. In Sacramento, I find comfort and grounding in my trees, including some which aren’t best suited to our hot, dry summers but manage to flourish: redwood, Japanese maple, various fruit trees, and a hundred-year-old cottonwood. In Port Townsend, it’s the cedars and pines which speak to me. With all these tree friends, I feel a combination of delight in their beauty and personalities, and groundedness. I’m grateful for the connection to them all.

    Reply
  1442. Melissa on

    During these cold, dreary winter days, having indoor potted hyacinths that smell like spring lifts my spirits. Through the growing season, it’s the beautiful spring bloomers that bring me joy and excitement for the season to come; lilacs, Saskatoon berry and fruit tree blossoms, forsythia, arrowleaf balsamroot and magnolia trees.

    In my garden, sunflowers also now have a special meaning to me as my first baby was born this past September while my sunflowers were in bloom. I could enjoy the view from my bedroom window while feeding. I ended up saving seeds from those sunflowers and giving some to family at Christmas and named the mix after my son. I now plan to re grow and save seeds from them every year in celebration of him ☺️

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  1443. Michele Renfro on

    If there were no seed catalogs to buy from it would definitely be zinnias I would save seeds from. As a new gardener living in Texas hot humid climate, I have ALOT of plant failures. It’s hard to spend countless hours and heavy labor only to watch plants die. Zinnias get powdery mildew here but otherwise thrive and bring so much joy to my life 😊

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  1444. Alexis on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I have saved seeds from my Shirley poppies, my marigolds, and my coneflowers. I also have seeds that have self-sown from blanket flower, and some seed pods still out in the garden from cardinal flower and monarda. I also have dahlia tubers that I have saved from last year, some of which I grew from seed and are unique in all of the world. I am excited to see what the Shirley poppy seeds do this year, because there were a couple of mixed varieties that might give me a suprise!

    For plants I want to have forever, I really love how you can never get bored because they are always surprising you. I really love dahlias – I love how the ones that grow from seed are unique, and I love the surprise of not knowing what you will get. I grew out 15 plants from seed last year, and got a couple of really gorgeous flowers (and a couple that the bees were CRAZY for). I also love poppies – I love how delicate they are and how they move with the wind. I love chrysanthemums, especially the big football mums. I also love my yarrow and how it is such a tough little plant and has such delicate flowers with subtle variation in color.

    It’s a ton of fun to find new plants, and I am just excited to keep discovering new ones and learning. It’s really an adventure, and a science experiment!

    Reply
  1445. Karen Woodward on

    I have loved zinnias for many years. I remember growing them as a child in Southern Illinois. I always looked forward to the days when the bright brilliant red would shine. And the fluorescent pinks and purples would pop out. I now live in Missouri and we have made it a tradition now to plant zinnias on the 4th of July here because we usually do not get a freeze until mid-november which gives us a wonderful fall Harvest of zinnias.

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  1446. Jess on

    When times are tough I always look for the first signs of spring, lilacs are my all time favorites the say spring is here, take a breath all is hoping to be well. Then come the peonies is there anything more glorious? Giant pillows of intoxicating fragrance that just beg you to burry your face deep in their soft petals & breathe deep. In the later months sunflowers have my heart. I say it all the time I dare anyone to really look at a sunflower & not smile. Zinnias & calendula are also guch gift givers. They give so much so that we can share with others truly a marvel!! And all winter we have been enjoying the benefits of the calendula oil we made from our garden in healing salves. So even tho the garden has long gone to bed we’re still enjoying it’s bounty.
    In hard times there’s always a left over butternut squash & mint both something to share with others who maybe need a pick-me up and virtually indestructible. And when times are tough & the garden is growing simply sitting in among the beautiful zinnias always restores my soul & reminds me to focus on the big picture. It doesn’t hurt that they attract the hummingbirds too.
    If seed catalogs were to dissappear I would collect all I could!!! I have been trying to save seed for a few years now. I would scoop up sunflowers, zinnias, sweet peas, hollyhocks, bells of Ireland, and peonies first. I want to grow alongside garden roses, lilacs, honeysuckle, hollyhocks, sunflowers, peonies, bells of Ireland & sweet potato vines forever. I’m a suckered for those old plants. Thank you for the opportunity to add these glorious zinnias to my garden. I would be a custodian of them & keep them going. And I would share their magical blooms with as many as I could.

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  1447. Megan Schlesinger on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save every seed growing in my garden and and yard at the farm that u possibly could! My poppies, sweet peas, nasturtiums, calendulas, ranunculus, anemones, dahlias, and all of my perennials would be priority to save for their return year after year! Any veggies or herbs I would seed save like crazy as well!!

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  1448. Christina on

    Over the years Hydrangea and roses have had my heart and just recently after purchasing some land I have been able to grow peonies. Last year I tried my first zinnias and have fallen completely in love with their variety and easy to grow abundance. It makes me feel like a successful gardener with little effort and brings such fun color and happiness out in the garden and in the house. I have started saving seeds from a variety of plants and cannot wait to see what comes up this spring.

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  1449. Shellaine Kiser on

    It’s so hard to choose one plant. We’re a military family so my garden has to change to suit our new environment all the time. In our current garden, alyssum has been a favorite for how it fills in empty spaces and has such a sweet calming fragrance. I love to sit on my porch by my gardens and just smell the honey.

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  1450. Rachael on

    Sweet peas, strawflowers, scabiosa, nigella, and zinnias, along with my blue lake green beans!!

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  1451. Michelle on

    Poppies, zinnias, and dahlia seedlings have always felt like old friends. I spend many hours each summer, amid the bees and butterflies, admiring their cheerful blooms…and weeding away my worries. When the days seem darkest, they give me hope.

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  1452. Kellie Romanowski on

    In the grey days of winter Hellebores are my favorite bloom coming through the snow and cold to remind me Spring isn’t far behind and in summer it’s the Zinnias & Coneflowers that bring the most pollinators and joy around my garden.

    Reply
  1453. Krystal Werbiski on

    I have a hard time of choosing just one. Calendula, snapdragons, sunflowers, zinnia, marigolds, asters the list goes on and on lol.

    As far as what seeds I would save, all of the above and tomato seeds.

    Reply
  1454. Becky Handshew on

    As an aspirational flower gardener I’d really be in trouble if seed catalogs disappeared. There are so many new varieties I’d love to grow. I have saved some seeds this past year including lots of poppies and foxgloves. I also have sweetpea seeds saved – got to have that scent. But truth be told I would be making lots of new friends and connections to trade seeds and plants to help my collection grow. We are so lucky in the PNW to have such wonderful and generous flower enthusiasts to share our pass with. Here’s to continued friendships and connections and a bounty of flowers ahead.

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  1455. Kathryn on

    I am an incredible sucker for zinnias and sunflowers. They brighten even the saddest, greyest, days. They are the seeds that I would save hands down.

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  1456. Peggy on

    Beautiful interview. Thanks to the both of you for sharing this story and for your breeding work.
    I feel a deep connection to all the plants that I grow each season. I am constantly amazed by the energy and lessons they provide. If seed catalogs were to go by the wayside, I would save seed from whatever I could.

    Reply
  1457. Sheila on

    I would save as many varieties of seed as possible if there were no catalogs, my favorite of all plants àre foxglove, but all others are at a close 2nd Hollyhock, moon vine, cardinal vine, aggastache , Artemisia sweet annie, single marigolds, single zinnias, cosmos, sunflower, and larkspur. These are the ones I save the most, ever year.

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  1458. Sarah C on

    I too would save zinnia seeds. They’re the flowers that for me into growing flowers at a larger scale, with enough to give away and sell. During one of the hardest seasons of my life, a huge row of bright red zinnias, in all different shades, brought so much joy to me. Harvesting them brought lots of peace. And I was blown away by how, the more I cut and gave away, the more abundantly they bloomed again. Such a picture of generosity for me: the more we give away, the more we will be gifted with even more to keep on giving and blessing others… even in our own difficult seasons.

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  1459. Susan on

    As many different cutting flowers I can cram into my little garden. Lucky to have California sun, unlucky to have California droughts, so I’m planting as many annuals as I can this year since they say we will have El Niño rains. (It’s raining now 🤞🏼). Love immersing myself in the garden, bringing cut flowers inside and giving them away with fragrant herbs. Zinnias (naturally), Dahlias, Cosmos, Lisianthus, Ranunculus, Sweet Peas, Stock, Scabiosa, Hellebores, Yarrow, Dianthus, Sunflowers, Rudbeckia, Echinacea … and sprinkled with California Poppies. They all buoy my spirits daily and best of all let me lift others too.

    Reply
  1460. Eileen Johnson on

    Every year I look for the Jonny Jump-up Violas in my yard. The seeds spread to the most unexpected places. I see them in the cracks of the cement, along the posts of the compost pile and on the hay barn floor. I spread the seeds at the end of the season and they spread themselves . In the spring I smile everytime I discover their hiding places!

    Reply
  1461. MISTY on

    I’m in love with your flowers. Zinnias are my go to flower. So easy to grow, and just beautiful. I picture Heaven having fields of flowers like the ones I see on your website. I’m also so excited about Dahlia seeds. I’m not much on bulbs, just learning how to grow things… can’t wait!!!!

    Reply
  1462. Gia Schnabel on

    When life is the hardest, I turn to the herbs in my garden. Herbs stimulate all of my senses and are the most versatile plants I grow. They are a showstopper on their own, but I also interplant them with my annual and perennial flowers and in my vegetable garden. The aroma or smell comforts me when I gently crush or touch the leaves or flowers such as with the herb lavender. The medicinal properties and taste of thyme can help ease discomforts in my body such as a sore throat. Adding fresh or dried herbs to a simple meal can elevate it and please my palate. The beauty or sight of herbs growing in my garden such as calendula or some basil in a floral arrangement paired with zinnias on my kitchen counter makes me smile. The pollinators benefit greatly from their pollen and nectar and I listen to the sound of buzzing honeybees on bergamot/bee balm or rosemary in my garden. I already feel grounded just by typing these words. Even on a dreary day, herbs can help me visualize better tomorrows.

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  1463. Lisa Edelhuber on

    I would have to say daffodils!💚My first flower memories are connected to these sweet scented beauties. Even now I can relive that memory from 60 years ago gathering armloads in my grandparents field & the heavenly scent from their uncommon varieties. My grandmother ALWAYS couldn’t wait for her seed catalogs, as she would say, in the winter months. She would pour over them like it was Christmas! Back then I didn’t truly understand her excitement like I do now! She was the ONE who instilled in my heart the love for flowers & nature. I even have several of her heirloom daffodils growing in my field today. I love walking through them each spring & reminiscing of those days with her.💖

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  1464. Kennedy on

    Dahlias and zinnias are my absolute favorites. I can’t wait to climb out of the winter slump and knowing they’re just around the corner adds so much excitement and awareness of the seasons. If seed catalogs were gone, I’d save seed from zinnias and dahlias until the end of time!

    Reply
  1465. Danielle Doby on

    After I finished treatment for breast cancer in 2020, I turned to nature and one of my first purchases were a few English rose bushes. They anchor the entire garden — both strong and steady. We have both grown so much alongside each other. Each bloom feels like a tiny miracle mixed with a bit of a rebellion amongst the intense heat here in Texas.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save my sweet pea seeds and carry their story into the future with me. There a few feelings such as a the sun on your skin and a soft breeze meeting you with their fragrance. I could walk their rows forever.

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  1466. Carmen Gaspar on

    Zinnias are the calm in my storm. I started planting zinnia seeds while I was waiting for the results of my nurse board exams and since then I’ve been hooked. They taught me to be patient. After I come home from work, I always go to my small little space where they grow and I become stress free.

    I would save zinnia seeds, they are an infinite amount of colors that could be bred.

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  1467. Shirley Casey on

    Last year was my first year growing a cut flower garden and it came just in time! On days when life’s challenges seemed overwhelming, I would go out and walk my garden beds. Zinnias and dahlias are my favorite, and I will always grow them. It was such a labor of love to start them from nothing and watch them grow into something so exquisite. I am reminded in hard times that with patience, time and a little “pinching”, comes beauty.

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  1468. Nathalie on

    I discovered this past year tge beauty of Lisianthus, both in the field and in flower arrangements and have fallen in love with this tiny seedling and delicate flower. Most will say that they are hard to grow from seeds, requiring much patience and dedication. For me, the journey is part of the particular passion I have for this beauty. She requires true love and commitment that I am willing to give her in spades!

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  1469. Jessie on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would save all the seeds!! I fell in love with cosmos last year as well as ruby red sunflowers 😍 But honestly, I’d save everything I could.

    Reply
  1470. Tori Ward on

    We have daffodils growing on the bank behind our house. I have no idea how long they’ve been there, a very long time I suspect. They were a companion to my husband’s grandmother who lived in the old farmhouse before us and they may even have preceded her. These daffodils bring me comfort as they promise warmer, sunnier days ahead. I think bulbs might be my favorite flower, all of that beauty and potential hiding just below the surface, out of sight.

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  1471. Jeanne Nation on

    I do enjoy the Cosmos, they are delicate and hardy and love watching them sway as they catch the breeze. They do reseed so an added bonus! I grow zinnias and many more annuals and perennials also. They all make me happy as I sit out in the gardens with the bees, butterflies and hummers and birds. Can’t wait for Spring!🫶

    Reply
  1472. Carolyn on

    I turn towards my hellebore collection and the peonies that came from my mother-in-law that she had originally from her great grandmother. Some colors of them smell so good and a they are prolific and gorgeous.

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  1473. Melany on

    When times are tough cheerful flowers like zinnias and rudbeckia make me happy, but seeing how any seed planted tries to live it’s destiny is inspiring.

    If I had to save from my garden, I’d save these fluffy, dark eyed rudbeckia which were originally rogues from the prairie sun.

    Reply
  1474. Alicia on

    Goodness I love both of these questions! When I’m feeling weighed down by life I tend to turn to happy little flowers in my garden. Zinnias and sunflowers, or those which hold sentimental meaning for me like lilacs that my great grandmother grew or little wild violets that I used to pick with my grandmother. Even dandelions that I always thought were most magical as a child.

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  1475. Maureen Wali on

    I have saved seeds for many, many years. My husband calls me the “seed lady”, but I have never done so with the intent to develop a new strain. It has always been about the flowers; wildflowers, gloriosas, columbine, shasta daisies, coneflowers, sunflowers and of course, zinnias. I also try to save pollinator seeds in the wildflowers I broadcast across our yard and sunflowers for the birds. These would be the flowers I would save seeds for if there were no catalogs. Watching you develop the new zinnias has encouraged me to saved seeds with a different intention.

    I also want to express my gratitude to Floret for your commitment and patience. Thank You!

    Reply
  1476. Michelle on

    I’m new to growing from seed and last year was the first time I had tried. I had planted a few zinnia seeds late in the season and they just kept flowering well into the fall. Times have been tough in our family with some mental health issues and every time I would see those zinnia flowers they would inspire me to have hope for another day. Thank you for your words here Kori and for all of the hard work Floret Farms and you have done to bring beauty, simplicity, joy and hope to this world.

    Reply
  1477. Jen Diamond on

    I started growing dahlias quite by accident. And the blush color enchanted me. At the same time I think I bought my first houseplant. I began to notice that there were times that I had no idea what was happening on the inside or below the dirt and I just had to trust the process. As my children were getting older and my father was becoming more ill with cancer, being able to tend to a garden or houseplants gave me hope with each new leaf and beauty with each flower.

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  1478. Christine on

    Dahlias and David Austin Roses always help me when I’m feeling low. Can’t live without them.

    Reply
  1479. Caroline on

    My little backyard garden is my escape room to regain energy and happiness. I find energy in herbs especially in their scents and taste. Picking their leaves and flowers opening up my palette energies my body beyond. Alongside the herbs I’m growing I loved to see my dahlias grown from seed, Creme brûlée phlox and flamingo celosia! Pure joy!

    Reply
  1480. Amanda Baxter on

    The answer to both questions is sweet peas! Decades ago, I was teaching and a student brought me a small bouquet of sweet peas. I had never seen or smelled anything so wonderful before. I started growing them out of necessity as I couldn’t find them anywhere. And I continue to grow them every year. They always lift my spirits with their, color, shape and scent. Love the way Dawn was able to connect with local floral designers and know their needs. So exciting to see what has come of that!

    Reply
  1481. Linda O'Neill on

    Growing from seed is my favorite part of gardening and I’ve been doing it for my entire life. Could I live without seed catalogues ? Of course. With the help of Mother Nature and her volunteer self-seeders, I’d have a steady supply of arugula, fennel, parsley, cilantro, kale, chard and stalwart cherry tomatoes ….which I haven’t had to buy (or plant) in more than 15 years. Also, calendula, bachelor buttons and columbines end up all over the yard. But, I’d hate to deprive myself of the joy of reading those catalogues in December and January and dreaming about Spring . They truly send my pulse racing !
    But, seed saving is a fantastic way to help preserve those flowers (and vegetables) we dearly love. I’d put zinnias at the top of that list. They are far and away my favorite flower. And one whiff of sweet peas can send me hurtling back to the second grade .
    I am fascinated by Kori’s description of the techniques and good fortune involved with breeding. I applaud all of your efforts.

    Reply
  1482. Tricia Ellis on

    1. Garlic & Zinnias. While I’ve grown over 50 types of flowers, fruits, and vegetables in my little urban garden, garlic has always shone through for me no matter the challenges. It’s a plant that gracefully lives alongside me in the natural cycle of our cold climate in Minnesota: it’s planted in fall, overwintering the harsh temps to pop up in spring as the first green I see each year, harvested mid-summer, with a bounty that lasts for months and months as I use it in my home cooking Garlic is there all year long as a constant reminder of the warm and bountiful garden season during the darkest days of winter. Second is Zinnias. I first noticed Zinnias walking by a neighbor’s garden and instantly fell in love with their bright colors and sturdy stems. I thought they were daisies and for years after they first captured my heart, I looked in vain for what type of flower they were. When I finally figured it out, I planted a patch full of Zinnias in my backyard and harvested them all season to use in bouquets for my home and family and friends. Their long blooming season and stunning color has made them a stalwart source of joy and support during the tough late summer months when all the garden chores and pests can wear you down. Zinnias were the door to my dreams of one day having a flower farm.
    2. I saved and planted garlic cloves from my own harvest this year for the first time. I would definitely keep my garlic seed year after year. I would also save tomatoes and peppers for salsa. Marigolds to naturally protect my vegetables. And Zinnias and sunflowers for the colorful joy they are guaranteed to bring each year.

    Reply
  1483. Alison on

    I have been saving seeds from some flowers that come up on their own at our house, they are tiny purple flowers Larkspur, which has always just come on it’s own since we have lived here, as well as hollyhocks, and I have saved and intentionally grown nasturtiums, celosia (from my mama), basil, and tomatoes. If seed catalogs disappeared I would have tomato seeds for sure, and basil, probably also cilantro because it usually goes to seed in my garden too. I keep coming back to things that I have success with, but like to try growing new things too.

    Reply
  1484. Jackie Otts on

    I can answer both questions with Zinnias! They are always there for me. I save seeds from them ever year. I love that they are so many different colors , shapes and sizes but yet so many similarities. They are my go to flower.

    Reply
  1485. Shauna Miess on

    So many gorgeous flowers… I want to grow them all!!

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  1486. Annie on

    I try to save all the seeds I can reach year, but zinnias and bachelor buttons will always be on the list. Zinnias were the first flower I learned how to save seeds from and it was so empowering! Seeds are tiny magical wonders to me. How they do what they do is truly magical.

    Reply
  1487. Azucena Gee on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    I have been very lucky not to have any hard times but the plant that is my ally would be the peony. When I read and heard that peonies wer impossible to grow in Ca, it didn’t stop me from ordering from the East Coast.

    Last year I took the challenge to grow Ca native peonies! To my delight I was successful from seed to plant. Daily I look at my potted peonies and wonder when and where I will plant them and when will I get my first seeds. You have inspired me.

    Reply
  1488. Heather Champney on

    This interview resonated with me in so many profound ways. Kori’s description of her relationship with her plants is spot on to how I feel about mine. My best friend and I chat daily and she often comments on how I pause our conversation to speak to my seedlings and big girl plants as though they are sentient beings in front of me. My farm is just a few steps from my front door and, year round, I hear the siren song of this part of our land beckoning me to come join. There are things about each season that give me peace and invigoration. My granny grew roses, just a brambly mess of old timey flowers, where I mostly spent my time crushing June bugs. I have started my own, hopefully less messy, collection of roses and feel such an elegant relationship with them. Then, my dahlias and zinnias…oh those girls bring me such joy! I love the mirthful ways they tilt their heads to the sky and the depth of color they share with me and all the happy pollinators that buzz around them. Can I say I would save them all? If I was forced to choose, I would take my zinnias from the summer and my sweet peas from the spring and my dahlias from the fall and luxuriate in the rainbows that evolve all season long. Gosh, what a wonderful way to think about my garden on this cold winter day! Thank you for asking.

    Reply
  1489. Rachel Edgel on

    Aside from zinnias and dahlias, I’d be certain to save seed from feverfew. It is the loveliest and happiest bouquet filler. My daughters love the tiny daisy-like flowers and love to create their own little arrangements with them. They have an innocent and childlike quality that draws me to them. Even a vase of just feverfew on my counter reminds me of simpler times and long summer days when children picked wild flowers for their mothers.

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  1490. Kathy on

    Salix discolor (or my favorite: Salix chaenomeloides) is my anchor & mentor in life.
    An unassuming, native bush/tree, it is humble but clearly belongs….it reminds me that I belong here too…I have a purpose which will be manifest best in humility.
    The pussy willow is symbiotic with its environment. It draws strength from the universe’s & earth’s gifts of sunlight, water and nutrients; and from “rest” whether it be the cool of a summer’s night or the deep sleep of winter. It is firmly connected and rooted in its foundation. It reminds me to draw energy (& thus life) from these same gifts, to rest and to be rooted & grounded by my heritage and who I was created to be.
    The pussy willow gives selflessly to other living beings.
    In its unassuming presence, it feeds countless others, insects, pollinators, birds and animals.
    The Pussy Willow understands others’ needs….its catkins are so early, bursting with nectar at a time when food is scarce and in need.
    The pussy willow provides protection and safety for others. Even as it goes dormant to rest & sleep, it gives its leaves as blankets for the Mourning Cloak Butterfly which wraps itself in the shelter and strength of the leaf to safely overwinter.
    This precious unassuming tree provides hope when I see its radiant catkins begin to emerge sometimes in the bleak midwinter after simply being touched by a glimmer of sunshine. These catkins are always at the very top of the tree, out of reach for now, but in clear view. They are harbingers of the coming burst of life in early spring…..which WILL be within reach when the time is right.
    Yes, this tree takes what it needs; but even though it usually goes unrecognized, it gives back 100 fold as it can, when it can, and in humility.
    I love the roll model that it provides, especially when I need it the most.

    Reply
  1491. Beth Lessick on

    Always love a pansy, enjoy growing zinnias and cosmos from seed.

    Reply
  1492. Cindy Sowers on

    I really loved this interview. The musical analogy was tops. Just so nice to read. The spiritual life of flowers! Very cool. I would say 2 plant types are a must for me – I love my citrus trees and the smell when they are blooming is like nothing I know. Even their leaves smell wonderful. I would say the plants and flowers of citrus trees are certainly beautiful, but not in the way we think of flowers for cutting in the garden. I have had zinnias for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I have forgotten to plant or start seeds at the right time, and they just do it themselves. They come up everywhere – between cracks in the sidewalk or at the edges along the driveway, even between bricks on a path or wall – nowhere near where I originally plant them. They are survivors and I love that. I wouldn’t want to not have that surprise each year.

    Reply
  1493. Delora Lalande on

    When my Dutch born husband, who grew up in the nursery business and loved growing zinnias, passed away, I moved to a home with a heavily shaded garden and no longer had a sunny in ground spot to grow our beloved zinnias. So I got big pots for the large sunny front patio area and started growing zinnias in them with ivies, creeping Jenny and petunias underneath. I don’t support the State Fair zinnias (the only large zinnias available in our area) and they get crazy wild, leaning and curving and making quite a spectacle of themselves! But everyone who passes the house in the summer loves them. I would be honored to plant your beautiful zinnias in my pots and see the results!

    Reply
  1494. Lindsay Williamson on

    1. When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    My earliest memories of flowers are the black eyed Susan’s my mom had scattered in our landscaping in my childhood home. As a kid, I remember crouching down beside them and admiring how the bees danced through them, and my mom taught me the difference between a friendly bee and a potentially angry one. When I grew up to the wise ol’ age of 12 years old, I took it upon myself to rip up a corner of grass in our backyard and attempt to plant my own green beans. I harvested about 9 beans that summer, and they were my favorite dinner veggie to ever be on my plate. Now I’m married, and my husband and I just bought our very own house with tons of flower opportunities around our yard. This will be my first year with my very own flower garden – fulfilling a dream that’s been in my heart for 26 years. So when hard times come, I’m excited to look into my back yard and see my very own black eyed Susan’s that will call me home.

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  1495. Patty Harvey on

    I start every morning by making a coffee and going outside to look at, sit with and enjoy my precious flowers. They bring me such an unexplainable joy and comfort. My parents passed away within 3 days of each other in August of 2015. My Dad and I had a contest that summer, of calling each other every morning, to report how many new, and what color, of Calla Lilies we each had. I planted his Calla Lilies, snapdragons, marigold, sweet peas and his huge vegetable garden for him, for years. On July 1st 2022, I had a flood and my huge raised bed, that was attached to my house, had to be torn down. I transplanted as many of my precious little plants into ugly black plastic pots. I seriously broke down that summer. I realized how important my flowers were to my heart and soul. I rebuilt the raised bed, built a 20 x 10 greenhouse this fall and am building more raised beds. I am obsessed with Zinnias, Agrostemma, Dahlias, Snaps, Calendula, Sweet Peas , Feverfew and Forget me Nots. I’m just into my 3rd season of the cut flower gardening learning so much. Summer 2024 will be my 1st attempt at growing flowers from the seeds collected from my 2023 beauties. My heart is exploding. I. LOVE. FLOWERS !!!!
    🩷🌼🌸🩷

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  1496. Laura Pingree on

    I have always loved growing a mix of fruits a veg, and have already begun to practice seed saving! If my seed catalogs were to disappear, I’d be hoarding all of my favorite tomato and basil varieties, mini pumpkins, sweet peas, dahlias, Zinnia, marigolds, celosia, amaranth… in short I would make sure to have a rainbow of beautiful and delicious things!

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  1497. Beth Dunlop on

    My favourite flower memory as a very young girl is planting and then collecting the seeds from the rows of zinnias behind our house in Ontario. Zinnias hold a very special spot in my heart as they remind me of those times with my mom who I lost at age 14. As an adult, I love going on forest walks in the PNW and spotting the emerging spring ephemerals. The Garry Oak meadows captured my heart last season in Victoria BC. The camas, the seablush, the chocolate lilies, the fawn lilies. Stunning!

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  1498. Diana on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, zinnia seeds would be what I saved from my garden this year. I started growing zinnias 4 years ago since I retired and I have been rewarded with abundance of blooms year after year. They attracted so many pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to my garden. In our short growing season in Alberta Canada from June to September, I enjoyed sitting in my backyard, with a cup of tea, watching the pollinators at work, dancing all over my zinnias! I also grow statice, cinnamon basil and feverfew along side my zinnias. They are perfect for my zinnia bouquet. I can’t wait for next Tuesday to get my hands on the new zinnia from Floret originals including the Dawn Creek varieties. It would be exciting to save the seeds and find out what I get the year after if I plant all the different varieties in the same garden?

    Reply
  1499. Heidi on

    It’s funny that I am so in love with rudbeckia, because it seems to be taking a bit of a hit these days among growers. But I love it – it’s hardy, bright & cheerful, & I find to be so useful! And in my zone & climate it is also a perennial. A win win. So I’m keeping it & hope that my community will love it as well!
    I love spreading poppy seeds – my 9 year old son helped me this year & the patch looks more like a carpet of grass, but he is very proud of it! And the pods are fabulous, too!!

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  1500. Sandy Figel on

    Lilacs give me joy every spring. Just thinking about them gives me comfort. They remind me of my Granny. I had one of her plants at a previous home and I regret that I didn’t save it. They are the first flower that I remember joyfully gathering big bouquets of. I love the fragrance and used them in my bridal bouquet.

    Reply
  1501. Christine Allen on

    Christine Allen on Febuary 2024

    I live on a corner lot in a small town called North Plains, Oregon with my husband and daughter. When life was at one of my hardest times, I looked out the window at watched my beautiful Zinnia’s swaying in the breeze; through the wind storms, the heavey smoke from the fires, the incredible rain and blazing suns heat, there they stood strong. It gave me hope that I too would make a difference in this world. I made up boquets and gifted to friends around me, and everywhere in my home was a vase full of colorful Zinnas and garden flowers. I dried Zinnias and made arrangements, saved seeds from last year looking forward to see what turns out. I had one frilly varigated zinnia that grew I saved seeds in hope they will come back. I took lots of pictures of both fresh and dried and shared on my FB page. Seems I getting quite a following, questions on how to grow them Zinnias, and Dahlias, hydrangeas; I would share what I learned from Floret Farms and your books I purchased, of which I am so grateful. I love the featured stories and especially, I was very moved by Kori Hargreaves of Dawn Creek Farm. This year I was moving into planting more soft pastel colored flowers and was very excited to see the selections. My passion to learn more keeps me awake. I draw garden designs on paper, notebooks, napkins all year, and write list of what to plant. Learning about saving seeds and propigating is fasitnating I yearing to learn more. My dream one day is to grow a gardnen of flowers to sell to the public.
    “What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times? ” My Zinnias, Dahlias, Roses, Hydrangeas, Snapdragons, Rudbeckia, Shasta Daisy and Mums and so many more. Making my small corner lot full of color brings so much joy to my neighborhood, people often stop, (walkers, runners, bikers, cars, trucks and the veterinarian across the street and his works) and comment and say “love your garden!” What flower is this? I smile and say, I made this for you, share what I know and offer a bouquet.

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  1502. Janell on

    If seed catalogs ceased to fill my Januaries with color and longing, I would squirrel away even more dahlia, zinnia celosia, and lisi seeds. I never want to be without their cherry faces and enchanting wisps in my garden. Celosia, especially, has heeded my request. It has dropped seeds enough for a generation beyond my existence in my soil. <3

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  1503. Katherine Hogan on

    It’s impossible for me to pick one flower but my earliest memories are planting pansies with my mother along the borders of her flower beds. She became a florist designer and shop owner when I was in that awkward becoming a teenager age. Discovering the variety of flowers in her shop and working alongside her with flowers did more for my development than I could ever put into words. Today as a 65-year old woman, I do see the flowers I grow as relationships like Kori described. Resonate and the music reference – perfect! When the rain and gray of the winter that make the PNW lush and green bring me low it’s slow thoughtful walks with my dog among the firs, cedars, and ferns that fill my spirit and connect me to hope and gratitude. Thank you for sharing your experiences and inviting me to share mine.

    Reply
  1504. Felicia P on

    Life has been challenging here lately for me personally. I’ve definitely noticed that I’m being drawn more into nature as a way to heal. Living in the Appalachian mountains, so much life speaks to you. The wind blowing through the trees. The smell and feeling of the soil beneath your feet. You can hear it speaking to you if you listen. The last few years I have grew sunflowers and zinnias just for me personally. But last year was the first time I realized that sharing them brought others joy. Life is hard for everyone lately. My hopes are to expand that feeling into something bigger and even something that could support my family one day. As far as seed saving I’ve always saved sunflower, tomato, pepper, pea, and green beans. Here’s to a great 2024 growing season to everyone!

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  1505. Ashley Hellickson on

    I love wondering through my garden every summer picking zinnias, dahlias and sunflowers! I love that they’re easy to start from seed, and I’m able to watch them grow, and get to see their beautiful blooms all summer long!

    Reply
  1506. Lisa on

    I love Hydrangeas! My original big leaf, I call them old fashioned, Hydrangeas are ones that were passed down from my grandmother to my mother and then to me. Last year in N Mississippi we had a severe freeze which killed the old growth stems and the plants had to regrow from the roots. This meant that I had no beautiful Hydrangeas all summer long. Finally in fall, they managed to have a couple of late blooms which I cut before frost and enjoyed for a couple of weeks.
    Some favorite seeds I would save would, of course, be zinnias!! Along with that I would also save sunflowers, cosmos, tithonia, amaranths and celosia, purple hyacinth beans and I’m sure many others.

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  1507. Lisa G on

    Oh boy! Tough question but for sure on my list to save would be sweet peas ( reminds me of my grandma),stock,zinnias,sunflowers, dahlia, and definitely would have to save some hollyhock seed as it is the first thing that I grew from seed as a young child. My mom let me do a whole patch of them in front of our living room window and they were spectacular! I don’t think I’ll ever forget that picture in my mind!

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  1508. Starlie on

    My little flower farm has been my refuge and safe place to gather my thoughts and heal in ways I knew I needed and in ways I didn’t know I needed. Illness has provided many detours in my life and through it all it has ultimately led me to leave my wedding design business behind and focus on creating beauty in my gardens. Solitude and discovery happens there. Renewal happens there. Life happens there and hope is ever present. I believe being in my garden surrounded by the natural order of things has given me a poignant and lasting perspective on life and it’s precious meaning.
    Thank you for this beautiful interview and for the vulnerability that has been shared.

    Reply
  1509. Wendy on

    I would have to grow Dahlias, I love them soo much.

    Reply
  1510. Tiffany Thomas on

    Being African American and planting flowers has been a journey here in the South. My great great grandfather left slavery and purchased land in South Carolina. My family grew up with a love for planting and I almost feel as if we are changing the narrative of African Americans in the south making peace with digging in the dirt and planting. Both my mothers father and my fathers father owned land and some of it was taken away. My mother’s garden is always huge, beautiful and lush. You guys should see it! It’s so lovely. For me, plants offer hope and something to look forward to. Watching them grow, giving them away to family and friends and watching them go to seed has been more of a deeply moving journey than I thought. I’m so thankful for all of them, I have learned so much so far. I have saved scotch bonnet seed for three generations now and I’m so thankful. I saved zinnia and cosmos seeds from last year and I’m excited to see what will grow.

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  1511. Melissa McKay on

    It’s hard to pick one. Being among all of my flowers is a vital component of treating my depression. The garden brings me peace in a way nothing else can. But my spirit flower (as opposed to a spirit animal) is the sunflower. It decorates my home office, is featured in my business logo, and is tattooed on my body. The way the blooms always face and follow the sun inspires me to do the same.

    Reply
  1512. Michelle on

    1. Every year I add to my “collection” of daffodils on our property. I’ve always loved them, but the past few years it has become so important for me to spend the time researching and carefully choosing what kinds to add… knowing their names and personalities. Western Kentucky winter is its own special kind of depressing: not cold enough, often too wet, everything brown and dead. But it makes our season for daffodils all the more joyful and important for my mental health. Particularly through the pandemic, and the birth of my first (March) baby, and now as I await their arrival after having a January baby.

    Reply
  1513. Ridhima Verma on

    1. I often times have felt cheered up by watching a fully bloomed Sunflower (especially the dwarf varieties that I can just go hug) and the mesmerizing fragrance of Sweet Peas can instantly lift my mood. These two are my absolute favorites in the garden.

    2. If seed catalogs were to disappear, I’d save seeds from my Sweet Peas, Sunflowers, Zinnias, Lisianthus, Gomphrena, Ranunculus, and so on. I don’t want to imagine a world without these beauties. Also, most of these beauties can take and thrive in the Arizona heat where I live.

    Reply
  1514. Emma T on

    I would save zinnia, nasturtium, and tomato seeds – all plants I would want to grow forever.

    Reply
  1515. Anne Myong on

    Zinnias, peonies, cosmos, and dahlias remind me of my parents and spending weekends on the farm. Growing these beauties in abundance last year was my respite when we lost our father. Being able to grow such magnificent flowers and share them with friends, along with eggs and honey, brought me so much joy, confidence, and pride.

    Reply
  1516. Deborah Dority on

    We have the sweetest pink rose. My dear MIL took a cutting from a rose bush in her sister-in-law’s yard (in Indiana) wrapped it in a damp paper towel, put it in a zip top bag and told me how to plant it when we got home (central Arkansas). This was in the fall of 1991, and she’s still going strong, in spite of me not always taking very good care of her. Both Mom and Auntie Faye have passed, but they are still with me in the beautiful buds and flowers from this rose.

    Reply
  1517. Terrill Esposito on

    I think chickweed and henbit , dead nettle, red clover are all pretty grounding for me and bring a smile as I work around our farm.

    Reply
  1518. Catherine on

    I just moved to Okanagan Lake and all the landscape is rock due to the heat of summer and high cost of water. I had lots of boxes to unpack but felt pressure to get something going outside. I had planted one beautiful dahlia in a pot at my door. The deer kept eating it. One beautiful bloom after another. Last Fall I planted bulbs. I was so inspired by the colors. That’s when I came upon Floret. I took the fall dahlia class and have my tubers waiting to go in the ground. 🙂 Through your website my eyes have been opened to possibilities in my yard. All the farmers, and breeders are so incredible. I see possibilities where none existed before.
    To answer your question, I moved and had no friends but I have flowers. They bring joy. As we all know they are work but with a reward. Last fall I planted Iris, Peonies, Alliums, Coneflowers, Blueberries, Daffodils, and tulips in pots. I’m going to add zinnias and more dahlias this year (and a tall fence, and a watering system). I follow Dawn Creek on Instagram and would save, cherish, and share those beautiful seeds.
    Either way, good luck. I hope you do well.

    Reply
  1519. Jana B on

    Thank you for sharing your journey! It is so inspiring. The flowers that help me in the hard times and bring me joy are sunflowers, sweet peas and Cosmos. Sunflowers have always made me smile and the fragrance of the sweet peas is so soothing. These are also the seeds that I save each year and could not do without!

    Reply
  1520. Rebecca on

    #1 Roses. I’ve been attending to find the specific rose my Grandmother grew. I’ve bought a few and upon growing up, discovered they are absolutely beautiful but not hers. I’m sure my hubby thinks we will end up with a dozen or more old garden rose bushes , but they will make some amazing bouquets one day. The search continues.

    Reply
  1521. Diane Ames on

    The answer to both of your questions for me, hands down…Cosmos. I love everything about them!
    I am new to flower growing. But just this past year (2023) I actually started harvesting and saving seeds from my own favorite Cosmos plants. I even got to share some with friends.
    My garden, both for food and beauty, is my sanctuary…my healing place.

    Reply
  1522. Kathy Lowther on

    Definitely native wildflower and grass seeds. I’ve been growing them from seed (originally collected from native prairie stands over 25 years ago). They are precious additions to my cut flower field – mainly for pollinators, but also occasionally tucked into bouquets! Two of my favourites are Harebell (Campanula alaskana) and Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) or ‘eyelash grass’. They really do look like eyelashes!

    Reply
  1523. Erica on

    1. When life is hardest, I feel safest sitting between the rows of the flowers. Zinnias hold a special place in my heart because they were my grandmother’s favorite. She loved the bright purple ones (her favorite color). When I see a beautiful purple zinnia bloom, I feel like it’s her showing up to cheer me on.

    2. I hope that I (+future generations!) can be a steward of flowers and grow them my whole life. If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I’d save my herbs (including flowering ones like basil, lavender, & yarrow), snapdragons, zinnias, and dahlias.

    Thank you both for bringing these beautiful new flowers into the world!

    Reply
  1524. Jessica on

    Stepping into my rose garden when I’m feeling stress instantly boosts my soul. The smell, the delicate blooms, the beauty in each one.

    Reply
  1525. Libby on

    Zinnias are so delightful that they would surely be ones I’d save. Also, as a someone in a northern state with long winters, I truly love the hope of spring that crocus bulbs bring as they burst forth, sometimes still covered in snow. Not technically seeds, I realize, but they deserve a shoutout.

    Reply
  1526. Lorraine on

    I would save love in a mist, zinnia and larkspur seeds. Those are all east to save and grow. They produce beautiful flowers and or pods for bouquets.

    Reply
  1527. Peggy on

    Any time I’m in the down parts of life, I immediately go to my garden for a walk around. I used to love all the beautiful smelling flowers, I still do, but I realized it’s not just the smell the beauty lies in, it’s every flower in that garden. Each zinnia, rose, cone flower, daylily, or snapdragon makes me smile. It’s the sounds of the garden, the sights, the air; I always walk away feeling like I’m back on the up part of life. I thought I was in love with the surprise of dahlia seeds but the simple happy zinnia gets me every time; I’d save every zinnia seed I have to share with everyone I love.

    Reply
  1528. Christine Wilson on

    Last year was my first year growing lots of flowers, but stock will be something I grow every year for sure. Its little floral ruffles remind me of frosting on cupcakes and cakes!

    I saved seeds from several of varieties of blooms for this year’s garden; zinnias were the most satisfying to pull apart and collect from (:

    Reply
  1529. Sue Ellen on

    The spring flowering bulbs are my go to every year, and come with me when I move. When they are first coming up it lifts my spirits after the gray, chilly days in NE Ohio. The snow drops are the first to come alive followed by the heliobore and then the ever surprising fritillaria megalagris!! After that all the gazillions of daffodils and their many varieties. So fun to go to the garden every morning in the spring to see what’s new and to smell the earth warming up. Pure potential unfolding!

    Reply
  1530. April on

    Both questions have my mind reeling. I’m going to answer the first one – hellebores are my choice! Winter blues are real, and my hellebores will begin blooming just as those blues start to settle in. I love cutting some for my own arrangements and to share – They are quite beautiful and always remind me that spring will be here soon!

    Reply
  1531. Carol on

    That is a super tough question! I would take the seed first and foremost from all my veggies and herbs. We do need to eat! I couldn’t cook with out my fresh herbs.
    Then of coarse I would take every seed from every plant I grow. I love them all. Zinnias and dahlias are my favorite annuals, so of coarse those would be covered.

    Reply
  1532. Cassy Higgins on

    Zinnias!! Always Zinnias! I have been saving seeds for years but of course always buy new, just in case…. My nieces started calling me “Auntie Zinnia” years ago! I found it so dear it’s what I named my business! Zinnias soothe my soul and my garden is not complete without them.
    Otherwise, every garden must have Cosmos, Nasturtium, and 4 o’clock which remind me of my Grandmother. I am successful at saving all these seeds! Thank you!!

    Reply
  1533. Amanda Scheck on

    I would say the seeds I would HAVE to keep myself would be tomatoes #1, flowers would be Zinnias, Cress, and Basil. While thinking about it though, my absolute can’t live withouts are all roots/tubers/corms: peonies, dahlias, ranunculus, anemones, and daffodils.

    Reply
  1534. Amy on

    I would definitely save my sweet pea, zinnia, and cosmos seeds. Those three I find so rewarding and beautiful.

    Reply
  1535. Jacque Anderson on

    My fern peonys. They were my late Grandpa’s. He bought 2 bulbs from somebody for $25 over 30 years ago. After he passed and my Grandma moved from their home I was able to be the care taker of them. Every spring I’m so happy and relieved to see that little bit of green starting to peek from the dirt. They are 1 of the connections I still have to him.

    Reply
  1536. Kathy on

    If there were no more seed sales I’d save marigolds, sweet peas, and dahlias. Marigolds because there’s something so cheery and magical about those hardy orange flowers in autumn. Sweet peas in honor of my grandma. Dahlias because the seeds hold so much opportunity for newness and beauty. Thank you for sharing this interview!

    Reply
  1537. Linda on

    My go to in hard times is always the forest. From dead tree stumps comes new life and promise.
    My garden fav has always been zinnias and dahlias side by side. They never fail me. Such vivid sharp colors . This year I hope to start a few dahlias from seed. And if no catalog were available I always have seeds from previous year. That’s the fun of gardening.

    Reply
  1538. Lauren on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear, I would probably save more than I need to. But I would save sunflower seeds, mignonette, celosia, zinnias, calendula and sweet peas off the top of my head.
    I’m sure there are others I wish I could keep growing but I would also lean on my flower community to spread the wealth of seeds and share with those around me.

    Reply
  1539. Shannon Biss on

    While all flowers bring me joy, gladioli and peonies are my favourite. The former reminds me of my grandmother’s gardens and the latter of my mom’s. They also both had rose gardens and there’s a bright peach/salmon rose that my mother had that I’ve been trying to find. I would try to save all the seeds I could even if I had different varieties and there was a chance of cross-pollination. My first priority would be emerald bead cress, zinnias, celosia, sunflowers, and sweet peas, though. I couldn’t imagine not having those, especially for mixed bouquets.

    Reply
  1540. Karen on

    My grandparents and parents shared their love of gardening by example, saving their vegetable and flower seeds from year to year. So, it’s always been important for me to save my favorite seeds of zinnias, sunflowers, echinacea and moss rose. My small garden has always been a source of relaxation and peace, so saving seeds gives me the opportunity to plan for future gardening moments. Through Floret I’ve heard about saving dahlia seeds and would love to learn more about it.

    Reply
  1541. Cynthia Gipson on

    Zinnias are my favorite flowers. I save as many of my seeds as possible. I also save Cosmos, Marigolds, tomato seeds. I love seeds. I save all my seeds. I try to look ahead. Just in case there are no seeds to buy.

    Reply
  1542. christine on

    I turn towards herbs like tulsi, basil, and lemon balm. Plants that have a scent and feed pollinators are a joy to observe and interact with. They nourish and feed all of the senses and contribute to an abundance of activity in the garden.

    Reply
  1543. Mary D on

    When I left my career due to family illness, I found myself with periods of time that I had nothing to do. Having worked in a career that was very demanding of my time, I found myself looking to pursue interests that I had had little time for when I was working. Dahlias became my solice in 2021. And it has continued from there. Growing grounds me and has opened up an entirely new and amazing community. I have always been an artist too, so it really marries many of my favorite interests.

    Reply
  1544. Kim on

    I wish I was better at names of flowers and plants.. it’s amazing how the simple beauty of the flower can lift us.. I’m finally in a home with sun! So I’m planting a cutting garden this year! I always plant tomatoes!!!!
    Saving seeds will be a new experience which I very much look forward to!!!

    Reply
  1545. Gwen on

    I will always grow zinnias. They were the first flower I planted and realized I could grow cut flowers! I started saving seeds from zinnias a few years ago and love the surprise of seeing what comes up! Maybe someday I’ll find something really special!

    Reply
  1546. Lesley on

    I would save dahlia tubers, Verbena bonariensis, Nasturtiums, blue cloud Larkspur, Nigella, Portulaca Cosmos, and, of course, Zinnias

    Reply
  1547. Julia on

    Seeing pansies and violas in the spring always seems to lift my spirits. I love seeing the small, colorful blooms.
    I will never grow tired of strawflowers–I save as many as I can every year!

    Reply
  1548. Jessie Dubuque on

    One of the most amazingly beautiful parts of living in the North East is watching and waiting with intense anticipation for the earth to warm and awaken. Living in Zone 5b, winter always feels like it lasts forever this time of year. The celebration of Imbolc today marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Today is the day I traditionally crack open my seed catalogs, in the evening, after my kids have gone to bed. I raise a celebratory glass of wine and dive headlong into planning and preparing for the next growing season.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would be heartbroken! This has been a harbinger and rite of passage for me for years.
    I have always saved seeds from annuals to perennials. Zinnias, calendula, nasturtiums and sunflowers are my favorites. Plants that have multiple purposes, not just those that are beautiful but with homeopathic properties resonante especially strong with me.
    Thank you for all you do to promote sustainability, natural beauty and to increase awareness of the amazing connections with like-minded flower farmers across the globe!

    Reply
  1549. Judy Crummer on

    As my husband has been cross pollinating perennial hibiscus for @30 years, they have to be one of my favourite flowers. Their giant blooms brighten up the garden and my heart in such a delightful way!
    If there were no more seed catalogues the hibiscus seeds would be a must to save and who can resist beautiful lisianthus! But….I must confess, zinnias have wowed my husband and I over the last two years and we can’t wait to try some of the new varieties offered by Floret this year!

    Reply
  1550. Anna on

    The thought of seed catalogs disappearing is absolutely terrifying, they are so inspiring and there is always something new added to my list of things to grow! I already save lunatic, poppy, cress, calendula, sunflower and cosmos seeds but would make sure I saved some veggies to grow too.

    Reply
  1551. Brenna Kennedy on

    I would save everything of course. But I would prob approach it with color as the lead. I too love all the pastels and soft peaches and pinks. I can live without fuchsia but not peach.

    Reply
  1552. Jillian Rubel on

    It’s a wide range I would save….I have played with saving ever since some of my earliest chives volunteered themselves so easily – it seemed like a no-brainer! For me it would be a mix of herbs and foods, like chamomile and snap peas, alongside the most gorgeous flowers I can imagine – special zinnias and sweetpeas!

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  1553. Laura B. on

    The seeds I’d save would be zinnias, dahlias, English daisy, and carnations just to name a few!

    Reply
  1554. Claire on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    I would save all that I could but take extra care with peppers, tomatoes, and zinnias. My husband grew up working in a nursery and was gifted by the owners family with some heirloom pepper seeds from Italy that we cherish. We also eat lots of peppers and tomatoes and live in high altitude. We want to keep growing the plants that toughen up out here! Zinnias are a must, as you’d understand. The color and the joyfulness cannot be beat!

    Reply
  1555. Mandy on

    The first flowers i successfully grew grow seed were zinnias thanks to a friend that saw my efforts and nailed me seeds to offer support! It was a magical year of seeing how much zinnias produce! Up until then I had only focused on vegetables, and now I would say my flower obsession has grown! Flowers feel like the beauty in the garden. And I have grown zinnias every year since.

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  1556. Beth Johnson on

    Cosmos are always my go to “saver” seeds! They’re abundant and oh so easy to save. I’m always in awe at how large each bush can get and how many bouquets can come from just one plant. If you know me you’ve probably received cosmo seeds from me! To me they’re the plant that’s meant to be shared.

    Reply
  1557. Amanda on

    My grandmother passed away many years ago, but her beautiful red dahlia lives on in my garden. Each fall I dig them up and lovingly store them until spring. It is such a joy to see them come back to life every spring. I have been a life long gardener of veggies and perennial flowers. This will be my third season growing cut flowers and LOVE them all! Gardening brings me joy!!

    Reply
  1558. Bobbi Robinson on

    I grew up growing sweat peas with my mom (Montana) and I gave them up as an adult b/c we live near Bozeman. We have a sweet pea festival every August to showcase the arts. It became a juried show where nearly all sellers came from out of state. Then the price to attend became unaffordable for locals. It was such a a lovely event growing up. But greed shifted the event. In a great turn of event Slam (support local artists and musicians) began the same 3 day event. It is local artists and no high ticket price to attend! It sparked my love to grow sweat peas again and after watching the video on proper seed saving, I’m happy to say I have them on hand and will triple my sweat pea planting. Our rule in the valley is to plant early, Easter Sunday, and an old wives tale of soaking in milk vs water… Well 1st time I did it last year, my sweet peas were incredible!!! I will always grow sweat peas! I gave so many bouquets away last year! Will do it again this year!

    Reply
  1559. Renna Nelson on

    I will always have Wild Azalea, Sweet William and Zinnias in my garden. They all help ground me.

    Reply
  1560. Amy on

    1. Sweet peas. Their growing season isn’t the longest, but a vase of them always makes me smile and nothing beats the scent.

    2. My pastel zinnias, the ranunculus corms, and a whole bunch of dahlia tubers.

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  1561. Marja on

    1 – to lift my spirits, roses, zinnias , dahlias and sweet peas! I’ve only discovered zinnias in the last couple of years. They are amazing!
    2- saving seeds would definitely be zinnias and sweet peas.

    Kori, you’ve had a beautiful journey so far!

    Reply
  1562. Olivia on

    These are all so beautiful. I love your story.
    I would save all of my cosmos, larkspur, calendula, poppies and zinnias.
    I love learning how to save my own seeds.

    Reply
  1563. Jenna on

    In my cutting garden I will always grow sunflowers, zinnias, strawflowers, marigolds, dahlias, rudbeckia, calendula, basil, borage, bells of Ireland, amaranth, celosia, snapdragons, Dara, and frosted explosion grass (mainly because it volunteers all over my garden). I save dahlia seeds because I haven’t quite gotten the hang of storing the tubers successfully but I can start the seeds easily. This past year I had a volunteer sunflower that was the prettiest I have ever had and I saved the seeds from it. I’m excited to see what I end up with when I plant it as I grew many varieties and the bees were busy cross pollinating. I save a lot of my cut flower seeds but I still buy new because I am addicted to seed shopping. I would be sad if I couldn’t shop anymore but I would probably be set with what I have. I also save morning glories, petunias, allll the tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, beans, cukes, zukes, pumpkins, corn, brassicas, and garlic. I may as well answer the first question as well since my answer is also about saving seeds. I planted a white Marigold at my son’s grave and saved the seeds from that plant. It is comforting to know I can start more plants that were originally growing right where he rests and have them close at home.

    Reply
  1564. Linda Willer on

    Cosmos have a way of soothing me. When I lost my husband last May, the sight of those delicate-looking yet tough flowers, dancing in the summer breezes gave me peace and joy during that difficult time. I have always grown cosmos and always will.

    Reply
  1565. Cheryl Sheridan on

    My gardens are my sanctuary from early spring when the first few colours begin to show, daffodil & crocus, deep pink heather and slowly all the other amazing things nature provides. With the weather changing and becoming harder to predict, it is a delight to see what has survived through the winter. My favourite blossoms will always be sweet peas for the daintiness and memory provoking scent……I have saved seeds for year. This will be my first year planting saved dahlia seeds but now I am very intrigued to look for that unique zinnia and try saving these seeds as well. Thanks Kori and Erin

    Reply
  1566. Susan S. on

    Zinnias are my go-to friend, however, dahlias are a very close 2nd. I LOVE the many shades of zinnias, their many forms, watching them sway in the breeze and how the butterflies are always using their blooms as landing pads. Something about snapping their photos, trying to capture that perfect, clear shot, is a total stress destroyer, while replenishing the heart, mind and soul with beauty.

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  1567. Beth Comer on

    Whereas Floret has inspired me to grow, share and love dahlia’s, zinnias would remain my first love. I will always grow them. I love having the varied colors in the back garden all over the place as my front garden is a stunning white garden only. Its control is also inviting but mostly in the evening hours. The zinnias sing all day and after dark by firelight. And, because of their great cut-flower life, I enjoy sharing them with my neighbors. Zinnias.

    Reply
  1568. Lori Sutich on

    While I am new to flower gardening, we do have transplants from our grandparents that we have moved to be with us: lilac, roses, and even a dogwood tree. (He didn’t like it very much!)
    But now we are starting memories with our children and their children. I think everyone’s favorites are the peonies and dahlias. After reading your book, I now can split the dahlia tubers, or collect seeds and share these with each or their homes too.
    What a great way to pass on the love of flowers.

    Reply
  1569. Margaret Fisk on

    I will always turn to my Floret’s dahlias grown from seed. They’ve brought me and my community so much pleasure.

    And if catalogs were to disappear, I will be forever thankful I found Floret dahlia seeds, and now Dawn Creek seeds.

    I have grown so many different flowers, these will always be my go-to.

    Reply
  1570. Nicole on

    Throughout the spring and summer months the flowers that anchor my soul change as they bloom and come alive. Lilacs and lily of the valley and even apple blossoms in the spring. Peonies passed down from my great-grandmother and bright orange poppies from my mother. The smell of my phlox as I breathe them in brings me such bliss, and of course the beautiful colors and long vase life of Zinnias, celosia, strawflowers, and lavender . These bring me joy that I can’t explain. Center me. Calm my soul and leave me in awe of their intricate detail and in awe of their creator.
    The flowers that I long to envelop myself in till my dying day are the ones listed above. I would add to that list seeds from my lupine, snapdragon, sweet pea, cosmos, cleome, and Larkspur. Oh so many to fill my heart with delight!

    Reply
  1571. Karen on

    What an amazing journey!
    Congratulations

    Reply
  1572. Candace on

    Flowers have such a special way of sparking joy, especially during tough, dark times. I’m learning all the time about the gifts these plants offer us. Yarrow is one I’ve been reaching for more and more, feeling the calling to expand my understand of it’s medicinal properties too. It’s such a versatile, practical grower ! Others on my forever grow list are sunflowers, zinnias and echinacea.

    Reply
  1573. Andréa on

    Interested questions…winter flowers moving into the occasional spring flower for me. They are truly friends reappearing after the dark PNW days. The fall flowers towards the end are another last burst of color that are a different kind of relief and sad. Once I started cataloguing all my growing varieties, I was surprised at how much our microclimate can handle. Including plants from my grandmother and each home I’ve lived and from my father’s grave. So there’s not the desire to pick any in particular because they each have a different poignant meaning in my life. Seed catalogues therefore don’t matter as much, as long as I have these perennials from the past. Sharing them with patients and school children and others is passing on those little sparks. Probably much like you all with this stunning zinnia growing collection..

    I’m glad you asked this question ♥️

    Reply
  1574. Kristen Rubin on

    When I’m feeling troubled about stressing in my life. Marriage, children, friendships I tend to gravitate towards my seedling room. Of all the little oasis on the farm, i truly enjoy transplant growing. My seedling room is quiet and warm, the stillness of putting each small seed into its little nest soothes me and I find peace.
    I always enjoy the ranunculus hoop house or the sunflower field. They put a smile on my face and make me feel accomplished

    Gosh, if I had to save seeds it would be one all a jumble. Organization is not my strong suit. I would definitely need niggelka, zinnia, apples of Peru cress and delphiniums! AND Snaps! Oh, wait. Cerinthe….

    Reply
  1575. Alex Ritte on

    I’m a beginner to large cut flower growing this year. It’s just me and my barren long front porch and yard my family (boyfriend and two cats) and I just moved in 2023. I’m determined to make something wild and beautiful. I grew up on farmland and my parents (especially my mom) loved gardening. I remember the abundance of wildflowers, veggies, and whatever else my parents could get. As an evolving adult now, I’m trying to replant myself in flowers, the sweet peas, and sunflowers I grew up with but new varieties now. I’m in love with anything that grows long and tall, snapdragons, lupine, zinnias, to name a few! I’m so excited for this journey and look forward to this seed sale. I also just want to thank you Floret. I’ve been inspired by you from the very beginning to give this a try. In trying to find something beautiful to surround myself again, away from the harsh world. Thanks for reigniting that inspiration. Who knows what adventure will come out of it but I’m excited to try.

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  1576. Tory g on

    A labor of love! So appreciative of all your hard work and sharing it with us. I’m excited to grow these.

    If all the seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save all the seed that I could. As a child my plant obsession started and I use to collect seeds from tomatoes and perennials that were growing in my mom’s garden. It’s always so fun to study a plant and discover how the seeds form, ripen, and when to harvest. I can recall the large dining room table always covered with paper plates of different seeds drying. So if seed catalogs were to disappear, I’d be ok but I would be sad to miss out on all the new varieties being introduced!

    Reply
  1577. Laura Merkner on

    I have loved all flowers and pretty much any plant, since I was a young girl. One of my fondest memories is seeing the fuzzy lavender crocus blooms very early on the hillsides coming up through the snow in eastern Montana where I grew up. Having said that, I’m obsessed with dahlias and don’t ever want to be without them. As Monet said, “I must have flowers, always and always ”!

    Reply
  1578. Cindi on

    When life is hard for me, I look to zinnias to lift my spirits. They have got to be the most cheerful flower there is. They emerge from the soil, and immediately bring me joy. And when they flower, well sometimes you might hear me squeal. I think my neighbors possibly think I am nuts, as I talk to the flowers and sing to them. I am in the later season of life and zinnias have been here for me for many years. If I could only grow one flower, it would be them.

    Thank you for this chance to win some of your beautiful zinnias. You are such an inspiration to many.

    Reply
  1579. Haley on

    For me, it’s zinnias. For as long as I can remember, I’ve associated these flowers with summer time in Wisconsin. They graced the area surrounding my great-grandmother’s mailbox, my grandma’s mailbox, and my own mother’s mailbox growing up. A cheery welcome when you pulled into the driveway along those country roads. I remember walking along the rows of color along side my mom’s vegetable garden in hopes of finding the perfect bouquet for our kitchen island but too afraid to cut any of them down. How could I rob them of their glory under the sun? Now at 32, I plant them around my own mailbox as a sort of remembrance and acknowledgement of these women and how they helped shape my love for gardening.

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  1580. Magdalena A on

    Thank you immensely for this interview. As I read through it, I couldn’t help but envision the courage it took to embark on uncharted paths. In today’s fast-paced world, driven by the constant mantra of ‘more,’ it can be challenging to pause and contemplate our direction. I confess I’ve struggled with this. What’s even more daunting is following instincts despite the fear of the unknown.

    Yet, amidst the chaos, my sanctuary is the garden. It’s not about a specific plant but the entire ecosystem—colorful plants, buzzing bees, charming ladybugs, graceful hummingbirds, and the delightful sight of my children gathering flowers. It’s a haven teeming with life that perseveres despite challenges. This view fills my spirit, inspiring me to preserve seeds from many species. They represent a harmonious network of intertwined lives, a symbiosis that thrives. And so, I diligently save seeds from many plants so to create a garden where all have their place.

    Reply
  1581. April on

    I started gardening (veggies specifically) when my little boy was battling leukemia. It was my safe place, my respite and my hope. I turned to flowers a couple years ago because I wanted to share that same joy and hope I felt every time I walked into my garden. As I’ve sowed thousands of seeds over many years I never take for granted that I get to watch these tiny miracles unfurl before my eyes. Now I get to watch others feel that same sense of wonder, joy and hope every time I deliver a bouquet. It hasn’t been one type of flower or plant that buoys me up. It’s the experience of getting my hands in the dirt each day, being recharged by nature and getting to share that beauty with others!

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  1582. Jennifer Davis on

    My garden is definitely my happy place. Everything gives me joy and uplifts my spirits when I’m feeling like life is closing in. Celosia is my all time love there is something about the feathery rainbow of colors that I cannot get enough of. I remember the first time I saw celosia way before I realized I wanted to be a flower farmer and wanting to know more. It’s ability to be used fresh or dried and still look lovely amazes me. A touch of my hand as she sheds a handful of seeds saying enjoy me again and again warms my heart.

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  1583. Jonna on

    Flowers were my grandpas love. He became a master gardener as a senior citizen, transforming their front yard with dabs of color here and there, as though painting. He could have told you stories of starvation and war, of air raids at night, but he was a quiet man and that wasn’t his way. He was gone before I became an adult and could truly appreciate his experiences, but I think his fondness for flowers says everything he would have wanted me to know now:

    It’s never too late to start.

    No matter what you’re going through or what you’ve endured, there is still beauty to witness and cultivate; the sun will rise tomorrow.

    His personal passion has bled into each of his daughters. My aunts are their truest selves with crescent moons of black soil beneath their fingernails and hair in a sweaty, ethereal halos.

    Now, more than ever, I want my children to be raised alongside my gardens. To be outside, to slow down, as an antidote to our technology steeped lives. Because flowers are a metaphor for life and a universally understood language, which is why people gift bouquets for all life’s moments. They bear congratulations for new babies, sunshine for a sick friend, joy for the celebration of a marriage, affection for a spouse, beauty amidst loss, and loveliness during ordinary moments. This beautiful companion has so much to teach; offers so much promise and healing.
    Here’s to all those tending flowers this year; may we see life’s beauty and know that no season is permanent. The sun will rise tomorrow.

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  1584. Marsha on

    I have loved zinnias for a long time and don’t remember when I first discovered them; in my busy years of raising a family and barely keeping up with the vegetable garden they are a bright spot, hiding the mess behind and greeting me first when I get there, easy to grow and pick for my kitchen and give away to friends…

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  1585. Patty on

    This is a tough one. There really is not a plant I don’t love. If seed catalogs were to go away I would save hellebore seeds. One of my favorite plants here in zone 5! Since we have a short growing season I cherish all plants that I grow. Last season was my first with zinnias but they were no way as beautiful as what you’re growing! Thank you for what you do.

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  1586. Jeff Zimmerman on

    I am at 8,000 ft elevation in New Mexico . I have been homesteading on 30 acres for three years. Last year was my first attempt at growing flowers in addition to vegetables. We had success. Mixtures of straw, manures and compost and monsoon rains made for colorful bachelor buttons, cosmos and a few zinnias. This was a spark to dive into researching cut flowers which brought me to Floret. I give the flowers away to senior citizens at the Quemado Senior Center. I grow all sorts of vegetables for self sufficiency. Chickens, pheasants, vegetables and flowers keeps me busy during a 110 day growing cycle. I order seeds from a number of vendors, now I will try your two brands. Thanks for all of your videos. Jeff Zimmerman

    Reply
  1587. Mary Staley on

    I have grown zinnias along my fence for over 20 years, and the neighbors refer to me as the Flower Lady. So, I’m sure zinnias are the seeds I would/ will save for future years (and to share with my granddaughter!)

    Reply
  1588. Dena Aitken on

    When life gets difficult and I need to quiet my mind I go out and just spent time with the flowers. Zinnias and Dahlias are my favorite. They are constantly giving all season long. If they can do it so can I.

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  1589. Gayle Ganser, Eagle Point Farm on

    When I am totally stressed and exhausted from the constant work of our vegetable farm, greenhouses and busy farm market I love cutting all my flowers first thing the next morning. Nothing is more beautiful or calming than an early morning, by myself, cutting my lovely flowers. It is just me, the butterflies and the humming birds, and once in awhile a herd of deer looking on… probably wanting to get to my flowers!!

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  1590. Ashley R on

    What an amazing interview. There are so many plants that resonate with me for different reasons. My hellebores always make me happy because when I see there blooms in the PNW it reminds me spring will be here soon. Tulips because they remind me of how my grandfather always planted them for me ans were his favorite.
    This last year was my first yr that I saved seed like my grandfather taught me. I saved celosia, rudbekia, poor mans orchids and a few others and was so excited to share them with friends that love to grow roo

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  1591. Maria Mongello on

    Roses are my serenity. My grandmother had them in her garden. My mother had them in her garden. And now, I have rose bushes from both of their gardens in my little “memorial rose garden”. I have added a few of my own to honor and continue what I hope to be is a sweet little legacy. However, if I’m really a hot mess, lavender is my bff. I have it dried from my garden in bunches all over my house. I put it fresh with flowers in little homegrown arrangements. And I make tea with it. If there were no seed catalogs, I would continue with my dependable, finch attracting, coneflowers, which are native to my state. I also must have the accompanying brown- eyed susans. Both of these seem to sustain themselves, which is why I love them and have grown accustom to seeing them all summer long. I am going to try to save seeds from sunflowers and zinnias this year since they bring me such colorful joy. I’m going to finally move on from buying seeds from the Dollar Store and invest in something I can sustain. Thank you Erin for educating me specifically on that topic.

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  1592. Jolene Miller on

    I turn to flowers. I’m a long time veggie grower, but only lately really began to explore flowers. I hadn’t realized how much joy and comfort they bring: not just to me, but to countless others. I also turn to plants that can be propagated by cuttings, especially fruits, as the sheer abundance they represent goes a long way to encourage me and remind me of what is really possible when we cultivate things with love and care

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  1593. Marsha on

    To answer question #1…Roses. I love walking through roses looking at and touching the blooms and just giving them a big old sniff. There’s something so calming and grounding about it. I love them so much!

    Reply
  1594. Lynn on

    What an incredible story and it’s just makes you want to grow more flowers from seeds for sure. If only I had more land I would grow tons more.
    Both question are great and hard to choose which one to answer with that said, I have many flowers that I love and that’s why I grow them. I would go out into my garden after work to calm down especially after a stressful day. I would say snapdragons they are so interesting these little flowers all along a long stem. They perform great every time and so many different varieties as well as colours. I plant these every year and when my girls were small we would pick the flower and play with them. Now my one daughter is into gardening and she loves to plant snapdragons because they remind her of her childhood gardening with me. Erin you’re are such an inspiration to people that now my daughter is also following you as well and has started her own mini cut flower business with dahlias, zinnias, snapdragons, strawflowers, celosia are just a few. Thanks for your wonderful knowledge and sharing it. Good luck everyone

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  1595. Sarah on

    What seeds would I save? I suppose I’d try to save all of them! Tomatoes, pumpkins, zinnias, lisianthus. I want roses around as long as live!

    Reply
  1596. Miruna on

    To answer question 1, the very acting of planting, watering, waiting, admiring, picking, and prepping for winter of all my flowers makes me hopeful. Right now, the dahlia tubers sleeping in my basement, and the bulbs sending out shoots underground in my flower bed give me hope. The constancy of plants’ resilience is a model of hope. Even now on a dreary gray winter day, the bare branches of trees and shrubs are preparing, unseen, to burst into bud.

    Reply
  1597. Patsy Jennings on

    I’m 76 years old and love to garden. We live on a tight budget and cannot afford these seeds. But it’s a great pleasure to watch all about them. My plants are what gets me through winter and keep me hoping to be able to garden a little longer. I think hope will live on in all of us who can garden a little longer. Much good luck with all you do and happy gardening

    Reply
  1598. Steffanie on

    Whenever I am at a point when spirits need to be lifted, turning to my plants is the most gratifying feeling. Every year I plant sunflowers no matter what. They are nothing short of magical and I love being able to share that joy with surrounding neighbors and woodland critters.I like that you can see them from afar and the smiles, conversions they bring. There is something so special about looking upwards, sun shining its rays through each petal, and observing all the bees and hummingbirds pollinating in their glory. Ultimately my heart is drawn to any and all flowers and plants. So excited for amaranth this year. Dhalias,hibiscus, mums, daisies,Zinnias,bee balm,Lobelia, yarrow. Too many to list because I want them all lol. Can’t wait for these upcoming seasons to plant all my floret seedlings, seeds from neighbors and anything to fill every space the sun touches. Oh and of course the shaded plants too. 😉😁Love my bleeding hearts sweet woodruff,astilbe to name a few. Happy growing everyone, the bulbs are sprouting which means it’s close..awww I can smell them already! 😍💐 Thank you Erin and Kori for being a beacon of hope and light and for allowing us to grow with you. Something so personal being shared with the world is not something I take for granted. Inspired to the core and has driven me to make a difference!

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  1599. Tanie Martin on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would absolutely be saving zinnia seeds. I’d also be saving basil seeds; I love the many different varieties of basil. I’m also fascinated with tomatoes! Saving the seeds from a favorite and seeing how different the offspring can be is so fun.

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  1600. Sherri on

    Loved reading about the history of Dawn CreekFarm!
    Years ago, zinnias would not have been high on my list of go to flowers. But as the colors and textures of the zinnias increased, so has my love for them increased! They are beautiful and so fascinating! I am SO excited we finally have the opportunity to purchase and grow them. As a cut flower farmer, I love that I could offer these beautiful colors/textures to our local florists!!
    Saving zinna seeds is a huge must. Zinnias are a must grow flower for every flower farmer, whether for personal use or business use. Thank you SO much for giving us the opportunity to enjoy your hard work by providing zinnias seeds of pastel colors and lovely textures!

    Reply
  1601. Beth Johnson on

    Cosmo Seeds are my “forever” savers! They are easy to save and abundant in seeds and blooms. I find that I am in awe every year at just how large the plants become and how many bouquets I can get off one bush. If you know me you’ve probably been gifted cosmo seeds! To me, they’re the happy plant that is meant to be shared!

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  1602. Grace on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would be saving seed from Iceland Poppies and Larkspur first. These were the first two flowers that I grew from seed and they hold a special place in my heart. But let’s be honest, I would try to save them all :)

    Reply
  1603. Jaime on

    In winter herbs are my go to because they do well indoors. It gets in the negative temps but being able to still grow something distracts my brain from nasty winter and makes me think about the happiness of spring ☀️😍

    Reply
  1604. Emily on

    When life was getting stressful and my doctor recommendeded finding a hobby to help decompress, I turned to pottery and flowers. I have been working on my “garden escape” for two years and Zinnias will always have the biggest space in the garden. Zinnias were the first flower I grew with success and no matter how hard a day is, their beauty will brighten any room or mood. Their abundant blooms are forgiving and versatile. On the hardest of days, I will sit near my Zinnias and just observe all the other creatures enjoying the flowers.

    Reply
  1605. Jennifer on

    When times are hard and I need to recharge. The smell of petunias take me to sitting on my grandma porch. I would sit looking at those purple petunias and feel as though there was no other place this special 💜

    Reply
  1606. Maria on

    Sage, rosemary, and other perennial herbs that seem to go on no matter what mother nature throws at them! It reminds me that whatever hardships you’re facing can be overcome!

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I’d save some of our favorite heirloom tomato and hot pepper seeds.

    Reply
  1607. Kelly Barham on

    I would say dahlias are always my favourite. Last year I finally grew a few tubers from my own seed collected. Looking forward to this year as I have quite a bit of seed….it’s so exciting to see what surprises they will bring!

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  1608. Nancy on

    Zinnias and dahlias have always been my favorites, they’re beautiful and come in so many colors! They are the ones I’d save seeds from if there were no
    more seed sales! Thank you for this interview, it was great.

    Reply
  1609. michelle on

    I’ve been digging and moving a peony plant from my grandmother’s garden for years, I”d definitely need to find a way to save that. I also love my dahlias and lilacs.

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  1610. Liesl on

    Bright Lights Cosmos… then Zinnias. ;-) These orange and red cosmos flowers are SO cheerful in the garden. As cut flowers they don’t last as long as Zinnias, but they bloom sooner and are so easy to grow from seed.

    Reply
  1611. Lisa on

    Flowers I want to grow alongside forever are daffodils, tulips, peonies, and dahlias. If seed catalogs disappeared, I’d save dahlia seeds. What an interesting person Kori is! Thank you for interviewing her.

    Reply
  1612. Lorna Burley on

    Great interview with Kori, so happy you’re feeling well and thrilled to have been apart of your fundraiser for zinnias the last couple of years. Lisianthus fullfil me, for a cut and come again pansies. I’ve love them since I was a little girl and my mother taught me about deadheading to encourage more blooms. Seeds I would collect would be zinnias, Scabiosa, asters and calendula.

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  1613. Kelley on

    Without a doubt, it is the early spring blooms that lift me spirits! Hellebores seem an easy choice, but what does it for me are the epimediums–their tiny little spaceship-like flowers seems to dance just above the ground, requiring me to stop, kneel down, and appreciate the little things (plus their beutiful emerging foliage is not to be missed!). They really kick-off the spring growing season for me, and a little sprig in a bud vase keeps spirits high. I also cherish the native spring ephemerals, and while they are missed when they fade back into the ground I take comfort in knowing they’ll be back with encouragement as the winter wanes in the next year.

    I try to save seeds every year, but place a high priority tomatoes, beans, poppies, and zinnias. They’re a complete package–plenty of delicious food to eat and beauty throughout the spring and summer. That said, perennials usually steal my heart, and I think the native clematis (viorna types) may be something I never want to be without.

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  1614. Nicole M. on

    Thank you for this inspiring interview and the chance to own some of these hard won seeds. I turn to the flowers that struggled. The ones that look like they had a tough go and yet somehow against all odds they flourish. This could be any plant really. A daisy in a sidewalk. A zinnia in my garden. They remind me to keep going. Keep growing.

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  1615. Megan on

    what a great interview!

    1) the plants that buoy my spirits most are ZINNIAS and SNAPDRAGONS. i’m growing in a community garden these days, and when i visit my flower patch and see these flowers blooming in abundance, my hearts bursts with joy. what an amazing thing to be able to grow flowers!

    2) i would save seeds for all my long stem cutting varieties of snapdragons first, especially the appleblossom potomacs. the seeds are so easy to get from the plants and you can’t find these varieties in nurseries near me at all.

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  1616. Natalie on

    1. Bright beautiful dahlias held in an arrangement made by one of my sons (5 and 8) always lifts my spirits.
    2. Sweet peas! My family (my dad and his dad before) has grown them for 4 generations and my boys are learning how to sow, grow and save their seeds. We look forward to this ritual every year but it is getting harder to find named varieties in the States.

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  1617. Nicole on

    Usually, I’m looking to the trees for grounding and connection. They just seem so wise and strong.
    Allies I connect with are flowers like yarrow, St. John’s Wort, and calendula for comfort and healing. I love spending time with plants!

    Reply
  1618. Norma Pyscher on

    The seeds I’d save would be marigolds (so easy and prolific), dahlias, peas, sweet peas, zinnias, daisies, petunias and cucumber, and the corms of ranunculus. I want to grow alongside ranunculus, marigolds, zinnias, tomatoes and cucumbers forever – each one brings me joy in different ways. Ranunculus and zinnia for the beauty, marigold for the scent and pest control, tomatoes for the burst of flavor and cucumber for the way it cools you on a hot summer day.

    Reply
  1619. Jaime on

    The sheer diversity of dahlias has been such an inspiration. I’ve found so much hope and giddy excitement when I’m checking my patch to see what new types have found their way to me.

    Reply
  1620. Cynthia Marsh-McGann on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    Firstly, this interview was so beautifully composed and Kori’s connection with the zinnias and the earth is palpable – thank you so much for sharing. Back to the question at hand –
    I too have always been drawn to zinnias. I feel they’re my spirit flower of sorts. Nothing formal about them – yet ALWAYS showing up and putting on a show in the garden! I was fortunate to visit the Botanical Jardin in Puerto Vallarta some years back and if you’re ever able to go there – it’s such a magical place and given that zinnias are native to Mexico they are in such abundance and beauty at every turn there!

    In addition to zinnias I’d also need to have Verbena Bonariensis woven in wherever possible. Tithonia Rotundifolia ‘Mexican Torch Sunflower’ an absolute requirement – IYKYK! German Chamomile – yes please and able to grow out of any crack in the asphalt abundantly! Having grown vegetables most of my life I’d need to have the Egyptian Walking Onion (okay, officially not a seed but none of my growing installations are without this whimsical creation!) Aunt Molly Ground Cherries – because everyone needs to experience these treasures. In recent years of experimenting with growing flowers I’d also need Nicotiana Indian Peace Pipe. As long as I have these my garden would be complete and we’d coexist forever.

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  1621. Callie on

    The plants that help me navigate hard times are the ones that I transplanted from my grandmother’s garden. Feeling that connection to previous generations helps me to gain context and remember what’s really important. Before our family had to sell her land, I was able to dig up so many of her treasures, including hellebores, peonies, hydrangeas, daffodils, snow drops, and irises. They are such a JOY every year when they bloom and remind me of the simple beauty that my grandmother nurtured in her life.

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  1622. Sarah Foster on

    I would always save the sweet peas and the zinnias. They grow in such abundance in our garden with little assistance or issue and their colors make me so happy. The thing I never expected though was how it would become a little summer ritual for me and my toddler to go and meander around the garden, eat fresh berries, and pick flowers. He will literally always stop and smell the flowers, which is a precious reminder for me to slow down and enjoy the beauty around me.

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  1623. Brandy on

    I enjoy seeing all flowers. There isn’t one that doesn’t make me smile but I simply love godetia! The flower blooms so much and it is such a joy to see a bed full of them. I would definitely save those seeds, zinnia and sunflowers if catalogs were to disappear tomorrow.

    Reply
  1624. Jessica Bleasdale on

    Question 1:

    Lavender has a special place in my heart. It’s scent calming and grounding, and always comforts me. I love it so much we named our first miniature dachshund Lavender as she loved the aroma of the flower buds I used to make pillows. When she recently passed away at nearly 16 years old we buried her on our homestead and on top I planted a memorial garden full of different varieties of Lavender so she knows she will always be comforted. When my family needs comfort or a moment to think of of sweet girl, there’s a bench by the lavender garden where we can connect and have our memories 💜

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  1625. Nichole Rairigh on

    I will always grow amaryllis. The winters are long and dark and it seems like I have flowers blooming from Decembet theough May!

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  1626. Melanie on

    Zinnias! Although dahlias and peonies are my favorite flowers, zinnias are the flowers that have allowed me to have a flower garden during the last few years when my time and budget have been tighter. And they always make me smile. I have plans of putting them in the front yard along our driveway this year, as well as the backyard! They are also fun for my 4 year old to pick with me.

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  1627. Shannon Goshen on

    Beautiful story! Question #2: I would save Argostemma and scabiosa. I just love their wispy form that sways in the wind, plus they are pollinator magnets!

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  1628. Nilu on

    Nothing makes me happier than to spend time outside with my plants – flowers and vegetables. They have also provided me with many new friends who stop by to say how much they love seeing the beautiful rainbow of colors.

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  1629. Valerie on

    I love the beauty of zinnias, how prolific they are and easy to grow!

    I would save zinnia and dahlia seeds forever!

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  1630. Trista on

    I would be most intent on saving vegetable seeds. I also have an interest in growing decorative pumpkins and gourds. For flowers I would save poppy, zinnia, dahlia, cone flower, geranium, four o’clock, allium, yarrow, stock, salvia, petunia, columbine, oh my….all of them! LOL I am so excited to start my cut flower garden now that we have relocated back to Eastern Colorado.

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  1631. Starlie on

    Truly a labor of love!! Lovely interview! I have enjoyed following both of you and celebrating in your journeys. Both of you have freely given so much valuable advice and have created beauty for the rest of us dreamers and growers to aspire to. Thank you!

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  1632. Nancy on

    Thank you, Kori, for giving such eloquent expression to your process! You feel like a kindred spirit to me. Zinnias are one of my cheerful flower allies, but I am also deeply connected with Cosmos with her airy and prolific beauty. Larkspur are wonderful harbingers of the time of new growth, and I love that they self-seed so generously! I would not want to overlook my herbal friend: nettle, calendula, sage, yarrow, lemon balm, and motherwort. SO many allies!

    I have saved seed for years, but not attempted to select or breed. Your insistence on maintaining genetic health and diversity is lovely and so essential as I never wish to make the plants into a commodity. Your “second chance” at harvesting those elusive peach zinnias reinforces my belief in making allowance for volunteers and supporting their growth. SO I will save seed of any/all plants that sing, trusting that my local biome will provide additional diversity and beauty…

    Reply
  1633. Emily Brooksby on

    When I am facing a hard time, I love to walk my garden and marvel at what is currently in bloom. Even now, in the middle of winter, I get great joy in seeing my hellebores sending up stems and my daffodils pushing through the soil. That gives me hope. When I was particularly burned out last summer, I got the biggest thrill seeing my dahlias take off and surprise me with their colors.
    If seed catalogs went extinct, I would cry. Lol! I haven’t ventured much into seed saving yet, but I would try to keep as many of my queeny lime blush zinnias and my xeranthemum, both of which I adore.

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  1634. Amy Hurst on

    My now 7-year-old daughter and I always save coriander/cilantro seeds – I usually try to keep cilantro succession planted all summer and I let it flower and go to seed when it bolts and can’t be used for fresh eating on tacos/asian food/everything any longer. Bolted cilantro actually makes great foliage/filler for bouquets with their pretty little white flowers and lacy foliage and hold up pretty well in the vase. My little girl will get after me if I DON’T save it – “mommy we have to save some seeds!” Calendula is another favorite and is so easy to save seeds. When I’m really organized, I save marigold – I plant these because my mom always did – nasturtium and zinnia seeds too. And of course, basil. Excited to get some new varieties in my garden this year – can’t wait for the seed sale launch!

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  1635. Debra Lemay on

    I’ve always aspired to be a gardener and every year I’ve planted vegetable gardens with some success. A few years ago I stumbled across a YouTube channel “Flower Hill Farm” produced by Nicole Pitt from Boonville, New York, not far from me. Growing flowers had never been on my radar before but I started watching her videos and from there I did more exploring found Floret videos and a community of flower growers on YouTube. At this point I was hooked and started growing flowers. I’m exploring, learning and expanding my garden each year. There a no specific flowers or plants that I turn to, for me it is the process, the learning and the successes. I just love it. Every bloom for me is a success. I am 67, semi-retired and consider myself a late bloomer.🌻Better late than never….

    I plan on seed saving this year. I’ve never saved seeds but as we say in our home, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” So, I’m not sure what I will save, I have saved Dahlia tubers over the past few years and have done well with them. (Thank you for the tips on saving them) so I will keep watching and learning and probably try to save what I think I will be successful with. Again, for me each bloom is a success. Thank you for all you guys do, wish you all many blooms.

    Reply
  1636. Penny Ferringer on

    I started out growing zinnia and cosmos for cut flowers. My current favorites are zinnias, yarrow & dahlia. I save seeds and tubers and enjoy seeing what I can keep growing for years. I would enjoy the opportunity to grow zinnias from Dawn Creek seeds:

    Reply
  1637. Missy on

    Sunflowers. There is lore passed down in my family of mothers planting sunflower seeds along the trail so their loved ones knew to keep their chin up as they followed. When I watch sunflowers follow the trail of the sun across the sky, I remember to keep my chin up too. 🌻

    Reply
  1638. Amber D. on

    During hard times I lean on my poppies and zinnias as they are bright and colorful! Herbs also help, my chocolate mint and lemon balm are top on my list. The scent of both of these herbs is calming to me. Dill is another, the smell of fresh dill reminds me of sunny happy days ❤️

    Reply
  1639. Shaleen Dodson on

    My English garden roses planted right outside our homeschool room window by my husband. They lift my spirits all throughout the day when I look outside and my husbands intentionality in putting them there for me for hard school days always makes me smile.
    I would save zinnias, sunflowers, snapdragons. Can’t live without them! And definitely take more cuttings from my perennials!

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  1640. Adrien on

    Thank you for this beautiful interview! I loved reading Kori’s words – she has such an eloquent way of speaking about her calling and her relationship with the plants. It sounds so grounded and intentional! I am so excited for the Dawn Creek varieties. They are so so special.

    For the question, if seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?:

    I started saving seed from Calendula ‘Bronze Beauty’ this year – she exhibited some unique double blooms that were literally breathtaking for me. This plant surprised me so much! I originally bought the seed thinking she would be a great natural deterrent to pests and an excellent medicinal plant. But the bloom time (May-October here in Zone 7) and the way she captures the light totally surprised me! This is the plant that I wasn’t expecting, but she keeps whispering to me, so I think her seeds are worth saving and continuing on into the world.

    As for the plants that I want to grow alongside forever, roses have magnetized to me in a way I could never have predicted. I feel so at peace with them. This season I set out to only add one to my garden on a whim, and ended up with 7 different plants! Their hardy and yet delicate nature grounds me. I often feel like they are watching over the rest of the garden and making sure everything gets on alright. (I also like to imagine them gossiping to one another from across the borders!)

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  1641. Jodena Beard on

    I crave bright colored flowers in the darkness of winter in my zone 5b. I buy grocery store bouquets in the winter. I always have zinnias in by summer garden and love the bouquets I gather weekly from my garden.

    I save many flowers each year just to see if I can germinate them. Zinnia, dahlia, sweet peas and hollyhock seed would all be saved if seed catalogs disappeared along with tomato, cucumber and snow peas.

    Reply
  1642. Patricia Hoban on

    My heart and soul are filled with joy when my Creme de Casis dahlia bloom along with my pink Japanese anemone next to them. Such exquisite beauty. Such a gift to love gardening.

    Reply
  1643. Teresa on

    I feel like Zinnias would be the one seed I would love to grow forever. They are so resilient and giving when they grow. They can bloom in alot of different soil conditions and the fact that the seeds are so easy to save also make it a winner for me. I love how you can put a little effort into starting seeds and they still put out beautiful blooms.

    Reply
  1644. Lisa Bos on

    I have just recently come to the zinnia loving family and was so excited with how well they withstood our central California heat that I’m hoping to do some major experimenting this summer on our ten acres. In addition to zinnias I’m a total rose fan with over two different ones spaced throughout the property

    Reply
  1645. Cimdy on

    As an empty nester of two children, I found growing cut flowers a way to nourish my soul and have something to keep me going after they were out of the house and in college in other states. From seed starting to cutting and arranging , my cut flower garden has given me purpose ! I’m loving all cut flowers but especially dahlias and zinnias, cosmos.

    Reply
  1646. Jana Cops on

    While I love all flowers, tulips are especially my favorite. They are my moms favorite and her moms favorite as well. Something about the first colors of spring popping up after the dullest of winter. Next favorite would be zinnias, they thrive in our warmer temps and offer such an amazing color variety!

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  1647. Vera on

    I love just being in the garden in general and I would save all of the seeds if I had too! I espessially love sweet peas, zinnias, celsoia, dahlias, lisianthus, ranunculus, and eucalyptus.
    The peach tones in the Dawn Creek zinnias are so beutiful!

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  1648. Keeley on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I think it would be such a tragedy! I have always had a love for flowers and feel like I’m just now discovering all the beautiful plants that I love to grow. My growing space and time are so limited that I have to carefully select those that do well with a little less effort. Each year I have to pick my favorites and balance that with trialing a few new varieties. So far the ones I cannot live without are: sweet peas for their amazing sent and variety of color. Cosmos because they are just lovely whimsical creatures that sway in the wind. Zinnias I grew last year for the first time and I will continue to keep growing them for their color options and vase life. Helleborus while funky and a bit odd are definitely a keeper for me. They are the first “flower” in my region that begin growing in the winter. They bring such joy and an array of color to a very dark and gray season.

    Reply
  1649. Charlotte on

    I’ve noticed when life is hard and I’m stressed that walking out to my flower garden melts everything away in an instant. It’s almost like the Zinnias can see the door open and are saying get in here and let us help! I love my Zinnias. They do have so much personality and are totally amazing as a cut flower!

    Reply
  1650. Leslie Peterson on

    On my hardest days, I always seem to turn to my roses. Growing up my grandma had a yard full of different rose bushes. My favorite was a huge double delight bush she had next to the outdoor table we held all of our family parties growing up. My childhood was filled with the smell of roses and now whenever I need a pick me up I find myself seeking out my own roses. The first rose I planted when we built our home was a double delight. I believe my grandma is my gardian angel, even though she is not physically here with us. Everytime I am near that rose I can feel her love and it brings me so much peace.

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  1651. Mary McCarthy on

    I would save my zinnia and dahlia seeds! I never get tired of watching the bees enjoy these two all summer.

    Reply
  1652. Kelly Tsutsui on

    I love all flowers from the road side farm stands to wildflowers in the fields to Trader Joe’s but if I had to pick one it would be my English garden roses! Their form, colors and fragrance are enchanting and bring me so much joy and hope. As so seeds, I saved my first dahlia seeds this year and can not wait to see what beauty grows from them!

    Reply
  1653. Vala Ross on

    I have always used my garden as a place to connect with Self and find respite from a weary world. Through the methodology of the Empowered Heart, I have brought my awareness to the tramas that have shaped my life and given way to unconscious avoidance which has led me to a place of ongoing suffering. Those traumas, which stem from childhood abuse and poverty, caused me to believe I didn’t have a place of value in my community, family, or even the world. Resourcing myself with tools and insight from the Empowered Heart, I am learning to connect with that inner child and offer her compassion and connection. Well, trust is slow to build with people, so I turned my focus of connection to my plants. To the life force that comes from a tiny seed. Allowing the microbes of goodness in the soil to absorb under my fingernails and penetrate my inner being. Carefully watching a seedling, as vulnerable as I once was, stretch toward the light, stand strong against the wind, be revitalized by the rain. On a rough day, I can be found yanking weeds or moving yet another stack of rocks to border my planting areas. Hard work is cathartic when hard feelings arise. There isn’t just one flower I lean into to bolster my spirit, although I have recently been moved by the botanical powers of the rose. The fragrance we experience when smelling a rose lights up smell receptors deep within our bodies, and rose has specific smell receptors in your heart. Maybe this was the genesis of rose being a flower of love. Smelling a rose opens the ethereal Heaet portal, breaking up the calcified traumas that have held me in a space of fear, allowing Divine Nurturance to enter and lead me to the Love I have always deserved from myself.

    Reply
  1654. Mayra on

    Last year I was going through a hard time and I went out to my front yard and sat underneath our sycamore tree, where violets grow in abundance. I sat there and talked to them, not really expecting anything to happen. But the more I talked, all these feelings started coming out. I started crying. I released all this hurt that I was holding in. Reading the interview, I resonated so much with your way of connecting with your flowers. It’s hard to describe because I’ve never felt anything else like it, but at the end of our conversation, they said to me, “We’ve got you.” And I knew that it had been them, the sycamore and the violets.

    Thank you for sharing your breeding journey. And thank you for your gift of these beautiful flowers.

    Reply
  1655. Barbara on

    Any flowers that evoke memories of my mom and her love of all things floral. Though I do turn to the hyssop varieties that grow among the garden I’ve loved the zinnias I have discovered through Floret so I would have to say those seeds would be the ones I would definitely be gathering.

    Reply
  1656. Chelsey on

    Roses and Zinnias have kept me sane through life’s ups and downs. I grew up outside in the garden among the flowers and homegrown veggies. I lost this part of myself for a while after venturing into the world on my own as an adult. I had trouble finding peace and feeling connected for a long time. I found peace and myself again after moving to a home with 20+ rose plants that hadn’t been cared for in a long time. Alongside the roses, I planted Zinnias from seed that came from my mom’s garden.

    I’ve never bought much seed, unless there was a special variety I’ve wanted. I learned from my dad as a child to save beans, tomatoes, corn, melons, Cucumbers, Sunflowers, Zinnias, and many more. I couldn’t live without Zinnias, Sunflowers, and Cantelope!

    Reply
  1657. Laura Chandler on

    Question 2!
    I have been an avid seed saver for years! Zinnias would be my #1! Most recently I have added celosia, dill, basil, sunflowers, bells of Ireland and buplureum! I also try to save seed from volunteer tomatoes. Maybe I will try some new plants this year!

    Reply
  1658. Kris on

    I would save zinnia seeds! They have brought so much joy in my life! I’ve been growing zinnias for many years and I’m absolutely delighted in this soft color pallet. I love the fact that they are open pollinators. I would love to add these to my zinnia collection this year.

    Reply
  1659. Pam on

    An amazing article – Kori’s journey was so inspiring. As a child , I helped my Mother plant the vegetable garden for our farm family of seven. I left for college & the city life. Twenty-five years later – I was able to purchase a 10 acre farm and started my vegetable garden. Planting a seed, watching it grow, develop and bloom is nature at it’s finest. I am now able to experience growing plants with my grandchildren. Thank you for sharing your story.

    Reply
  1660. Joanna Coulter on

    My response is a combination of the 2 questions. Last year I had a minor illness that zapped my energy and put me behind in my spring planting. I had planted my zinnia seeds out later than normal and found myself frustrated with late blooms. My saving grace was volunteer zinnias popping up in another area of my garden from the previous year. The energy, relief and joy those volunteers gave me is indescribable.

    I began saving seeds last season from a variety of my cut flower garden for the first time. This year I am very excited to try my hand at growing flowers from my very own seeds.

    Reply
  1661. Ariane on

    As much as I’d love to choose a flower from my garden I’d have pick something from the wilderness as my ally during hard times. I don’t go on hikes or trail walks often nowadays but I’ve always found moss to be so soothing. Just the way they look, smell, feel has a calming effect that I find oddly comforting.

    Reply
  1662. Skylar on

    Living in Florida, I’ve had to learn what grows best here is not what grows best in most places. I will always grow our tiny wild Everglades tomatoes and Roselle. I have some special zinnia seeds from my first time ever growing them, sort of like my own personal zinnia breeding project. They started from a gorgeous pinky cream zinnia and all its offspring have been different shades of pink. It’s exciting to see what shades I will get and they’ve even given me lots of unexpected volunteers.

    Reply
  1663. Angela Anderson on

    How can I choose just one? Just being in the garden, fingers in the dirt, who needs manicures. Which is my favorite child? They are all precious in their own way. The sunflower stands a head taller above the rest. God gives us such great gifts.

    Reply
  1664. Alicia Schultze on

    I’ve only just discovered my ability in and love for growing flowers a couple seasons ago. I started with zinnias and sunflowers my first year. I fell head over heels in love with zinnias! Last year, my second season, I grew 20-30 different flower varieties and loved every one of them and every second of the whole growing process. Flower gardening filled a hole in my heart, I never new existed 🥹
    Zinnias stayed at the top of my favorites list regardless of loving all the new flowers that I discovered! Definitely add cosmos as my second favorite too! On my hard days, walking through my zinnias and cosmos, running my hands over them..or watching our honeybees and the bumbles graciously buzz about, absolutely soothed my soul. Their ability to grow and thrive in just about any environment, their resilience, and beauty is just unmatched!

    Reply
  1665. Jessika Borr on

    I could never live without sunflowers and snapdragons, but zinnias remind me of my grandma, so I will never stop growing them. She is an avid seed saver as well.

    Reply
  1666. Donna on

    Oh my goodness my most favorite place to be is in the garden amongst all kinds of flowers, plants and trees! I save all my flower and vegetable seeds 🤭(Zinnia,sunflowers,pumpkins, carrots, herbs ect…) I absolutely love peonies and roses!!! And love to share!!! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  1667. Lisa Sweeney on

    I love my peonies! I dug them from my Grandmother’s yard , and they are 100 years old and so special to me. I actually live on this century farm. I have divided them and spread them throughout my yard . I have also shared them with family and friends.
    I absolutely love the colors of your zinnias! I am hoping to get some seeds and grow in my garden!

    Reply
  1668. Megan S on

    When times are tough, Tulsi basil is always the plant that i turn to. It’s played such a major role in my life for so many years now. My husband and I named our daughter Tulsi because on one of our first dates he taught how to save and process seed with his tulsi crop that year. I can still feel the warm late summer air, hear the cicadas, and feel the butterflies in my stomach. We grow it every year and it self seeds so prolifically, it’s always there when I need it, even on the years I don’t take the proactive step of growing it intentionally. I make teas, tinctures, oxymels, and hydrosols with it, inviting it into my life, my space, and my nervous system as much as I possibly can. It’s beautiful smell brings instant comfort 💛

    Reply
  1669. Lynda B on

    Forever it has been zinnias and now adding dahlias. And just WOW on the interview. Such grace.

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  1670. Susan Broadwell on

    As a school counselor I could often feel the heavy weight of some of the realities that students had to navigate through. Some days after work I would find myself in my flower garden before even entering my house. Those days I realized I needed a counseling session with my coneflowers and zinnias in order to be the best I could be for the other important passion of my life: wife/mother.

    Reply
  1671. Deb on

    Thank you for such a wonderful interview. My first love is Clematis…but about 3 years ago I found Zinna’s. Those are so completely different but I am in love with them. As Kori wrote about how flowers resonate with her…that is the feeling I have in my heart and soul. She describes the peace and friendship I have with my plants. This year I will be expanding my plantings from my own saved seeds and starting a new bed with seeds from Floret. It’s going to be an amazing growing year. Thank you both for ALL you do, not enough words to express how much I appreciate your work.

    Reply
  1672. Deanna L on

    I would say that my go-to plants would be my roses, zinnias, peonies. I save zinnia seeds and share/swap with friends – we adore the many different colors, sizes, and textures. All my plants bring me such joy amid the everyday noise – gardening is the salve to my soul, nourishing me daily! Kori’s pink zinnias are just beautiful – thanks for sharing them with us!!

    Reply
  1673. Karlee on

    We just moved into our new house so this will be my first year gardening on a larger scale. But growing up and raising my very tiny garden at my previous home, I always loved and felt my soul being fed by providing nourishment for my family. Specifically raspberries because they’re so delicious. I can spend hours and hours in my raspberry patch.

    This year will be my first year trying flowers after years and years of trying to make this dream a reality. I am beyond excited to spend time with their beautiful souls. I hope to spread their happiness with everyone around me and beautify my tiny corner of the world.

    Reply
  1674. Amber on

    I love peonies and the fragrance! I would save bachelors buttons and sunflowers

    Reply
  1675. Tawni Helms on

    Awesome interview and wonderful to learn more about Kori and her seed breeding journey.

    Plants growing in and outside my home provide me with a quiet calm every day. They nourish my soul and clean the air that we breathe. They bring light and joy all year round.

    Dahlias, Zinnias, peonies would be saved. Although I try each year I have not been entirely successful harvesting seeds. I can save tubers and bulbs. 😊. Roses and hydrangeas would be saved. Hydrangeas can be easily propagated so my heart and garden are full of those beauties.

    Reply
  1676. Susan Rode on

    Sweet peas are always my love…and Larkspur…
    through many tough times, these beauties have brought me solace, hope
    and moments of pure happiness….I have saved their seeds to bloom another year and spread their pure magic thru the garden..

    Reply
  1677. Debbie Lynch on

    My favorite flower that i grow are Dahlias they bring me such happiness with there color. I have an autoimmune disease and it allows me something to look forward to nurturing these flowers is so important to me. I have gardened for years my other staple is my roses. So beautiful to see all the buds come to flourish beautiful roses my favorite is Cinco De Mayo. I want to try growing flowers from seed. I don’t have much experience growing Zinnias but they are also a favorite now. First time i grew them was last year. They are also beautiful. Seeds i would save if not available would be tomato and other vegetable seeds.

    Reply
  1678. Lisa Anderson on

    I love all kinds of flowers and find their colors and shapes fascinating! I have recently started growing zinnias and am just starting to discover how delightful they are. I love their long life, both on the plant and in the vase. They do seem to have a bit of magic that lifts your spirits! I plan on growing more zinnias this year!

    Reply
  1679. Kate Carroll on

    I’m a sucker for a beautiful bloom, but it will ultimately always come down to scent for me. Holy Basil, Roses, Lemon Verbena, and Pineapple Sage. They will always be in my garden.

    Reply
  1680. SarahBee on

    First, this was a stunning interview. I’m delighted to hear that she’s working with roses and yarrow! Kori is like a poet-scientist, kind of a Robin Wall Kimmerer soul. For years, the adolescent part of me has been secretly wishing that I could be best friends with Erin, and now I want to be best friends with Kori, too :-)

    Hmm, to answer one of the questions- I think that I would say that of everything that I grown, have grown, and am yet to grow, if I had to really narrow it down, I’d say that I need to grow alongside poppies and sunflowers forever. Sunflowers sort of got entwined with my identity from my youngest years- I had the exquisite Jerry Pinkney book “Wild Wild Sunflower Child Anna” memorized from toddlerhood on. And it just cracks me up that sunflowers are so cheeky- they cross shamelessly with each other and insist on planting themselves anywhere they feel like going. Poppies are another childhood identity thing- I used to pretend to be the poppy flower fairy that Cicely Mary Barker created and have loved them ever since. Then as an undergrad student, they took on even more meaning when I took a WWI course in Belgium and learned about Flanders Fields. Even thinking about that poem still makes me cry.

    Reply
  1681. Kellie Eickmeyer on

    When life is hardest… I’ve felt this over the last 6 months, after being struck with vertigo and not being able to get off the couch for months, I’m grateful to great doctors who helped me find a solution and am now recovering.

    I missed being out in my gardens immensely, my friends helped me put both the vegetable and flower gardens to bed this autumn, when I couldn’t. I had no idea how much of the garden lifecycle I’ve imbedded into me… I missed the whole cycle.

    This will be the 2nd season of my flower garden, the new dahlias, and zinnias, sweet peas, and many filler flowers occupy my mind. I’m expanding to grow starts and have a handful of seeds to offer with the community too!

    Now that I able to get back outside, I even enjoy weeding now, crazy!

    Reply
  1682. Krista MacLellan on

    The humble common purple lilac, which can be found in abundance at old homesteads and even in ditches here in Atlantic Canada, will forever be part of my perennial garden. Having recently lost both of parents within a year of each other, lilacs now remind me of their love for one another.

    I remember driving with my dad around rural Nova Scotia and him stopping to cut lilacs from roadside shrubs, then proudly presenting them to my mom who would put them in vases in every room, filling our room with their fragrant, springtime scent.

    When we spread my father’s ashes off the coast of Nova Scotia in June 2022, we threw purple lilacs in behind him. My mother passed away 6 months later and had asked to be buried alongside her parents and brothers in Cape Breton. This coming summer, we will plant a purple lilac at her gravesite as a symbol of my dad and their legacy.

    Reply
  1683. Natalie on

    I love my old Annabelle hydrangea- she grows right next to my back patio. I sit in the late afternoons in my grandmas old rocking chair and look out on the beauties around, she is my constant friend right there beside me. Of course I plant zinniaz and geraniums and other colorful flowers all around, but she is my base beside my chair. (I have 47 other hydrangeas, but Annabelle was my first!)

    Reply
  1684. Heather on

    Sweet peas and pumpkins. During one of the hardest years of my life, those two plants kept me going. I was/am my husband’s caregiver and in his worst, sickest year those plants got him out of bed for a few minutes every day. For those few minutes I had hope and could breathe. Every day I’d take note of how the pumpkin grew and the scent from the sweet peas, then share that with him while I coaxed him to take his meds or eat. He’s much better now, doing excellent, I still note the sweet peas and pumpkins.

    Reply
  1685. Bonnie Sue Boyd on

    Roses and Peonies. I love their color and petal structure. It amazes me to observe all the little petals coming together to make the floral bouquet that one individual flower creates. I grow Zinnias and love that they are so giving.
    Loved the interview.

    Reply
  1686. Brianna Bowden on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would be saving daisy seeds. They are such a happy looking flower, and bring me joy every time I see them. My toddler even knows they’re one of my favorites, saying, ‘mama, look! Such a happy little flower’.

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  1687. Jen S on

    What a wonderful interview, thank you both for sharing and the good information.
    Hard times: special calendulas, such a bright happy useful flower
    For saving: Keith Hammett sweet peas are amazing along with the brightest stickiest calendula

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  1688. Desa Micklewright on

    Herbs like Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, and Chamomile are my most comforting friends in the garden and of course Zinnias are sure to help me smile and have hope through rough times.

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  1689. Dana on

    Dahlias were our first venture into gardening and made me believe I could actually grow something. I love that each one is unique! My husband cuts them all summer long and places them in unexpected areas all over the house-the both room, by the kitchen sink, on my nightstand, and various other spaces . They always make me smile and bring such joy. Last year I also had my first success with a packet of zinnia seeds from Floret and am hoping to find continued success this year. I did learn that bunnies love zinnias!

    Reply
  1690. Randi LaBar on

    Columbine would be my solace. I find it self seeding in the most unusual places-like it appears out of nowhere. Always boosts my spirit.

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  1691. Patricia on

    If catalogs were not available, I would have to say Sugar snap peas would be my first seed saving priority, beside the sweet vegetable, it brings so much joy to my grandchildren as they love to pick them fresh off the vine and take it as an adventure to find the hidden peas in the twined vines. Second seed I would save would be Cherry tomatoes as they are my personal favorite, versatile and also a fruit!

    Reply
  1692. Conchita Brionez on

    Growing up as a young child I spent a lot of time with my Mexican grandma Petra who spoke no English and would always draw! We would watch tv together and because she didn’t understand what they were saying she would always draw these beautiful flowers that were so different from the flowers I would see or draw myself. Her flowers were drawn on every scratch of paper you would find around her house and she would embroider them on her napkins, hand towels, you name it. It wasn’t until I started growing dahlias 4 years that I realized the flowers I was growing were the flowers she would always draw. My grandma had been drawing dahlias! Because of this these flowers hold a very special place in my heart. I feel very close to her when I’m around my dahlias and I think of her often when I admire their beauty. I wish I could have asked her more about these flowers, more about herself. If there were any flowers that I would save it would be my dahlias, zinnias and roses.

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  1693. Kate H on

    I find myself going back to dahlias as my ‘comfort flower’. I love planting out the tubers in the early spring, watching them obsessively, and then enjoying the gorgeous blooms all summer. One cut dahlia in my house makes me happy, and I wish I had space for more of them!

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  1694. Kim on

    Wow, incredible story! I’m in awe. Can’t wait to grow my first seeds!

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  1695. Valerie McCarthy on

    I will always have blue cornflowers and blue forget-me-nots! Indoors I have to have my ferns, especially maidenhair. I love to see the good work you all are doing and would love to grow some of these beautiful flowers.

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  1696. Tabatha Nevy on

    My dahlias are the rock that keeps me centered in the crazy swirl of summer. A quiet walk among them during the glowing hour of the evening is magical.

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  1697. Esmeralda on

    What makes me feel best about my garden are the beautiful colorful clematis and zinnia flowers that I have been growing for years. They are the best support in adversity and I couldn’t think of a life without them and without their senillas, so I would keep those without any doubt

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  1698. Megan Sullivan on

    When times get tough I tend to want to plant anything bright (snapdragons, dahlias, cosmos) but especially rudebeckia because they were my grandfather’s favourite.

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  1699. Christan on

    The seeds I would save, would be Zinnia’s, zucchini squash, and basil.

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  1700. Karen Randall on

    I’m a new flower farmer with little growing experience prior to this endeavor. My first year, 2023, I grew Zinnias, Sunflowers, Gomphrena, Status and 4 Dahlias. Zinnias were by far what gave me confidence to believe, I can do this! They also gave me the most satisfaction from watching them grow to sharing them with friends. I totally relate to the feelings Kori has regarding this beautiful easy-going flower. I tend to be an anxious person, zinnias calm me. I have a much better understanding of our connection with flowers and the benefit they can have to our mental health. Thank you for this beautiful interview, Erin and Kori! I’m now motivated to save some seeds this year.

    Reply
  1701. Alicea on

    The first daffodils of spring. Every year I watch and wait for them to emerge. The soft green pushing through the soil, and then the bright yellow bloom. It reminds me of new beginnings, hope, and a fresh start after a long period of winter darkness.

    Reply
  1702. Jennifer Bouma on

    I would say that I love the relationship I have with dahlias. Where I live in upstate New York they can take a long time to show their blooms, sometimes not until fall. They teach me patience as I continue to care for them and check them daily for any sign of a bloom. Then once they start it is like a riot of beauty that continue to surprise me until frost. This last year I grew my first varieties from seeds I collected on my own from the previous year and I was thrilled! They were absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait to see what the seeds I harvested this year will produce!! I have been excited reading and seeing the new Floret varieties of zinnias and cannot wait to grow them here in my small backyard garden!

    Reply
  1703. Carlie on

    I think when times are hard and I turn to a flower for help it’d be a snapdragon. They use to be alongside the sidewalk leading to my grandma’s house. I’d visit her house at least once a week growing up and so in a lot of ways seeing those snapdragons feels like going home, or at least going back to a safe place.
    If seed catalogs were gone I’d save all the seed of what I’m currently growing. 🤣 I absolutely love my snapdragons, Penneycress, celosia, zinnias, sweet peas, ranunculus, anemones, and ammi. There are of course my dahlias and it would be hard to part with them, but having moved gardens several times, I’ve said goodbye to them before. I could do it again if space and storage required me too

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  1704. Carol Nora on

    PEONIES really fuel my spirit and bring great joy! Especially the varieties from my Dad’s garden – he’s no longer on this earth, but I feel him every time I gaze at his beautiful peonies or lovingly tend to them. So grateful to have that part of him around me!

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  1705. Julie on

    When times get rough, my go to plants are roses and sweet peas, or anything fragrant like chocolate cosmos. Taking in the sight and scent grounds me in the moment.

    Reply
  1706. Rebecca on

    I just started saving seeds from our garden in the last few years, mostly vegetable, buy some flowers too. I’ve done onion, beet, spinach, tried for carrot but wasn’t successful, kidney bean, sunflower, marigold, zinnia, and cosmo. I want to try some different ones this year including yarrow. I love the simple beauty of the plant. Growing up jt was always a weed in our families strawberry farm, but the often white, sometimes pale purple wild variety that grew around our place intrigued me. Then as an adult I began to learn of the medicinal value of yarrow and discovered that there are so many beautiful coloured varieties. It’s a plant hat brings me joy and I want to see it again every summer!

    Reply
  1707. Shelly Alexander on

    This is my 3rd year gardening… I have fell in love with the whole process from start to finish. The garden in a place of Hope for me and there is a miracle packed in each tiny seed. To pick a favorite… so hard. I have a great fondness for the Zinnias because of their sturdiness and beautiful colors. I love pansies, sweet peas, poppies & Sunflowers. My garden helps keep me healthy & focused.

    Saving seeds… that is a whole new obsession! I save seeds from all my flowers & flowers I see out and about! To me, I will always be in awe of what tiny seed can produce.

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  1708. Michelle James on

    Zinnias, of course! They are my best friends in the garden. I have been saving their seeds for a few years now. I was pleasantly surprised to have a garden full of volunteers last year here in zone 8b. You’re zinnias are gorgeous! You are such an inspiration!

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  1709. Krista on

    When my dad passed away in 2021 I felt a bit lost. A few months later I planted my first patch of zinnias. To my newbie garder amazement, they grew! It was the most glorious patch of flowers I’d ever seen. I would sit with them daily and the peace that washed over me in that garden space was sacred. I’ve continued to grow my garden and thank God for this safe space.

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  1710. Valerie on

    I always, always save seeds from my sweet peas! They are easy to save, but also, they bring such joy to the farm. I often hear people comment “my grandma used to grow sweet peas!” As they bury their face into their bouquet.
    This year I also saved dahlia seeds and will try my hand at new breeds for the first time! I’m hoping I get a couple bright and bold dahlias to name after my two boys, who are bright, bold, and just all around wild!

    Reply
  1711. Brenda Morr on

    If there were no seed catalogs available, I would try to save seeds from everything! I grow vegetables, annuals and perennials. I would also try to propagate where possible. I have several roses that I would love to propagate from.

    Reply
  1712. Tammy L. on

    I love my lavender because I can enjoy it in so many ways. I like to save sweet peas and cosmos seeds.

    Reply
  1713. Wendy S. on

    In my 20’s I read Stephen Covey’s book ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. For those that never read it, habit number one is, ‘Begin with the end in mind’. Fast forward to 2015, I was diagnosed with a fast spreading breast tumor and endured 4 years of treatments. During that time, I never stopped thinking of the number one habit… If I were going to die today, what would I regret? In my twenties, I owned a small flower farm, when it wasn’t the popular thing to do. I grew mostly for the died flower wholesale market, taking up the craft after attending some died arranging workshops. In was smitten with celosia! The vibrant colors and textures that hung around long after the season was over just bought me peace like nothing else. Fast forward to 2019, in the mist of chemotherapy, I knew…. I knew I would die regretting that I gave up that dream. I asked my fiance if we could move out of NJ and buy a farm. He didn’t understand, but blindly followed my desire. Today I grow endless flowers…dahlias. sweetpeas, yarrow, lisianthus, snaps…. but that celosia…coxcomb…has my heart. It never let’s me forget how far I’ve come. I’m so glad I began with the end in mind.

    I’d have to dsay I connect most with morning glories. Although I mainly grow dahlias and have added sweet peas on a large scale for 2024, in my minds eye, I know exactly what I saw

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  1714. Mary Fencil on

    I’ve always had a passion for gardening and getting my hands in the dirt. Last year was my first attempt at starting flower seeds and growing a small cut flower garden. The zinnias were an unintentional backdrop to my chicken coop- absolutely stunning! The beauty of the flowers on the kitchen table helps brighten our home and gives me excitement for this summer- hoping to grow more flower varieties and begin selling bouquets I love following Floret and learning all Erin has to offer.

    Reply
  1715. Caitlynn Giese on

    Peonies, Peonies and more Peonies!!!!
    They are such a beautiful flower that you can’t help but notice. Walking through my garden each day brings me joy, peace, and excitement as I watch flowers grow and change through the seasons.

    I love saving sunflower seeds. The birds love them 💗

    Reply
  1716. Randi on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    Assuming a limit of what seeds I could carry in my front pocket, 1 packet each:
    Onions
    Carrots
    Roma Tomatoes
    Assortment of zinnia colors
    Assortment of cosmos colors
    Cauliflower
    Parsley
    Rosemary
    Pickling cucumbers
    Mammoth sunflower seeds
    Mix of ornamental sunflower seeds (which is the plant I turn to when I’m feeling sad. I just LOVE sunflowers)
    Rainbow bell pepper mix.

    Reply
  1717. Anderson on

    On the grey days of life, my refuge is a corner where zinnias bloom with the essence of a special gift. They were the first flowers my beloved gave me, and since then, they have woven their petals into the threads of my days. In their beauty, I find comfort; in their colours, the promise of brighter days. As I open my window, their presence not only adorns my garden, but also evokes the comforting closeness of my beloved. These zinnias are more than flowers, they are witnesses to difficult moments that fade with the sweetness of their fragrance, reminding me that even in adversity, love blooms like an eternal garden.

    Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

    Reply
  1718. Ivy on

    The seeds I would most want to save would be Asters, Eryngium and Zinnias
    In late season, they just illuminate everything in the garden and make me so happy

    Reply
  1719. David on

    My refuge is undoubtedly my beautiful dahlia plants, so tall and with such beautiful flowers that they give meaning to gardening.
    If the stores closed I would be the first to save their beautiful seeds

    Reply
  1720. Anderson Sánchez on

    On the grey days of life, my refuge is a corner where zinnias bloom with the essence of a special gift. They were the first flowers my beloved gave me, and since then, they have woven their petals into the threads of my days. In their beauty, I find comfort; in their colours, the promise of brighter days. As I open my window, their presence not only adorns my garden, but also evokes the comforting closeness of my beloved. These zinnias are more than flowers, they are witnesses to difficult moments that fade with the sweetness of their fragrance, reminding me that even in adversity, love blooms like an eternal garden.

    If tomorrow were to take the seed catalogues with it, I would be devoted to the chocolate cosmos seeds, those flowers that capture the essence of enchantment in their dark tones. In their beauty, I find a refuge in which to lose myself, immersing myself in their deep colour and the intoxicating fragrance they release. Planting these seeds would not just be planting flowers, but preserving a corner of bliss and serenity that I wish to bloom forever in my garden.

    Reply
  1721. Heidi Hodgson on

    When life is hardest, the plants I turn to in my garden depend on the nature of my struggle. If I am grieving and wanting to cry in privacy, but with the support of my flowers, I will lay in between the tall swaying stems of the Cosmos flower rows. Their hight gives privacy, and the light that filters through their delicate petals that sway and dance in the breeze feels both soothing and sort of like being surrounded by a knowing and benevolent spirit. If I am seeking to recharge my batteries after major draining, I will go and lay between the yarrow rows. Their faintly herbal scent combined with the humming of the pollinators scrambling over their blooms creates a kind of meditation zone. I planted them in the sunniest part of the garden, so the sun’s rays beating down are definitely a part of the medicine they offer me. If I am lonely, I will sit between the zinnias and snapdragons and chocolate lace flowers. I too feel that they have a sort of community spirit. Like a support group, they are always ready to share their love and care with complete generosity. Like they are so rich of spirit and heart, that they could comfort the whole world without tiring.

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  1722. Jackie Holman on

    I grow so many different flowers in my garden but I gravitate most strongly to roses. They are so beautiful and so resilient. When I first started gardening I didn’t know a lot and I made a lot of mistakes. My roses were very forgiving of my ignorance.
    Now, they are thriving in my garden and nothing brings me more joy than seeing my roses bloom and cutting them to fill my house with and to share with my friends and neighbors.

    Reply
  1723. Ginger on

    The seeds I’d save first are edible vegetables I grow alongside flowers. Flowers I’d save zinnias, basket flower, straw flower, phlox, and celosia first. I’d be wanting to save it all! Diversity in plants from saved seeds is SO amazing to me and what motivates me to grow in the first place!

    Reply
  1724. Kristen Walker on

    I am only wandering into the world of dahlias this year. I planted my first garden last year and every morning I would run out to see what was up and when the zinnias started blooming, so did my smile. This year, my husband and I have started a separate flower garden so I have more space to grow zinnias and dahlias. I am beyond excited.
    Zone 8b/9 Charleston, SC

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  1725. LaDonna Alvarez on

    While dahlias, zinnias, and stock bring my heart joy to look at and see emerge, roses bring a different kind of joy. Their amazing scent lifts the spirit in a totally different way. I’ve enjoyed learning about the different scents and styles of roses.

    If all seed catalogs were gone I’d have to go with dahlia seed because each one would be different, and of course the excitement of their surprise reveal when they finally show you what they look like 😍

    Reply
  1726. Kris on

    Dahlias are the flower that I have fallen most in love with. They are the flower that has gotten me into growing flowers in my small garden and I still get excited to watch them sprout and grow into beautiful plants.

    Reply
  1727. Brandi Goins on

    Zinnia seeds for sure!! They were the first flower seeds I direct sowed by pushing some soil away, tenderly placed the seed, and covered with the soil. Gave them a small drink and was able to receive hundreds of blooms from just a few plants. They thrived with no help from me at all(other than the cutting). The sunshine and rain was all that they needed.

    Reply
  1728. Erin palmgren on

    Zinnias and feverfew are my forever flowers. They are so happy and help to restore energy both physically and mentally. As an introvert, I regain my strength in the quiet of my garden, and I will be forever grateful to these little friends.

    Reply
  1729. Meredith on

    1. I too went through a hard time, some relating to a degree (a science degree, I loveee hearing about the scientific side of flower breeding but also love hearing about how it’s an art and a feeling to you), some related to health. A million “it is what it is”s got me through. Things turned a corner, and I finally have a house with a yard. My neighbor said the mysterious concrete border used to be a raised bed, so I cleaned it out, and planted some tomatoes and flowers way too close together. I love this article because the zinnias were some of the only flowers that bloomed. It was so much fun to see anything grow.

    2. I saved all the seeds I could this year, and if flower catalogs disappeared, I’d probably just keep saving whatever I could! I’ve found a ton of joy in seed swaps. I’m so happy when anything grows that both the flower or vegetable and the surprise feels like a huge gift.

    Reply
  1730. Lilith on

    if seed catalogs were to disappear: i would honestly try to save everything i could, even if it wasn’t my personal favorite, because regardless its special and it is someones favorite somewhere. but if i have to pick one: Zinnias.

    Reply
  1731. Dana on

    Peonies have always been my favorite flower. When my grandma passed, I was able to bring her peony plants home with me, which means so much.

    Reply
  1732. Carolyn Farrell Kelleher on

    Such a beautiful conversation that intersected with my experience with both Dawn Creek and Floret Farm. Thank you. My go to flower place that feels immersive and feeds art beyond the season is my everlasting garden. I love those flowers and plants that will hold their shapes and colors beyond the growing season and bring color into the house throughout the long dark winter. The profound sense of sadness that blankets me when the season ends and we go indoors requires a lot of distraction and things that pull me into creation to keep hopeful. Making art from the garden is one of those things. I love what colors remain. My other love is squash, pumpkins of every sort. They are the romping happy golden retrievers or majestic lions of my garden and there have been years , seasons in life , where I do not have it in me to pull together a full on vegetable garden but growing pumpkins so the kids can have a party on the farm and carve them, roast the seeds and bake with them, even as a few sit by our back door and watch red squirrel climb in them and snack on them in the dead of winter is so fun for me. Pumpkins sing and take on personalities for me the way Kori speaks about her zinnias.
    Seed saving for tomorrow if no new seed available? I have never had a garden without marigolds, nasturtium, snap dragons, zinnias, calendula, cosmos and nicotiana — these were the first flowers I ever grew as a young person . I guess I would just go back to the beginning and find that simple joy.
    One last thing, because as a long time gardener that always lurks in the back of my mind , I don’t mean to pry, Kori do you have any information to share with gardeners about soil- born diseases and special care we can be aware of as we garden. I often wonder about this.
    Thank you to both farms for all you do for the growing community.

    Reply
  1733. Terri R. on

    I would save poppies, zinnias, and sunflower seeds. These flowers have been constant staples in my gardens, bringing me a source of peace and familiarity as I have moved to different states and started up new gardens.

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  1734. Chatti Brown on

    Irises are the plants that feed my soul. I only have ones that bloom once during the season but boy when they bloom do they sparkle. It’s so hard to capture how they glimmer in the sun. Kinda like the vampires that glittered from Twilight.

    In terms of if there is an apocalypse I’d grow dahlias. Enjoy the flowers during the flowering season, store and eat the tubers later. Win, win.

    Seeds would be celosia since they are so easy to gather and they are so underrated as a filler.

    Reply
  1735. Candace Minster on

    What a lovely interview. Thank you for sharing so thoughtfully, Kori, and thanks to the Floret team for bringing all this to light! Q1: I have such a special relationship to poppies. They are a forever flower to me. Q2: I’ve been playing with my own farm-grown zinnia, celosia, and dahlia seed (and tubers) mixes for years so definitely those!

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  1736. Nicole Vogt on

    If there were no seed catalogues I’d prolly wither and die here in MN without anything to look at to remind me of summer. 😆 I would try and save all the seeds I could but for sure gladiolus bulbs as they remind me of Gramma. She’s 80 years old and still grows hundreds of glads every year.

    Reply
  1737. Loren Elizabeth on

    Well, my garden journey hasn’t exactly started yet for me to be able to find comfort and tranquility in my blooms, but that is the ultimate dream. My goal is to create a garden that leads to a space for me to feel connected, engaged, and for once, excited about a hobby that fuels me with energy and joy. My dream garden will include sweet peas, zinnias, cosmos and anything else that I can let prosper in this Texas heat. For the first time in a while, I’m truly excited to do this hobby for myself, to create some magic that I can hopefully carry on for generations of my family.

    Reply
  1738. Jean on

    The plants that feel like my anchors are zinnias, dahlias, and bachelor buttons. I began growing them shortly after receiving a special needs diagnosis for my son, and gardening was a source of comfort and healing.

    Reply
  1739. Jennifer Vyvlecka on

    What seeds would I save? Currently, I save as many as I can. From the seeds in store bought veggies, to the minuscule lisianthus specks. The pride of saving a favorite flower color, or making something from nothing is a challenge I’ve gladly accepted. It feels so good to provide for my family, with just my hands in the dirt and determination.
    -off topic, but I just want to say thank you Kori for baring your soul and your personal journey. It’s nice to know there are people in this world like you.

    Reply
  1740. Kristen Hausmann on

    When I lost my father suddenly, it was the Zinnias that brought me so much joy! They reminded me of the life cycle and how everything in its own time has a place. As long as I’m living, they’ll be in my garden. :)

    I’d absolutely be saving my Zinnia seeds! I’m so excited to experience your hard work and hope to spread joy with the seeds that I can purchase on Monday! My son and I take them with us to deliver meals on wheels, and I can’t even begin to describe the joy that these little seeds sew to others! If I had to pick a second variety, it would be the beautiful Dahlias!

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  1741. Tori on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would save seed from a variety of snapdragons and nigella. I love the quirky personalities of these two flowers and that with a little know-how seed saving with them is fairly easy!

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  1742. Michelle Dodge on

    The flower that is my harbor of refuge during rough seas,is a noisette climbing rose. I have spent most of my adult life searching for the perfect,pale pink noisette. It’s a reminder of the very first plant my Mom gave to me. She said” See that little bush out in the yard? That’s yours now. Whether she makes it or not, is up to you”. I’d had dogs and cats I’d formed bonds with but until that point in my life,never a plant. So at 11-12 years old I became engrossed in “My Rose”. I checked out books on rose care at the library and started carring for her. She grew strong and lush. Even after I grew up,and married, my Mom would ask when I was going to come and visit My Rose. My parents sold that house eventually and I never got a cutting from My Rose. The new owners…….they dug her up and burned her. When I found out it was as if a friend had died. For 25 years I have searched out varieties that empart that feeling of peace and comfort that her scent ,look and overall aura gave me. I have had,for the last 5 years something that is incredibly close to My Rose. I love her. I grow flowers for weddings and markets. In other words,for other people but My Rose……. is just for me. And I am just for her.

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  1743. Barbara on

    Zinnias! Because I have followed and watched and read so much from floret, I feel I have a more personal relationship with this flower.
    And then Marigolds!

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  1744. Kelcie on

    I’m not really sure how to narrow down what I’d save. Beyond saving food (particularly broccoli and basil), the flowers I’d save are zinnias, cosmos and the pink Flamingo Celosia. Zinnias and cosmos feel like long-lost friends. Cosmos have a special place in my heart as they seem so unassuming and then open up to a breathtaking, yet simple, beauty. I was stunned the first time one bloomed in my garden. Zinnias are just my standard companions, trustworthy and stalwart. I haven’t been successful growing that Celosia yet, but I would baby those seeds through every stage of growth out of desperation. They are gorgeous from the pictures I’ve seen and totally have me captured.

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  1745. Marian on

    Depending on the time of year absolutely any plant in my garden heals my heart! Winter- a teeny pansy popping through- Spring all the sweet peas are intoxicating, and the lilacs and blossoms and coastal flowers are my uplifting treasures-Summer the gorgeous and happy dahlias and generous zinnias bring me joy instantly! The list is endless- for Mother Nature heals our hearts and soul!

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  1746. Julie Gosen on

    I am a pretty simple person. The two plants I have growing in a little space under a tree are the humble Shasta daisy with lavender growing right in front of it. A hog panel fence is the backdrop. The space is buzzing with happy little pollinators. The simplicity of the whole active scene on a sunny day gives me hope.

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  1747. Laura on

    Zinnias and sweet peas are the constant friends and bookends in my garden. In our hot and humid southern zone 8, my zinnias don’t give up. When the first cool wave flows in October, my sweet peas go into the ground as cool annuals to kick off the spring season and finish before the super heat June-October.

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  1748. Tiffany on

    Any type of flower speaks to my soul. I love going out in my garden and seeing them growing. I often buy clearance plants from big box stores, not for their price, but for the extra care and nurture I have to give them to make them grow. One year I bought a Russian Sage in the fall. I didn’t get it planted that year and we tried keeping it alive all through the winter. By the time we could plant in the spring there was just one tiny twig that looked to still be alive. I planted it and it has expanded and thrived! I love that plant because of all the care we gave it.

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  1749. Carol Kolo on

    I’m constantly taking photos or videos of the flowers, insects, frogs in my cutting garden. There are more pictures of Zinnias than any other flower ( roses come in second place) I grow many varieties of Zinnias and love the different sizes and styles in my bouquets.

    I am a beginner at saving seeds, but have had success with Zinnias and milkweeds.

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  1750. Violet Angel on

    I turn to Dahlias in hard times as they will always remind me of my father helping me in the garden.

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  1751. Nikki on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    I would save all the sunflowers seeds and grow alongside forever!

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  1752. Michelle James on

    When life is hardest I turn to my dahlia plants, since I start them so early I have a long season caring for them. I would for sure save my dahlia or zinnia seeds. What an INCREDIBLE interview. This is my favorite one. I sure hope you find healing and able to start building!

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  1753. Mari Dolby on

    I love the peonies in my garden. They are so elegant and fragrant and bring joy and calm. I do save seeds every year – zinnia, camomile, sunflower, herbs and many more !

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  1754. Kayla on

    Hard questions and I hate to answer with the typical zinnia because that’s what this is all about, but for both questions, that’s my answer. I love that I can succession plant them and have beautiful, lush, blooming plants until the end of October. I buy seeds for my cut flower garden so I know I’ll have what I need, but I save their seeds and have been creating a perimeter walking path that is lined in zinnias just for us to enjoy. This year I think I’ll finally have enough seeds to make it all the way around our path and I can’t wait to see it in bloom. If I had to save seed, I would certainly save vegetable seeds but I would still need flowers for me and zinnias are so easy, they’ll always be here. I’ll never be a breeder, that’s too deep for me to jump into. But I’ll always be a zinnia lover, in all their colors and shapes. Greatly looking forward to adding a little pastel this year to my cut garden. Reading about how you both have nurtured these along is fascinating. Really makes it feel special to get a pack or two.

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  1755. Amy on

    I have never grown anything from a seed in my whole life. We recently purchased a home on a handful of acres with a pond and two 3,000 sq ft commercial greenhouses that are full of hybrid orchids. We have been learning the ropes of the greenhouse by tending these orchids. They are overwhelming and equally beautiful. In my house, my favorite plants that bring me joy are my string of xxxxx, I love them all! Turtles, hearts, pearls, rubies….they are all unique and beautiful. I also love my Hoyas, although I haven’t had one bloom yet. Our goals for the greenhouses would be to figure out how to utilize them to start beautiful flowers and vegetables from seeds. Then to learn if/when they need to go outside. I am so excited to see my first flower emerge from a seed!!!

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  1756. Rebecca Davis on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear, I would be saving mostly veggies (Cucumber, zucchini, beans, HERBS! butternut squash, and pumpkins). These are the items I find the most joy growing, plus spend the most money in season). For flowers, I’d be saving sunflowers because they make me so very happy, as well as cosmos and bee balm. I mostly plant bulbs for my spring enjoyment, so I’d be digging up every now and again to split.

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  1757. Sue Floyd on

    Roses,roses,roses, I couldn’t have a garden without them. Always amazed at how a scraggly bunch of brown thorns erupts into a massive flower laden shrub year after year. My favorites are the English roses, the reblooming ones last until frost in New England, often late October.

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  1758. Olivia Day on

    My husband really started the passion for gardening in me. He had the green thumb and he would make starting seeds and nurturing plants seem effortless. We were married one year before he passed. I kept the garden growing that year. The following year I redesigned our little plot. I wanted it to look magical like a secret garden. I spent many evenings pulling weeds, trimming, digging holes in a face full of tears and sometimes a heart filled with peace; it was my secret place with God. Oh boy was it the most beautiful garden we created together. That year my love for dahlias and sunflowers grew, really a lot of flowers that I’ve never seen before I wanted to grow. Since then I’ve made it my mission to grow plants I haven’t seen before, to see beauty in life again, in honor of my late husband.

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  1759. Tammie on

    In answer to the first question, I think sunflowers have always had a way of lifting my spirits. They are just a delightful color, evoking happiness no matter the mood.
    I also am drawn to tree peonies. These exquisite flowers never fail to bring me immense joy.

    The second question, must be chamomile! These plants reseed themselves profusely and last year, one whole side of my front yard looked like a chamomile meadow! I was smitten! I could have sit in that small meadow of tiny white daisy like flowers for hours.

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  1760. Tracey McCready on

    I truly enjoyed this interview/article. I am fairly new to cut flower gardening and am learning so much from the Floret website and books. Last summer was my first season of cut flowers (only two small beds) and I was so excited to make my very first bouquet and gift it to my daughter on her 30th birthday. I felt so proud and excited about this tiny little bouquet that I grew from seed and wrapped up as pretty as I could and was able to gift to someone. From then I was hooked .

    As for the plant that centres me, I would say my Zinnias. Last summer I had to make some big decisions (some good and some scary) and I found I got the greatest sense of calm and stillness when I spent time in the Zinnias. These little beauties that I grew showed me that its ok to be both strong and delicate at the same time. I laugh now thinking about the conversations I had with the zinnias, listing pros and cons of the choices I had to make. Ultimately all turned out good and I’m looking forward to sowing more Zinnias this year. Looking forward to the Floret Originals seed sale !!!!!

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  1761. Laine on

    I grew zinnias to ward against post partum depression with my 2nd; i grew dahlias too, but the zinnia blooms just keep coming out! They’re easy and cheerful in the best way. I donated to Koris seed program and grew her seeds last summer. I’d bring them into the office – I work in a big office – and everyone would comment about the unique colors and how special they were. They helped me not just find joy in my backyard, but helped me spread joy and connect in a more personal way with the people around me.

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  1762. April on

    Dahlias helped me through a season of postpartum depression and PTSD in 2023. I planted a row of them in my veggie garden while I was pregnant with my 5th baby and they were blooming in the tough months that followed her delivery. Surprisingly, I enjoyed having my daughters gift them to our neighbors as much as I loved looking at them in my own kitchen. My vegetables didn’t thrive that season, but the dahlia care was so therapeutic for me.

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  1763. Linnea on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would want to save seeds from the food-producing plants in my garden (garlic, corn, beans, carrots, tomatoes, cantaloupe, squash of all sorts, greens, cucumbers etc)!

    I am just getting into flowers and sadly don’t have any growing yet from which to save seeds!

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  1764. Lisandre St-Cyr Lamothe on

    Peonies are my allies. They are magnificent and I always feel at peace when I’m around them.

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  1765. Heather Stafinsky on

    Dahlias will always be the flower the boosts me! They energize me with their beauty. Once they grow they always look so perfect. I’m in awe that I can grow something so beautiful and royal year after year.

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  1766. Merrie Robin McReynolds on

    I still remember running with my Dad as a 14 year old one day and on our way home we stopped and got seeds from zinnias. We carried those home and planted them the next summer. That was 36 years ago and my Dad is still planting zinnias from seed from those original seeds we gathered. Now, I have them planted at my home too. I love many types of flowers, but if I had to keep one type of seed, it would be zinnias.

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  1767. Laura on

    I always feel better near zinnias and daffodils. They remind me of my childhood.
    If seed catalogs went away, I’d save zinnia seeds, nasturtium seeds, and tomato seeds.

    Reply
  1768. Leigh Ann on

    When life gets heavy, a walk through the garden always lightens my spirit. I always love daylilies. Their foliage adds such a nice shape and their flowers come in so many colors. My son started hybridizing daylilies in 4th grade because he wanted to name a flower after his grandmother. He’s in 11th grade and now has about 10 plants that he feels are good enough to officially register and name. So those will always be apart of our family and he’ll get yo share with the world.

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  1769. Rebekah Rosser on

    I am in my 3rd year growing flowers in my backyard and zinnias have been my support for sure. They are consistent, hardy, and so full of joyful colors. Many times when I’ve had a rough day or frustrations with other flower growing things I turn to then. Grab a bundle and make a beautiful bouquet to life my spirits.

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  1770. Marie DeGrosa on

    As the summer seems to get more harsh in SE Florida I am consoled by knowing that I can plant beautiful flowers as my winter garden ends around May 1st. I am drawn mostly to zinnias and sunflowers as they represent the joy and color of life to me. Although I enjoy buying new varieties from seed catalogs each year, I am reassured that I will be able to plant from the seeds I’ve saved from last summers crop. I also enjoy sharing what I have saved with family, friends and even strangers who have admired my garden. Love your passion!

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  1771. Meaghan parks on

    If there were no more seed catalogs I would have to save seeds form zinnias. They bring so much joy and I love how each one is its own little individual self. I’ve learned that saving seeds is easier than it seems and for that I am grateful!

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  1772. Katie L on

    I have always loved my irises, I have Dutch and bearded growing in my gardens. I love their form and colors so much. Second comes my lilies, I started with day lilies and the rhizomes took over for a few years, and I found myself wanting more color variety and switched over to oriental, OT, and trumpets. I found a seller at our Arboretum’s plant sale and I bought tons of pairs of colors to make a whole color pallet so I had solid colored pink planted next to pink and white as if the colors were spilling into each other. My goal with the garden on the side of my house was to figure out continual bloom, and having the long haul vision of moving items from this test space out to the rest of my yard so I could be surrounded by all of the beauty.

    Roses and Snapdragons are some flowers that are particularly beautiful in my eyes and something I want as mainstays in my garden. I want to find a cold hardy climbing variety of rose to grow up and over my shed. For some reason I love and laugh at the seed pods of snapdragons. I had made a small flower bed for my son to play with his dinosaur figurines, it still is called the dinosaur garden to this day, but sanpdragons were always in it. I showed him how the flowers could talk to his dinosaurs by squeezing the sides gently and it became part of how he played in the garden. In the fall, the seed pods look like people from the bubonic plague, and nearing Halloween as things dry out, I get a kick out of this every time. Snaps are enjoyable seed savers to me.

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  1773. Lisa on

    I can’t wait for the seed sale. We recently purchase a sunny 3 acre house in skagit valley and planning our first big garden. I grew my first zinnias during the pandemic and am hooked,

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  1774. Amanda Holman on

    To answer number 2… Zinnia seeds are what I would keep. Every year I find myself loving a few so much that I take great care bagging and self pollinating and keeping my fingers crossed that the next year I will have a true to parent zinnia. I have a very diverse garden with tons of varieties that I love throughout the growing season, but my zinnias are my absolute favorite and have been since childhood. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to grow the new varieties this year!

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  1775. Stacia Napolitano on

    Such beautiful flowers and a lovely interview!

    Dahlias, cosmos and zinnias are my favorite flowers to grow in my garden. Their beauty provides peace and hope.

    I already save flower seeds so I would work on saving veggies seeds to ensure homegrown produce for my family.

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  1776. Kira on

    When I was going through a really hard time. My father passed away in the Philippines while I live in Illinois then I had a miscarriage some months later. The first thing I planted were Dahlia tubers and zinnias. I had dark colored dahlias while I picked more cheerful color zinnias. Those were the colors that honored my grieving moments and the happiness from my children given to me. I didn’t know what I was doing, it just felt like seeds are just waiting to be planted. So I took a chance which makes this my 3rd year gardening. I never looked back, my heart is healing and I’m spreading joy with my garden.

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  1777. Blake on

    My roses are my best friends and fill me with such joy and appeal to all my senses. We nurture each other, and because they grow right outside my door, we see a lot of each other! I have never thought of growing them from seed!

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  1778. Donita Nelson on

    When I’m unhappy or sad, I enjoy driving the old mountain roads of my state, the beautiful natural state of Arkansas. I love our native wildflowers such as Ouachitas Bee Balm, wild azaleas, columbine and wild iris. So much to find in the woods! These beauties keep me happy in bad times!

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  1779. Jennifer Gezequel on

    Boy, have I ever experienced some hard moments in my life recently! I have always enjoyed gardening, but I have been lead to a more meaningful connection to it since losing my daughter in November 2021 along with the twin girls she was expecting. My family created a memorial garden by reviving a local butterfly garden that had become overgrown in a city park with a walking path. We were able to save all the plants that were already there & overtaken by weeds & add so much more including a fun sunflower patch with a walking path among those sunflowers. Many people, families, children & birds have enjoyed these sunflowers 🌞 So, it’s safe to say that sunflowers🌻 have definitely helped steady my spirits.
    The other special plant/flower to me has been moon flowers 🌝. My mom has grown these fragrant flowers by seed for as long as I can remember. They attract so many pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, hummingbird moths & bats. Their huge, fragrant blooms draw you into the garden at night!! These plants will now have a very special place in my heart & gardens since my mom’s passing this past October from a very quick battle of uterine & ovarian cancer. My mom was one of my rocks after the passing of my daughter & granddaughters, and to lose her as well was a very hard pill to swallow. But through all of that, those beautiful sunflowers & moon flowers truly helped keep me grounded & filled my heart with joy that I thought was all but gone❣️🌻🌞🌝

    Reply
  1780. Tricia Potter on

    Florida is very different for growing plants and would like to attempt some fall flowers that can tolerate the heat. I make fresh arrangements from store bought flowers weekly and have utilized Year in Flowers for inspiration. They fill my home with beauty and comfort me. Although a novice I take great joy in designing. In my garden I have three bushes trees that bring me great joy. Crown of Thorns, Bougainvillea and a gorgeous jacaranda that finally bloomed this year.

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  1781. McKennae McColm on

    First of all, I loved this interview. I truly believe these flowers picked Kori to be their caretaker and that her intuition led to the creation of this beautiful line of zinnias. Such a fascinating and inspiring story she has.

    I have a hard time picking something in particular when it comes to picking myself up when I’m down. I would have to say that it’s not necessarily about one particular plant for me as it is the abundance of everything growing around me all at once. I take comfort in my farm and watching everything coincide with one another. It’s like my own secret garden and I get to be the steward. If I had to choose, sunflowers bring me a lot of joy. Running down our 80ft rows when they are in bloom is like something out of a dream!

    Also, if seed catalogs disappeared I would be devastated 😆 I would save everything I have growing like a mad woman. Anywho, thank you for sharing your story Kori, and thank you Erin for continuing on her legacy & building your own. You two ladies are so inspiring to me!

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  1782. Andrea Mynatt on

    I love my ageratum, gaillardia, and columbine. They reseed themselves and seerm to show up even after I think I’ve lost them.

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  1783. Pam on

    Armageddon might happen if seeds were no longer available! Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic, but it would definitely be a change in how I approach growing flowers & seed saving. I live in zone 9 with long, hot summers just south of Sacramento. Over the years I have found that one of the species that survive our climate best are zinnias, hands down. Tiffany is now in a similar summer climate so following her helps me understand how to grow zinnias in our zone. My goal this year, start saving my own seeds and experimenting with seed saving techniques.
    Really excited for Floret’s seed sale and hope to find my own “WOW” moment with new varietals.
    Thank you for sharing your wisdom & new seeds ….

    Reply
  1784. Romera Fortunato on

    Winter can sometimes come with the blues but my soul stirs again in the spring. I love when the purple tulips and hyacinths emerge and as the season gets warmer I always can count on my big bold dahlias and bright zinnias to breathe life into my garden. My favorite varieties so far have been the blush lime zinnia and my Thomas Edison dahlia. I would always save the seeds and tubers of those to bring them back for the next year as I’ve seen them both resilient to our Georgia humid and hot conditions. I love heirloom peppers and tomatoes too but that’s a story for another day.

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  1785. Tamara Casorso on

    When I’m having a particularly difficult day, I find solace in weeding and tending my garden. Carefully removing weeds from around my veggies and flowers is so therapeutic. Dahlias especially bring me joy. I marvel at the beauty of each variety and how different they can be in terms of size, shape, petal design, colour, and stem length. The anticipation of watching a bud swell and bloom keeps me checking in everyday, several times per day and brings a simple, yet profound peace ro my heart.

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  1786. Patty H on

    I love my hydranga bush in my front yard. It sparks joy for me. Seeds to save….sunflowers for sure….they are happy faces during the summer.

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  1787. Kaylee Lindsay on

    I’ve grown Zinnias for a few year’s and have been saving seeds from them. The colors and shades of each bloom just amaze me at their strength and beauty. I love them in a vase on my counter where I can enjoy them inside and outside in my garden. I also share them with my neighbors cuz who couldn’t use some beauty in there life!

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  1788. Meghan on

    While many flowers I have grown have contributed to the peace I feel in the garden, no flower compares to roses for me. The form, fragrance and beauty completely captivate me. The last couple of years have been very tough for my family with a lot of change to what we knew as normal. My garden, and specifically roses, have grounded me and given me so much peace and hope.

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  1789. Sherri Welser on

    I do so resonate with you both on this beautiful journey with flowers .. many years ago we had a baby daughter Ciera that passed away .. in her passing I found
    such comfort in my garden with herbs and flowers … I pursued a new journey shortly after with the Master Gardener Program ( Cornell Cooperative Extension) and turned my healing journey out word to help others who had lost a loved one . I began creating my “memory gardens ” including the language of flowers.. rosemary for remembrance , Thyme for strength and colors of pinks in her honor. I wrote to many national magazines and had articles published.. I offered Memory Garden workshops on how to create a space with using plants to create that feeling of connectedness, joy and healing . I also added a koi pond and bird feeders to support the beauty of life. I can wholeheartedly say that plants/flowers saved my life and hopefully through my experience I helped to create a better life by sharing my loss with others .. After all .. we are all just walking each other home ..Blessings in all that you both do to touch the lives of others and to create that inner joy and comfort for
    yourselves.. we only have one life ..make it beautiful !

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  1790. Lina Fletcher on

    Having lost both of my parents now, I find myself really appreciating the old fashioned flowers I remember my father and grandmother growing. Roses, lavender, dianthus, dahlias, zinnias, rosemary, basil, parsley. My palette here in the Denver area is limited compared to where I grew up in Melbourne, Australia. However, I greatly appreciate what I can and do grow here and can never have enough flowers! Thank you for sharing your story and your work!

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  1791. Karianne on

    When life is hard, I turn to my hydrangea bushes that I’ve planted around the entire perimeter of my house. My limelight hydrangeas never falter, continue to grow larger each year with ginormous blooms with color that gets prettier from week to week.

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  1792. 1 Janine on

    Zinnias are a gift from heaven! You definitely have been bestowed a special gift from above. Creating heavens flowers! I love reading your story!

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  1793. LYNNE BRAGG on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?
    A big bouquet of sunflowers will lift most anyone’s spirits! I’d never plant my garden without them.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?
    I would save seeds from all my plants! I will always grow sunflowers, zinnia & cosmos.

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  1794. Lori on

    I’d save my zinnia seeds and my snapdragon seeds. My love for zinnias just started last year, my first real time growing them. Snapdragons just speak to me – I love their form and shape and texture. I love the way their leaves feel between my fingers. ♥️

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  1795. Amy C on

    I’ve been experimenting with saving seeds for 5 years or so, thanks to Erin! This year I’ll be starting most all my flowers from seed, mainly to save $$. If I couldn’t buy seeds next year, then I’d take extra care saving my strawflowers, cockscomb, peach/cream zinnias, and anything coral are my absolute fav!!

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  1796. Debbie Alenius on

    If I could only save the seeds of the flowers I grow, it would be my zinnias and celosia. They provide so much joy when I see them and how easy it has been to save their seed. Second to these and in reference to the first question would be the love of Texas blue bonnets seeds I harvested from my parents yard last year following their recent passing. I spent many hours last year tending to my mother’s garden she could no longer care for, and her love of her field of wild flowers, especially blue bonnets was one of her favorites. I have scattered these precious seeds on a hill of our new property to serve as a reminder of both my parents and hope see them bloom this spring.

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  1797. Crystal Meehan on

    I tend to plant tomatoes and peppers but the pollinators on my ends of the rows are exciting for me. I love the marigolds, alyssum, and nasturtium fighting the bad bugs. I put zinnias along my outside borders because they are so easy and pretty.
    I save tomatoes, pepper, green bean, and cucumber seeds. I save calendula, allysum, marigold, canna and zinnia seeds too. My garden is my happy place and I can’t wait to can all of the good vegetables and enjoy a good vase of flowers, too.

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  1798. Janet Murray on

    I am so moved by the connection you have with Zinnias! No doubt these beautiful flowers have everything they need to reach out to anyone who loves them and needs them! I believe God created all things with the DNA to help in HIS purposes! His purpose always being to create! Create beauty, love, connection, the ability to teach creation! Creation is so foundational to our very existence! And the existence of all natural beauty! I am so happy that I have been introduced to your work in such an inspiring way! I pray with all my energy for your health to return! Blessings on you and your family and your farm!

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  1799. Penni Jensen on

    The garden is my happy place, my Zen. Its where I do my thinking, praying, planning. Its where I go when Im in a time out. Its where I go when times get tough and Im overwhelmed. Its a huge part of my self care. When Im overwhelmed or underwhelmed or when Im happy or sad, the garden is where I find my balance. Its where I sing and dance, laugh and cry. Where I can thank Him and Mother Earth the gift of beauty and abundance.
    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow I would do the same as I have been. I would save seeds from my flower gardens, the vegetable gardens, and the food forest. The best part…. is sharing the beauty and abundance.

    Reply
  1800. Leo M. on

    LOVE the interview and article – makes me want to go visit Dawn and her farm!
    1. Strawflowers are my calming flower. The elegant beauty in so many different color varieties and the hardiness of the bloom. When I run my fingertips across a strawflower bloom the sound and texture soothes my spirit bringing a smile to my face regardless of where my life is at in that given moment.
    2. Poppies are my forever flower. Even with regularly ordering new varieties, we continue to save pods each season and everything that doesn’t get planted into the cut flower rows ends up tossed into the neighboring prairie, which is slowly turning into a picturesque poppy field.

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  1801. Katie on

    It’s always so inspiring to see how a large project like this started out as a small dream or idea. I grew up in southern CA and my parents were so involved in gardening, with close to 30 varieties of roses, a handful of lilacs, and a 12’ round bed of the brightest zinnias which surrounded a pebble bird bath. It was the sunniest spot in our yard and we all worked so hard to plant them there! We never started from seed, because life was busy with two working parents and 3 kids, but I always wondered how they changed every year. Zinnias, roses, and iris are always at the top of my list.

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  1802. Kimberly Breier on

    Wow, Kori and Erin, what a beautiful interview. Your passion is palpable with every syllable. Thank you for sharing your story.

    After growing a variety of plants I always am drawn back to my pumpkin and sunflower patch. It’s just a bonus that harvesting their seeds is often the least tedious work when it comes to these particular plant. Their beauty during the growing season only leads to the most spectacular dreams all winter long- a bonus.

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  1803. Cissy Madigan on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?
    Growing dahlias – at a very novice level – has defiantly buoyed my spirits. Even in the deep of winter, I look forward to the time when the threat of a freeze passes and work can begin – placing tubars in the earth and waiting for them to peak out and eventually grow into beauties. I look forward to adding zinnas to the mix this year!

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  1804. Shelley Tarr on

    I always turn to my Mojave sage plants. They are strong sturdy plants with a wonderful aroma and beautiful purple flowers. I can sit by them and watch the hummingbirds come to visit. Some may say they aren’t an appealing plant, but they are to me.

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  1805. Tara Craig on

    What a lovely interview, it makes the seeds even more social knowing some of their origin story! Cosmos and dahlias are definitely my go too’s to buoy my spirits, Cosmos for their whimsical joy and Dahlias for their awe inspiring form + beauty! But then again nothing grounds me like the scent of Roses, Sweet Peas + Lavender!

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  1806. Jaci Bretz on

    I love to spend time in my garden enjoying the beauty of a variety of flowers blooming and those on their growth journey. They give me peace caring for them, picking and sharing with others as well as giving my home a pop of color and life.

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  1807. Betsy Spencer on

    I inherited the “flower gene” from my grandmother, who grew many varieties, but I especially resonated with her pansies and zinnias. I have grown both regularly through many years and in many locations as we moved around. I lost my husband 3 years ago and growing flowers has played a huge role in the necessary emotional healing. I adore the colors in these new varieties and am confident my grandmother would have too!

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  1808. Sylvia Elliott on

    I’m partial to zinnias and sunflowers. I follow Sunflower Steve as well as Floret.
    I’ve saved both zinnia and sunflower seeds in the past. I’ve downsized from my big house and garden in Az in my retirement but I live on a ranch in Montana during the summer and I’d like to start these seeds there as it is the perfect climate for them. My sister-in-law lets me take over the gardens on the ranch and we have quite a lovely thing going.

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  1809. Carmen Snouffer on

    For me it has always been roses and zinnias.
    My love for roses came at an early age , as a little girl walking my Grams yard , sniffing all the flowers I could reach to put my nose in , sitting in the grass collecting rose petals and making rose water :)
    As for zinnias , they are so reliable and cheerful , bloom for such a long time and are just so perky – they always lift my spirits ! And oh the butterflies !!!I can always count on visits from butterflies in my Zinnia rows!

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  1810. Sunny Jane on

    I have a pale yellow climbing rose. An old fashioned garden variety (I don’t know the name!). It’s a family event every time it starts blooming and we all crowd around to admire the newest blooms. I love all of my plants, but I would cry if this one died.

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  1811. Becky Triplett on

    My go to flowers have always been the Zinnias, followed closely behind are Cosmos. I tend to try and grow anything that attracts butterflies. When my mom passed several years ago, we released Butterflies after her. My garden is a place for me to feel at peace. When a butterfly lands in my garden, I remember how much I love and miss her.

    Zinnias are definitely the seeds I would wish for. I am still learning about growing flowers and Zinnias have never let me down.

    Thank you for all you do. I found Floret by accident and I am learning so much.

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  1812. Bethany Jennings on

    I love this!
    I’d definitely save as many seeds as I could from my garden if I needed to! Zinnias are one I have gathered seed from before, so I feel more comfortable saving those seeds than others 😁

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  1813. Amy Bower on

    Dahlias are the flower I couldn’t live without. Their individuality is so beautiful! I would save zinnias, dahlias, cosmos and sweet peas!

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  1814. Jacqueline Barclay on

    Zinnias, Cosmos, Asters and Dahlias are the flowers I turn to when I am going through something hard. They are also the flowers I bring to people who are suffering through a trial of some kind. My kids and I have given dozens of jars of flowers away to sweet friends who need a lift. It is the number one reason we grow a garden and my absolute favorite thing.

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  1815. Jan Wirth on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, gasp, oh no, I would continue to grow and save the seeds from my dahlias, and all the vegetables I grow.

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  1816. Michele on

    I’ve always loved zinnias. I grew up in Florida with a parent who had a flower garden full of zinnias that I wasn’t allowed to help grow or touch. It took me 50 years before I ( became a Master Gardener) a had my own garden with State Fair and Benary mix zinnias. In September 2012, in Illinois, I was also raising Monarch butterflies and the last flowers in my garden were State Fair Zinnias, and that’s where the last monarch of the season chose to begin his/her life! Zinnias are magical!

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  1817. Nelle on

    Were seed catalogues to disapear, I’d save calendula and bachelors button seed. These flowers are so tremendously hearty and their seeds are prolific and beautiful. No two calendula seeds are alike, like snowflakes. I love their curvy spine, it reminds me of a fossil. As far as bachelor button goes, these seeds are like mini paint brushes. I’ll never forget the wonder I felt when I held one in my hand for the first time. These two flowers cover my summer salads and cakes, and the calendula is super supportive in a salve during the cold Wisconsin winters. We’ll be together for the rest of my days ♥️

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  1818. Marianne Reinhold on

    I have always been drawn to pansies with their wonderful colors and sweet faces. Just looking at them makes me happier and brings a smile to my face. I could not imagine not having pots of pansies growing along with plants tucked into places in the garden where I can easily see them. I want to explore growing ones that are taller so that they can be used in bouquets.

    Of course I did grow some Dawn Creek Zinnias last season and they were both amazingly beautiful, strong robust plants and they bloomed and bloomed. I am hoping I can get some more seeds this year so I can grow even more of them to have bouquets over many months.

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  1819. Margaret Abernethy on

    For me its Agastache, not for its presence in a bouquet partially but for its presence in my field/garden. When I’m feeling stressed or out of sorts I often wander over to the Agastache and run the flower head through my palm and the feeling and fragrance ground me. Agastache is strong, but pliable and always giving. The fragrance makes me take deep, full breaths, relaxing and rejuvenating me. This wonderful plant not only helps me but gives to the pollinators and hummingbirds and has many uses outside of being a cut flower. I marvel at the length of time a hummingbird will spend visiting, exemplifying the generosity of this plant. Agastache reminds me to take a breath, reconnect, gather strength and give back. Through giving we not only have the opportunity to change something or someone but also bring many gifts to ourselves.

    If plant catalogues disappeared I would definitely save probably all of them! But to narrow it down…. Agastache, Zinnias, Cosmo’s, Snapdragons, Asters, Stock, Sunflowers, Bells of Ireland, Delphinium, Larkspur, Daucus, Foxglove, Monarda, Love in the Mist, Poppies, Marigolds, Nasturtium, Sweet Peas, Yarrow, Echinacea, Pansies, Catmint, Columbine, Bupleurum, Rudbeckia, Basil,

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  1820. Sara Legler on

    I’ve always believed in preserving our past for the future. If there was no catalogs to obtain treasured varieties of flowers & vegetables, I would definitely save all my seeds. Which I pretty much already do!! I’ve be gardening for over 35+ years, I am new to flower farming but believe it is my destiny.. I’ve always found comfort in the garden no matter the events of the world around me. It is my happy place & place of peace. I grow for pollinators, grow my own food and will continue to share my joy with others now by sharing the beauty of flowers with them too.

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  1821. Liz on

    First I must say, wow, you are amazing Kori. Your first question really hits home to me. I can’t say there is one plant in particular however I know that when times are tough which is almost daily, I go to my garden and tend to my plants. Just the acts of touching, watering, pruning and cutting fresh flowers grounds me and gives me the courage and strength to deal with what ever challenge lies ahead.
    Thank you for this beautiful prompt and keep doing what you do and love. Thank you for sharing your story and gift with us.

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  1822. Anne Nolt on

    It is so hard to choose…they all speak to me in different ways. Zinnias and Dahlias, Tulips and Peonies are some of my favorites. I love the way volunteers come up the following year from seed left scattered by last years’ plants. This interview has encouraged me to begin intentionally saving seeds from my flowers.

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  1823. Erin on

    Saved seeds would be strawflower, if reduced to a single flower. I just love the multiple uses of fresh or dried, but particularly enjoy the SOUND of a strawflower bunch!

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  1824. Mason, Man of the Flower on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would be happy with zinnias and dahlias and perennial herbs til my final days.

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  1825. Meredith Brown on

    Oh my garden is absolutely where I go when things in life get tough! I adore talking with my trees, plants, & flowers. The flowers that boost my spirits the most are cosmos, zinnias, stock, & irises!

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  1826. Nicole B on

    I have definitely found myself going out and smelling my roses when times are tough. So soothing. I love zinnias myself and I’m just falling in love with dahlias. Will see where that path takes me.

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  1827. Sammie Smith Lindsey on

    I am becoming reacquainted with the acreage I grew up on. I’m taking the time to appreciate the native plants that I took for granted as a child. I’m learning their names and preferred growing conditions and discovering which ones are good cut flowers.

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  1828. Alexis Wroughton on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?
    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    The plants I gravitate towards as a comfort or relief have changed greatly over the years. This coming year will only be my 2nd growing flowers! Initially, my collection was only houseplants. In 2018 this expanded to veggies. In 2022 I added some grains/textures into my garden through celosia and amaranth. Then, last year, I had a garden revolution when I added poppies, zinnias, a rose, dahlias, gomphrena, more celosia, and snapdragons alongside my veggies.

    Throughout those years, the trend has been just the hope of growth, which is transparent and mesmerizing to observe in all sorts of plants. At the moment, I’ve taken lots of solace in my dahlia tubers, which I saved after growing them from seed this past April. Seeing them wake up, and preparing to take the first cuttings is full of hope and excitement.

    The seeds I would love to save year after year are: celosia, dahlias, and zinnias. Since I started with one small patch of dahlias and fawned over each new bloom, studying its unique traits… I am very curious to see those traits manifest themselves in different ways with the batch of seeds I saved from them. And realizing this process of tracking generations of blooms can be a life-long process is so energizing!

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  1829. Emily Filowiat on

    The plants that I look for in my garden to buoy my spirits are zinnias and green beans. Zinnias because of their beauty and resistance and green beans because of the personal connection to my Appalachian heritage. I have wonderful memories of breaking and stringing beans with my great grandmother who was an avid gardener. The smell of fresh green beans can take me right back. Thank you for this interview and all the work you do!

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  1830. Nancy Hampton-Thompson on

    Sweet peas are closest to my heart. My Dad was in the Air Force and had to abandon many little flower plots at our on-base housing because he was transferred before his plants could grow or mature. But, when we lived at Vanderberg in the mid 1970s his sweet peas flourished and the scent filled our house. He was so proud! My sisters and I all cherish sweet peas. My friend Teresa and I met in 8th grade when both our Dads were stationed in New Mexico. Three marriages, five kids, careers, aging parents, breast cancer and just life have kept us close and somehow we live 25 minutes from each other in Dallas. She’s grown zinnias forever. While I plan, research, and carefully start seeds, Teresa drops seeds in the dirt and random pots. Her zinnias are always glorious. Her flowers remind me to let go and enjoy

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  1831. Lynn Frost on

    Wow those are 2 very important but very different questions. Since I’m a market gardener as well as someone who can’t imagine my small farm without a plethora of flowers growing amongst all the veggies, if I knew there weren’t going to be any seed catalogs of course I would save as much seed as possible so I could continue to grow food. As far as flowers that lift me or I feel a special kinship with, for sure zinnias have been in my garden every year without fail for the last 46 years. Truly they are special for all the reasons you mention. It’s pretty hard to feel down when hanging out in their presence! I love what you both are doing and the way you talk about it feels genuine and intimate, which I so appreciate. From the bottom of my heart…thank you for all of the years of devoted work and thank you for sharing not only the seeds but also your feelings and inspirations behind the work! I’m grateful to have found you and can’t wait to order! 🙏🏼💜

    Reply
  1832. Alex Hinst on

    I LOVE Supertunias and they frequently reseed in my planters. We had a devastating hailstorm in late July and one of my Supertunias which had been in full glorious bloom was left with one battered broken stem and one shredded bud. She survived and went on to bloom beautifully! She wasn’t as cascading as her sister that was protected by a wall but she was lush and full by September. I would definitely save Supertunia seeds and Zinnia seeds if I could no longer buy them. And I’m inspired by your article to save seeds from any unusual Zinnias that pop up. I always grow zinnias and bring them inside to enjoy. Love your article and collaboration! Wishing you good health and much success. Thank you for adding beauty to our lives!

    Reply
  1833. Hilines Luna on

    Hi gals!

    When life is hardest i dont tend to gravitate towards 1 plant. Starting a seed or planting a seedling brings me the most comfort. I think its because at that point i havent messed anything up yet and potentially i’m about to make/grow something amazing. Theres no negativity yet. No failure.

    If i couldnt buy anymore seeds ever, i would save zinnia seeds. They offer so much variety that i’d be happy with just them.

    Thank you!!💖

    Reply
  1834. Rhoda on

    Seeds to save ~ my butterfly snapdragons that are armfuls of joy all throughout the cutting season. On good years they survive the winter and burst ahead of the new plants. Hopefully every early spring will have snowdrops followed by peonies and columbines and then lots and lots of summer bloomers!

    Reply
  1835. Elise Towers on

    I live where it gets brutally hot in the summers, so I love my beautiful plants that are survivors—hollyhocks, carnations, snapdragons, and zinnias. I save their seeds and plant them again and again.

    Reply
  1836. Bev on

    I love snapdragons for their cheerfulness and carnations for the wonderful scent and childhood memories they provoke.

    Reply
  1837. KRIS JOHNSON on

    Summer to me is the smell of sweet peas! I’ve since graduated to growing dahlias and zinnias. Over the years I’ve saved my seeds to replant the next spring.

    Reply
  1838. Jennie on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I’d save as much as I could. Definitely zinnias, they were my first love in gardening. Sunflowers and cosmos would be high on the list as well.

    Reply
  1839. Ketra Isaacson on

    I lean into zinnias! Growing up my mom always grew them with pride they remind me of her. She passed away 5 years ago. Since then I have been growing them in a garden I have worked hard to built. The past two years I have been saving the seeds of the colors I have loved the most.

    Last year after saving zinnias and then having them sprout. I decided to save some tiny tomato plants seeds because my kids loved them. Some snapdragon seeds and grew dahlias from seed. I follow Floret’s tutorial on how to dig up and store those(also bough some of your dahlia seeds for this year).

    Really appreciate everything you do and for helping me discover a therapeutic fun hobby of getting my hands dirty and watching beautiful grow in our yard🤍

    Reply
  1840. Marcia McAvoy on

    Definitely peonies in their magnificent glory are my comfort flowers, and they will be living and blooming much longer than I am on this earth. My daughters-in-law, granddaughters and great-granddaughters will inherit a peony garden from me.

    Reply
  1841. Laura Olson on

    I love tulips, peonies and dahlias. When times are hard flowers bring joy! 🌸

    Reply
  1842. Kristin on

    Wow, great questions. Life was hardest this past July & August, which was perfectly timed with my blooms. It was my first summer growing dahlias and they were my buoy. I was so proud of their simple growth and how unique they each were. So now they’re dear to my heart forever. (plus a little blue aster on the side for delicate balance)

    Reply
  1843. Jennifer on

    Daffodils are my go to during hard times. I love that you plant the bulbs, wait for the season to change and then beauty emerges–just like life. I planted 1000 bulbs about three years ago and can’t wait for spring to arrive!

    Reply
  1844. Kim Carter on

    Dahlias, Cosmos, snapdragons and Zinnias are my favorite uplifting plants. I love to just go into the garden and see their beauty. I have just started growing Dahlias from my own seed collection and it is so fun to see what I can get. Tomatoes, pumpkins and peppers are my go to veggies. I would save Dahlia, snap and zinnias for sure. I would be heartbroken to not have flowers in the garden.

    Reply
  1845. Betty Sheppard on

    When life gets hard I go into my gardens and enjoy every growing thing. I enjoy every moment there and let the dahlias , zinnias and sunflowers lift my spirits. Every beautiful bloom is designed to do that. 💕💐

    Reply
  1846. Mary Anne on

    My loves and joys in my flower world are Zinnias, dahlias, peonies and roses. My heart is full…okay, add yarrow and cosmos too. My must have forever seeds would definitely be zinnias, dahlias and yarrow…

    Reply
  1847. Janet Dillard on

    Zinnias were a constant in my mother’s garden. She loved the pollinators it brought to our yard and she always had bouquets in the house and gave them to neighbors. It helped her gain color and beauty in her days and as she got older brought her familiar comfort. Today they grow in my garden as a reminder of her and to bring beauty to my home and family.

    Reply
  1848. Wendy on

    I have grown Zinnias for as long as I can remember, thanks Mom! I remember buying coffee cans full of Zinnias from a local farmer during summers on Martha’s Vineyard. When planning my summer flower garden, Zinnias always have the largest plot, and year after year I have a large number of volunteers from years past. I love them in the garden, in my house and always for giving a cheerful vase full to a friend or neighbor.
    I started watching Floret last year and am quite taken with your show. Thank you both for doing the work you do with such a wonderful flower. (And all the other flowers you grow).

    Reply
  1849. Minda on

    Huge admiration for what you do and the beauty you help to create. Thanks and congratulations!!

    Reply
  1850. Nicholas G on

    I love pollinators and hummingbirds so I would save anise hyssop, maraschino cherry salvia, Texas scarlet sage, mountain mint and cardinal flower. My favorite zinnia grown from seed is queen lime orange. They are lovely. Thank you

    Reply
  1851. Izzy on

    Asters have been my flower ally since I was a child. They seem to always catch my eye whenever I need them the most. As I’ve grown and become a garden designer, I always manage to tuck a few asters in my design plans. Asters and I work well together and I am so grateful to have a deep relationship with their magic <3

    Thank you for this lovely interview, it was just what I needed to read today :)

    Reply
  1852. Amy Jones on

    Sunflowers have anchored my garden over the last five years. When times are hard, I can look at my sunflowers outside and instantly I feel joy! Each year, my 8 year old son and I have planted different types of sunflowers and save the seeds. As our garden has expanded, we opened it to other children on the street to also plant sunflowers. This garden has become our Friendship Garden. It brings the kids and their parents over each day to check on the emerging seedlings, which then leads to conversation and play time. Our garden has brought our street together and created a sweet community of blossoming friendships …. And of course more flowers!

    Reply
  1853. Denise on

    If there were no seed sources available, I would save all the seeds. Right now, I save Dahlia, Zinnia and Cosmos seed for my own use. These three are my heart plants
    and also grow well here. I love Kori’s story and her connection with her plants.

    Reply
  1854. Angie Guyette on

    I just loved the interview, thank you for sharing! When life gets tough or overwhelming just walking amongst flowers is calming. Peonies would definitely be on the very top of my list of flowers that invoke happiness. My grandma was an avid gardener and I remember all around her house, the beautiful peonies! Just the smell of them remind me of her and all the time I spent helping her garden. I unfortunately don’t have near the green thumb she did but I will keep trying every year.

    Reply
  1855. Nancy Austin on

    In the spring, there’s nothing like a daffodil to make me smile. In later seasons I love a good bunch of daisies for their added cheer.

    Reply
  1856. Robyn Johnson on

    I would save echinacea and snapdragon seeds. I love the blooms and spent blooms as well.

    Reply
  1857. Ashlyn on

    During hard times I find spending any time in the garden is helpful. To connect back with nature, to slow down and enjoy the beauty that our gardens can offer, to make peace with what you can and cannot control, to appreciate what your plants are giving you is such a peaceful experience.

    Reply
  1858. Dolly Perry on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    I was terribly ill during the summer of 22. I mourned my veggie patch and my Dahlias since I didn’t have the strength to tend them. But my Roses were my sanity. I could expend enough energy to go and water them and they provided me with the scent of hope!

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? Calendula makes me so happy since it readily self sows in my veggie patch. But Sweet Peas also make me so joyous. I love scent! I’d love to see you doing more flowers that smell terrific!

    Reply
  1859. Ann on

    I have 3 raised beds in my backyard and 2 usually have vegetables in them and the middle one I plant colorful zinnias. They make me so happy whenever I look at them. I love to put together bouquets in Mason jars with some other flowers I grow and love giving them to neighbors as well as enjoy in my home. I would love to try these zinnias!

    Reply
  1860. Jessie on

    I got interested in growing a flower garden right around the time I became a new mom. I think back to the times I was very ambitious about what exactly I had the time to take on in the garden while I was pregnant. My first year, a lot of the seeds I started never made it into a garden and it was a loss. The next year, I did better but took things slower. I think being a new mama and a new gardener at the same time was an interesting parallel. Both were new to me and I had to learn on the fly sometimes. They also had seasons that I treasured and also ached to move past. Zinnias and cosmos got me through the first years because I live in the Southern US, zone 8b, and those two practically grow themselves here! I would love to add these zinnias to my garden this year.

    Reply
  1861. Leslie on

    If save Pansy seeds. I love the delicate look, yet the hardy nature of pansies and grow these inbetween my feverfew and other crops to get long-stemmed pansies for cut flowers.

    Reply
  1862. Bethany on

    The past few years have been hard on everyone. When I felt my lowest, I knew I always had my love of the outdoors. Just getting up and going for a walk put my head back on right.
    When my partner and I were offered the opportunity to purchase my grandparents home we jumped on it. I grew up in this house, loving my grandparents and their amazing gardens. I did school and research projects on it in grade school. I would soak up every work my grandfather taught me about growing veggies and specifically his prized dahlia’s.
    This past summer I found a love of preserving flowers. I started small, pressing some flowers from my yard. I then started branching for more and more. So much, that I now have a small side business!
    My favorite flowers these days are the ones that dry or press well. In the dead of winter in Mass, I get to go in my basement and work with all my flowers from the summer and it brings me so much joy.

    Reply
  1863. April G on

    English Lavender plants are my happy plants. I love growing them and making sachets with the dried flowers before they blooom. Lavender plants don’t require a lot of care. However, Dahlias have become my newest addiction since I moved and retired, I hadn’t heard about dahlias, living abroad! I have tried to collect seeds, but haven’t been diligent about it.
    I now have a new interest in zinnias now! I do need to read about saving seeds as this interview has given me a new way to look at my plants and the seeds they produce! If I didn’t have an option to buy seeds, I would definitely be more organized in collecting and cataloging my seeds, and rereading about pollinating. But since there are wonderful companies such as Floret Farms and Dawn Creek Farms that sell seeds, I can do a little of both!

    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  1864. Rebecca Yan on

    Roses! They start up in spring in my garden and don’t stop till winter. The fragrance and beauty are unmatched!

    Reply
  1865. Erin Williams on

    Ooh such a good question – what do I turn to to lift my spirits in the garden? It makes me tear up. When I’m in my garden, watering, weeding, pruning, cutting flowers, saving seeds (!), it’s a time when I’m not answering emails, not on the phone with vendors or clients, it’s time for me and the flowers, the bees and the sun and no one else. I value it for my peace. I would say each flower I grow serves a purpose in buoying my spirits – the lilacs and peonies in the spring as I’ve been waiting for winter to end and they mark that time and smell delicious; the zinnias and strawflowers in the summer give the most beautiful colors, amazing vase life and just look HAPPY (though globe amaranths also make my heart sing alongside the alaska mix nasturtiums); and then in the fall I’ve fallen in love with heirloom chrysanthemums from King’s Mums (via a blogpost from Floret) and those were such a saving grace – so many fun faces to see in the fall and then when everything else in the garden had faded they were still there, giving us a beautiful arrangement for our Thanksgiving table. I’m so grateful for flowers and for the ability and mobility to be able to grow them myself and share them with friends and neighbors – and it all honestly started with the first Floret book – that was my gateway. So they’re all my allies at different times, retiring seasonally and appearing when needed, a true gift.

    Reply
  1866. Susan on

    Zinnias, definitely. After ‘discovering’ them for the first time a few years ago, I can’t be without. If there weren’t anymore flower seeds, I would miss zinnias the most.

    Reply
  1867. Nadia Kessler on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear the flowers I would save first and foremost are Cosmos ( the white ones and rubenza). Second would have to be zinnias. Especially any of the blush varieties!
    And coreopsis tinctoria. Those are the first ones in a long list …
    For sure some Seashell cosmos too.

    Reply
  1868. McKinzie on

    I’ve always had a love of flowers and wanted to garden. But I’m finally in a place in my life where I can so unfortunately, I don’t have a super favorite to cultivate now and I am just trying to get my hands on whatever I can and have the pretties! I, too, started out in art school and found a love for flowers being my favorite watercolor subject especially the wilting ones where the light and transparency of watercolor really lended to their likeness on paper.
    I am also a beekeeper and am wanting to promote more pollinators in my area so seed saving to respect for next year and many more after that is huge for me to learn! I am looking forward to starting down this journey with you!

    Reply
  1869. Kristi Knevelbaard on

    1. I love planting dahlias in my garden. I love to walk it each early summer morning and see what’s blooms….taking pictures to share with my friends who love flowers.
    2. Zinnia’s are my go to seed. They are so easy to grow and reseed themselves with such beauty. The peachy pink hues bring me such joy.

    Reply
  1870. Kathy DeForest on

    My life this past year has been tossed and turned with change, like digging and turning the soil. As I approach the coming spring I look forward to an “open field” of any and all flowers to comfort and ground my soul. Zinnias are at the top of my list to grow and just be with. To me, their simple strength and beauty lies not only in their elegance but also in their eclectic varieties of flower shapes and surprising colors. I so much look forward to “being” back with zinnias this growing season and finding my place.

    Reply
  1871. Anna Chapman on

    I would have to say Peonies are my comfort flowers. They remind me of my grandmother’s garden and that brings me comfort.

    Reply
  1872. Robin Habing on

    Loving flowers all my life, my long life favorites in our area are black eyed Susan’s and queen Anne’s Lace. They remind me of my mother helping me collect them for 4-H. In my own garden are zinnia, dahlia and mums. The colors and textures just change my whole outlook!!

    Reply
  1873. Bre on

    Your interview really touched and inspired me, Kori. Thank you for your dedication to flower breeding. And thank you for partnering with Erin & the Floret team – what a special relationship! I am excited for the release of your zinnia seeds through Floret in just a few days!

    My happy place is amongst our roses – no matter what – they support & encourage me. I love the detail of weeding around and deadheading each rose. I have been saving petals from my favorites – experimenting which rose petals make the most beautiful dried colors & which retain their scent the best for potpourri sachets. Roses are such incredible plants – producing so much beauty each season.

    Thank you again! Bre

    Reply
  1874. Manise Hinds on

    Hands down zinnias, celosia, sunflowers, cosmos, rudbeckia, and dahlias are the flowers that give me such joy and a sense of peace when life seems difficult. I love puttering amongst them in my 30’ x 50’ community garden plot, photographing them and the myriad of pollinators and crab spiders attracted to them. I too call them my babies. I have saved zinnia seeds (esp variants) for the first time last fall and am excited to see what I get this upcoming growing season.

    I feel like I have found my people in you both through the docu-story and this interview. Thank you!

    Reply
  1875. Kaitlyn E on

    When life gets hard I spend time admiring my Zinnias. They bring so much joy to my life and others when I cut them and share them with others. One of the best gifts to give is a bouquet of flowers I have grown myself. It brings so much joy. I don’t have a lot of time to garden and Zinnias still do awesome for me. I can’t wait for spring and summer to be able to have fresh flowers I’ve grown in my home again.

    Reply
  1876. Jess Johns on

    In hard times I find myself turning to the stillness the garden brings as a whole. There’s a quiet there not found anywhere else. The specific plant I’m thinking of with this question was a 4×4 of benary giant pink zinnias I grew last year. The butterflies loved them along with many other insects, they were easy to grow and can withstand our intense heat here in the desert. An anchor of color in the garden for sure.

    Reply
  1877. Cathy M on

    What a beautiful partnership… and beautiful Zinnias! I would have to save my Snapdragon, Lavaterra, Celosia, Cerinthe, Dahlia, Four O’Clocks, Hollyhocks, Cilantro and Zinnia seeds!

    Reply
  1878. Erika Bault on

    I’d be trying to save all my seeds! I started making a list but I don’t know what flowers I could live without. Lol! For sure the easy savers like zinnias, cosmos, nigella, cress, etc. I’d also be extra careful to take care of my perennials if seeds were hard to come by.

    Reply
  1879. Kathryn Burgess on

    I definitely turn to my flowers when life gets hard. I find a peace and unity between my soul, the earth and God when Im out digging in the dirt. Maybe its the stillness, the breeze on my face and sun on my back and the thoughts in my head, whatever it is, I resonate with Kori on this matter. Its my place of healing and joy. I think that on my short journey with my flower farming, going on my third year. The flower that I get the most excited about is Celosia. It draws me in somehow. From the very first one I grew to the multitude of varieties I am growing this year. Im mesmerized by its beauty, color, softness, varieties. You name it, it takes me in and I marvel at the beauty with each new variety I plant. Its my hearts flower. Thank you for sharing this beautiful journey of Kori’s and yours with us. Im so excited about these new flower seeds becoming available. May God bless you both with continued success in your business’ and heath.

    Reply
  1880. Olena Murphy on

    Sweet peas are my first love! Since then, I have expanded my flower favourites, but the fragrant varieties of flowers & herbs are always my go to, as they offer such a feast not only for the eye, but for my nose (sense of smell) as well!
    So, if all the seed catalogs were to disappear, I would collect & preserve the seeds from plants that smell! :)

    Reply
  1881. Lisa greene on

    I love my Dahlias and Zinnias. My garden is my happy place. It helps all my stress melt away. I love all of the different colors and variations!

    Reply
  1882. Rebecca Allen Lamptey on

    For me dahlias have been my constant source of relief and inspiration when i have needed to hold my head above water. The past 10 years have been challenging at times but focusing in on the next step w my dahlias has grounded me.

    We have always saved seeds in my family! The seeds i would save would be from my fathers garden at rhe moment: poppies, sweet peas, beans, tomatoes, lemon cucumbers, zinnias, blackeyed susan, echinecea, zucchini, basil, squash.

    Reply
  1883. Holly on

    Zinnias of course! I started growing them when I first became a stay at home mom and they really helped me adjust to the new world of being a mom. I’d have to save the dahlias we have too since they are just so stunning!

    Reply
  1884. Elizabeth Sallee Bauer on

    In the summer of 2020 I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. That fall while I was going through rounds and rounds of chemo my husband and three young kids planted thousands of daffodils in our gardens. I thought of them all winter long, while I was going through surgeries and radiation. They were a symbol of hope, that there is beauty waiting just under the ground. Every year, and every treatment I go through I think of my daffodils, this beautiful gift that comes right when you need it most after the bleakest times.

    Reply
  1885. Donna Schmitz on

    Roses make my heart swoon! They remind me of my grandma. They’re not only beautiful, but they are timeless and classic. I always look forward to Spring when my roses bloom, bringing beauty into my world and soothing my soul.

    Reply
  1886. Jenny on

    Tending plants and being in my small garden are so calming for me in good times and hard times. They remind me of hope, growth and abundance. I love sweet peas and save their seeds. Dahlias are another favorite. I received a packet of seeds with florets dahlia book and have saved, divided and shared the tuber of my favorite one… a salmon colored beauty. I share dahlia arrangements all sumer and fall with neighbors and people who walk through my neighborhood so dahlias have helped me connect with others too.

    Reply
  1887. Kaila Scurek on

    When I moved to Illinois 10 years ago away from family I found myself kind of lonely and needing a hobby and somewhere to put my time and effort towards outside of my job. I noticed some zinnias growing in a neighbors flower patch and they immediately reminded me of my mom’s flower garden when I was a child. From then on I started growing more and more zinnias every year. They’ve always brought me so much joy! They also brought me into a new love of growing for pollinators and learning more about butterflies, specifically monarchs!

    If I had to save seeds it would definitely be zinnias. I can’t have a garden without them. My two young daughters love them as well and love running through my flower gardens and playing hide and seek through them. They are a staple in my garden forever!

    Reply
  1888. Lauren Ashley on

    What a lovely interview and a treasured flower friendship! I’m so happy Kori got a second chance and so glad you are both sharing insanely gorgeous Dawn creek zinnias with the farmer-florist community. I started saving seeds from my garden two years ago when I was curious about how to propagate native flowers I had planted on my original flower farm location. Oh I just teared up at the thought of not having access to seeds. If this were the case I would include Icelandic poppies, mountain mint, coreopsis, Joe Pye Weed, echinacea, baptista, foxglove, rudbeckia, native sunflowers, dahlias and zinnias, 🌸 of course. I had the incredible opportunity to grow a tiny packet from Kori’s breeding program last season and I have florists asking for every single cut flower of these that I can grow. You’ve succeeded with elevating local cut flowers beyond our wildest dreams and I am so happy to be part of this localized farming movement. Thank you so much ladies! I’m so excited for this season!!

    Reply
  1889. Tanner Conway on

    Both my wife and I started a small cut flower farm last year as a side job from our real ones. (Her being a full time nurse and myself being a lab technician for cancer research) After a long day of work and knowing I had to come home to water for a couple hours due to Minnesota’s drought last year. I found myself always being captivated by the dahlias we had! There was just something about the color and uniqueness of each flower being different than the last that made me always stop to appreciate nature’s perfect way of diversifying beauty!

    Reply
  1890. Becky on

    🌻 sunflowers

    Reply
  1891. Diana Haake on

    Plants in general connect me to peace. Maybe it’s the grounding I experience. There is a specific camellia with a pink bloom that creates a perfect pattern. I have always adored it and have grown it at 3 different homes where we have lived in over the years.

    Reply
  1892. Sara on

    I usually turn to sunny colored flowers as well as eucalyptus! Having a fresh bouquet on the table will raise anyone’s spirits!
    I’d try to save all seeds from the garden, because at this point I have narrowed down the garden to what I want to forever have alongside me! Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, beets, tomatoes, peppers, onions, beans and lots of flowers!!! Dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, snaps, yarrow…etc!

    Reply
  1893. Jessamy on

    Sweet peas at the moment for me. I’m a new flower grower and I love watchong them climb… stretching their necks with the sweetest fragrance. They also remind me of my grandmother- and somehow keep me feeling connected to past generations. Zinnias will be new for me this year and I am in love with the colors and magic of the Dawn Creek and floret varieties! Thank you for sharing your story:)

    Reply
  1894. Beth on

    Roses and Pansies are my escape from the external world. During the growing season in Texas, the bloom and color of roses feel like warmth, sunshine and glory all rolled into each and every bloom produced. There are so many, and so I am constantly delighted in any rose garden, as I move from bloom to bloom with each and every plant there.
    In the cooler months, pansies seem to bring so much joy and happiness with all the color and perkiness during cold dark days. It is as if they are sitting there saying “Hello” to me each time I pass by. Their ability to withstand, and recover from certain cooler temperatures and conditions are impressive and amazing. They bring such joy when it is sometimes hard to find in some of the dark days of winter.

    Reply
  1895. Darla Ward on

    I really love all plants my peony I started 25 yrs ago is like family. I’ve moved it to a new home. I couldn’t part with it. The hydrangea I left at my old house I miss & still drive by. I’ve always planted zinnia. They make me smile every time I walk outside in the morning. I’ve just started a love affair with dahlia & celosia too.

    Reply
  1896. Andrea Cooper on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear tomorrow I would be trying to save the seeds of everything I grow! But if I had to pick only a few it would be snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos and sweet peas.

    Reply
  1897. Denise Allen on

    When my husband died in April 2022, one of my daughters asked me what I would grow in my garden (speaking of vegetables) and I told her I would be growing flowers. That was the first year I grew dahlias. They grew again last season, despite my neglect over the winter. I grew wonderful zinnias, cosmos and a variety of wildflowers as well last year. I love them all and intersperse my vegetables in the flower beds. The bees love it as well! My flowers have been an avenue of healing as I cut, arrange and share them.

    Reply
  1898. Carol Whitman on

    The plants that were blooming when my husband died last year, specifically hellebores, evergreen clematis, mini daffodils and wild violets, get me from despair into hope. Theyre happening again now and signify early spring.

    Reply
  1899. Kristen Gray on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I would save my zinnia seeds and dahlias. My favorite flowers in garden. They lift my spirits and add so much color to the garden.

    Reply
  1900. Tammy on

    I find respite puttering amongst the dahlias in my field. The act of tending, nurturing and caring for them brings a sense of fulfillment and peace. It’s a beautiful way to connect with nature and find solace in the simple joys of gardening.

    Reply
  1901. Chaundell Monn on

    I had a limelight hydrangea that I bought very small and saw grow over the years into a big beautiful bush. It was my favorite time of year to see it bloom. When I moved it was the only thing I was sad to leave behind.
    Any soft, pastel colored flowers are calming to my soul whether it’s a zinnia, peony, hyrdrangea, or sweet pea. The beauty and the subtleness of color just calls to me in ways that bright, bold colors do not.

    Reply
  1902. Amanda Chalkley on

    If seed catalogs disappeared…… no worries.
    The women in my family, sister Eva, mother Grace, niece Edith and myself SHARE seed. Just around Christmas we all exchange our favorite successful seed harvest while our Grandmother who is 95 watches with delight.
    We have enjoyed Native American corn varieties from North Carolina where Edith lives, a native Green which is like kale from Alabama (we call it Eva Greens) and many other vegetable varieties. As for flower seeds they are always a part of the exchange. Two years back , I somehow grew a very bright double pink zinnia. I was able to share one of these seedlings with grandmother and she became the gifter of the bright pink zinnia seed. Fingers crossed, it remains as beautiful as previous.

    Reply
  1903. Ellen W on

    I love baptisia blooms and pods for drawing strength. Such amazing plants that bloom at a time of relative nothingness. Emerging after the mad dash of spring and it’s not yet summer.

    Reply
  1904. Eli S. on

    I love saving seeds each year from the garden, and have grown with several tried and true plants and enjoy seeing each new generation of seed thrive and grow. Without seed catalogs I would save seed from every plant possible so I wouldn’t lose something precious. I really enjoy growing along with the whole garden, but especially my fruit trees, which are there unmoved through season after season and provide the comfort of shade and the crisp of fresh fruit.

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  1905. Lindia on

    When life is hard and it usually isn’t, I look to zinnias, dahlias and snapdragons. I trying rose forget me nots this season but all my flowers give me joy. I had self diagnosed myself with a torn rotator cuff last week and saw an orthopedist yesterday. Happy to say that wasn’t my problem 🤸🏽. Nothing that a cortisone shot and a few PT appointments can’t solve.

    I will attempt to save snapdragon, zinnia, and dahlia seeds this season.

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  1906. Pud Kearns on

    Antique roses have been my love and primary source of gardening pleasure for many years (and I’m eagerly following your work with Anne’s roses!). I’ve learned so much from hunting for and saving old plants in our community by propagation from cuttings. Now I’m starting to experiment with expanding my garden to more cut flowers and zinnias seem to do best on my property. I’m so excited about all the new zinnia varieties that Floret is releasing and hope to snag some to grow enjoy their beauty.

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  1907. Nancy Usher on

    For me, it has always been Zinnias…until I knew about Dahlias through Floret. Now it’s both! They speak to my heart and soul and give me the most peaceful joy.

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  1908. Brooke Scharff on

    Definitely my dahlias! I have several big beautiful dahlias that are absolutely useless in the vase, but in the front row of my garden I sacrifice “work” space for pleasure space every year to make sure I can watch them grow and bloom and enjoy looking at them for my own enjoyment. When I need a boost I can just look out my window and see them right in front.

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  1909. Tiffany Keimig on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would try to save seeds from my whole garden (zinnias, rudbeckia, coneflowers, celosia, snapdragons, corms from ranunculus, dahlia tubers). And I’d learn how to divide perennials (lavender, salvia, yarrow, hydrangeas – not sure that’s even a thing ☺️). Floret and Kori have inspired me to be braver about saving seeds. It has always seemed scary…questioning if I am doing it right, will they be viable, how to keep them organized and stored. However, like I’m learning with any new endeavor, the hardest part for me is often the first step. So I’m deciding to just do it. Save the seeds, label the seeds, and plant the seeds the next time. If they don’t produce, it’s okay. And if they do…they will be enjoyed beyond measure.
    The plants I want to grow alongside forever are still ranunculus. They were my wedding flower in 2010 and I just got brave enough to try to grow them in 2019. It wasn’t until 2021 that I successfully had blooms. But little by little I’m learning and keep persevering through their step-by-step processes. And oh the delight I feel when they bloom! Just looking at pictures of them makes me happy, so you can imagine having them bloom in my garden is ever so much more satisfying.

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  1910. MaryAnne Flynn on

    My favorite flowers that I grow in my very small garden are cone flowers and peonies. I would like to add zinnias this spring. It makes me so happy when I have colorful flowers to enjoy myself and for my neighbors to enjoy as they walk past our village home.

    I haven’t ever saved seeds and want to learn how to do that. I want to learn how to save cone flowers, daisies and zinnias. Thanks for sharing so much good info on your website!

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  1911. Cassy on

    My love for flowers started in my early years picking wildflowers, then onto college in my horticulture degree. After losing my mom to cancer two years ago I found solace in growing beautiful flowers. Ranunculus were the first to bloom and I was just fascinated with their beauty. It was my first bouquet I placed on my mother’s grave. All flowers are beautiful and I love creating bouquets from each one. Creating and watching flowers grow brings peace to my soul.

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  1912. Bonnie Henry on

    Dear Erin,
    I love the interview with Kori!
    What another beautiful story of flowers and the love of them.
    I discovered your growing floret show beginning of 2020 right before the pandemic hit.
    We are all shut down at home I watched your series over and over again! It brought me so much joy and distraction from my personal losses. I lost my young adult son in July 2020. That loss changed my life forever more. Living through my grief I watched your episodes and still do to this day. It helped me so much and I have your books. I think you’re an incredible person and so lucky that you and your husband and family have crazy sister beautiful life through hard work and never giving up.
    I lost my sister to cancer April 13th 2023. She love flowers too and sat with me and watch many of your episodes. Cancer took her life. For many many months of kind of going down
    Between covert and cancer and loss you find out how strong you are and carry on. In your flowers inspire me to find happiness and incentive a flower.
    My grandmother was a flower grower since I was little girl I followed her around her gardens.
    One day I plan to move back to Ohio I am here to my parents small farm.
    And try my hand at flower growing I have potted flowers and plants because I live in the city of Rockville Maryland and the townhouse not much land to grow anything but that’s okay my time will come.
    I loved Corey story, she is another flower lover with great detail on growing all of her zinnias.
    I enjoyed it very much I’m going to read the interview couple more times because it’s so interesting.
    Thank you and Corey for making the world a more beautiful place 🌻

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  1913. Robin on

    These are Hard questions to answer as flowers have been my dearest friends for years now .
    Our love affair has been a bumpy one .
    Flowers have been a part of my life through changes , discoveries , sadness , despair and also joy and love .
    I had a garden shoppe ,called the robins nest years ago.
    Many have told me it was before it’s time .
    I grew unusual perennials , annuals and herbs, things no one had seen in my area before and now aren’t available
    In my niche of the world , since I closed .
    I lost my footing with flowers for a few years due to financial , personal and health reasons .
    Thankfully I found my way back. My flowers and my garden have literally saved me from darkness and isolation .
    To pick one , would be like picking a favorite child . I adore them all . I save seeds from Cuphea , my hummingbirds adore it as do I.
    I save seeds from rudbeckias and sunflowers , nicotianas and Malva, Lavatera and gomphrena, cleome and feverfew , columbines and begonias ,echinacea & vines of every kind , and zinnias lots and lots of zinnias .
    This year I hope to provide local rehab and cancer centers with flowerfull bouquets of every kind .i hope to share joy , love and hope through my posies .

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  1914. kelci on

    Celosia Cristata ‘ Cristi’

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  1915. Leslie on

    Zinnia’s saved my sanity during Covid so those are the seeds I would save. I couldn’t buy any of the plants that I had been dreaming of as our garden centers had very little, but I had a bunch of zinnia volunteers that came up. I carefully dug them up and put them in my 10 whiskey barrels. Because they had room to grow the stems became HUGE (1/2″ to 1″ thick) and I let them trail all over. Spectacular and pollinator magnets!

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  1916. Jane Hamill on

    I love growing, and working with, zinnias as well; the range of colors and types just delight me! Here in Texas, they seem to be one of the more reliable cut flowers we can enjoy. I help grow and arrange flowers for our local community garden/kitchen, where we make arrangements from our garden for the tables of our diners. Zinnias and celosia are our mainstays, and our diners love them!

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  1917. Katie on

    I do love my dahlias and the bouquets I can create with them. Love the spring and organizing. I love the work of dividing! They would have to be my keepers. I absolutely live saving seed as a way to cut costs, but it also just fills a need in me. My garden this year, I would be saving many varieties of zinnia, aster, straw flower, sunflowers, dahlia, nasturtium, feverfew, and I’m sure about a dozen more :)

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  1918. Meri on

    I’m so excited about the new Floret originals and Dawn Creek offerings because zinnias and celosia make up the bulk of my offerings here at our farm. Being in NC, where we just got upgraded to zone 8b this year, and the fact that I grow under tunnels to eliminate the rain pressure, I need things that can tolerate hot growing conditions. I would save seed from zinnias and celosia forever if seed catalogs disappear tomorrow

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  1919. kelci on

    Celosia Cristata ‘ Crisit’

    Insanely rich and saturated deep purple fan celosia. A mix of dark dark purple, fuchsia and royal purple. Stunning. Look great with Lisianthus Megalo Orange or another dark neon purple like amazon neon purple dianthus.

    grow it. xo

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  1920. Lauryn on

    When life feels a little too heavy, I often find myself turning to dahlias, roses and zinnias. They are what I have found the most success with in growing without having to cultivate my environment too specifically for a different variety. They all come with their own frustrations of course, but I can’t help but smile seeing them.

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  1921. Chrissy on

    These are tough questions! I have grown zinnias and sunflowers forever and ever, even in little cups on a window when my living situation didn’t allow for anything else and the poor plants tried their best. Then they were in my vegetable garden. Now they join all my other cut flowers as faithful friends who I know so well. They’re always full of bees, moths, butterflies, and praying mantises. Then they are seeds for the birds and squirrels. I had them in my wedding. Now they are flower crowns and confetti for my kids. They have always been a source of joy and comfort, even when I didn’t have the space to properly grow them.

    I would have to save my zinnias and sunflowers. I’ve had a few pale peaches like Kori’s reseed themselves but they’ve all been singles. I should learn more about breeding and saving them! I’d also continue saving dahlia seeds. The unexpected surprise of those has been a highlight of my last few summers! I don’t think that I could go back to not having dahlia seedlings.

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  1922. Elisabeth on

    I look forward to seeing my dahlias bloom. I love the combination of colors and i can’t wait to see what they will look like. They bloom when everything else is slowing down so it extends my growing season.

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  1923. Bri on

    I’d save vegetables (tomatos, cucumbers and lettuce,). For flowers I’ve saved dahlia, Zinnia, sunflower, and calendula and continue to do so

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  1924. Jill Tinius on

    I would save absolutely everything I am growing, but as long as there is a world with Zinnias and fresh garden tomatoes, I think I would be just fine!

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  1925. Julie on

    I too love zinnias! They are so reliable and friendly. I save seeds and seeds and seeds but of course I don’t have room to grow them all. This year I plan to start seeds indoors to give them a little head start. I save seeds from lots of things and hope to use them but I have never even considered that it is possible to grow roses from seeds! How funny that it never even crossed my mind! I’m going to figure that out and I can’t wait to read about zinnia breeding. Thank you for this interview, it has given me new things to think about!

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  1926. Letitia on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save seeds from sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias. Just looking at those breeds of flowers makes me smile and makes my heart happy. The world needs a huge dose of happiness these days!

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  1927. Martha W. on

    Over the last 10 years I have watched as each of my family members have passed away. It’s been a lot of loss for a 28 year old. Siblings and parents no longer here to offer love and support, light and laughter… So I turned to nature. I turned to the flowers the were the backdrop of my childhood. And they offer comfort when you need it most. Annuals like zinnias, celosia, cosmos and my growing dahlia collection fill in the gaps of the old fashioned lilacs, peonies, daffodils, and lilies that I fondly remember popping up each spring in our back yard.

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  1928. Kate S. on

    I started saving seeds in 2020 as a result of the pandemic induced seed market crash. I was pleasantly surprised at the increased vigor and beauty of open pollinated varieties; I’m looking at you, celosia! Seed grown dahlias are also a wonderful addition to our line-up. Roses are, however, my first love and the flower I could not do without.

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  1929. Laurie on

    Gardening is patience and perseverance. After years of exploring different varieties of flowers, Lisianthus and sweet peas are my favorite challenge. They are my proclamation to success. I struggled for two seasons and after a summer of beautiful blooms with these two, I did a joyous dance. A bouquet of those blossoms lift my spirits every spring and fall.

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  1930. Jeannie on

    Winters are always difficult for me and I struggle with SAD. I’m like a plant that thrives on sunshine and warmth. That said, I love, love, love everlasting flowers. My 3 faves are celosia, gomphrena, and strawflower. They fill my home with beauty and color all throughout the winter. I’m so thankful for their beauty.

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  1931. Caroline on

    I have always loved to get my hands dirty in the garden and watch the miracle of different plants grow. My uncle has been planting zinnias for as long as I can remember. He makes vases of cut zinnias and takes them to his friends to brighten their day. He inspired me to try zinnias and I fell in love. Zinnias have now become a staple in my garden. Every year my area for zinnias in my garden has grown and I love to go through and find the unique colors that bloom. In the spring I love watching them grow and seeing the first bloom of the season is always exciting. Growing flowers will lift your spirits because you get to see one of God’s miracles in your own garden.

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  1932. Mary Hegnes on

    I love my sunflowers and cosmos, I couldn’t imagine not growing them every year..they give me peace and they are the seeds that I would protect with my life

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  1933. Janet Farnan on

    When I was a toddler I kept getting sick, & ultimately it was determined that I was allergic to the penicillin that they were giving me. Whenever I was not feeling well, my mother would pin a flower- usually a zinnia, on my shirt & she said I was immediately happy…..so I would save my zinnia seeds along with calendulas, love in a mist, Amaranthus, red runner bean & celocia.

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  1934. Kate Steinel on

    I would save pansies. They bring great joy and comfort. Happy faces for all. They are a must have in my life and garden

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  1935. Emmy Mower on

    Years ago I found Ranunculus. Tiny “octopus” that grow into splendor in the spring. I will forever grow them now. They bring me so much hope. As one of the first blooming in the spring it brings color back to my garden after months of working the soil for spring. I check on them daily to see the color emerge. It’s a sign that spring is here and everything is about to explode in color. It excites my soul. It triggers renewed excitement to plant all the things… And dare I say excites me for another AZ summer. Hope for the future… All because of a flower.

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  1936. Darla on

    I absolutely adore all types of zinnias. They are easy to grow, attract so many beautiful pollinators to my garden and I love bringing just a few inside. That being said, I always save seed from nigella and love scattering them in little groups for a quiet surprise in the garden. Gifting their seed pods is ever so enjoyable.

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  1937. Ann Brown on

    I think for me through the long days, hardships I would say just going into the garden and putting my hands in the soil. Whether its to pull weeds, repot a flower or plant new seeds. Just the way being with your plants takes you to a whole new world with no worries, drama, negativity, or thoughts. Working with flowers in the garden puts a new perspective on your inner self and helps you find your way. % min to hours, I could get lost in the atmosphere of a beautiful garden. If seed catalogs disappeared, I would hope I am growing flowers at the time, just to continue the long days ahead. I would save all my seeds from all that I can so I can regrow and share with those who don’t have the opportunity to get seeds anymore. Working with flowers is a beautiful opportunity to share with a stranger, the light and peace it can give.

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  1938. Jessica on

    Dahlias and Zinnias. The best part of the day is going out to the garden and cutting a fresh bouquet to place on the kitchen island or gather a bouquet to gift and boost someone else’s spirit. I feel it’s extra special when sharing in something you love and have a passion for.

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  1939. Laura Davis on

    I look forward to my flowers starting in the spring with daffodils and tulips. I have a simple variety with staples of lavender and sage. Azaleas show their beautiful faces. There is a variety of beautiful peonies. With summer come a riot of black eyed Susan’s. I have a large container of dahlias and zinnia’s
    bringing up the rear…our yard bringing joy to the neighborhood.

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  1940. Marie on

    This past summer was a hard one for our family and the garden was a small portion of daily delight. Whatever happened to be blooming was a joy. Poppies first, and later zinnias, sunflowers, strawflowers and cosmos. Just to have a garden is a huge privilege.

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  1941. Kaitlyn S. on

    When I am stressed, overwhelmed, or depressed the garden always provides relief. I especially love my cut and come again flowers like cosmos and zinnias. You are always sure to find a swath of blooms abuzz with life. I am so excited for the chance to expand with the new zinnias you are offering.

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  1942. Aubrey Lofreddo on

    Cosmos 🤍 We had to move a lot a few years ago and I always gravitated towards having them everywhere we went, even just a pot full. They are dancey and fun; they truly make me smile. They are a such joy to design with. To me, they look so delicate in an arrangement or so darling as a solo sprig in a little vase by the bathroom sink. But they are so strong too! You can really toss them around and work with them and I love the simple colors.

    Seeds I would save: my herbs. Always and forever. I LOVE how they look in arrangements and I plant them alongside my flowers. My greatest joy is cooking in the kitchen and the feeling of stepping outside to grab herbs to cook with is such a special feeling I would never want to go without 🤍

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  1943. Sharon James on

    I love the assorted wave petunias we have in our multiple post planters each spring through early fall!

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  1944. Andrea on

    My answer to number one would be the native plants and flowers. I love finding the plants that just naturally appear around my area and making sure they also have a space in my garden. Yarrow and black-eyed-Susan were two of the first I found on my property. Natives just thrive. They were here before me and I know they’ll keep on being here after. They have their own simple beauty that I love!

    Can’t wait for the seed sale! My children and I have been following the breeding process for part of school and we will be purchasing seeds to plant this year to finish up the “science project” as I called it.

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  1945. Penny Cornett on

    Extreme heat and extreme cold make gardening a challenge in South Central Kansas. Larkspur has been my most successful foray into direct seeding, but I had some luck with zinnias this past summer and plan to explore some different varieties this year.

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  1946. Noelle Gunderson on

    I have been gardening for nearly 17 summers and have always been drawn to zinnias, hostas, and so many other colors and textures nature offers. 2). I’ve been teaching the neighbor kids, or anyone who will listen, how to find and save the seeds of the plants I’ve grown year to year. From the explosive seed pods of impatiens, to the ebony berries left by my blackberry lilies. I love that with the zinnia, each years seed bounty becomes a surprise appearance of colors the next. The variations get me giddy with anticipation. The garden is a huge source of learning and growing, skill wise for me. It’s my happy place, despite my short MN season in it. And, I literally dream of my small yard aglow with life, as I await my long, dismal winter to come to an end.
    I resonated with this story so very much and am so excited to try to grow some of these varieties in my garden this coming season. Hoping it’s not like the dahlia wars I’m hearing about, I may truly be devastated if I miss out.

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  1947. Kimberly Stewart on

    I don’t have a specific plant that brings me comfort in hard times, but I feel like all plants make me feel better. Just seeing a beautiful bloom, a ripening tomato, or a planter full of strawberries can bring so much joy! If seed catalogs disappeared the seeds I would save would be dahlias and zinnias because those are the flowers I remember growing up with at my great grandparents house.

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  1948. Avic Flores on

    My go to flowers are my zinnias, dahlias, snapdragons and cosmos!! Never fail to give me so much joy and being able to share with friends and family makes it even more magical. I would save all the possible seeds that I can, I have saved lots of larkspur, cosmos, zinnias, calendula and tomatoes from last years garden and will continue to do so. I’m looking forward to learn more about saving seeds in the coming weeks from you! Thank you for sharing your passion with all of us!

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  1949. Acacia on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    I don’t have much of a history with gardening as the people i onew who were into gardenong hadnt been very inspiring to me. I think the fact that i was actually hurt by those people pulled me away from the idea of gardening in any way. I always have loced being outdoors and the beauty of flowers. I never liked “cut flowers” as im a very logical person and didnt see the point in “wasteing” flowers most of .y life… I have always enjoyed there beauty and longed for lota of flowers but without the intreat in gardening or cut flowers at the times j feel short of motivation. I have a different understanding of cut flowers and the logic the benefits of cut flowers and gardening. The last few year after I met my husband he had a farm and was so kind loving and gentle. Have a safe space in the privacy of our home to work in the yard and garden helps so much. We came to the idea out of no logic whatsoever and only wanting to experience and share the pure joy flowers bring tl Start a flower farm. Due to a series of unfortunate events our dream was out on hold for years as we were forced to relocate several times. We lost the little progress we had made at each home towards are flowers and left alot of memories and hope behind.Finally after years of hard work hurdles dedication and Miracles put of our control we have arrived at the flower farm destination and it couldn’t be more of a blessing. Its difficult because alot of the plants,trees and flowers we planted at our previous homes are not suitable for the growing conditions here now so it’s hard it feels like letting go of a loved one…the security of the beauty that those familiar plant bring. It also gives me excitement for all the new things I get to try and experiment with to find new loves to mirror this new life we’ve created that’s completely separate then our old life. I’ve actually been able to dive into learning about plants trees and flowers and theres so many I never knew existed and it’s so 3xciting I’m finding new loves everyday I’m learning ways to have things grow in different hardiness zones and I’m learning to love putting my hands in the earth and feeling the joy of creating life from this seeds and roots and bulbs. I love it! Flowering cherry trees, bright and unique flowers and raspberries are some of my favorite things from most of my life but I’m learning to love so many new things after all our loses I’m over by home many thinga I now love. I have learnwd to lean on the beauty of natur3 and the unexpected the Miracles that God brings us through are hard times. The unexpected seems to always be more amazing then the planned. I feel like this applies to the garden and flower farm as well.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    I would save every seed I could from my garden this year as this is my first year as a flower farmer and I have no idea how what things will do well in this unfamiliar landscape and I would want to save any opportunities to cultivate beauty life and food that I could to continue my goals and dreams.

    Thank you all for your dedication hard work love & persistence to your seed projects even through all your trials and hardships. Blessings to you all. I’m so excited for these collections! Praying for blessing and miracle for us all in our gardening trials this year and those to follow!

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  1950. Semaj on

    What a JOY filled article of promise, hope and strength. Having grown up in the Santa Cruz area, I totally relate to the energy of Kori and her brilliant mission. I am now a transplant on the East Coast though like Kori continue that feeling of stewardship and LOVE in my own garden.

    I have never been one to order much from catalogs. I have always been a gatherer of things. I purchase items when I find them or when a plant strikes me, I might take seeds or a cutting when on a walkabout.

    Each year, I save seeds from my 4 O’clocks, Zinnias, Tubers from Dahlias and plenty of seeds from my natives around the property, all to be able to continue the beauty that lies all about me in the season of growing, and to be able to share that seed with others who are looking for some garden LOVE.

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  1951. Lezlie Lawson on

    Dear, dear Erin, once again I am in tears reading your blog. Reading others’ comments on Instagram over the years I’ve followed you, I know I’m not the only one affected this way by your work and the connections you make with others doing the same work FOR the world that you are doing. I’ve often wondered why my emotions come so close to the surface when viewing your work and I think this post with Kori has helped gel what it might be. Of course I’m touched by the beauty of the flowers and the natural world but I think it’s the hope. As an older person, looking at the way the world is changing, I have begun to fear for our humanity. Not our physical survival but the survival of our humanity, our ability to feel the magnificent thrill of connection to living things and human capabilities. The wider you spread your work, the more amazing people like Kori and Alla you introduce us to, the more hopeful I feel. Thank you so much for that. I could go on but I should answer your questions. My plant allies are: sweet peas (yes, my grandmother grew them!), sunflowers (my mother’s favorite – thanks Sunflower Steve!), and last, but not least, Zinnias. When I pick a bouquet of zinnias and take it to a neighbor or a friend, I feel gratitude to be able to share something I love with people I love. And their gratitude in return feels like… exchanging love. Human connection, over the generations and in the now.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear (😩) I would save as many seeds as I possibly could! Zinnias, sweet peas, and sunflowers of course but everything in my garden! Snapdragons, love-in-a-mist, Icelandic poppies, corn cockle, pincushions, tithonia, clematis, dahlias and on and on…
    I love seeing you and people you connect us with, doing what they are meant to be doing in the world. I know it’s not easy following one’s heart, laying your inner self open to the world, but what beautiful things happen when we are brave enough to do it. Thank you Erin and everyone at Floret for being brave. ❤️

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  1952. Heater on

    Ever since I was little I have eagerly anticipated the arrival of colorful seed catalogs in the mail. After spending hours and hours examining the bright photos and reading the descriptions my family would narrow down our list to our favorite selections. We would save seed from things like hollyhocks and scatter them all around the whitewashed stone of the milking parlor. I remember my Grandmother showing my how to make flower dolls with the dancing petticoats and want to pass that along to my grandchildren.

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  1953. Mina Thomson on

    We’re fortunate to have collected some beautiful flower varieties in our garden. One in particular that has been with me for many years is a pink rose that reminds me of my godmother. She loved roses, and when spring and early fall come, our roses bloom abundantly and remind me of her presence. Several other flowers, including zinnia varieties from Floret, also have an emotional significance. My husband loves gardening, and so caring for these flowers together has become a tradition for us laying deeper roots in our marriage and family. In closing, our garden brings us peace, joy, satisfaction and much needed beauty. We always look for new “guests” to join our garden and add to the diversity and beauty of our home. Thank you!

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  1954. Heidi Hays on

    As a newbie growing flowers, herbs and a few veggies in the past three years since finally owning a home with garden space, my happiest times are sitting in my gardens and feeling an almost indescribable joy and peace from sitting amongst the magnificent beauty of these plants. My favorites are cosmos, celosia, amaranth, dahlias and zinnias. I love planting new varieties and saving the seeds from the most colorful flowers. The constant learning and journaling brings me such great joy and sense of well being.

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  1955. Jenn C on

    My go to plant that makes me happy is sunflowers. Over the past two years, I became a zinnia fan but several deer ate the tops off both my sunflowers and zinnias this past year and it made me cry! We currently live on the ocean and I can’t get enough of the rugosa rose and its scent throughout the day. I love to get seeds from Floret. Now in Maine, we use Johnny Seeds and have found perfect growing seasons.

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  1956. Stephanie Galarza on

    My roses always lift my spirits because they are always there like a true friend. Even in the dead of winter I can still rely on their thorny stems to produce buds I can anxiously await upon.

    For seeds, I will always save basil, zinnias, and hollyhocks.

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  1957. Sarah on

    In the hardest times, I look to some of my perennials as examples. Plants like Agastache and Globe Mallow not only thrive in my high desert climate with very hot summers and snowy winters but they attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. They thrive despite difficult conditions and create their own little community of reciprocation. They are dependable and of course quite beautiful and fragrant. Looking at them always lifts my spirits.

    Reply
  1958. Suman on

    I started gardening for the first time last year and the garden was such an incredible source of joy and hope when life seemed shaky, stressful and so many challenges insurmountable. Working with my hands and tending to my baby plants brought me so much peace and joy – two plants in particular filled me with immeasurable happiness: tomatoes and zinnias. I was growing everything for the first time ever and it was just sheer magic to watch seeds germinate and turn into these strong, graceful beings laden with magical, jewel-like fruits and flowers. I can still vividly remember clusters of tomatoes looking like rubies on a string, glinting in afternoon sun while I tried to stay on top of diseases (and hornworms, my nemesis)! Similarly, I remember one gorgeous zinnia plant in a Benary Giant Mix with such incredible, bubblegum pink, double blooms that mesmerized me with it’s sheer vitality! That plant’s flowers made me realize just how much I love the pink, peach and pastel color palette and I can’t wait to grow some of the magical varieties Floret is offering this time. And for me, the two seeds that I’ll forever save will be from tomatoes and zinnias, they were my first loves and I continue to be smitten!

    Reply
  1959. Renee' Carleton on

    Thanks to both of you for an inspiring interview. I wish you much success with this endeavor. My garden allies in difficult times are the flowers my mother grew, Amaryllis, Zinnias, and Black-eyed Susans. I think of her every time I’m in my fields in see them. The seeds I would save are zinnias definitely and then heritage vegetables.

    Reply
  1960. Angel Gladden on

    Daisies are my lifeline plant. They are such a cheery uplifting plant and always bring a smile to my face. I love walking through the garden and seeing them tucked among the veggies.

    Reply
  1961. Kirstin on

    My garden is comprised mostly of hand-me-down plants gifted to me from my mother as well as my local neighbors; it is a patchwork of other’s past obsessions and plants that were gifted to them. I am incredibly grateful for all of my plants; most of my neighbors have a few landscape plants, have a pot with a dying annual, and or grow a veggie or two…my garden is my sanctuary where others can stop by and take a gander and be in awe of what mother nature has to offer with just a little bit of nurturing. Having little resources to change and make my garden truly my own (to be able to pick and choose my obsessions); growing from seeds are the easiest way for me to create something new. I wish I could have a short answer but it is impossible as there isn’t one plant, but the garden as a whole that feeds my soul…I try and save all the flower seeds I can to transform more of my space into flowers for myself and others.

    Reply
  1962. Sara Calvin on

    Zinnias hands down are my steady state flower! They never disappoint and last well into the fall for us. When I’m struggling with roses and keeping floppy flowers upright and bugs of all kinds, I appreciate these little reliable flowers even more.

    Reply
  1963. Megan Wisener on

    Well, I wouldn’t want to live with tulips! They just represent so much. As for a seed though, probably sunflowers!

    Reply
  1964. Linda K. on

    I have been saving seeds for many years. I will continue to save Nigella, Larkspur, Bachelor Buttons, Ammi, Dara, Celosia (I’m very excited about your Celosia!), and many more. I save seed from several varieties of tomatoes and some peppers. I’ve never tried saving Zinnia seeds, but it would be fun to try! I wouldn’t want to be without any of my garden friends!!!

    Reply
  1965. Pia on

    What am inspirational interview, and the zinnias you two produced are truly magical! Thank you!!

    Reply
  1966. Alicia on

    I am newer to growing but I have always loved being outside and wanted a garden. I started with a vegetable garden with a few zinnias and this year I will be planting my first cut flower garden. I know it will be a great place to grow to feel some peace and enjoy the beauty. I would have to say zinnias for both answers. They are so cheerful and beautiful and grow so well. I love them and am so excited to grow these new beautiful varieties this year!!

    Reply
  1967. Hallie on

    When life is hardest for me, herbs and flowers are where I find solace. I wander through my garden pinching the flowers off my lemon basil, cutting the stems of zinnias and bee balm to arrange in simple bundles to place around my home. This winter has been one of the hardest I’ve had in a long time and I’ve found myself flipping through photographs of my zinnia and herb beds from the previous summer. If I had to save seeds it would be the gold medal tomato, seeds from my zinnia beds, and lemon basil.

    Reply
  1968. Christina S on

    Thank you for sharing this amazing story! I am so appreciative of the dedication of plant breeders like you and Kory who bring this amazing beauty to the world!

    Reply
  1969. Lindsay Webster on

    Definitely snowdrops. They come out of the ground at the most unlikely of times and sometimes even shoot through dead hardened leaves. They are delicate and strong and they give me hope every winter.

    Reply
  1970. Wanda Smith on

    Last year I created a 4′ x 10′ zinnia bed, totally from seeds. I was in awe. I’d always had gardens, but never grew too many zinnas. Until a year ago I lived in South Florida and probably never planted at the right time, so they didn’t thrive.
    A year and a half ago I moved to North Florida with a little cooler climate, with better, less sandy soil. So my zinnia bed thrived through the summer. It was awesome! It was right outside my front window so I could watch it all day. I had so many butterflies and hummingbirds. It gave me such joy every day just to walk out and see what was new. I had bought seeds from all over and to my surprise at one point I had that soft pink pastel zinnia. It was absolutely beautiful. I have a hard time not loving every single color but that soft pink was just so special and unique. Anyway, I joined a Facebook group about zinnias and somehow discovered floret and Dawn Creek farms. I think I had purchased seeds from the Dawn Creek fundraiser last year and that’s probably where that pale pink one came from. Unfortunately I didn’t keep very good track of where my seeds came from. I can’t wait for the next growing season and I’m so glad y’all are creating beautiful varieties for us. Looking forward to what’s new and planting all the seeds I’ve purchased for this year which is way too many for that 4×10 bed. So I guess I’m going to have to build another one. Thanks for all your hard work and beautiful flowers!

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  1971. Amy Shearer on

    Flowers have always been my go to when life is hard. Any flower can boost my spirits, but I really love dahlias, snap dragons, roses, ranunculus, …oh the list goes on!

    Reply
  1972. Gabrielle on

    When I lost my mom in 2014, I almost stopped gardening altogether. I was so deeply saddened that I wasn’t sure how I could possibly find joy again. However, when my garden began to bloom with the tulip bulbs and roses that my mom had given me, I could feel that she was still with me. She was an avid gardener for my whole life and I was shocked when that bug hit me, which we found both funny and delightful! There are so many reminders of her, my peonies that we planted when I started dating my husband…the ones that were in bloom when she had picked a beautiful bouquet and had placed on the kitchen table when we brought our first daughter home from the hospital, the zinnias that we always grew together with my kids when they were little like she used to grow with my brother and I when we were little…dahlias, herbs, cosmos, marigolds, snapdragons, foxglove, lily of the valley…I don’t think I could choose just one, as I’m not sure there’s a flower out there that doesn’t have a memory of my mom wrapped up within it’s petals and these gifts continue on…in my children and hopefully theirs. I am completely appreciative and in awe of the work of Kori and Erin and others to create new and preserve varieties for others to enjoy! Hoping to add some of these beautiful zinnias to my garden this year.

    Reply
  1973. Celeste Christensen on

    Sunflowers 🌻 always make me smile. If I’m having a bad day – I look out my window into my front flower bed.

    As for saving seeds – I save hollyhock and bells of Ireland seeds currently. I find by the time I get to saving seeds I’m in a rush to just get my gardens cleaned out before it snows.

    Reply
  1974. Sadie Stoltman on

    I love how sunflowers stand tall and strong, but also how they pursue the light constantly pivoting and turning so the warm rays can touch their face.

    Reply
  1975. Karol Freeze on

    Since I was a child in my grandmothers garden it was clear that plants and gardening gave me life and kept me grounded. It started at a young age with Dahlias (my grandfathers nickname for my grandma) and Bachelor Buttons (for flower crowns and necklaces) and it grew to love any seeds I could get my hands on. Little did I know that those countless hours of playing in the dirt as a child would blossom into a life long passion of growing flowers. Growing flowers is the one thing in life that brings me peace, it’s botanical therapy. My garden is my refuge and where I find peace.

    When I spend countless hours perusing seed catalogs I am reminded of the stacks of them sitting next to my grandmas rocking chair when I was a kid. I think about how much she would love all the amazing varieties available today. The past few years I have been growing and collecting seeds from scabiosa and celosia. My love of scabiosa came from a single packet of a Summer Berry Mix about 6 years ago and I continue to grow, harvest seed heads and share the offspring of those original plants. Each one is a little gift and bloom endlessly.

    It would be a sad day if seed catalogs disappeared, my bookshelves and coffee tables would be empty and winters would be less colorful. But I would continue to grow beautiful flowers from the seed I collect in the garden. I would continue to grow and collect seeds that allow me to play in the dirt to all year long. These would include saving seeds from my poppies, honeywort, scabiosa, bachelor buttons, celosia, zinnias and of course dahlias. I would grow them every year and continue to share my seeds with others.

    Reply
  1976. Dena Iadanza on

    I have struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. The worst part of the yard was always January through May when the days are short, cold, and rainy here in Portland. I started my flower journey 6 years ago and I’ve found that I actually love this time of year now because it represents new beginnings. All of the beautiful plants reemerging from a little nap bring me such hope and joy. I love seeing the growth day in and day out until the tiny buds start to form and the flowers finally begin to open. It reminds me that there’s hope and day by day things change and we all have the opportunity to grow into a better more beautiful version of our selves. It’s so hard to choose favorites for me because I truly love each and every flower I grow in my garden but I think if I had to choose it would be my dahlias first and foremost and the zinnias I grow as well. The both work so hard, producing an abundance of beauty, and stand out as the most beautiful flowers of the bouquets I pick week after week. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to grow some new varieties and try my hand at seed saving and breeding.

    Reply
  1977. Nicholette Taylor on

    The plants I most enjoy from my garden are Italian Elegance. They take me overseas to another land and help me remember that there’s a whole big wide world out there FULL OF BEAUTY AND WONDER! Whenever I traveled around the world I always felt lifted, especially being up in the clouds looking out the plane window, or meeting people from a whole nother place.

    The plants I want to grow alongside forever are pink zinnias. I remember the first time I saw zinnia plants in person, I literally couldn’t believe how amazing they were. I loved how each plant would show over slightly different colors of the beautiful pastel colors I love and adore (I’m not a bright color person). I had to stop and pick one of the zinnias when I saw them (they were at my friend’s place she let me). I was in awe! Thank you for listening to my little story! Sincerely, Nicholette

    Reply
  1978. Maggie on

    Walking through our community garden is always a calming experience….the beauty of its abundance – herbs, flowers, veggies & pollinators always brings joy! There’s nothing quite like the feeling when you drop off donation baskets of fresh produce with a little bouquet tucked to nearby residents who need a little extra!

    We regularly save various annual, perennial & some veg seeds for our own use as well as for a local seed library.
    My forever favourites would be tomatoes, marigolds, cosmos & those hardy native perennials!

    Thanks for the uplifting interview with Kori!

    Reply
  1979. Michele on

    I’ve been growing dahlias for several years and they are the ones I go to when I’m seeking peace and relaxation. I’ve shared my tubers with a number of neighbors and last year one of my neighbors started zinnias from seed and planted them alongside the dahlia tubers I shared with her. After watching your video, I’m very excited to grow some zinnias this year, and plan to attempt saving the seeds.

    Reply
  1980. Jo on

    I’d grow zinnia’s and Dahlia’s because I know I could sustain the growing for years to come.

    Reply
  1981. Skye on

    Such a lovely interview – it really reminds me how interconnected we all are! I feel a deep sense of responsibility for all the plants I grow, but one of my forever favorites is sweet autumn clematis. I love how she climbs, grows, and flourishes. Her flowers and vines give any arrangement a touch of magic that can’t be reproduced. I’m hoping to add 3-4 more to my garden this year along side all of the annuals I grow.

    Reply
  1982. Kathy Phillips on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, the first seeds I’d save are zinnias and cosmos. These were my first flowers when I decided to grow a cut flower garden. I add more each year, but zinnias & cosmos will always be part of the mix. I love the airy feel and fun colors of the cosmos and I love the variety you can find in zinnias, and I really love that they just keep on blooming!

    Reply
  1983. Betsy Flowers on

    I stumbled upon celosia from seeds I bought from Floret a few years ago. Not knowing if I had enough sun and what they would look like if I did. Well, I fell in love with them and started saving the seeds to replant the following year which I did. Unbelievable! I check on the garden each day, but can hardly wait to see what shapes and colors of celosia are waiting on me. Absolutely beautiful!

    Reply
  1984. Sara M on

    Needing an outlet after losing my Dad, I stuck my black thumb in the garden and found temporary relief from roses. After a ton of money and a short amount of time, I quickly killed them all but those few exquisite blooms lit a spark. In my 30 years on this planet I guess I was too busy to see how truly beautiful flowers were. My friend brought me some dahlia tubers and said “maybe I’d have better luck”. That is when my love affair for this beautiful flower has grown into an obsession. My sister unexpectedly passed away 4 short years later and I double downed in my dahlia flower therapy growing as many different varieties as I can. I spend hours out in the garden looking at the different variations in petals, color and size and somehow in those moments, dahlias have healed my heart.

    If I could not get seeds I would cry and then be very grateful for my bee balm, lilacs, and hydrangeas that just show up every year. I would then hope that my saving of seeds for my zinnias, snap dragons and sunflowers would be kind to me and bloom the next season. The colors, cheerfulness and all the beautiful birds and butterflies they bring to my backyard are too important to not have. I’m forever grateful for flowers.

    Reply
  1985. Wendy B. on

    Oh, for sure I would save dahlias and zinnias. My first experience with growing dahlias was in 2020, when everything shut down and we were all stuck at home. My garden was my therapy back then and I would say it still is.

    Reply
  1986. Amber on

    I would save zinnias for sure! Enjoyed the interview!

    Reply
  1987. Alice on

    Ranunculus, sweet peas and cosmos are flowers I cannot live without! I suspect dahlias and zinnias are about to join that list this year…

    Reply
  1988. Amy on

    I think dahlias lift the spirits because of how beautiful they are. Yes, a lot of work, but worth every effort! If seed catalogues disappeared I would want to save zinnia, cosmos, delphinium, snapdragon and sunflower seeds.

    Reply
  1989. Christine Leeseberg on

    When seeking balance in my life, I find solace in strolling amidst my garden blooms. Dahlias, peonies, zinnias, daisies, and ranunculus hold a special allure for me. My grandmother cultivated an exquisite garden, and if anything evokes memories of her, it’s the splendid blooms within my garden. While the list of floral varieties is extensive, the act of immersing myself in their beauty aids in instilling a sense of calm.
    I would choose to preserve my zinnia seeds as a timeless keepsake. Among all flowers, zinnias stand out as resilient fighters, persistently blooming to radiate happiness for anyone who takes a moment to pause and appreciate.

    Reply
  1990. Jennifer Pinkerton on

    I have only recently began growing flowers for cutting and it was a bit by accident. I picked up dahlias at a local shop and planted them without any knowledge or background. As they grew the first season and returned the second I began learning more about them as they provided an abundence of cuttings for our home. I am now really excited to grow more varieties this year for myself, family, and neighbors.

    Reply
  1991. Anna Vaughan on

    Working in open heart surgery holds conflicting truths. It is both extremely rewarding and exhaustingly horrible. Dahlias led me out of a darkness I’ve never known during Covid. The hospital hallways were filled with people, and the hospital had to rent multiple refrigerator trucks for well, morbidity. Awful. Dahlias gave me both a personal sanctuary and expression of love to offer others, which made the summer/fall thrive with excitement. I will save dahlia seeds for the rest of my life to help me get through the winter months, to help bring those new little babies to life, and see what kind of joy they can bring others in times of need. 🌿

    Reply
  1992. Mickie Murphy on

    These questions are difficult because we moved to a place that required much work so I waited to get my gardens in so that I wouldn’t destroy my work with construction. But I filled my deck with potted English roses so I could surround myself with their blooms. Before I could work on gardens in 2023 I was in a terrible car accident putting me in hospital for about 4 months. My plans for making a grass pasture into wildflowers and building gardens was put on hold. Meanwhile my husband sent photos of my blooming roses to my phone. My plans for wildflowers, agastache, zinnia, rudbeckia, salvia, to accompany my roses in the ground, were put on hold until I can figure out how to get back in the dirt this spring!

    Reply
  1993. Megan on

    This was such a wonderful, heartfelt interview. Watching Kori see her seeds planted on a large scale in “Let Me Introduce You…” was so moving and emotional. Thanks to Kori for all of her work on these seeds and for sharing about the stunning spiritual connection she has to plant relatives. I’m going to be thinking about this interview for a long time.

    My plant allies seem to change depending on what is happening in my life, which makes sense. Last growing season it was absolutely Rudbeckia Triloba grown from seed indoors in winter and transplanted out in May. In October I left the frozen plants in their beds for winter seed and habitat for animals, and they are still tall and so beautiful and joyful even in their dried and decaying state. A snowshoe hare spends a lot of time tucked in their base stems, and their seed heads sparkle in the golden hour light even in the winter. I too am in a time of physical healing and going out in the snow to purposefully meet with these plants has been medicinal.

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  1994. Cindy Thompson on

    I can’t pick! Celosia, Zinnias milkweed, I feel the happiest when I’m also feeding the butterflies and bees. I have changed to less vegetables and more flowers! I don’t need 30 tomato plants!

    Reply
  1995. Shelley Winship on

    I have a favorite Italian prune plum tree that I will go sit with, in all seasons, in good times and bad. It looks like a Van Gogh painting. A bear uprooted it last year, and while I managed to get it propped upright again, I don’t think it is surviving the winter. I am so sad to be losing this special friend of 20 years.

    Reply
  1996. Sherry Mirakian on

    Winter, when the sky’s are continually gray, is often a time when my spirit longs for cheer. At this time the plants that simply amaze me are my hellebores. This year we had a snow and their little blooms were popping out of the snow, rugged, yet delicate, filled with beauty. Hellebores are evergreen, so when nothing else is growing their leaves, with many varieties remind me that God blesses us in every season! In the spring and summer, I love getting up early, to run out to my gardens and see what beauties are saying hello to the sun. But what about the winter? I get joy from observing my hellebore blooms poke from the center of the evergreen leaves. Then, day by day, the glorious flower rises taller and opens it’s sepals showing a very unusual center of nectaries and anthers. When the hellebores are cut and properly treated, I bring them in, arrange them. and enjoy their beauty for a very long time. Properly treated, hellebores last over two weeks in the vase, so they make me happy when they greet me each winter morning. At a time when, my garden is barren of gifts for my loved ones, the hellebore plants I grow provide such unique loveliness to share with others! Giving is a spirit lifter, so thank you dear hellebores for providing me with winter joy to share!

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  1997. Logan S. on

    Losing access to seed catalogs would be devastating, especially with so many variables and challenges we already face season to season in the garden. I would save seed from every plant especially those for food and medicine to help meet obvious needs. I would also save the flowers to meet visual needs. There is something about waking each morning and looking at the beauty of flowers that really makes each day special and puts a smile on my face. I want to grow with all the flowers and maybe some day will be able to cultivate something special and inspiring like the Floret Originals.

    Reply
  1998. Erica Jensen on

    It’s hard to choose just one flower because it’s like only having only one color on a palette you are using to create art. Being able to grow and build cut flower bouquets to give away feeds my soul. I love using a palette of Dahlias, zinnias, strawflowers, yarrow and other sweet smelling herbs in my creations. Giving them away brings automatic joy and hope to the receiver.

    Reply
  1999. Helen Kosmopoulos on

    Truthfully the past few yrs I have fallen more in love with zinnia, dahlia and sunflowers. The breeding of all these varieties has made them such an amazing addition for gardeners…such a beautiful variety and mix of all 3 of these.

    And a field full of pollinators, hummingbirds,
    Buzzing around what’s not to love…

    Reply
  2000. Susan on

    I find comfort in my Zinnias, Geraniums and all my herbs. The flowers remind me of my mom and the herbs bring me joy in my cooking, another passion of mine.

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  2001. Kelly on

    Great question. Dahlias! They are dependable and always an anchoring, bright spot in the garden no matter what the day has thrown at you.

    Reply
  2002. Jennifer Richardson on

    The sweet ruffles and delicate petals of Cosmos always lift my spirits. Seeing them bloom and white and pale pink, and wave gently in the breeze is so calming and peaceful. Even now the image evokes summer for me.

    Reply
  2003. Mary Thew on

    What a difficult decision! I think I would save sunflowers, lisianthus, dahlias, yarrow, and pansies and violas in the darling antique shades.

    Sunflowers, hibiscus and plumeria have always been my go to flowers to grow and working outside with them were the things that helped when life feels hard. I recently moved to the PNW so last year was my first for growing dahlias and Lisianthus. Now those are my new go-to. 🩷🩷🩷

    Reply
  2004. Rachael Sartor on

    I always plant a second round of zinnias at the beginning of July here in Central Texas. Despite the intense heat and drought of the summer, they grow and bloom in time for the incredible butterfly migration we experience here. Those early Fall blooms are a magnet for the butterflies and my garden becomes a magical place that brings me peace and hope after a grueling summer.

    Reply
  2005. Emily Hagen on

    Peonies have always been my spiritual buoy.

    Despite how fleeting they are, or maybe because of that, they have always reminded me to appreciate the moment I’m in. They are like pompoms in their shape, bold and bright, cheering me on from the bunch cut and placed in a simple vase on my coffee table. When they are there I can’t help but look at them every time I walk by — they catch my eye and are meant to be adored. With every glance I am lifted and grounded all at once. And after a few weeks, they are gone. But I don’t worry, but I know they will always come back next year.

    xo Emily

    Reply
  2006. Allison T. on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? I love to save seeds but would be sure to save Zinnias, celosia, dahlias, sunflowers, dill, verbena, echinacea, sweet pea, my favorite tomatoes, bee balm, hellebore, and lettuce
    What plants do you want to grow alongside forever? Honestly, zinnias are my absolute favorites and always have been. They are just cheap and cheerful (and so easy to grow).

    Reply
  2007. Kaily on

    When life gets hard..one of the first things I do is go outside and look at the beautiful flowers that are alive and breathing. While looking deep into all the little tiny florets and details that make up the blooms helps me to slow down and breathe. Our creator says “Consider the lilies how they grow, they neither toil nor spin. If God clothes the grass, which is alive today how much more will He clothe you.” Stopping for a minute and looking at the beauty helps me to think on that and eases my worries and anxieties.

    Reply
  2008. Corrina on

    What a lovely story. I save seeds from all my flowers I grow which currently are Dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds and daylilies. I am a single mom of a adult son with developmental disabilities. My garden brings me a recharge, a breath of fresh air and let’s me de-stress and recharge to to continue the day. It brings some peace and quiet that is sometimes needed when you are a caregiver of disabled. I wouldn’t give it up for the world

    Reply
  2009. Melanie Woitas on

    I would definitely save the ranunculus corms. I live in Alberta Canada – and was so happy to finally have success with these beauties. I can’t even imagine a garden without planting a few!

    Reply
  2010. Kathy Cox on

    I love saving seeds for our non profit farm. I save everything! We have a Marigold that is probably one of my favorites, but to pick just some, I couldn’t do it. I have mostly grown vegetables but I’m adding a cut flower, prayer garden so that people in the community can realign back into creation and enjoy the beauty that has been given to us. We will be using the flower gardens to further educate people on saving seeds.
    It’s exciting to educate the community on how they don’t have to rely on someone else for their future enjoyment and peace.

    Reply
  2011. Vickie Morgan on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save zinnias, larkspur, marigolds and calendula. I already let the larkspur reseed itself throughout my vegetable garden which some friends think is rather strange but when they are tall and in full bloom the garden looks like a patch of prairie and if the surrounding veggies need more space I simply pull up some of the larkspur to make more room. Zinnias are magical flowers and I cannot imagine growing a garden without their incredible energy, color and abundance. I love them!

    Reply
  2012. Barb Fraser’s on

    I definitely drift towards dahlias, zinnias and sunflowers to brighten my day when the world feels a bit stressful. Through the pandemic and after, being able to walk outside amongst these cheerful flowers has been a lifesaver!

    Reply
  2013. Heather sandison on

    It’s hard to pick. This time of year, EVERYTHING, because even here in 10a, winter feels long haha. But probably dahlias. They are otherworldly to me.

    As for #2, I started last year with strawflower, Scabiosa & ammi, and I tend to save even more this year- so in short, everything as well haha

    Reply
  2014. Adreanna Dollman on

    I have a little ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple tree in a hanging basket on my deck (only 2 seasons old, so maybe time to upgrade out of its one gallon pot) & I have named him Baby Dave in tribute to my dad, who I lost tragically in 2021 at only 66; this little tree is tough like my dad & has thrived despite having a big wound on his trunk when I bought him on clearance & his few beautifully colour changing leaves have flourished into a few happy & curvy branches. This little tree makes me smile every time I pop out onto our sunny deck.

    I have saved sweet pea & nasturtium seeds for years & would definitely save them if there were suddenly no seed catalogues, as they are so varied (in leaf & bloom colour varigations) & resilient. My grandma loved to grow nasturtiums & I love their seeds’ funky bumpy seed shape & texture, & their little round leaf sprouts popping up out of the soil, always bring me such joy.

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  2015. Karen Galbraith on

    Lovely colours and I so enjoying reading about your work. Zinnias are so versatile and I love that they are so hardy. Keep it going.

    Reply
  2016. Mary on

    Seed catalogs are my January morning reading while I prepare for my day. The late sunrise and cloudy weather are somewhat hard to find inspiration and motivation in. The carrot of exploring new varieties give me hope that this season will soon come to an end. I have saved seeds for most of my gardening life and will continue as long as I garden. I will always have seeds from my favorite flowers and vegetables. I get the most joy from all the unexpected surprises my dahlia seeds give me. I will forever keep saving dahlia seeds. This year especially because I have traded seeds with friends.

    Reply
  2017. Rachel on

    Lupine, columbine, foxglove, and zinnias are my go to flowers that just make my spirit sing. Whether it’s been a challenge time in my life or I need a little boost during the day, these are flowers that I have such a connection with and feel like friends I can turn to.

    If seed catalogs disappeared (heaven forbid!) I’d save anything and everything I can! I’m an obsessive seed saver already, but I definitely save the flowers listed above but I’d add dahlias, rudbeckia, calendula, delphinium, and zinnias.

    Thanks for this beautiful interview, it’s inspiring me to continue on my own seed saving and breeding journey.

    Reply
  2018. Penny Griffith on

    After losing my mom to cancer at age 10, I would take some rogue chrysanthemums she had planted and transplant it back into a remote corner of my parents home, where we would bury pet goldfish and hamsters in a little “pet cemetery “.
    This is where I would tend to its growth with water and kind words pleading for its return after the harsh winter and it never failed me!!

    Disc flowers are forever the flowers from my childhood that I cannot shake from when selecting seeds for the garden: daisies, black eyed Susan’s, and coneflower were perennials I could count on to always return to me!

    Zinnias have utterly surprised me with how easily their seeds sow and prolific they are as flowering plants…
    These need shades of pastels remind me of the way my chrysanthemums looked from my childhood in the 60’s and I cannot wait to add them to my garden!!!

    Reply
  2019. Katherine Fahling on

    Zinnias will always have a special place in my heart. We are a military family and move quite frequently. It always seems like a miracle that wherever we go, I can grow them. I like to think that having zinnias growing every year gives my kids a sense of rhythm and normalcy even if we are in a new home or neighborhood.

    Thank you for the beautiful work you guys do🤍

    Reply
  2020. Emily on

    My go to for joy and beauty is anything with bold colors that span the rainbow. So zinnias and snap dragons are both in my “always have on hand” category. So to answer both questions, I would would save those seeds! (I already have been!)

    Reply
  2021. Liesel Lund on

    Plants in all types of ecosystems fascinate me. The variety and adaptations to their locations is so interesting. What sustains me locally are the all the flowers and shade plants I put in and around the little pond garden I created. At the entrance to the garden are zinnias, gerbera daisies, and echinacea. A wide variety of grasses lead your way into the intimate garden and on the other side are heuchera, painted and maidenhair ferns in the shade of a mature rhododendron. Around the perimeter are several Japanese maples. Outside this garden is a large open planting area for the cut flower garden. This is my “bring the garden inside” garden- a source for magical bouquets which I also use as subjects for my impressionistic oil paintings. Flowers and landscapes being my two favorite subjects and they both sell well. Whether I’m sitting in the garden among the beauties, out tending to them, arranging them, or painting them, flowers are such an uplifting experience and I can’t imagine a world without them. I am having a hard time choosing one plant to save – I adore the variety as each enriches the experience of another by providing beautiful contrast in shapes, sizes and where they can thrive. Living in the Pacific Northwest we are graced with being able to grow such a variety- and each month as the garden blooms I think, “That’s my favorite!”, and then the calendar turns and there flower that steals the show.

    Reply
  2022. Amy Francis on

    Astilbes are the plants I find myself most grateful for. They are both beautiful and hardy; reliable friends. I am drawn to perennials in general as I am a slow planner of our landscaping and they allow me to put a base down for future embellishments. We have many different plants from roses and peonies to echinaceas and phlox but I’m always looking for another place for astilbes.. and perhaps foxgloves.

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  2023. Launa on

    I’ve started saving seeds from my small New England garden at the end of 2020 and have enjoyed the process.
    This year my hope is to grow and save as many flower varieties as possible. In the past I’ve saved cosmos, Columbine and poppy seeds from my garden. This year I’d like to try saving Zinnia and maybe even Dahlia seeds from certain varieties.
    Plants I want to grow alongside forever include roses, peonies, clematis, zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, columbine, penstemon and coneflowers.

    Reply
  2024. Jo Lengacher on

    Cosmos, crested celosia and zinnias have been a part of our garden as long as we’ve planted. They go at the end of every row of corn. Last fall, we expanded for my daughter’s on-site wedding so dahlias & plume celosia are on my “every year” list now. I have always saved seeds but only in a grab bag type of saving. Perhaps this is the time to label and see where things go!

    Reply
  2025. Cathy Strzempka on

    We’ve been in our home for 31 years, and when I first started gardening I had 4 small children, we added 3 more in this house, and gardening was my one indulgence, since I could be outside with the kids. We didn’t have a lot of money, so of course seeds were the way I went; I bought a packet of Martha Stewart Black Columbine, because we had a white fence and I loved the way dark colors played against it. They have self sown across my suburban yard ever since, and somehow, have cross bred thru the years to include deep pinks now, still cropping up every year in new places! I have collected the seeds and shared with my now adult children who live across the country, and I marvel at the longevity of that single seed packet!

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  2026. Christina on

    I’m drawn to a variety of different flowers, it depends on what’s blooming. My favourites are peonies, roses, dahlias and zinnias.
    I save my own seed currently from zinnias, cosmos, calendula etc but would love to save seed from dahlias and save a larger quantity of seed.

    Reply
  2027. Rosie S. on

    If seed catalogs were no longer available I would save every seed I could. I do try to save as many as I can, especially from my tried and true heirlooms. I want to grow with my heirloom varieties; they have such an enduring legacy and have been relied on for generation after generation and will continue to do so for future gardeners.

    Reply
  2028. Nhu Luong on

    I always turn to roses; despite minimal effort sometimes due to life being busy they continually grow and bloom beautifully. I would save my Dawns Creek zinnias which I attempted to do past year. Hopefully I did it correctly and they grow!

    Reply
  2029. Gary Bailey on

    I have found a new appreciation for Hollyhocks and Lobelia. With long lasting displays and upright growth that can push way up they really give me something to look forward to when walking around our property here in North Carolina. The amount of color they produce really raise my spirits and just help me forget a bad day.

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  2030. Katie Simonitch on

    If seed books disappeared I’d save my zinnia seeds! I can’t get enough of them. I love to go out and see their cheerful faces – it immediately brings me joy.

    Reply
  2031. Rachel on

    Celosia and snapdragons kept going in the heat, torrential rain, and heavy clay of my city garden last year, and every time I saw a new bloom it felt like a miracle.

    I’d save dahlias and zinnias for cutting, and morning glories to make everything more beautiful

    Reply
  2032. Shelly on

    By no means am I a great gardener. For the last 15 plus years, I have tried, and failed so many plants. The soil is clay and shale. For over half of my time growing a garden, I have had Multiple Sclerosis, meaning my energy and time in the heat are limited. It would be great to write that my go to plant would maybe be some exotic beauty, but it is in fact the pea. I love the way the little tendrils grow up, up, up. I love to eat them right there in the garden, in the sun. It sparks pure happiness!

    Reply
  2033. Dana Williams on

    I have been growing Zinnias and Dahlias for the last three years. Seeing their flowers always makes me happy and grounds me. I hope to continue to increase my production each year with more varieties.

    Reply
  2034. Cait on

    I have a special relationship with my Maximilian sunflower. I live in a city and replaced my front lawn with (mostly) native plants in 2020. I planned out much of the garden meticulously, but impulse bought a Maximilian sunflower without researching it. The tag said it would only grow to 6 inches and it quickly grew to 5 feet in a single season.

    I transplanted it the following spring from the front of the garden to the center. What I thought was a last minute small addition turned out to be the star of the garden. It is a constant reminder that life has many happy surprises in store.

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  2035. Kim Cole on

    Zinnias!!!! They are my love language💖 I love to grow & share with my family, friends & neighbors! They brighten my spirits and make my heart pitter patter!

    Zinnias!!!! I have tried saving seeds in the past with very little success, but I’m still trying!

    Reply
  2036. Claire Tarlson on

    I would save my cosmos seed… I’ve got several cupcake varietals in pinks and whites that have begun volunteering in my yard and I hope that this is the year I begin a more structured seed saving practice!

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  2037. Ashley Patton on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save all of my Zinnia seeds so that I would never be without these magical flowers.

    Reply
  2038. Margaret on

    The daily toils of life are more enjoyable when I tend to my plants indoors and outdoors. The twice weekly ritual of tending to; watering, sprucing up and talking to my beauties is my therapy. I enjoy engaging my grandchildren in this process. I look forward to growing new varieties of seeds under grow lights and on my window sills, and adding more roses to my garden beds and companion plants, like zinnias. The fascinating interview w Kori Hargreaves has inspired me to look at my plants differently. I’ll be harvesting my dried zinnia heads and rose hips this year!

    Reply
  2039. Kathy Kneller Arcangeli on

    Dahlias have always been my go to , whether it was the loss of someone, sickness or just the overload of life in general , I hope Kori has a healthy future ahead ! Her flowers are beautiful. Thanks for sharing her story !

    Reply
  2040. Karri on

    It’s hard to choose, Evening scented stock reminds me so much of my grandmother as she always planted and introduced me to it.. it’s intoxicating scent at the end of the day when the evening cools down. I also love sweet peas as they were her favourite flower, we would always pick a little bouquet for the teachers in June. I would most definitely save seed from sweet peas.

    Reply
  2041. Chris Caputo on

    I’ve been a teacher for 30 years and will be retiring this year and beginning a new career as a flower grower! One of my favorite seeds and plants are marigolds. They are sturdy, quick growing, and are like a burst of sunshine. I love growing them with my students in our kids’ Garden Club. Marigolds have cultural significance for my Latinx students and create a bridge between students’ traditions. Through Garden Club, I’m creating some lifelong gardeners and that fills my heart with hope and joy.

    Reply
  2042. Taylor L on

    Whenever I am overwhelmed and needing to be grounded and brought back to the present—I find myself always going to the garden. To sit, to take in the sounds, to envelop myself in this beautiful creation. One of the plants that always gives me a sense of presence is cilantro—although not a common cut flower (I still use it as such). The busyness of the insects on this seemingly insignificant plant captivates me every time, drawing me close to the here and now.

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  2043. Janet Bitter on

    I’m definitely a zinnia girl! It amazes me when friends see my little flower bed in front of my house that they are drawn to the cacophony of colors and forms of the zinnias! They don’t believe me when I tell them that zinnias practically grow themselves! I will always grow zinnias.

    No seed catalogs? Besides zinnias I’d save sunflower seeds, and snapdragons for sure.

    Reply
  2044. Nancy Ratterree on

    Flowers are so calming in a very turbulent world. If seed catalogs disappeared I would have to save my zinnia seeds and my sunflower seeds as they bring me great joy. Both zinnias and sunflowers are easy to grow making them especially wonderful to share with others and introduce flower gardening to my grandchildren!

    Reply
  2045. Nancy Wynne on

    I would save Zinnias and dahlias. Such unabashed, eager, riotous flowers. Collecting and sharing their seeds is easy and sharing would bring color to others. It is impossible not to smile when seeing these two in their full glory.

    Reply
  2046. Logan Stoltman on

    When life is challenging I go to my secret garden and get my hands in some dirt. There are two flowers that I am really drawn to. The first are my spring daffodils, which lay hidden for most of the year toiling and prospering unseen during the bleakest time of year. When the first robin song is heard in spring they burst forth and put on the most exuberant display of color and new life trumpeting to the rest of the garden to come alive. The second are my zinnias. Theses hardy plants thrive in the sweltering heat of summer and crank out bloom after bloom till frost. I love the constant buzz of excitement the pollinators have with them as they rush about to complete their busy task of visiting each bloom.

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  2047. Shannon O'Brien on

    Zinnia were my first success in the garden and the flower that never disappoints. So those are the seeds I’d save and choose to grow with forever :)

    Reply
  2048. Laura on

    If seed catalogues disappeared, I’d save zinnias cosmos, dahlias, and amarath. Well, honestly I’d turn full blown squirrel and rascal all the seeds away.

    Reply
  2049. Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez Ph.D on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    African Marigolds have become my spirit flower. Through my rdissertation research I have chosen to work with flowers on floating platforms to helo clean water, a lot like you might see on a hydroponic farm, but these are directly in water. So far African Marigolds have performed the best and have continued to show me the depths of their souls. The more I learn about marigolds the more I see them integrated in some of the most important milestones of our lives, hundreds of them at weddings, thousands of them for the day of the dead. I continue to experiment, and though some other varieties are beginning to show promise, marigolds are consistently reliable. The more I work with it the more I revere it. In case anyone would like to learn more check out this article https://news.fiu.edu/2021/growing-our-way-out-of-nutrient-problems-on-our-waterways

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    Well first of all, I would still have stacks and stacks of catalogue to oogle at because I keep ALL of them! But being from tropical Miami there are many special varieties of seed that grow well here I would make sure to protect and save. Passionfruit, butterfly pea, purple sweet potato, honey mango, chaya spinach, aji peppers, and black cherry tomatos to name a few! And most certainly ZINNIA! Zinnias are one of the easiest most reliable flowers to grow here and I am so excited and grateful that so mamy others have dedicated their time to creating these beautiful varieties. I cannot wait to grow them!

    Reply
  2050. Mindy Hefty on

    With four children ages 8-13, life seems to be the hardest, in winter, when ice days pop up and hold them (and me) hostage inside. Hellebores are blooming through the desolate grey and white landscape. I smile and feel relieved that something so beautiful can come when so much else can’t handle the cold conditions. Then, perhaps I can hold on too.

    Additionally, rock roses are my solace when the pendulum swings the other direction, and we are held hostage not only by the 110-degrees, but also by the mental and physical exhaustion those temps bring. Rock roses were endless seed fountains for me this year, and they bloomed through the entire desolate, seering summer here in North Texas. I collected so many and share them with alleyways and trash areas down our alley, as well as seeded my most desolate areas with them too. I would stockpile these if seed catalogs disappeared.

    I bought into the dahlia phenom this past year with no success, but I’m am anxious to replace that zeal with zinnias throughout my garden and also use them at the school where I help with garden and grounds. The few zinnias (Bernary giants sp?) that were aimlessly scattered by children were so successful that I felt silly for not using them myself last year. I am beyond excited for Dawn Creek and Floret’s zinnias to fill my gardens this year! Thank you.

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  2051. Jann Skelton on

    I’d keep my zinnia’s, all day long every day. Those blooms = joy!!

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  2052. Sue Pettit on

    I would say my first instinct is to go to my roses and during the lilly season I gravitate towards those. i do a daily garden walk-when I can get to my garden (winter can be challenging!)

    Oh gosh-this is a hard question-Sunflowers come to my mind since they are a staple in my yard and bring such beauty to the end of the season as well as through the winter feeding the birds. I currently save those seeds to keep for the next season.

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  2053. Lisa Blansett on

    Day lilies and zinnias are my go to!! Both are stunning and so very reliable!

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  2054. Karen Becker on

    I’m starting my 3rd season of flower farming, and my flowers have been such an important part of my life. My first year was one of amazing astonishment to think that I grew all these beautiful flowers. It helped heal a part of my soul … I lost my son in 2014 and the journey to flower farming took a few years but oh how it has changed my life. And little did I know that having my flowers to go to would help me once again when I lost my beloved pug Coco and 5 days later my sweet Mama. My Zinnias, my Snaps, my Sweet Peas…those especially and so many more. I can’t wait to see what beautiful Zinnias I can add this year❤️

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  2055. Carrie Parrish on

    Hydrangeas and Zinnias always bouy my spirits. The hydrangea petals are so delicate and I love the color changes dependent on soil. And Zinnias are so colorful and beautiful. They always make my heart smile.

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  2056. Kimberly Meyer on

    I help collectively manage a farm in Houston with women refugees from Congo and Rwanda. We began integrating cut flowers two years ago, including Floret and Dawn Creek zinnias. The women also contributed sunflowers from their homeland. For these women, who have experienced unimaginable trauma, and for all of us who work together with them, the flowers and the vegetables from so much peace and joy.

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  2057. Karina on

    I’m new to gardening. I’ve decided to try my hand at flowers in honor of my grandmother, who passed away on Wednesday, January 31. I’m attached to the memories of all the flowers that grew in her garden, daisies, tulips, Zinnia and many others. My favorites have always been the Zinnias, which are associated with wonderful memories of summers spent gardening with my grandmother. She would have loved all the beautiful flowers you offer.

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  2058. Alysse H on

    I happen to have some vegetable seeds saved although I am new to saving seeds. I have pumpkin, tomatoe, sunflower seeds saved.
    I really fell in love with sunflowers this last year. Our neighbor Mr. Rory gave some seeds to my daughter and we planted them. It was so sweet so I hope to keep planting those sunflower seeds to remind me of our neighbor.
    I am still working on dahlias and would love to have them in my garden forever!

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  2059. Jacqueline on

    I would save my seeds from my Dinner plate Thomas Edison dahlias. They are my light and my sunshine! With all our cold dreary winters here in the northeast I cherish and look forward to the months I can dig deep and start the holes of JOY! I thank God for all of these beautiful creations and hold them in a special place on my heart. Each and every petal are wonders. Even though my garden is small it is truly my happy place and my kids can find me admiring all the new blooms with a smile on my face from cheek to cheek!

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  2060. Sueze on

    Right now I am going through breast cancer treatments. Because of that, I am so looking forward to planting my zinnias this spring. That will bring new life and color into my world. I have been saving all kinds of flower seeds for the past few years. I bought some of your zinnia seeds a few years ago and they still live on here in my flowers patches. My friends receive flower seeds that I have gathered with the hope it brings as much joy to them as it does to me. This past year I saved zinnia, columbine, coreopsis, dahlia, phlox, rudbeckia, cosmos, nigella to just name a few. One of my favorite things to do is walk our fields and find unusual wildflowers that have popped up. I then keep an eye on them for when they are ready to gather seed so I can spread them to other areas in our fields.

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  2061. Wury Glende on

    i absolutely have the same feelings as kori but with my sweet peas. they grow so easily every year for me and i just love their scent, their form, shape, and varieties of colors!

    i want to always save seed of my sweet peas. they are so fun to harvest and the way they pop out of their dry shells.

    Reply
  2062. Jami Fairleigh on

    Of all my garden plants, columbine is my favorite. The sturdy little blue-green foliage pops up in my yard in the hard-scrabble places no other plant wants. The blooms appear like magic; delicate fairies dancing in the wind. But despite their fragile appearance, they hold up and deliver buckets of nectar to our local flock of ravenous hummingbirds. Columbines are persistent. They believe in themselves. They make their art despite no one asking them to. And in the depths of January, before any other plants poke up their heads, I can pull back the soil detritus and find columbine gathering its strength and preparing to leap.

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  2063. Lisa Marie on

    I have long claimed the humble dandelion as my favorite flower! When my 4 kids were little it was always a contest to see who spotted the first dandelion heralding the coming spring. Of course a mother’s heart always swells when gifted with a bouquet of dandelions clutched in a grubby fist. No one every got cranky if a child picked dandelions from their lawn while out on a walk. I admire dandelions resilience, growing in a crack in the asphalt, or in a pristine lawn, they lift their cheerful faces to the sun no matter what life and herbicides throws at them.

    If I had to save seeds from my garden it would be Zinnias. Easy peasy to grow, easily saved, and generous with their blooms!

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  2064. Flo Torres on

    Every morning after coffee I got outside and start my day in my garden. Looking at my roses, cottage garden and all my plants in my backyard. For the past 7 years I have found peace in my garden. I am excited with the process of creating a space I can share with others and hopefully inspire them to do the same. Roses, zinnias and celiosa are my all time favorite flowers. This is why I am so excited about this collection. I live in north Texas and all of these do amazing in my climate. I can’t wait for you guys to do more work with roses….but zinnias are my choice of flower that I will choose to continue to grow from my own seeds. I will treasure them for a long time!

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  2065. Mallory Troyer on

    Before seeds saving, I would first save my dahlia tubers! I’d definitely let my herbs go to seed to save those as well, and peas would be high on my list. I also love poppies, larkspur and toadflax and those seeds are so easy to save!

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  2066. Renae Fish on

    I love sweet peas, dahlias, and roses. Once they start blooming I make a bouquet for my desk at work each week. The flowers just make me smile, no matter how exhausting my students are that day and remind me I get to play in the dirt when I get home.

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  2067. Rebecca Lynn Ryan on

    I seem to associate certain flowers with both people and literal seasons in my life. Preparing for my flower garden is also preparing my heart for the upcoming deployment. When I plan my seeds, I think of which of my children is best suited to tend to their one specific flower. The tending is a process- a routine- one that is needed in our household that brings light when some days feel heavy.
    When I smell my soil or sit in the sun, it’s a recharge. My property feels like a part of me.

    I would save my hollihocks from last year (I did- we will see if I was successful!) They surprised me over and over with different colors, from different parent plants! It fascinated me. They grew wild – in places they really did not belong- but I loved them! I will always associate them with our little farmhouse.
    I would love to save delicate heirloom florals, but also heirloom squash and tomato. The different variations remind me of a beautiful color catalog.

    Reply
  2068. Betsy Keith on

    My Annabelle hydrangeas are a source of joy to me because of their resistance to the vagaries of weather in Georgia. They have survived the “100 year freeze”, late season freezes, and extreme heat when my macrophylla hydrangeas failed to bloom. Growing zinnias from seed was my first gardening experience years ago and I still love cutting them for bouquets for my home as well as for giving to others. Their cherry faces greet me as I look out on my back yard garden while having coffee first thing in the morning.

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  2069. Sheila on

    I am the guilty gardener that loves too many flowers in to small of a space.
    If I must pick only one seed to keep, I’d have to keep zinnias. It is the only repeat bloomer that really thrives in our Kentucky heat. They are also just so cute and varied that you don’t get bored.
    The cut flower garden is where you can get lost for hours. It also is multi-faceted- you can work off frustration by weeding, you can daydream by lounging by beautiful blooms, and you can feel accomplished when you harvest. I can’t imagine summers without one.
    I only wish I could grow delphinium in our short springtime.

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  2070. Cheryl Bertolini on

    My garden brings me peace the place I go to relax and watch the bees on the flowers its a magical place. I would save my beloved zinnias I have been growing them since I started growing vegetables and flowers, I would also save my yarrow seeds, vegetables I would save tomatoes, lettuce and cucumbers. I grew flowers from you last year for the first time and loved them Bells of Ireland and Chocolate Lace flowers and will be growing them again this year.I tried growing bees friend and love in a mist but they did not grow:( I will try again this year.

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  2071. John on

    I love all the plants in the garden of our house, where my girlfriend grows more flowers than any other plant. She is obsessed with floret and now I am part of the furor that this causes and without a doubt she and the garden make me feel safe and grateful, never before. I thought about what seeds you could save if the stores closed but they would definitely be a couple of zinnias and red and purple amaranths

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  2072. Jade on

    As I’ve started growing plants around my home, I’ve tried to save seeds from anything I can. It’s all new plants to grow! I have a wildflower patch for my one bee hive and I make sure to harvest seeds from every thing I can to add back to the seed mix we get. That would probably be the most important thing if I could longer buy seeds. But if there is an extra special flower that year I save seed to plant in my cut flower garden. This year a saved a few dahlia and zinnia seeds – so excited to see how they turn out

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  2073. Evelyn McHugh on

    If seed catalogs disappeared i would save every seed i could get my hands on. The one most cherished are cosmos. They are so light and airy. As they are caught by a breeze, it’s like they are so full of life that they want to share with everyone that sees them.

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  2074. Karla Santoro on

    I love these words of Kori’s, “I quite literally feel certain flowers and qualities singing inside my body and am drawn deep down to follow those songs.” I feel I can admit openly here that I feel the flowers chat with me–letting me know who would like to be picked/saved. And it’s hard to not choose all the seeds because some feel left out. There–I said it. LOL I’ve had a personification lean since childhood; becoming an adult has not dampened it at all. For this I am grateful.

    I loved the story about the peach zinnia Kori lost and found again. It made my heart sing. There were a few stupendous zinnias from Erin’s Salmon pack; I’d planted a few extra plants at my dad’s. It was amazing to me that he wanted to save seeds from a certain bloom–and it was the exact color that had drawn me in. So we have seeds from those particular blooms ready to plant.

    When challenges come, zinnias are always the plant I need to sit with, gaze at, to touch. There is such a variety, seeing an exquisite bloom makes me gasp and feel warm all over. I have two circle zinnia only gardens. It’s hard for me to cut the flowers!

    Calendula are another absolute favorite–with their gasp worthy flowers. I harvest these to make soap and salve. Cosmos are another that can take my breath away.

    Two paper grocery bags are in my seed room–filled with zinnia seeds I’ve saved. I love to let them pour from my hands as Kori did in the documentary. Calendula seeds are the next one I save a lot of. I saved many other seeds from my gardens, they just fill envelopes or lunch bags. lol Black-eyed Susans, lupines, cosmos, lavender, coneflowers, and gaillardia.

    Zinnias and calendula will be with me forever.

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  2075. Maureen G. on

    First, thank you for this wonderful interview! Your words about your relationship with zinnias resonate so strongly with my experience with trees! I own a small, certified-organic fruit & flower farm. When life is hardest, I find myself turning towards those trees to help buoy my spirits. Chinese Honey peaches & peonies, especially, are my allies in hard times because they are some of the earliest flowering and winter is long here. I have lusted after your zinnia collections for the past 2 years. Would love to win some of these!

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  2076. Shauna Cameron on

    Lilacs are my absolute favourite flowers that remind me of special people in my life. The smell whisks me back to childhood and memories of home.

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  2077. Sheana Behringer on

    Is question #2 even fair? Those catalogs brighten my day, just by flipping through the pages. I would need to examine my best performers in the garden taking into consideration what does great in my growing zone and microclimate. I would definitely want to spend time perfecting the plants I know will produce strong seed for the coming years. I would ensure that I had a nice selection of say 5 each of good flower varieties of “focal, filler and foliage”. Some would include, Zinnia, Aster, Cosmo, Snaps, Bells, Nigella, Bupleurum, Sunflowers, Stock, Celosia, Amaranth…… my daughter and two daughters in law have the flower fever too! So I would pass seeds down to them forever more!

    Again, this is not a fair question. Maybe my answer should have been simply —- “All of them! Forever”

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  2078. Tracey on

    I resonate with this as a lilium hybridizer. Reading and watching Floret this week has given me inspiration in a time where it is really key. Thank you for sharing your journeys. I wish you the best moving forward.

    Reply
  2079. Marie B on

    When life is hardest, my flowers particularly my fuschia, begonias, zinnias, and dahlias lift my spirits the most. I am forever inspired by their resiliency, especially with our harsh fluctuating climate in Wisconsin. Of course I am thankful for my edible plants that provide me nourishment. However, These flowers are truly what keeps me going every growing season. They provide endless waves of blooms bringing me joy from spring up until the last frost.

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  2080. Veronica Dioverti on

    Peonies and Dhalias give me joy and peace, love that those are the first and last flowers (respectively) that my garden sees. Zinnias remind me of both, so I’m sure they would bring me as much joy.
    I would save dahlia seeds, the mystery of not knowing what each seed would produce it’s just fascinating!

    Reply
  2081. Kathryn Carlson on

    Roses will always lift my spirit. Spending time dead heading them is therapeutic – being close to them to enjoy their blooms and fragrance, using the almost spent blooms for an artistic flat lay. This always brightens my day.

    Reply
  2082. Marilyn Johnson on

    Zinnias are my favorite and do well here in Iowa. They are so good to me and grow despite my busy life and lack of attention to them dome times. I love bachelor buttons as well. My husband’s family had an Iris Farm for years so we will always have Iris. We did up the bulbs every few years and replant them.

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  2083. Ginny on

    I would love to try some of your amazing seed varieties.

    Reply
  2084. Danielle on

    When life is hardest, my two bare root roses always bring me pride and joy. They smell delicious and are beautiful to look at. I love cutting the blooms and bringing them inside to enjoy as well.

    Reply
  2085. Liz H on

    Floret turned me on to dahlias several years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I spend 10 months of the year tending those things for hopefully 2 months of blooms. They really are addictive flowers and keep me going.

    As far as saving seed, definitely zinnias. I wasn’t a big fan of zinnias until I came across the Queen series with their softer, more muted colors, and I’m really excited about all these new offerings here. Zinnias are so easy to grow, easy to cut (my 6yo loves doing the wiggle test) and easy to save seed. So satisfying.

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  2086. Crystal on

    Forever Zinnias, always roses… If all the seed catalogs disappear, I would forever grow zinnias and always have roses. They are my happy place and my first love. I save the seeds yearly of my favorites and last year I had a variegated foliage Zinnia with tangerine flower, how excited I was to have this beauty on the farm. Sunflowers are third in my list of favorite flowers so they are saved each year as well.

    Reply
  2087. Sarah on

    It’s hard to choose only one and I’m positive my answer would change throughout a season. That said, absolutely love Nigella. I remember the first time I grew it and I couldn’t believe how it changed from bud to seed pod.
    Dahlia seeds. The surprise of not knowing exactly what each plant would look like and potentially being able to grow out a fun new type would be fulfilling. I have such a short growing season that this would also be a fun challenge.

    Reply
  2088. Asly on

    I love daisies and my beloved snapdragons that are when I want to make bouquets and watching them grow is fascinating clearly I would save seeds in large quantities and a lot of beautiful zinnias

    Reply
  2089. Jessica on

    Zinnias and lilies are my comfort flowers. I have never had a bad garden when I make sure to take care of these two.

    I saved zinnia seeds for the first time last year so looking forward to sowing them this spring to see if I can successfully grow them. My goal in 2024 is to grow a lot more if everything from seed and/or propagation. So if catalogs disappear, I feel like I would be in a really good place.

    Reply
  2090. Andie on

    Absolutely love that Erin and Chris have been so generous with their light, and selflessly shining it on others who have tirelessly worked in this industry to beautify our world!

    When life is hardest I treasure my roses, dahlias and zinnias. I fell in love with dahlias as a teen after finding them at a farmers market in Arcata, California in the 2000s. As a teen I had little knowledge of flowers and dahlias inspired me to change all that. They shone a light on accessible beauty even when life was rough for me.
    When I was younger I had big feeling about roses… mostly because I hated what I found in the stores. They were never open, didn’t smell, and were far too formal. Then I fell in love with growing them myself and everything about them changed my mind. They brighten the darkest of days for me.
    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow I’d save more cornflower and cosmos seeds, probably! I save a lot of seeds and while I love dahlias, there’s something effortless about cornflower and cosmos, so delicate, romantic and unassuming that I love.
    I forever want to grow roses, peonies, cosmos, lupines, larkspur, gladiolus and all the rest. I can’t imagine life without all the varied shapes and colors and forms that beautify our world.

    Reply
  2091. Kaelyn on

    Peonies will always have a soft spot for me.

    Reply
  2092. Tiffany DeWitt on

    As I read through the interview and now the comments, I realize what a common thread it is to turn to a garden in times of sadness, grief, illness or despair. I couldn’t explain the personal healing that occurred while I nurtured these flowers and now realize I don’t need to. It was an Orchid first then roses, dahlias and peonies. Now I want to grow and share zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos. I hope seed catalogs never disappear, I go through them like I did toy catalogs as a child, filled with excitement and wonder and dreams of the next season. Thank you Floret and Dawn Creek!

    Reply
  2093. Leigh Ann Theunick on

    Thanks for sharing Kori’s journey. I love hearing the stories behind the flowers. In tough times, I have two flowers that remind me I am loved by my family. 1) my grandmother’s 100+ year old peonies. The blooms fill the house with the sweet fragrance of her presence through memories. 2) Tulips. I grew up in Holland, Michigan. The Tulip Festival was a big part of our lives. I even worked for 5 years as a tour guide at the local windmill. I often joke with my husband that I would like to steal 5 acres of our farm and plant it completely into tulips. This past year was my first year growing and selling cut flowers. Every morning I found a new favorite glistening in the garden. The one that I came to love the most was Bupleurum. Not an outstanding beauty, but a quiet workhorse in a bouquet that made the beauties stand out.

    Reply
  2094. Sarah Forte on

    1. Anything fragrant like eucalyptus, rosemary or other herbs. Just holding them in my hands and smelling helps to calm me!
    2. I just moved to a new house that unfortunately has no garden yet! But once I get going, I want to grow and save seeds from native plants.

    Reply
  2095. Elaine on

    That’s a hard one but I’d save sweat peas and zinnias! The colors, the scents and the beauty of each individual flower makes me happy. Not to mention all the pollinators that they attract, bees so many different varieties, butterflies, hummingbirds and hummingbird moths etc ..
    I have such pleasure planting each seed, knowing where they came from, the hard work people went thru to put that seed in my hand, caring for it and watching it grow, just huge excitement! Makes my soul happy!

    Reply
  2096. Madonna Wagler on

    I’ve planted a garden every year since I’ve been married and preserve as much as I can for my family. I’ve become more health conscious over the years since having kiddos who face health challenges. I have only in the last few years planted annual cutflowers, and last year I experimented with dahlias. If I had to choose what seed I would save, it would probably be from my veggies first, tomatoes. And potatoes. Because we need food to survive. But a very close second would be zinnias because they are so easy, and bring me so much joy. Thank you for the opportunity to enter a giveaway. I would be thrilled to grow Florets originals.

    Reply
  2097. Michelle Hartley on

    When I am having a bad day or feeling down, I often turn to my garden to lift my spirits. There is such beauty and wonder in nature. Caring for and continuing to build out my flower beds is really enjoyable a d relaxing for me. As I’m learning even more about flower gardening I get even more excited to get started this spring!!!

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  2098. Kerry on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save my calendula and my giant zinnias. These are both two of the first flowers that I have grown from seed and feela special connection with– in particular, strawberry blonder calendula and giant purple zinnias. I grew them throughout many stages of life, including some particularly challenging ones when each new bloom was the brightest spot in my day and gave me so much hope.

    Reply
  2099. Evelyn on

    When I am working in my garden, which is a mix of flowers and veggies, I feel that I am in a working partnership with God. Feelings of hope, contentment and joy fill my soul.

    Reply
  2100. Kristen on

    Gardening has been my lifeline since being diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease in 2021. Last year, I grew dahlias from seed and it was such a joy to watch them bloom. I’ll forever save a few seed pods just to see what beautiful surprises Mother Nature has in store!

    Reply
  2101. Joy on

    Great questions! I think I would choose my zinnias to keep forever. I just love walking along my row and noticing how each one is so unique. They are easy to grow and bring joy all summer long!

    Reply
  2102. Samantha Sheppard on

    When life is hard, nothing brings me more joy than my zinnias. They just embody happiness. I also adore my yarrow, Scabiosa, and celosia…but it always comes back to the zinnias (possibly because of the wide range of colors and forms). Thank you so much, Kori and Eden, for bringing my favorite color palette to my favorite flower!

    Reply
  2103. Bethy on

    I love these giveaways because apparently they have no end what can I say when just touching the earth and seeing grass growing already makes me happy and grateful for life, all the plants in life comfort me but if I have to choose it would be my tulips growing and I would highly save seeds from Celosias, Vincas, Poppy and Zinnias of course.

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  2104. Tanya Hooper on

    I lost my sister 18 months younger than me in the middle of the pandemic in an October, that following spring the garden rescued me mentally. I had 2 long raised beds I filled with zinnia, flowering basil, dahlias, coneflower, sedum and on the far edge a rosemary bush. On my horribly anxious days I sit and smell the basil, watch pollinators and pick small arrangements for myself or others. That garden was chaos but it saved me. I will always plant these sweet things each year going forward to say thank you.

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  2105. Hertha Hines on

    I love my dalias in the summer. Just watching them grow makes me happy. I use all my flowers to make give away bouquets. I would always save dahlias, zinnias, and lantana seeds

    Reply
  2106. Tu Tram on

    I have two favorites that I’ve grown fond of: roses and ranunculus. I’m just a small flower gardener, but during the summer rains, it’s always the Emily Brontë (David Austin Rose) that blooms, and her fragrance is so addicting, you might as well call it aromatherapy. The ranunculus is the flower that started it all for me – the petite format, the numerous petals, the pastel colors, I wish they were easier to grow. But the most relaxing part is watching the bees go flower to flower, hearing a buzzing garden for me is a sign that I’m doing a good job and nature is happy.

    Seeds I would save forever would be cosmos, celosia, dahlias (if I have the space!), and of course, zinnias. I saved seeds last year for cosmos and from my sole and tiny sprig of a Texas Plume celosia, as I wanted to experiment in my small flower garden what would become of them if I sowed them again year after year. I haven’t had much success with zinnias last year, but not giving up in trying to grow these beauties!

    Reply
  2107. Kathy Bartholomew on

    I love this passion and inspiration. My daughter who lives in Alaska is begging for seeds to grow zinnias and I’m sending her every beautiful color that I have. I’m excited because it will be the beginning for her to develop the love of these easy flowers and give her the ability to share out of her gardens.

    Reply
  2108. Morgan K on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear and I could only save 1 variety to grow with me forever first I’d probably cry. However, through that good soul cleansing cry, while it would pain me to do it, I think I’d choose dahlias. You have no idea how much I wish I would choose zinnias, because they are my Dad’s favorite, because we grow them together every summer, because through it all they will always remind me of him long after he is no longer here with me. But I’d choose dahlias, because they challenge you, because they are an endless adventure of never really knowing what you’re going to get from the seed you collect. I would choose dahlias because the work load to tend to them would keep my mind and body busy enough to forgive that the other seeds are no longer. Because dahlias keep you humble. We’ve grown dahlias on a small scale for 2 seasons now and I’ve learned so much about myself in their growing season more than any other flower. I’d like to keep that growth, that knowledge, that humble punch that dahlias provide growing and share it.

    Reply
  2109. Deborah Alexander on

    My hellebores are my treasured favorites for finding wonder and joy in hard times. In the dark cold days of winter when the rest of my garden is brown, these magical blooms start to emerge from between the leathery leaves and remind me that spring and renewal is not so far away.

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  2110. Kate Walz on

    When life is hardest, I look to dahlias. They need constant care and produce the most beautiful blooms that never fails to make me smile.
    Seeds that I would keep forever? Hmm…probably snapdragons. They are so tiny and I can start them in the dead of winter. They like it cooler when not much else is growing. Again, these little seedlings make me smile when life is gray and cold.

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  2111. Susan P Miller on

    The plant that lifts my spirits the most are Icelandic poppies, one of the first plants to be ready in my hoop house in the spring. There is simply nothing like a large bunch of them in a vase, with their tissue paper petals and wiry stems bending out in all directions. I have been growing them as a flower farmer for at least eight years now and for the past few years have been loving the pastel mix from Floret.

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  2112. Melinda Bell on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?
    Daisies, Yarrow and Zinnias…. I love the simplicity of them as individuals. The personality that each blossom brings to a vessel – whether a treasured antique vase, metal bucket, or a piece of ceramic pottery hand thrown in it’s own unique design – only enhances the style of these flowers! The wide variety of hues and colors makes this grouping the most fun to grow for me. But putting them together mixed in bouquets as a collection of friendly animated sisters along with distant cousins of grasses, wildflowers, or curated roses or hydrangeas is the ultimate in helping to lift my spirits on those hard days of too much reality… Distracting my mind from the world and it’s drudgeries…. the mundane and the chaotic…. An inner peace takes over and a smile ensues….at the delight of the rhythm they create together; evolving into a unique masterpiece that changes throughout the life of each harvested collection.

    Reply
  2113. Steve Murray on

    Marigolds, been saving seed to replant since the 70’s. I have been retired from row crop and livestock farming for a number of years, we used to save our soybean seed to replant till the seed companies shut that down. So with only 5 acres now to garden I have down sized, but if you like growing you will do it till the end. Generations separate us and the common interests bind us. Stay well and remain positive.

    Reply
  2114. Stephanie on

    I loved reading about you Kori! Thank you for sharing your story. So Ive lived in Florida for 17 years and recently relocated to the mountains of North Carolina for the purpose of growing my own garden, flowers, etc.
    But what did bring me joy down in Florida were my aloe
    vera plants and macho ferns in my backyard. I had a forest of them and it was so soothing just to sit out there with them and reconnect with nature.

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  2115. Lex on

    I would choose to save seeds from my dahlias and zinnias. They were the two things I started my flower garden with so I have a nostalgic attachment to them.

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  2116. Cecelia Ledgerwood on

    When all else fails I turn to my garden because it has never let me down. I love zinnias for their cheerful colors, cosmos are also a favorite of mine because of their whimsy! Last year was my first time saving seeds, fingers crossed I did it right! I saved seeds from all of my annual flowers, and put them back into the seed packets they came in!

    Reply
  2117. Jenny on

    My grandfather had the most beautiful flower gardens at his home and camp. He grew this beautiful salmon lupine, along with other heritage/heirloom colors. They spread all over our camp property along with poppies and foxgloves and 40 yrs later they are all still growing and spreading.
    Lupine will forever be a part of my gardens, and a uplifting sight. I’ve been learning how to propagate lupine cuttings and plan to bring some of those heritage/heirloom colors back from camp to add to my home gardens.

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  2118. Sarah Grigorov on

    There are so many flowers that bring me joy…. Dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, bachelor’s buttons…. I could go on but I’ll stop there!! Sharing the flower and vegetable abundance that I grow also brings me joy. To see the smiles on our mail person’s face and the faces of the staff at a local nursing home and hospice care facility makes growing flowers from seed so worth it!! But it’s not just the flowers, it’s the pollinators too that greet me in the gardens throughout the days that make me smile. I’m so grateful!

    Reply
  2119. Alyssa on

    Zinnias, strawflowers, dahlias…Hungarian Magyar peppers, tomatoes. I’m new to gardening, and while I have long loved being in the woods, being in cultivated spaces has been a happiness I didn’t know was so accessible.

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  2120. Stacey on

    Irises and Naked Ladies (I’m sure they have another name, but that’s what my grandmother always called them). My grandmother always had the most beautiful gardens and these two always stuck out to me. So now, I have them in my garden. They remind me of what a great woman my grandmother was and to always strive to be more like her. They’re also comforting knowing I have a little something of her’s that will live on.
    My garden will always have zinnias. They were the first flower I remember planting in my mom’s garden and I will always have them in mine!

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  2121. Carissa on

    I would save zinnias. Their coloring is unique and each one is just a little different. They have beautiful flowers but also stunning foliage so it’s just as easy to enjoy them before they are cut as it is after. Seeds are also pretty easy to save! I started a small cut garden last year and zinnias were my top pick of what I grew. I guess I also loved the snap dragons 😂 this year I’m growing on a larger scale with hopes to have a stand of fresh local flowers at our local farmers market. I’m also trying out some fun new types of flowers that I haven’t grown including dahlia. I can’t wait! I’ve been trying to find ways to share my love of flowers and plants with the world and tried the blog thing which is great but I want to share the actual product! You have inspired me to try flower farming and I love it. I found my passion again! Congratulations on your launch!

    Reply
  2122. Allison on

    Never have I read an interview that I’ve resonated more with than this one with Kori <3 We are kindred in so many ways.

    Zinnias are my deepest flower relationship I have experienced. I feel as if they sought me out, even before I grew my first garden years ago… I was selling baked goods at a local farmers market and a flower farmer brought me a bouquet of zinnias & celosia to trade for a muffin… I was hooked. The flowers flooded my heart. From there I was gifted plant starts and seeds from fellow vendors and that was the beginning of my gardening journey. I am beyond grateful that plants found their way to me, they have saved me over and over since that very first garden. It's so hard to put into the words the magical relationships that plants form with you if you are open… Kori expresses this so eloquently and reading this interview just made my heart explode the entire time.
    Thank you for sharing this and for all you do to bring awareness to the deeper experience of pant souls and our role with them.

    I can't wait to work with Kori's zinnias, a true honor.

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  2123. Kim on

    In the midst of grief and relocating to my childhood neighborhood I’ve had to reinvent all my growing areas, and it has financially been challenging. The zinnia ALWAYS gave me hope and a feeling of purpose, and I’ve kept a few softly hued seeds to try here. Artemesia is also my go to for rebalancing, and tuning into my heart and soul with a swoop of my hand to its delicately cut lacy leaves, and inhaling thr intoxicating fragrance.
    Thank you for sharing your lives ♡

    Reply
  2124. Clare on

    It’s always zinnias for me. My grandma grew them every summer. She was 9 when I passed away, and once I had my own garden, I always grew them in her memory. Now, though, they’ve become my favorite! As I walk around my yard and check on what’s growing every summer evening, I always pay special attention to the zinnias. I save them for last because cupping their blooms in my hands leaves me with a feeling of euphoria before I head back to the house.

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  2125. Brittany on

    I’m drawn to Dahlias and Tulips. They are my absolute favorites, but I have an appreciation for all flowers of bold colors. The colors are what intrigues me and then the design and unique characteristics of the different types add to the beauty of the flowers. I would save as many different kinds of seeds as I could flowering in bold maroons, pinks, reds, oranges, and yellows.

    Reply
  2126. Karla on

    My favorite for bad weather is my beloved chamomile that does not abandon me and gives me delicious teas that comfort the soul, there is nothing like going out to the garden and drinking a little so that everything improves although the question has made me think because I cannot imagine a world without Seeds like Floret, I would save my favorites, zinnias, chamomile, Celosia spicata and some beautiful sunflowers.

    Reply
  2127. Madison Garland on

    I have always had a love for flowers, but I truly relied on them while working at a large metropolitan hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. I was burnt out, anxious, and just generally exhausted. That year I built out two 4×8 raised beds in my small urban yard and tucked as many blooms as I could into those tiny beds. The first little boom that popped up that year was a pansy. I had bought the seed from a small-scale breeder on Etsy. That first pansy was a beautiful shade of blush with the slight kiss of lavender on the edges. Something I had never seen before. I gathered up my first little bundle of pansies, put them in a small antique teacup, and brought them to a young female patient of mine at the hospital. That was the day I truly realized the magic of flowers during tough times. We were both brought to tears by this tiny little cup of flowers. The flowers I grew that year, pansies, double tulips, snapdragons, cosmos, zinnias, and dahlias, motivated me to begin growing more. I have since made a career shift to an online role where I have summers off and more time to devote to the blooms. I now live on two acres just outside of the city and I split my time between my new role and running my small-scale cut flower farm. Those flowers that I relied on in 2020 are still the flowers I turn too when times are challenging. They absolutely changed my life.

    If seed catalogues were to disappear I would run to save the sweet peas, pansies, and zinnias. Something about those three flowers excites me and keeps me coming back year after year. ✿

    Reply
  2128. yeise on

    Zinnia flowers have been such incredible allies during difficult times for me as well, especially when grappling with anxiety. Their vibrant colors and cheerful presence seem to offer a comforting embrace, grounding me in the present moment and soothing my racing thoughts. Taking moments to appreciate their beauty and resilience serves as a gentle reminder that even amidst chaos, there’s still room for growth and brightness. It’s amazing how something as simple as a zinnia can offer such profound support during times of need.

    Reply
  2129. Hitomi Benedetti on

    Roses are my balm. Prickly, sturdy and beautiful.. justvlike my mom (may she rest in peace). My mom collected roses before she was bedridden and then I became the caretaker of her garden and of her. She would sit in her wheelchair and bark orders from the porch! So whenever my hands are in the dirt, I am happy and feel closer to her. I think she’d be tickled to know that I’ve had success rooting roses from cuttings.

    As for saving seeds, that’s another thing my mother passed along to me. She would save ALL the seeds from anything that she could. I let the shiso plant go to seed and have been collecting those for years although I’m not sure that I need to since I have volunteers come back every year in the pot on my porch. But if it were to be just one flower I would save seeds from, it would be cosmos. My mom loved those too.

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  2130. Matilda Kwan on

    I’m a relatively new gardener. I turn to my roses when life feels rough, but I’m looking forward to growing zinnias this year. I’m fascinated about the ability to grow beautiful cutting flowers, then save the seed. Thank you both for bringing such beauty and joy into the world. 🥰

    Reply
  2131. Janaki Kilgore on

    Thank you for this beautiful interview. The relationships with plants that Kori describes resonate with me. I remember being called directly to a plant in a large hoop house full of nursery stock I was responsible for watering. That one shrub sent me a distress signal that I picked up the moment I stepped through the door. I rushed over to find a pest outbreak had begun and it was only on that one plant. In that moment we were allies in protection of the community. I simply moved that plant outside, no need for chemical sprays. I wonder how a plant in a pot could communicate with me and how I could receive that signal and I am filled with amazement and respect for this living planet. Shrubs are my closest allies in the garden because they invite birds, shelter and feed so much life and prepare an environment for trees to flourish. The mustards, purple vetch, chervil and others that reliably self-sow in our most challenged soils and those native plants volunteers dropped by the birds are now my favorites.

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  2132. Jenny Johnston on

    Zinnias bring me so much joy. I have always planted zinnias in my garden but last year I decided I wanted to be sure I had more. I filled every bed with zinnias and boy did it paid off! I had zinnias from May to mid November…… through the hottest, driest summer on record for East Texas! I would go out early every morning to cut them for bouquets to share with friends and neighbors. There were so many I began delivering them to our local coffee shop where the baristas loved them and we shared conversations about them….. more joy. I took bouquets to church and left them for anyone who needed a pick me up…. more joy. I talk to my zinnias every day, telling them how beautiful they are. I can’t wait for this next zinnia season! Hopefully growing some new Floret zinnias ….more joy!

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  2133. Sabrina Funk on

    If see catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would save seed from my Dahlias, Zinnias, Cosmos, Sunflowers, Marigolds and Nicotiana

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  2134. Sarah D on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save zinnias. They just make me so happy and they’re easy to grow in our Texas climate. I work from home in a somewhat stressful industry (sales). I take frequent breaks throughout the day to go into my backyard garden and just be with my flowers. It really is my happy place. One of my favorite pictures from my garden in 2023 was a bumblebee who was napping between the petals of a large pink double zinnia. Magic! Kori’s zinnias are truly breathtaking. Once you’ve seen them they really stick with you. Thank you for sharing them with the world!

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  2135. Saadet on

    I admire your support both!

    I am obsessed with my all gardens! My gardens are my happy place, and my deserved therapy:) I live in a zone where winters are lonnnggg and unbearable. I have hydroponic systems for winters to keep myself sane and entertained:)

    Reply
  2136. Carol Stewart on

    I will answer question number 2. If all the seeds were gone to more I would pick my safari tangerine marigold seeds because it is such a bright burst of colors and makes me happy. I would also take seeds from my zinnias which I do every year. The easy going flowers pack a big punch in my garden every year. My elderly neighbors love to walk by my yard to see what I have done.

    Reply
  2137. Anna @ Longview Cottage on

    I would save amaranth – it’s so multifaceted. Beautiful in arrangements and easy to grow course, but the leaves and grain are also edible. Best of both worlds!

    Reply
  2138. Whitney on

    I would save poppy seeds and radishes. The poppy blooms are so delicate and pretty. And the radishes are so fun and easy to grow.

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  2139. Le’Ann on

    I love my dahlias and zinnias, but my all time favorites are hydrangeas.

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  2140. Erica on

    Loved the interview, thank you. ☺️ I’ve been collecting the seeds from so many plants! Some favorites are the snap dragons, honeywort, cosmos, celosia and violets. I plan on adding zinnias to that list too!

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  2141. Crystal Whiddon on

    Zinnias , lilacs, and sunflowers are flowers which always give me much joy. The scent of the lilacs , the dancing colors of the zinnias and the happy goldfinches on them in the late summer and the towering sunflowers make me feel like a kid again. And if seed catalogs disappeared (although I keep old ones), I would still collect seeds as I do now but with better attention to detail and do more propagation.

    Reply
  2142. Jen on

    Tough questions! But if I had to pick one plant that I find myself turning towards it would have to be my ever growing collection of garden roses. They were my gateway to growing flowers! I remember always swooning over pictures of them but always hearing things like “don’t bother with roses! They’re so hard to grow! Pests love them!”. Well one day I finally decided to drown out that noise and bought my first 3 David austin roses. I was more determined than ever to get them thriving and succeeded! Of course I was then hooked and my collection is steadily growing year after year. I probably now have close to 30 rose bushes. Each spring they just welcome me back into the garden and I’m just as excited to see each new bloom as when I was in that first year. They always stop me dead in my tracks and have a magical way of getting me to just BE in the moment. To not think about anything else other than admiring their beauty. And that is incredibly refreshing, especially in a world where we are constantly moving in fast forward. Roses have a powerful way of making me slow down.

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  2143. Charlotte Wessel on

    My favorite flowers in my garden are the flowers that have come from the yards of people I love .Anything that I have from my mom’s yard in our childhood home. But my favorite is not in my yard but grows on the side of the road- Queen Anne’s Lace! Every year when it appears, I can still hear her voice calling me to tell me – “Sugar, the Queen Anne’s lace is blooming, have you seen it yet!”
    Congratulations on all of your work come to life!!

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  2144. Ryan on

    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would save my zinnia varieties. They are my grandmas favorite flower and we’ve bonded over gardening, starting with zinnias.

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  2145. Wm Brison on

    Cosmos and zinnias… they are such beautiful flowers. Cosmos are like ballet dancers floating along in the breeze. So elegant and yet so simple. Zinnias are everything in a flower … color strength and most of all for most people they take you back to a rememberence . A sentimental place of mothers and grandmothers and small side yard gardens. I would miss those if I couldn’t have them again.

    Reply
  2146. Shaketta Thompson on

    When life is the hardest, I lean towards the seedlings. For me they represent newness and change. I think I like to see the start or the beginning of the growth just as a reminder all things have a starting point. And it’s in the beginning where the beauty lies.

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  2147. Norma on

    I love walking through our 20 acre property and looking for little wildflowers. The walk and fresh air always lift my spirits and the little flowers are just a bonus

    Reply
  2148. Patty Warne on

    This last year was the first year planting a garden, and I would have to say I am in love with zinnias, they make my heart so happy. I would come home from work and most days I was so stressed, I would pull in the driveway and walk right to my garden and just sit amidst the zinnias and soak in all the beauty and they took my stress away.

    Reply
  2149. Annette O’Keefe on

    Reading about your work at Floret and Kori’s work is inspiring. Thank you for your heart to share it. I can’t imagine not having seed catalogs. They bring so much joy and dreaming on cold Canadian winters. Although I haven’t saved a lot of seed other than hard neck garlic I’m inspired to save more. I would probably save tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and beans. And this year I am challenged to save some zinnia seed. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Reply
  2150. Lucy LaFayette on

    Last year was the first time I had a really great Zinnia planting. I also got to grow some of Sunflower Steve’s awesome sunflowers. I would definitely want to save and continue growing both of these, along with my current obsession with dahlias. All of these bring me great joy and peace when I am out in my garden. Thank you both for sharing these wonderful seeds with us!

    Reply
  2151. Rose Anne Anttila on

    My Dad has saved Zinnea seeds forever. He is soon to be 87 years young and still an avid Gardner I am fortunate to have some of his precious seeds. He starts them early in the spring in his garage and when the climate permits and seedlings are big enough they hit the front garden. He loves to share his seeds with neighbours, friends and family. Many people will stop infront of his yard and admire his Zinnea garden. When I start my seeds, watch them grow and then pick them at the end of season to dry I am always thinking of my sweet Dad and I am fortunate to have this memory and connection with my Dad over this delicate beautiful flower. 💕

    Reply
  2152. Trish Konieczny on

    When life is hard, I turn to the lovely and delicate, but also hardy, blue forget-me-nots. It’s the bloom my daughter chose to commemorate the little one she lost through a miscarriage, Piper. We grow them every year in the small one’s memory (although my daughter is celebrating her way through another, more successful pregnancy now), and I find these stellar little blooms in the woods wild as well, when I walk near my favorite soggy weather creek. Forget-me-nots lift my heart and bring a smile every single time I see and touch them.

    Reply
  2153. Rachael Y on

    The cut flower area of my vegetable garden is my favorite place during our growing season. I love the joyful colors and the anticipation as you wait to see what the personality of the flower will open up to. It brings me so much happiness to make sweet little bouquets and share them with others. My favorites are zinnias, sunflowers, and sweet peas.

    Reply
  2154. Amanda on

    I loved this interview and it’s so fascinating to learn about needing diversity and cohesion when breeding zinnia seeds.

    I honestly feel that every flower (in my garden) boosts my spirits to be tending to it or working with it in floral arrangements. It’s hard not to smile as such beauty or the possibility of such beauty while it’s growing in the garden. I have truly fell in love with gardening and the slow pace it offers, allowing you to take notice and appreciate so many things that often times I seem to busy otherwise too,

    If I had to save seeds for anything I were to grow next year I would save all my favorites; zinnias, celosia, dahlia, snapdragons, Lisianthus, campanula, mums, cress.

    Reply
  2155. Marry on

    My refuge from adversity are my beautiful rose bushes that make me feel better immediately and if the seed stores closed, which I hope doesn’t happen, I would save many seeds of zinnias, chamomile, cosmos, coreopsis, well, I have a long list

    Reply
  2156. Robin Parsons on

    For me it’s Dahlias, and it was love at first site. I truly feel a soul connection with each one I grow. It is when I am caring for them that I am most present. Growing dahlias is a labor of love; from planting to digging, to praying those I’ve stored survive the winter – I think about them all year. I started a small area of english roses last summer(inspired by Anne Belovich), and I have 4 new DA roses arriving in the spring. I feel a similar connection to my roses, and I am looking forward to growing that relationship.

    Reply
  2157. Bridget on

    If seed catalogues were no longer, and I could only replant my saved seeds, I would time after time pick my cosmos. I know they’re quite basic and not very difficult to grow. But my cosmos remind me of my daughter. In her first summer gardening with me as a 9 month old, my daughter would crawl around in our muddy garden while I sowed seeds. By the time our cosmos bloomed in august she was 1 and walking. I will always remember her excited expressions while helping me cut our cosmos for vases and then in the fall helping me save seeds from the deadheads. I am of course looking forward to buying some of your beautiful zinnia and dahlia seeds to add to our garden, but this year I am most looking forward to planting our cosmos together and seeing her grow through the growing season.

    Reply
  2158. Jud on

    For me it would be sweet peas. The smell and variety of colors is so perfect. After learning about long stem varieties through Floret, I am having a blast growing them. It’s a great feeling to randomly surprise people a small bouquet of sweet peas!

    Reply
  2159. Kathy on

    The flowers that lift my spirit are diverse and depends on the time of year. I always look forward to the first snowdrops to bloom which give me hope for spring. Next are the daffodils and I’m excited to see the new varieties that I planted bloom this year. During the summertime I especially enjoy zinnias, dahlias, craspedia and foxglove.

    I would collect seeds from zinnias, dahlias, nasturtium and cosmos. In fact, I collected those seeds from last year’s plants. Cannot wait to see what pops up this year.

    Reply
  2160. Chelsae on

    The way Kori described her relationship with zinnias was beautiful and reminiscent of my own feelings for my home grown flowers. I find myself turning to my lavender when I need a plant pick-me-up. I live in Phoenix and lavender isn’t necessarily abundant here. But I’ve maintained my plants and watched them flourish for two years. I love that I get blooms throughout the year and can use the flower for so many purposes. The sweet fragrance transports me back to childhood and happy times.

    Reply
  2161. Brittany Lewis on

    I would save zinnia seeds, which never fail to delight me and provide summer to fall fresh flowers for our home. They also remind me of my parents’ garden when my son, our firstborn, arrived. I remember his chubby little hands picking flowers and squatting in the garden to smell buckets of zinnias, his little nose crinkled above his wide grin. Now he’s a brave Marine, deployed far away, counting the days until he is home with his sweet wife and newborn son, but zinnias remind me of a moment in time tucked away when life seemed bursting with goodness and peace and we were all together. Thank you for laboring to provide packets of hopeful beauty for us to sow at home. Your work matters.

    Reply
  2162. salisha on

    Zinnias, Anemones and Nasturtiums have been my consistent go tos. Though for me Zinnias have suffered here in Georgia the last few years, Anemones started slow but have shown off that the time paid off well into winter. Nasturtiums have been a surprise each year to see them suffered in the heat and explode come fall, thriving far into winter brings so much joy. Saving the precious few seeds and doting to ensure they are ready to go for the next year, has been rewarding.

    Ferns are my rock, they are quiet, stoic ancient marvels, they stop me everyday with a smile.

    Thank you for bringing us access to so much information and the why behind Dawn Creek, it’s powerful to see a seed turn into a plant and this gives immense perspective of what goes into the work.

    Reply
  2163. Amy V on

    I love meeting kindred spirits.
    2. Orlaya, Zinnias and Tomatoes.

    Reply
  2164. Liz M on

    1. Dahlias
    2. Zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, poppies

    Reply
  2165. Cassie on

    The garden had been my quiet place in the last few years.
    Last May our son was stillborn. We were given seeds (forget me nots and sunflowers), and immediately went to work planting our biggest garden yet. My husband did most of the work since I was recovering physically, but I couldn’t keep myself out of the dirt. When the first blooms opened in my forest of sunflowers it was so healing and therapeutic. My table was covered in blooms through November and I had buckets full of more blooms that we shared with others. I will always save seeds and plant sunflowers to remember our son by. I can’t imagine ever not growing flowers. They’re such a beautiful gift from our creator.

    Reply
  2166. Ann M on

    zinnias and dahlias are my favorite. It brings me so much joy growing them and giving them to friends and family and watch them smile
    when they get them.

    Reply
  2167. Donalee on

    A seed is really such a miracle. To think of what varieties and color are hidden in a seed is amazing!
    I have so much zinnia seed saved, but I always buy more varieties. Isn’t the Zinnia just the all round perfect flower?! Lol This year I will try to grow some of the shorter varieties for my dad.
    I think I will always want to grow all the cottage garden varieties. The zinnias, cosmos, roses, hydrangeas.
    I have never saved seed from Lisianthus, but I am in love with them! Have you considered growing them?

    Reply
  2168. Kelly on

    It would definitely be daisies, as they remind me of my mom. I started my first cut flower garden the year she passed away, and that garden was such a refuge for me that summer. Daisies were her favourite flower, and every time I see one I think of her.

    Reply
  2169. Sally Follansbee on

    I love my small backyard in Connecticut. I have a gorgeous, pink Magnolia tree which I planted in the flagstone patio area.
    Our very old tricolor Beech tree is a show stopper along our stockade border fence. When booth are in bloom they are sizzling beauties. The perennial bed seeds I collect, which are favorites are from the Camassia plant. I love the lacey look of a cottage garden. Jeana Garden Phlox, a native plant, another favorite, draws in many hummingbirds and bees. Both of these plants continue to spread and thrive throughout my backyard garden adding color and beauty and birds and bees.

    Reply
  2170. Nora on

    Zinnias & Dahlias are my all time favorites! I’m am new at saving seeds but it has been so exciting and rewarding to see them come up again the next year. This will be my 3rd summer if growing a cutting garden and I’m just loving it and hope to expand again this year!

    Reply
  2171. chen on

    Zinnias are my answer to both questions. They always make me feel happy and I would save their seeds to make sure that I could enjoy them every year.

    Reply
  2172. Kathy Park on

    Columbine. I realized at age 16 they were my favorite. I’m now 69. From just 3 or 4 plants, they have reseeded into a large garden full. I live in the midwest where we have very hot summers and very cold winters. No matter how sad and raggedy they’ve gotten, they always come back.

    Reply
  2173. Terri on

    I’m a full time working professional and mother. I also grow flowers and vegetables as a side job. My primary job is very stressful so my plants give me an outlet to reduce stress. My favorite process of growing is seed starting. I love seeing them peek out so quickly and I love knowing a field full of plants was my doing from the beginning. I touched each seed from start to end.

    I would love to one day be self reliant on my food sources. I live in the hot south so my zinnias are not only a huge blessing when it’s 100+ but they are great for companion growing since I grow organically. So I would want to keep them, sunflowers, and Lisianthus. My veggies would be heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, and green onions.

    Reply
  2174. Tanya Gonzalez on

    What a wonderful interview. I turn to my roses. I have one in my patio garden. When I am down turning to water it and tend to it grounds me. The seed I would save would be from my zinnias and tomatoes and peppers . I have a small garden so those ones for sure.

    Reply
  2175. Terry Turner on

    What a great story and amazing work! I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown some of Kori’s beautiful zinnias last year.

    Reply
  2176. Patricia ( Patsy) Baldus on

    Patsy, on February 1, 2024
    Sunflowers in my gardens always brings me joy. These last several years I have discovered teddy bear sunflowers. Their name alone feeds my whimsical spirit, but it’s more than that. Their fuzzy appearance and the softness when touched, brings me right back to my own childhood and favorite teddy bears! They evoke comfort and hope!

    Reply
  2177. Jen NyBlom on

    Seeds are life.
    I try to save all of mine ( this past year I saved two gallons of zinnia seed!) Zinnias can’t be beat for ease of growing, color punch, and staying power ( both in the garden, on the plant, and in a vase!)
    This will be an exciting new chapter as we break ground in the neighbor’s back 1/2 acre —the plan is to create a sunny garden (our acre is getting too shady (who’s idea was it to plant all these ornamental shrubs and trees, anyway!? Ha ha!) —zinnias for sure, and many other pollinator-friendly flowers as well as some sun-loving veg.
    Looking forward to the new Blush zinnia varieties!!

    Reply
  2178. Ren on

    Regardless of what I may have planted, I always turn to what Mother Nature is growing around my property to steady myself in those hard moments. Watching the slow change of the native plants, taking notice of what is taking its final bow while the next act prepares its self for it’s moment to shine. Learning the rhythm helps recenter me to the present.

    Reply
  2179. Jessica Cutbirth on

    I am a newbie gardener. Last year I grew a few veggies and this year I plan to have some flowers as well. I found myself admiring the bees dancing in my neighbors balloon flowers and delighting in their beauty.

    Reply
  2180. Karen Janzen on

    I always smile when my Rose of Sharon is in bloom. I was able to propagate this from my Daddy’s bush which he grew from a cutting in my grandmother’s garden. Daddy called them “Hollyhocks”, but I found out they are actually a Rose of Sharon bush. What a treasure they are in my garden.

    Reply
  2181. Lori Wann on

    If seed catalogues disappeared I would save my zinnia, sweet pea, celosia, and sunflower seeds. They are mostly all from Floret and I just love them to pieces!

    Reply
  2182. Camille on

    When I am haven’t a challenging time, getting outside into the forest and being surrounded by the tall, sturdy, majestic trees is so good. There is something about their peace, stillness and silence—yet so full of life and constant movement by the forest dwellers, that calms me and reminds me that life is so much greater and larger than my little worries and problems. I am reminded that I am not alone, and that there is one greater than I orchestrating all the beautiful chorus around us.

    Reply
  2183. Spencer on

    If seed catalogs disappeared I’d be saving basil, dara & zinnias. I’d love to grow alongside all the flowers, but especially zinnias. I love watching the birds eat the seeds in winter. They are a year round contributor to my ecosystem.

    Reply
  2184. Sharon Subjin on

    Both of my Grandmothers were gardeners, so I learned from a very young age to garden. They both grew the necessary fruits and vegetables to feed large families, but always had room for flowers. My love of gardening comes from them. I have always loved flowers of almost any kind. Their fragrances bring me back to my childhood, walking through my Grandmas gardens.

    Reply
  2185. Angela on

    My plants of peace are summed up in my garden and everything that the season brings. How beautiful is life when you have flowers and you can see the existence of zinnias as beautiful as these and consider the idea of ​​saving their seeds so that the world continues to see their beauty for centuries
    I would definitely save seeds from zinnias, petunias and daisies.

    Reply
  2186. Stephanie on

    What an amazing interview and process. Thank you both and your teams for all your hard work to be able to share these with us. We live in the Midwest and have a little area of prairie natives that I would keep growing alongside forever as the pollinators and birds love them, too! We have echinacea, milkweed varieties, bergamot, and rudbekia, but I would also continue to harvest zinnia, sunflowers and cosmos as those are some of my favorite annuals.

    Thanks again for sharing this story with us!

    Reply
  2187. Alicia on

    Sunflowers of any and all kind are my happy place flower. There among any other landscape, the sunflower, big or small, juts out, bright faced, tall and toward the sun, standing tall, deserving smiles.

    Reply
  2188. Kit Tucker Sullivan on

    When life is the hardest pulling weeds is my therapy. I love all of my beautiful flowers (many from Floret seeds) but yanking out those weeds gives me great satisfaction!😀😀😀

    Reply
  2189. Brenda Bailey on

    On my darkest days, I go to the lavender field and take in the colour (Hidcote is my favourite) and squeeze the buds to take in that fabulous fragrance and then I know all will be well.
    In hard times, aka WINTER, I look to all of the dried flowers that I have stored in my drying room and start to create arrangements. They tell me that their colour will survive and bring life even when it is -20 out.

    Reply
  2190. Tina Daniels on

    When life is hard I get an instant serotonin boost from Peony. My Nana had incredible gardens and she’d let me help her pick which ones to cut every week for the bouquet on the kitchen table. We’d spend hours with our hands in the dirt, sun on our faces, and just be content and at peace with the company of each other and the flowers. My absolute favorites of her garden were these gorgeous blush peonies. I see them in a seed catalog, or in-season I’m my yard and I can just get my senses drunk of their smell, the texture of their petals, and how gorgeous they look. Instant nostalgia and I feel a like a little piece of Nana is here.

    Reply
  2191. Susan Lewis on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear forever, I have many saved seeds from 25 years of the practice of saving seed. I’d go to my stash of saved zinnia, peony, hydrangea, daisy, sedum, rose, and do many other seeds (vegetable, too) and grow on from there. If any worked well, I’d share with others.

    Reply
  2192. Renell on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would (and already have started) save seeds from Zinnias and Calendula. Both bring so much joy and color to my vegetable garden!

    Reply
  2193. Ashley Williams on

    Lovely flowers! Thank you for sharing! If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would want to grow madam butterfly snapdragons. I just love them they are so beautiful! Zinnias however would be next, they just give and give and they are so beautiful.

    Reply
  2194. Anna McDavid on

    I would save my celosia seeds! They’re my favorite filler, and I’m obsessed with their velvety plumes. Not to mention how easy they are!

    Reply
  2195. Kam Smith on

    This past season I wrapped up a farming apprenticeship. I needed a new beginning after the death of my father. Connecting to the land has been so healing and freeing for me. Trusting in something that is so tangible and physical yet esoteric and indescribable as the earth has been a life-changing experience. The plants that have helped me along this journey has been sweet calendula, baby bok choy, and loving tulsi (holy basil). I’m proud of the relationship I’ve developed with them, and seeing them in the beds always sparks so much joy.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I definitely would have basil and calendula saved from this past fall. Simply because 1. I’m new to this and getting the hang of it; 2. I harvest the greens to eat and sell, so they didn’t have a chance to bolt this past fall/winter. But the plants I want to save seed for in the future/grow alongside forever would be medicinal herbs and flowers such as chamomile, calendula, nettle, passionflower, and zinnias for fun!

    Reply
  2196. Olivia on

    There is something so grounding about walking through the garden and seeing not only the beauty but the resiliency of flowers like zinnias and cosmos. Cosmos being so delicate but so tough. Those are the two flowers I’d personally never want to let go!

    Reply
  2197. Karen E on

    Since returning to my home state of Iowa, I have embraced zinnias and natives like cup plant. After having luck with some self seeding, we saved seeds from as many as we could since we moved houses last year. I have just the spot for a few rows of pastel zinnias along the front walk to my new-to-me pink house.

    Reply
  2198. Tami Adams Shaffer on

    I have an organic Bath & Body shop and am in love with scents and the beauty of flowers. I actually at times created soap bouquets!
    During covid being self employed my husband moved to an old farmhouse and started a flower farm.
    I love the art of unique things and on my my stressful days I have found solace in my garden and of all things beautiful like my peonies and love of cosmos ( My dancing flower) it’s the herb ~ Sweet Annie. I whiff it and It takes me to instant calm.
    My customers have grown to love this hidden gem in my bouquets.

    Reply
  2199. Brittany C on

    Hands down, sunflowers, zinnias and snapdragons have been my staples in my cut flower garden. The sunflowers are such a stand out show stopping flower, the snapdragons add depth and interest with their shape and the zinnias are so versatile because they come I. So many different sizes, shapes and colours.

    Reply
  2200. Katie Lewis on

    Zinnias were my gateway flower in 2020 when I first plunged my hands in the dirt grasping for something tangible and beautiful in my own corner of the world. They brought joy and encouragement to me and all of my neighbors as I shared my bounty of blooms. They brought connection in a painfully divided season. I’m beyond excited to bring these beauties to the Milwaukee market this summer. Thank you for your loving work, ladies!

    Reply
  2201. Karen Bevel on

    My plant allies and those that lift my spirits are celosia and zinnias. In my 77 years and all my years of gardening, I truly feel a connection to those two flowers the most. The reason is that I have had three mothers and they all grew celosia and zinnias. I was told years later that my birth mother, who died when I was two, grew celosia and zinnias, then my foster mother grew these flowers, and so did my adopted mother. These flowers give me peace, they give me hope things will get better, and their unique beauty makes my heart happy. For those reasons also I have been trying to save these seeds for a few years. I will always have celosia and zinnias as long as God enables me to garden. If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save stock, statice, strawflower, zinnia, and celosia. Those would be my “forever by my side” flowers.

    Reply
  2202. Rose on

    cosmos and the very long-lasting zinnias make everything good in my life, my plants in general help my inspiration and strength in life, nothing like the garden to find peace and if I could save emergency seeds it would be some zinnias, dahlias and scabiosa

    Reply
  2203. Shawna on

    Spring flowers are my favorite. They bring such hope and boost my spirits after a long, cloudy and cold winter. Hyacinths, tulips and daffodils push through the cold hard ground, often showing their heads before the snow has fully melted here in Indiana. When I see them, I begin spending more time outdoors- cleaning up the garden beds and preparing for new life. I love the hope these spring bulbs provide each year.

    Reply
  2204. Nicole Schmidt on

    When life is hard, I find myself in my garden. The cutting garden in my yard has become my space of peace. I love love love zinnias for their happy disposition and the way they reach for the sun. I love growing different types of zinnias so that it is a surprise every time a new one blooms. Growing flowers reminds me to pause, admire all the beauty around me, and reach for the sun.

    Reply
  2205. Susan on

    Zinnia’s speak to me. Those are the seeds I would save. The way the change over time is a wonder to watch. I love growing them so that I can share them.

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  2206. Erin on

    I would save zinnia seeds. They are one of the few flower varieties that happily grow and thrive in our garden each year with hardly any encouragement… despite the hot summers, the dry, crumbling clay soil, the drenching thunderstorms… they always bounce back and just seem happy to grow! My children love picking them for me, and the more we cut, the more blooms grow – zinnias are such generous, cheerful flowers. My grandmother loved to garden, and when she sent me zinnia seeds from her own garden, it was such a special gift. I would love to be able to send zinnia seeds to my own grandchildren one day, and carry on her tradition. :)

    Reply
  2207. Kim Bauer on

    Sweet Peas are forever and always my flower that brings me joy and calm. The scent reminds me of my grandmother and her calming influences. I purchased some of your sweet pea seeds a couple of years ago, any they were incredible!

    Reply
  2208. Jana on

    The Dawn Creek zinnias are gorgeous and I really enjoyed the interview with Kori. I absolutely loved her statement about hope. For me, that is what growing cut flowers for the first time this year. Hope. It was my mom’s favorite word al through her cancer treatments. The disease eventually took her life, and this little garden I plan to grow is in honor and remembrance of her.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save my peony plantings. I have strong memories of my childhood of the smell and beauty of my mom’s huge peony bushes. Some of the offspring of those same plants are growing in my yard. I want to be able to pass them onto my children. To continue to love and enjoy!

    Reply
  2209. April Allen on

    Loved starting my day with this interview this morning! What an inspiration… love women supporting women in this way and this was my favorite sentiment expressed by Kori “ In this way, both the plants and the people that love them have hope for the future. ”

    In my home garden, have fallen hard for roses in the last couple of years. They bring me so much joy and satisfaction especially when I can cut an arrangement and bring it inside.

    Thanks for the inspiration Erin and Kori!

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  2210. Kathie on

    As much as I love all of my flowers, if I could only save seed from 1, it would be Mexican sunflowers. Every pollinator loves it! Hummingbirds, bees, butterflies all flock to it!

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  2211. Brianne on

    Because of you, I have fallen in love with dahlias. All the hard work it takes to keep them going year after year is such a rewarding experience each summer. When my mother in law was battling cancer, she wasn’t able to have fresh cut flowers, so I would send her pictures everyday of our beautiful dahlias and brightened her day just a little bit during the most difficult time her life. Now our family is able to look at those dahlias and be reminded of her smile, how precious life is, and to appreciate the beauty in this world.

    Reply
  2212. Karen on

    It is impossible to narrow down to one plant that I enjoy or seek the most. However, I draw great joy from the myriad of colors and shapes found in zinnias. The sheer abundance of blooms and ease of care means that zinnias would have to be at the top of my list of seeds to save if seed catalogs disappeared.

    Other seeds on my list to save would be celosia and strawflowers for many of the same reasons. I love the many colors, textures and shapes they offer.

    Reply
  2213. Monica Guerrant on

    My native flowers are my rock, and especially baptisia and beautyberries. Both tolerate whatever comes at them and continue to shine by the end of the season.

    Zinnias will always be a plant I want to grow and have beside me! Seeds I’d also save include strawflowers, sunflowers, lunaria, celosia, rudbeckia, and cress!!

    Reply
  2214. Andrea Small on

    I am a 71 year old passionate gardener. I do have favorites, including peonies (have hundreds), roses, and yes, ZINNIAS! But each day during the growing season brings new wonders as new flowers bloom and I am reconnected to old and steady friends. I talk to them, love them, and they send so much love back! It is the dead of winter here but my gardening now is winter sowing hundreds of varieties of flowers – all with the promise of love, beauty, friendship, surprise, solace, and so much more. I would feel so blessed to be the recipient of some of Kori’s amazing seeds. I too am a fiber artist, including raising angora goats (think mohair) and now also cashmere goats, on my little piece of land in a small rural hamlet in upstate New York. Thank you!

    Reply
  2215. Jan Trent on

    These questions are very hard to answer because I love, love, love so much that I grow. Just being out among all the flowers I grow helps buoy my spirits – the visual beauty, the scents, and just touching them. There is such a wonder and love, and as the season progresses and different flowers start blooming, there is an awe and a wonder at seeing what is currently coming on. There are some beauties that I especially look forward to and are drawn to every season: peonies, lilacs, lisianthus, delphinium, scabiosa, stock, and snapdragons. Yet, I would miss irises, tulips, lavender, rudbeckia, zinnias, baptisia, orlaya, Ammi, lace flowers, and others if they were no longer here. I have never saved seeds; I am busy enough and want to make sure the flowers I grow are true in form and color. However, if there were no seed catalogs, I would start with things that I think would have the highest germination rates: snapdragons, zinnias, scabiosa, lace flowers, orlaya. And maybe one thing harder like lisianthus. But for me, I would rather have a webpage or catalog to look through and buy seeds. I would prefer someone else do the breeding and seed collection work.

    Reply
  2216. Kelly on

    When I’m feeling really down or anxious digging in the dirt brings me back to a better spot. It’s really hard to pick a favorite plant, but I feel like I can always count on my nasturtiums. I love the trailing shapes they make, and the added benefit of helping to keep pests off my veggies!

    Reply
  2217. Dawn Miller on

    I am a small urban gardener and have always focused on vegetable gardening. However, I have recently (in the past 5 years) found much joy in growing flower, especially zinnias. This year I am going to try dahlias for the first time and I am so excited.

    When life is hard, I find my garden to be my “happy place”. There, I find much joy, hope, and assurance of God’s presence in my life. I can’t say that I have a favorite plant, but when I see the pollinators in my garden being happy and busy doing their work amongst the various plants, I smile and have a sense of peace.

    Reply
  2218. Angel on

    All my plants have that tranquility that I look for in difficult times because seeing them touch them and being there with them makes me feel a great peace that nothing else can give me and if I could save seeds, if the stores died, they would undoubtedly be zinnias and cosmos🌼

    Reply
  2219. Catherine on

    When life gets tough I think I spend more time with my seedlings and plants in the greenhouse. I figure if I can keep those little babies alive then there is hope for everything else. Especially in the gray winter months, the smell and feel of being with those plants is calming. In the summer being in the fields with the sunflowers and zinnias (we are in the hot south) is where I find peace. Seeing the pollinators and the beauty all together reminds me that life does continue.
    We already save our tubers on the farm and I have saved bean, cockscomb and pepper seeds a couple of years ago. If seed catalogs went away, I know my family would want us to save tomato seeds but for the flower farm I would save zinnia seeds.

    Reply
  2220. Andrea Stork on

    Cosmos. I have the Diablo variety in Orange. There was a time I really did not like the color orange. So as in Zen philosophy I “doubled my exposure” to it and now this bright beauty along with Asclepias tuberosa are some of my favorite beauties.

    Reply
  2221. Madeline on

    What a beautiful interview. So lovely to read.
    I am still pretty fresh to having my own garden space but zinnias are my flower right now. Definitely be the seeds I save & collect.

    Reply
  2222. Charlotte M. on

    Zinnias for sure. They are so prolific and each flower is its own bit of magic. That is to be the largest patch in my small garden this first year in my new home. I am also trying mums this year, and Cosmos is another favorite for its ethereal look. Any flower I find that I have success with could make a future plant list for me.

    Reply
  2223. Nichole on

    I am really staying to focus more on growing and saving seed since we just moved to 10 acres of blank farm land. Seeds are the best way to bring this land to life and I’m fascinated by the process. I’m incredibly sentimental about our plants and took many cuttings to propagate from our previous home where we put so many beautiful plants and trees in the ground. I hate to leave them and wanted to to bring a piece of them with us. My roses were the most important to me and have been the most successful propagations. To see the bumblebees rolling and buzzing in these flowers brings me so much peace and joy whenever I witness it. I look forward to beginning a seed saving journey on our new land.

    Reply
  2224. Adelia on

    I currently save seeds from my zinnia patch. My first seeds were given to me by my father, who had learned to save them from his mother on their farm in Northern Michigan. At that point, it was a matter of economics. Over the years, I have isolated some of my favorite colors. I have always been into the pastel hues. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to buy these beautiful varieties and save their seeds for future generations.

    Reply
  2225. Stacie on

    If seed catalogs disappeared it would be a sad day. I so enjoy sitting down and dreaming of what I’m going to plant in the spring. I think that’s what gets me through the dreary winter. I would save my zinnias, tomatoes,pepper,squash,sunflowers,and peas.

    Reply
  2226. Sara Bluestone on

    In hard times I would save Zinnias and sunflowers first. They always find a way to bloom and shine even in the harshest uncertainty of climate change and the bring such joy and diverse beauty. I also love how they self seed and randomly pop upon my garden befs

    Reply
  2227. Emily Gardner on

    My loquat tree is a source of joy for me. I planted it 3 years ago. I survey it daily and find such joy in watching it grow and produce fruit. I watch the blossoms come, the bees do their miraculous work then the fruit grows from the smallest source. We have experienced uncommon cold two year in a row and this year it looks to have made it through with no fruit pods harmed. I talk to the tree and it hears me. It is an ever present reminder that God is sustaining what He created and I get to enjoy the fruit of His blessing. Thank you Erin for the beauty you bring to us! You and your team are a gift!

    Reply
  2228. Heather G on

    I am most at peace in the gardens and while the natives give me grounding, it’s the delicate yet prolific stands of cornflower who make me smile widest. They are such resilient and cheerful friends, greeting me in all those hues of pale to deep blue, purple and white.

    Reply
  2229. Jessica Rosenberry on

    When life is hard which seems often the last few years I always feel instantly lighter when I go to my cutting garden. My zinnias in peach colors make me feel so much better. They give me a pause and a breath of fresh air that I need. I would save my zinnia seeds above all others. They are all so beautiful and different.

    Reply
  2230. Kelsey H on

    Wow. What great questions. Bachelor buttons are so enchanting. I love standing and watching them in the spring. Some how the swaying they do in the wind reminds of me of all the unseen beauty in the world and you just have to stop and watch to remember the good. I also love snapdragons. Last year I got a video of the bees popping in and out of the flower heads. Another small act to remind me me of the details of beauty. I’m saving more seed this year- calendula, zinnias, celosia, I’d like to save chocolate lace flower, forget me nots and snapdragons one day.

    Reply
  2231. Heather on

    Sunflowers and zinnias are my favorites and I would save seeds from both of those, along with saving seeds from tomatoes.

    Reply
  2232. Elise S on

    I will grow amaranth, lavender, sweet olive and blueberries forever. I like to add a bit of whimsy to whatever I am doing, amaranth adds that whimsy to the garden for me.

    Reply
  2233. Ayaka Prenton on

    Chrysanthemums (saving seeds will be difficult so I will make sure to keep cuttings :) They remind me of my home country (Japan) and I would love to continue cultivating it and share them with my children.

    Reply
  2234. Cindy on

    I turn to my seeds when times are hard. Sowing the seeds and watching the green poke out out the soil is always my favorite thing. Echinaceas were my first perennial to grow from seed and gave me confidence to pursue more varieties. I have moved quite a few times due to the military life we live and each time I have taken seeds and cuttings of that purple Echinacea with me as it gives me comfort and hope for each new garden.

    Reply
  2235. meredith caflin on

    When we moved into our current home, there was an established patch of hellbores that I fell in love with. They bloomed in snow, looked good all season and then dried beautifully. Over the years, they have spread and put up new seedlings that seem to mix all the varieties together. They anchor me to the house and I love looking forward to them in very very early spring when everything else is still waking up, they are already putting on a show.

    Reply
  2236. Kathryn on

    I would try and save as many seeds of all varieties as possible! I’m really excited this year to see what comes of the dahlia seeds I’ve saved from last year. My garden is my private oasis. No matter what my mood, just being able to go down and see how everyone (all the plants) are doing, seeing what’s new, makes my day.

    Reply
  2237. Kristen Matthews on

    What a beautiful and inspiring article. Last year was my first attempt at a cut flower garden and they allllll brought so much joy but the cupcake cosmos were the seeds I focused in on – those grabbed the attention of many friends who received bouquets from me. And I wasn’t as confident about what zinnias would come back from the seeds I collected – though I loved those too!!

    Reply
  2238. Rachel Hess on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    – After living through a roller coaster of postpartum anxiety and depression episodes the past 3 years, the native and planted flowers to rough out our property and garden gave me such peace and a sense of grounding, like time just froze while I walked with my babies outside in nature.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    – All of our vegetable and herb seeds, and with plenty to share with our community, as well as zinnias, sunnies, celosia, strawflowers, and cosmos, all easy to grow for our community and their kids, regardless of the size or type of space they have to work with.

    Reply
  2239. Monica Milburn on

    Question 2:
    I actually have been recycling my seed catalogs this year for a few reasons: I probably have too many seeds, and need to be conscientious of my budget; and, I am focused in using what I have. But third, I have always been very nervous about trying to save seed and navigating the information about saving seeds! These interviews and the resources provided help me have more confidence.
    I definitely want to work on saving my vegetable seeds because I grow food for my family. But flower-wise, I love to save zinnia seeds. Zinnias thrive here in Utah and bonus… attracted hummingbirds and monarch butterflies this past year. I cannot describe my delight at seeing monarchs on different occasions in my garden. It felt like I did something right!
    I’d also like to learn how to preserve more of my perennial seeds, as I am increasing the biodiversity of my garden and efficiency of planting through expanding my perennial collection.
    Plants to grow alongside of forever? Most definitely dahlias. End of aaugust through October are my happiest months as I walk my rows of dahlias and marvel at their presence.

    Reply
  2240. Michelle Uelze on

    I love that Kori’s two degrees are in biology and art: it’s like she’s feeding both sides of her brain. That’s why I grew vegetables and flowers; the vegetables feed my body but the flowers feed my soul.

    When facing challenges, the plant that buoys me the best is the dahlia seeds that turn into tubers. I literally feel like I’m a magician, creating something that wasn’t there before. Their long growing season, then the process of babying the tubers during the cold winter months, keeps me occupied throughout the entire year.

    If access to seeds disappeared tomorrow, some of the many seeds I would save are tomato, dahlia, and zinnias. Zinnias because they are perfect for beginner gardeners – you know that they won’t get discouraged, plus you can pop off the dried heads from the flower, wiggle a little hole the ground with your foot, and put it in there, and it’s easy to start a new plant. Peonies are the flower that I will grow alongside me forever, some plants can last 100 years! I hope to have those throughout my life.

    Reply
  2241. Louis Hernandez on

    We have a cottage garden. Every year it gets a little wilder. I love the zinnias and sunflowers, but my black hollyhocks always win me over.
    During hard or difficult times, I rely on my front yard vegetables: kale, celery, basil, peppers, and eggplants.

    We save as many seeds as we can. We moved in two years ago and already started seeing changes in the neighborhood due to the plants and seeds we give away.

    Reply
  2242. Julie on

    A couple years ago I changed my garden space into just flowers. It’s a small space. But it has brought me so much joy.
    Upon discovering Floret I joined the dahlia craze. They are fun and beautiful! But now after a few seasons (short seasons, I’m in Montana) I’ve found that zinnias have my heart.
    I live on the prairie and even with lots of amendments our soil is very clay. We call it gumbo. Zinnias don’t really care, they just grow and produce mountains of seeds.
    Currently I’m cleaning the saved heads from last season in preparations for this season.
    So, in answer to your question, zinnias, most definitely would be my first choice in seed saving. In fact, if I’m lucky enough to score some Floret seeds, I’m putting them in their own space so I can save their seeds.
    Thanks for all you do, you are helping my retirement be so enjoyable.

    Reply
  2243. Josh Holston on

    Roses are the flowers that lift my spirits in hard times. Their colors, forms, and scents make me grin from ear to ear. Thankfully, I live in a warm climate and have a greenhouse, so I get to enjoy a few blooms all year.
    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would save zinnias and cosmos. Both are such complimentary flowers for roses and are so easy to grow. I love the long vase life of zinnias and the effervescent fragile beauty of cosmos.

    Reply
  2244. Megan Smith on

    In answer to question 2, I say definitely sweet william. I love the beautiful orb shape, I tend to gravitate to round shapes. I also love the blue of ageratum, and the uniqueness of bells of Ireland. I would for sure keep all of those, but it is hard to narrow down the list!

    Reply
  2245. Samantha Kwan on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear forever, I would save my Dahlia tubers. I started out growing two plants the previous year and fourteen varieties last year. It brought so much joy to my coworkers, friends, and family when I brought a vase of flowers through the end of October. It always brightened their day when I gave them one.

    Reply
  2246. Christy on

    Cosmos are probably my favorite flowers. I’ve been captivated by their free, wild blossoms and the way they generously bloom and grow even in poor soil. While no doubt I’d try to save seeds of everything I possibly could, I’d be so sad to be without my heirloom tomatoes. I save seeds from them every year and delight in seeing whatever surprises nature may offer as they cross pollinate.

    Reply
  2247. Jen Hall on

    As a new flower farmer it would have to be our Dahlias. As a Mom of boys, I love seeing them meet me out in the Dahlias, it’s here in the hard times of their lives we seem to reconnect, talk and laugh. It has been amazing to see my teenage boys excited about the next season of tubers, the excitement of what flowers we can grow and the blessings that come from the flowers we give to those we love. Hoping my boys will see a dahlia and not think of the hard times but think of a mother’s love and the time we spent together growing flowers. ❤️

    Reply
  2248. Amy on

    Dahlias, Peonies and Hydrangeas are my absolute favorite!! I have really enjoy the hard work it takes to have Dahlias. Living in Illinois the weather is harsh and the work it takes to make them last through winter makes them more precious. I am hoping to get Floret seeds (zinnias) this year!!

    Reply
  2249. Kim on

    Peonies, hands down. My husband and I purchased his families farm, we are the fourth generation. His grandmother planted a bed of peonies over fifty years ago. I look forward to their blooms and cherish these plants every year. Even though they are gone as quickly as they come, their beauty and fragrance is calming and instantly brings joy.

    Reply
  2250. Jo on

    Hellebores are becoming a favorite in my slowly evolving cottage garden. Flowers emerge through spring snow and last in to early summer. They bring hope and anticipation for the upcoming season.

    Reply
  2251. Andrea Byers on

    The scent of the sweet pea boosts my spirit like no other plant does, except for maybe lavender. I would save whatever I could but floral wise the beauty of dahlias would be my first choice.

    Reply
  2252. Debbie Nisson on

    2. All the food I can grow of course! Tomatoes. Zucchini. Eggplant. Herbs. Yellow squash. Garlic. Onions. Potatoes. Greens. Beets. Radishes. Etc. etc. etc. Flowers! So many but zinnias and marigolds and as many pollinators as I can grow in my zone.

    Reply
  2253. Meg on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow – I’d have a full garden still as I do save some seeds. While they would mainly be vegetables (tomatoes, onion, beans, lettuce, peppers, carrots, etc) my flowers are for the bees. Zinnias would always be in the garden and cosmos too. I’d never be without chamomile and borage since those two self seed everywhere! While I’d be sad to not look at the possibilities – I trade so much with neighbors, we wouldnt run out of what we need 💛.

    Reply
  2254. Rebecca on

    While not a cut flower, a bolted onion has always volunteered when I most needed a plant during seasons of limited gardening and high stress. I still have the seeds from the first onion that shared her flower with me during an especially difficult season. An unknown fuchsia dahlia has also been a companion for many years. Caught my eye in a random cheap pack at Aldi and has moved 3 homes with me to brighten up tables and counters with late summer cheer.

    Reply
  2255. Jessica Krohn on

    I started my flower farm last year. It’s was way more work than I could ever have imagined, but also so incredibly rewarding. I remember a specific day when I was just overwhelmed and exhausted. I was tired, sweaty, dirty, tending to my babies I honestly never thought I could grow! For a moment I looked UP…because we are always tending to look down in the garden, weeding, watering, fertilizing…etc..,and I thought WOW! I DID THIS! ME! Look at all of this beauty I created. I ironically was standing in the middle of my zinnias that were almost taller than me. I’d love the opportunity to add these seeds to my garden, it would be a true honor.

    Reply
  2256. Amber Fagerson on

    I have Bipolar disorder and an autoimmune disease causing chronic pain. On my worst days, the first thing I do is visit my two Clematis plants. One of them is from my paternal Grandma’s house and has been blooming for over 70 years now! The other is in memory of my maternal Grandma as she loved that I have my other Grandma’s Clematis and she wanted her ashes planted with one too.
    The second flower that boosts my spirits are the Zinnias I grow every year. There is nothing prettier than bright, bold flowers and knowing that I grew them!

    Reply
  2257. Grace E Chang on

    My garden manages my mental health! It is always the flowering plants, shrubs and small trees that help me get through the darkest moments in my life: the pandemic, the anxiety and depression arised from many disappointments in my career, the passing of my loved ones, …etc. It is challenging to grow a garden and get it to be established. But the rewards you get on the way far exceeds the work you put in. Hellebores, flowering ornamental trees, spring bulbs, roses, hydrangeas, peonies, all kinds of herbs, dahlias, zinnias and cosmos are my favorites in my garden. Seeds I aspire to save would be sunflowers, dahlias and zinnias. But I am still a beginner in terms of saving seeds. I hope in my coming retirement days, I would learn more how to save seeds and grow from them. Can’t wait to buy Floret’s originals seeds and of course the Dawn Creek Farm zinnia seeds!

    Reply
  2258. Linda batten on

    I love all my flowers. Working in my flower beds gives me the time to escape into my own little world. Being outside listening to the birds, getting my hands in the dirt, fresh air and knowing what I’m planting is gonna turn into beautiful and colorful flowers for me to look at and know that I grew these. Peaceful and rewarding and I’m proud of myself for doing all of this. If no catalogs I would save seeds from every flower that I grew 🥰

    Reply
  2259. Erin on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I’d save my sunflower, cosmo and zinnia seeds. I’d also pick my favorite veggies like tomatoes, cakes, Seminole pumpkins, tatsoi, and a collection of herbs.

    Reply
  2260. Kimberly on

    Just this past year, I have madly fallen for roses. There’s something about them being so rugged and prickly yet beautifully timeless and resilient. Shedding the dead to make for the new growth; mirroring my own life as I build atop strong roots year after year in my flower journey.

    If seed catalogs should go away, I shall continue to save cosmos, celosia, bachelor buttons, larkspur, sunflowers, and undoubtedly zinnias. Theses along with roses and peonies would forever grace my being.

    Reply
  2261. Randy on

    It feels nearly impossible to answer that first question because there are just so many plants that buoy my spirits, whether times are good or bad! This past season was challenging for a number of reasons, but there was one specific plant that kept me going and it was purely coincidental. One day I noticed a volunteer snapdragon coming up through the gravel behind our barn, next to the previous season’s flower field. Amidst challenging days, I looked to that snapdragon and it’s vivacity, courage, and grace—growing despite all the odds, through gravel and in a shady area. It was a reminder of the great impulse towards life that flows out of this amazing planet. That snapdragon bloomed beautiful deep red flowers and was a companion for the second half of the growing season. I saved it’s seed and I strive to be like that plant every day :)

    Reply
  2262. Connie Carter on

    I save Ranunculus corms, that’s not quite in the seed category, but I definitely save zinnia, celosia, foxglove seeds, and have loads of Dahlia tubers. I also have saved Ito peony seeds, although I have not been successful yet, but now may experiment with those. I have not yet begun saving Dahlia seeds. This interview, however, has inspired me to want to play more with the zinnia seeds this year.

    Reply
  2263. Bo Janes on

    When I bought my house in Seattle, all the houses around me (including the one I purchased) had front yard fences. For me, that just didn’t work! Fences create a false sense of security/privacy & are just so unwelcoming! So, I removed the fence and every blade of grass and installed a front yard community garden. I thought I would grow vegetables and share them with neighbors. Initially it was awesome but I wasn’t inspired by the jungle of green foliage. So…I decided to try cut flowers. Fast forward, I am TOTALLY ADDICTED and now my neighbors cut flowers for their summer dinner parties and it brings them so much joy. I mean fresh cucumbers are one thing, but an armload of zinnias and dahlias are something else.

    These are the flowers that bring me so much happiness and contentment when i need it.

    Also, strikingly, this one change at my house sparked a change across the neighborhood. There are now 3 front yard gardens without eyesight of my front door. It’s really special how flowers can make such an impact.

    Reply
  2264. Beccy on

    Roses. They are my friends and speak to me.

    I love hearing about Kori’s journey- how the various pieces of her life and interest joined together and out of it is coming so much beauty that is blessing so many others with these unique flowers! Thank you for sharing Kori and her seeds!

    Reply
  2265. Cheryl Ann Vick on

    I have always felt the need to be in the garden with my hands in the dirt. That’s definitely my happy place! As far as my favorites, I’d have to say roses, especially the heady-scented, full-petaled old-fashioned ones. They speak to me of gentle days and softer ways and give me great joy. I’ve also always loved the combination of the jolly smiling faces and innate toughness of pansies. Having begun my own gardening adventures in Montana, little pansies really came through for me there and I love them for it! The lovely scent of sweet peas and lilacs are, in my opinion, two representations of heaven on earth. Oh my! After that, I do love zinnias and asters a great deal as well. And then too many others to say here! Lol!

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  2266. Marleigh on

    Oh man, I love saving seeds. I would hate to lose the ability to grow many of my plants next year. It’s such a joy to see their individual expressions of genetics, location, and growing conditions show off what they do each season—there are always surprises.

    If I had to pick one…I really loved my calendula this year. Such fun colors and textures, they always showed something new when I walked around to see them.

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  2267. Elaine Smith on

    If seed catalogs should disappear tomorrow, I would momentarily panic, but quickly breathe a sigh of relief because tucked away in a little spot in my barn I have seeds. Seeds from my most precious and beautiful flowers. I would feel a deep thankfulness that last years zinnias, cosmos and sunflowers could spring from the earth again on my tiny wee farm. I imagine them now, as I wait for the first signs of spring. Perfect little zinnias reminding me of little antique buttons, and vintage lace actually brought to life through a flower. Cosmos, always dancing and swaying in the wind anticipating each day. Even the rainy days when they pop right back up after a good soaking. Sunflowers, standing straight and tall, looking towards the sun and showing its rays between gorgeous orange, yellow and brown petals. How thankful I am for seeds and the joy they bring to me!!

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  2268. Sarah on

    If seeds were to disappear tomorrow, I would definitely be saving my zinnia seeds. These are the easiest flowers to grow and take care of and they were the first flower seeds I planted in my little cut garden. They bring me so much joy and give me something to brighten my home a lot of the summer! However, my favorite plant of all is the peony. To me, there is nothing like the peony fragrance and bloom. My mom has over a 100 varieties growing around her landscape and it is the most glorious sight to see every May here in Missouri. It’s my favorite time of year!

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  2269. Charlene on

    I planted my first cut flower garden last summer all from Floret seeds. It quickly became my happy place while caretaking my husband. Zinnias were the first to blossom and the last to go. I have always loved sunflowers and enjoyed new varieties of flowers I never knew about…Love in a Mist, Globe Aranthum…I brought a new bouquet in the house every few days which brightened our world. I did save seeds and will take them with me when I move to be closer to my daughter. Thank you for providing that sense of peace and hope through flowers.
    Ce

    Reply
  2270. Charity Tamsberg on

    Such a wonderful story, Kori! Thank you for the work you do and for sharing it with us.
    If all the seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow I would save foxglove, yarrow, and dahlias seeds/tubers. And of course, some zinnias!

    Reply
  2271. Nicole on

    What a great collaboration between two dedicated farms! This year one of my goals is to save seed from the majority of plants that flourish. I have alwayss saved seeds in an effort to reduce yearly spending. Zinna, celosia, sunflower, and native varieties are on the top of my list for the year. Improving habitat diversity for a healthier ecosystem is also a great priority on the farm. Happy growing!

    Reply
  2272. Lilliana Villalobos on

    Learning about flowers. I started with some books a friend gave about landscaping, because I am from Costa Rica, and over there the climate, and all related to garden are quite different. And one that a friend talked about a farm in Mont Vernon, a the owner has published books about how to grow, plant, care, and divided dahlias. And, I learned, and love what I learned. Turn eight friends into a dahlias lovers, and share with them my bulbs. Because been a fanatic of reading, and learning more, I ordered a book from one of the most well-known gardener over there, Leticia Rodriguez de la Fuente, and in that book on pages 86-87, she mentioned the great American pioneer Erin Benzakein, who through her generosity of sharing hers knowledge with all of us, through social media, and books like “Cut Garden Flowers”, made the art of farm garden a practice affordable to whom to want to get into this aventure without fear.
    I know I have a lot to learn, this full report of Kori, it is an inspiration.
    Thanks Erin for share with us this beautiful story of a successful woman, and her family.

    Reply
  2273. Robin on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would definitely have to save some foxglove seed. I am determined to learn to grow them in our Alabama spring , that feels more like mid-summer on some days . I am so excited to hopefully get to grow some of Kori’s zinnias this year!

    Reply
  2274. Catherine Dolbee on

    When life gets hard, a walk-through the gardens brings peace, be it winter, spring, summer, fall. I love how they evolve with each season.

    Winter I see the structure of my last year’s joy and what can be in the new year.

    Spring brings surprises! I love the smell of the earth waking up.

    Summer brings beautiful bouquets to fill every room. My coffee walk in the morning when everything is fresh.

    Fall saying goodbye until next year. Picking fall bouquets to dry.

    The seed I would collect would be my variety of echinacea.

    Reply
  2275. Nichola on

    If I had to choose only one seed, Zinnia would be my easy choice as they bring so much sunshine to a garden and are so easy to grow. Basil, sugar snap pea, celosia, tomato, pumpkin, cucumber, green bean, and squash are all fun and easy to save from though.

    Reply
  2276. Corrie on

    I currently grow six 5 by 50 foot rows of flowers in my backyard. Some of my favorite things to do that help lift me up are – Laying between the rows and reading, just catching glimpses of blooms as I go about my day, being able to hand out bouquets to friends, or watching hummingbirds zoom about and bees and butterflies wandering from flower to flower. Zinnias and sunflowers are two of my favorite things to grow because they’re so colorful and happy!

    Reply
  2277. Jean Healy on

    We have a very wild lawn that we have let grow into areas of meadow over the last several years. We are adding local pollinator plants every year. The plants I connect to most are the new surprises that pop up and show themselves. I admire their tenacity to have waited so patiently for the chance to grow. I love being surprised by new flowers in places I haven’t seen them before, and I always stop to say “hello and thank you for showing yourself to me.” They really give me a sense of wonder, joy and hope.

    Reply
  2278. Marie on

    The two plants that always raise my spirits are sweet peas and larkspur. During the long winters in high mountain Colorado larkspur and sweet peas are some of the first seeds that I start. Both can withstand the late spring frosts, so when I’m eagerly waiting to plant everything that says “wait until after last frost” I can go out and spend time with them. One of my favorite “chores” is going out to tie the sweet peas. For me there is something calming about following the vines and tying them. It clears my head just focusing on the task and always amazes me how many vines come from one small plant. Standing in the sweet peas feels like I’m in my own little space. There is something about Larkspur that grounds me. It was one of the first flowers I’ve grown that blows me away every time I grow it. It’s tall and straight even after strong winds and I can get lost in each bloom on the spike. It also stays with me longer in the fall than other plants. While other plants are turning to mush with frost, the Larkspur tends to stay with me a little longer letting me cherish my last few blooms of the season.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would obviously try to save as many seeds as possible. However I am not always the best at labeling, which is why one of my favorite seeds to save is Bachelors Button. The seed is easy to identify and always makes me smile because it reminds me of a muppet with a little tuft of “hair”.
    The other two seeds I love to save are sweet peas and Love-in-a-mist. I will always want sweet peas growing around me, the fragrance and beauty are always worth it. I love breaking open the crispy pods to see how many seeds are in each. I also love collecting the seeds from Love-in-a-mist. The first time I collected them my 6 year old son had so much fun shaking the pods like a salt shaker to collect them. The flowers and pods have such a fun shape that I love.

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  2279. Rachel Miller on

    If all the seed catalogs disappeared I would be motivated to save dahlia seeds and devote space to growing dahlias from seed.

    Reply
  2280. Kim on

    I am a passionate yet willy nilly seed saver. I have seeds in bags and boxes and pockets and probably the bottom of my purse. I love the promise that one little seed holds and the excitement I get when it pushes out of the soil. I did it! It really does work. I don’t know why I doubt its validity but it makes it that much more magical when you see the life it holds.

    I am expanding my rose collection this year mostly because my daughter has shown some interest in them and I want all of her childhood memories graced with the sweet smell of the rose outside of her window. I just want to pass along the passion and legacy of a seed saver to my children so that they can create their own beauty no matter where they are in the world.

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  2281. Abbie on

    I spent 30+ years not being a plant person at all. Then dabbled in a couple house plants and a tomato and basil plant or two. But upon moving to the country with my little family, we suddenly had several gardening plots… some with established native plants and some over grown with weeds. During the chaos of our move with small children to a completely different lifestyle, I found myself finding peace wandering those gardens and dreaming of turning weedy spots into cut flowers. I saw the joy that a child made bouquet brought to the faces of friends and family, and I was hooked!!! I think I’d save zinnias as they seem to capture the whimsy of childhood and my little girls love them!

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  2282. Kristen McLane on

    When life is hard I turn to native plants to remind me of resiliency. I have many favorites but have a particular fondness for CA buckwheat.

    I’m a new cut flower gardener but have always loved zinnias. They remind me of my grandfather and his garden.

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  2283. Brooke Morgan on

    The garden brings me such peace. There are so many plants i would try to save seeds from but if I were forced to choose one it would be a zinnia. I would choose a zinnia, because of the ease of growing it, and the large variety you can get from it.

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  2284. Carolee M on

    The zinnia. Always the zinnia. My mother had a very small garden bed with zinnias. She didn’t regularly cut them and bring them into the house, they stayed in their bed, watching us as we grew. This last year was my first time growing them myself. They graced many tables while also watching my own children grow, from their bed.
    My peony plants are also special because they were transplanted from gardens of my mother and a sweet friend. While they flower just a short period of time, their beauty is so unique and cherished.

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  2285. Amy on

    It is clear that Kori has a deep relationship with zinnias and it’s fascinating to hear how her interests and career developed organically. I enjoy garden roses for lifting my spirits and tge act of tending to them fills my heart. If I had to choose one seed it would be any variety of sweet pea, I fell in love with sweet peas on day one. My favorites are Oban Bay and Piggy Sue. I look forward to what Kori’s future in breeding holds, and hope she can share more beauty with the world.

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  2286. Cindy Boulware on

    My roses and my peonies give me great joy. I could spend hours walking through my roses and trimming or just smelling. Every year I grow a patch of zinnas by my house and revel in the continuous gifts I get through late October. I am so excited to hear about Kori’s zinna seeds and will be purchasing some for my flower garden!

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  2287. Debra A Byler on

    Both questions are so hard to answer after more than 30 years of growing cut flowers. So hard. I guess I will go with celosia, as we already save tons of those, and really enjoy all the different colors of both the cristatas and spicatas. A flower friend who knows my heart brought me a small bouquet of soft colors of cristatas a few years ago and stated,”I knew you would want to save seed from these. I got the seed from Amish in Lancaster county” (My friend is a horse and buggy Mennonite). Of course I have enjoyed keeping them going ever since. But at heart I am very practical, and definitely always save seed from the giant sunflowers we grow for seeds for our chickens to enjoy in the winter.

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  2288. Amelia on

    May is always a challenging month for me. During a season in which others find hope and peace, I tend to feel as though I am drowning in the stress of farm work as the pressure of Mothers Day, wedding season, and planting season collide. It is hard to find solace despite the extraordinary beauty of the season. I turn to delphinium and foxglove during this time. The hum of the bees, the soft colors, and the fact that they make me feel as though, if only momentarily, I’m traipsing through a field of wildflowers— these blooms bring me tranquility like no others.
    I also turn to elderberry in hard times. It is gentle yet powerful, delicate and determined. A habitat for birds and a potent healer. We have much to learn from elder.

    Reply
  2289. Diane Lee on

    If seed catalogs disappeared (what would I read during winter?!!) I would save tomato, basil, and lisianthus seeds. My favorite vegetable (I know, technically a fruit…) and my favorite flower. The first time I saw lisianthus in a florist shop I fell in love with them, but for a long time it was difficult to find the cut flowers. I figured I would grow them from seed. Ha! Now I know why they were hard to find. Despite the time and effort it takes (or maybe because of it?) they are still one of my favorites to grow.

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  2290. Sabrina on

    I would have to say that out of all my flowers that I grow, Zinnias continue to bring me the most joy. They are such a happy & colorful flower. Of course I would have to save their seeds (and I do!) in case they were never sold again.

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  2291. Susan MacDonald on

    I grew up in Missouri and my grandparents lived on our family farm in Bollinger County. My grandparent’s garden was one of my happiest places on earth, and my grandmother would plant a row of zinnias along the edge to encourage the pollinators. These zinnias became my love. Fast forward 30 years, and the family farm was sold, I moved to Boston, but Granny’s seeds have come with me and I cultivate a patch of zinnias in my yard every year to keep the farm and her alive in my memories. Over the years, as Kori mentioned (and explained in the Zinnia Breeder’s Handbook), Granny’s zinnias became single petaled and the purple lavender color. I was so excited 2-3 years ago when a neighbor referred me to Floret, and I have been so excited to see Granny’s seeds mingle with the Floret varieties. The results have been spectacular and interesting. I feel that the Floret seeds have brought a new dimension to Granny’s seeds and she would be proud. Thank you for having the same emotional attachment to these flowers as me–most people think I’m nuts. :)

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  2292. Nancy on

    My two favorites are dahlias and zinnias. I have three eucalyptus tress and lots of green year round. Always a spirit booster.

    I have many plants I just plant once and enjoy forever. Peonies rise to the top of this list, but most spring bulbs are the added support. I do love dividing plants and replanting them into different places. I saved seeds this year from my tomatoes. We will see how it works out.

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  2293. Hannah on

    I enjoy growing flowers and vegetables, but I find that the garden bed that brings me the most peace is my herb bed. It is so dynamic from the chamomile to the lavender to the tiny thyme leaves and flowers. I enjoy that I can use fresh herbs in abundance all summer and they will keep growing well into the fall. The last couple years I discovered that my bushy overgrown sage makes the most beautiful cut flower when it inevitably goes to seed. And in the winter months I enjoy all the herbs I dried and it keeps me going until next spring. :)

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  2294. Carolyn on

    For me, the plant that lifts me up are sweet peas. They have such a variety of colours that I always want to have a row of them somewhere in the garden . When I’m working near them or brush past them the smell is so beautiful. Plus they give me endless bouquets to enjoy inside.

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  2295. Terrie Campana on

    My first memories of gardening involve walking along the rows with my grandfather some 60+ years ago. It was magical to watch the bees doing their work as well as tending the tender shoots. These memories continued with my father and eventually my father in law. I’ve continued the process through my children , but the best memories are currently with my grandchildren.

    After retirement from teaching kindergarten, I’ve delved deeper into cut flower growing. This past year I shared arranging simple flowers with the grands and delivered to a few smiling friends. This year growing more cut flowers, seed starting, and instilling the love of gardening to my grandchildren will be my goal for the coming season.

    Gardening has always been a source of peace, respect, and reflection . I hope to instill those values to the next generation of hopeful gardeners. Life always has its difficulties, but I’ve found that Gods beauty in small cut flowers , as a way to heal all wounds.

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  2296. Bi Bi Stone on

    When times are hard I find myself in the garden and most often times the color purple , not necessarily the flower variety appears and gives me great joy. I lost my mother in 2017 and her favorite color was purple. She was an avid gardener in Virginia. Her garden , too was her refuge. When I found myself cleaning out her house I brought home seeds she had saved and planted them in my garden. Many were zinnias as she loved them so. I have shared the seeds with so many. When the purples pop in the garden , I feel the closest to my Mom. They are magic and wonder with an ability to raise my spirits and remember beautiful memories of walking the garden with her.

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  2297. Amanda Eastvold on

    If seed catalogues disappeared I would mourn and cry and be very dramatic about it! After feeling sorry for myself, I would GET TO WORK! I would save as many seeds as I could! Zinnias and poppies and buplerum and celosia because they are easiest to save. But I would have to learn to save my snap dragon seeds which I have never done. I would have to do some research on saving snap seeds and now this has me thinking I should try this year! Recently I was on a garden tour in my small town and everyone who came who showed an interest in a specific plant was give a bit of seed from that plant (if I had it). I watched peoples faces light up! What a gift Kori has given us! Thank you Erin and Kori

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  2298. Kerry Onree on

    Easy to answer, one I have been each & every year, for slightly more than forty years, has been my “chain link”, -my “anchor”, my connection and honor of a woman, my dear beloved little immigrant grandmother, whom shortly before passing, seated rubbing her calloused hands to illustrate to me in her broken English how to remove the chaff from the basil seed she unknowingly bequeathed to me, a basil, having worked in various vocations involving plants, I have never seen before, nor since. For slightly more than forty years, each year, in honor of this woman that could neither read nor write, that came to this country with nothing, via as many before and after, through Ellis Island, I still plant this dwarf exceptionally strong scented basil. Anyone who has grown & saved basil from their own collected seed knows how notorious basil is to try, just try, to keep that original strain “pure”. The testament that I have , that I still recall my grandmother that day decades, decades ago, adding for me to further understand in her attempted to convey to me in her broken English, that if I don’t collect the ripened seed from the basil plants in time, they will fall, be gone for ever. I had no idea why I grew each year this unique plant as an honor to her, until someone had to explain it to me. I had no idea what was pulling me, literally pulling me, to the tiny island 7k miles away, to see where she came from and left, me taking just a few of those basil seed with me, just a few, to plant in that regions famed native fertile soil , in a recycled food stuff as planter, much as the people there still do-but for the first time ever, the basil would not grow much taller than a few day old sprout. It made me for the first time utter & to a plant, in frustration, “if you are going to die, then die”, and within a week of the basil seed there sprouting, it did, just that. Now all this time, decades later, I realized, silly me, what pulled me to that God forsaken land , it was to feel something, anything, of my grandmother. But most ironic of all, as I now write this, I realize that little harsh smelling basil, which I don’t know how my grandmother used it in her cooking, it wasn’t brought back with her from the “old country”. It was given to her by someone in the same tenement apartment in which she lived, in the same area she and so many other immigrants all first came to reside, the lower east side of Manhattan. I to this day do not know what or where that basil came from, what immigrant countries culture it represents, or originally belongs to, but it wasn’t where I travelled 7k miles with idiot cards written by my mom, so I could communicate with a lineage of people whom would walk away from you if you spoke English to them. The basil wouldn’t grow in their native soil and felt exactly as I had -I only understand that now, that it wasn’t from there. I wasn’t even from there. Only my entire roots were from there.
    Second question answered: Those that receive in the mail seed catalogues, will always, just as generations before them, save those seed catalogues and dream, dream of sunny, warm days, when the proper time it will then be to sow what no longer could be sold, possible, it happens each year, and what were also special most unique varieties be it because the actual printed seed catalogue would become with technology, obsolete…or new varieties replace the old, but you meant something else entirely….it would “sadly” be “that basil”, as well as the seed of a dwarf French marigold that Burpee sold but for only one year, in 1985. The one called “Pygmy primrose” that I misplaced the very fertile seed of thinking Wrongly I would always have it. For years I literally pestered those at Burpee until one there had the mercy, made the time, took the effort, to do the deep research of what became of that absolutely unique variety. I was told by this kind man , Burpee , as I knew, sold that marigold, for but one year, then added he did, Burpee then sold the breeding rights of it., “that a lot can change in a plants genetic make up in 25 years.”
    What that man then did, was bequeath to me a packet without me asking, of a French marigold seed, asking MY advice ( me)- explaining to me, that strain he was giving me a packet of was bred to withstand very wide diverse growing conditions. I had not until recently realized, at the time, that humble man at Burpee, was THE top dawg at Butpee, THE top Kahuna. Since retired, I never did tell him what I thought of that French marigold he gave me absolutely and completely unselfishly free. It looks nothing special, it’s still not sold retail, but with my grandmother’s basil, I do still grow it each and every year. The marigold is never out of flower-and I remember it for his extended brief kindness.
    In closing, excuse me for the length, as well as veering off two questions, but no one except Tiffany Jones”has seemingly ever credited the unsung zinnia hybridizer of the zinnia forum, “the zen man” with providing as he had the experience and unselfish wealth of his knowledge and hybridizing efforts of zinnias-anyone can if they had the time still read on line, see his posted photos, answering for so many years, honestly, anyone’s questions into the foray of zinnia breeding. In closing I give a shout out to my grandmother and for those interested in zinnia breeding, to the originator and unsung “hero”, of the zinnia (garden plant forum) -the zen man. He initially if you read his posts , still available and free on line today,
    He wanted too in his own way enable others to change the course of zinnias, and he did, explaining which strains he used. But that the corporate seed houses weren’t interested in his work, so for him, it was his (obsessive ) hobby. Being an older person and not business savvy like Erin or Kori, or Tiffany, his years and years of his breeding efforts , all the culling, not sharing any of his zinnia seed, have gone “unsung”-but the sharing of his knowledgeable journey still lives on through Tiffany, for those to realize how each and every one of us can literally not just influence but alter and improve both mentally, spiritually and physically, the lives not just our own but that of so many others via the love of plants and nature. Erin and Kori and oh so many other lovers of life through the joy brought on via plants, are the epitome of that. I acknowledge you all.

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  2299. Trish Tallent on

    When I was a little girl there was this one little spot on the side of the road near our house where these tall, beautiful, wild, white daisies grew. If I was lucky my mom would pull over on the side of the road and let me quickly jump out to pick a few of the long stems. Most people in our area would consider these roadside wild flowers to be weeds, but they were my favorite! My mom was a “single” mom with 3 kids and no family that lived close by, it was hard, really hard. But we found joy in simple things and in each other. Still today, I smile when I see the white blooms standing tall on the side of the road. And of course, I have an entire fence row of white Alaskan Shasta daisies growing here at our house.

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  2300. Tori on

    I’m so happy for Kori. I’ve been ordering her gorgeous zinnias for 3 or 4 years now and they are a highlight for me personally. My clientele always, always ask me where I got my seed!! I’m a little sad that I didn’t get to order from her this year, but thrilled her hard work is paying off in such a big way. Congratulations to all!!

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  2301. Lisa Alward on

    There is nothing that lifts my spirits more than walking between 2 rows of cosmos, disappearing into them and gently brushing my hands along them as I go, they just have a very “whimsy” feeling♡

    That being said, if all seed catalogs were to dissappear,I’d likely starve as I would be busy saving ALL of the flower seeds and none of the vegetable.

    I look forward to growing a little piece of your hard work in my garden🌸….Good luck everyone♡

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  2302. Jennifer on

    My sweet pea patch are my allies in hard times. I saved their seeds last year and look forward to watching my saved seeds grow.

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  2303. Lynne Adele Crosett Flynn on

    I love bird of paradise. Their shape is so beautiful and the colors are so incredibly sharp and vibrant. When the flower first blooms it takes my breath away every single time and always fills me with joy and wonder.

    I would save bird of paradise seeds , zinnias, snap dragons, tomatoes and zucchini. That way I would have beauty and food for my family.

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  2304. Sara on

    Zinnias truly are one of my favorite flowers (though how do you choose ONE favorite flower?). They always lift a bouquet, no matter the variety, but the softest colors always feel so charming and romantic. I have an interest in breeding zinnias, so this interview fascinated me.

    I always try to keep zinnias, celosia, cosmos and ageratum in my seed mix.

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  2305. janet hall on

    At my age, my garden is my joy, the reason to get up in the morning, the thing I most look forward to. It gives me what I need to continue to learn and grow. I have many favorites but have to admit that poppies are the first. So beautiful, all different faces. I love to see them blowing in the wind and all the bees buzzing around. I am excited about the new zinnias and hope to add these to my garden. Thank you for all you do, you are very inspiring.

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  2306. Tiffany Cardenas on

    Coreopsis- I like natural dying also. I see their textured souls on linen & I gives me calm.
    No seeds.. I have heirloom cucumbers, tomatoes & lettuce. I better save some rhubarb seeds than.

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  2307. Genie Rich on

    I am so excited to see what the future holds both with the new Floret Originals as well as Dawn Creek. Thanks Erin for introducing us to Dawn Creek and can’t wait to try some of the new offerings. Here in Texas – zone 8b – it is always exciting to hear of new opportunities to expand our offerings of flowers that will take our hot summers.

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  2308. Tracey McNeil on

    My love of gardening comes from generations of women in my family. I have been saving seeds for as long as I can remember! My fondest memory in the garden is making hollyhock dolls with my grandmother where hers grew wild in the alley behind her house. That is the seed I would most want!

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  2309. Diana Knight on

    I would save Zinnias, cosmos, Jewels of Opar, globe, celosia, strawflowers, cress….all of them. You got me thinking when you retired your offerings this year about this very thing.

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  2310. Shelby on

    Due to my current living situation, I am not able to have as many plants growing as I would like (rental with small yard). That being said, I have always had some flowers and succulents and veggies growing. Just sitting outside with them is healing. It’s a symbiotic relationship, where I am healing and rejuvenating by caring for these little souls. While I don’t have a specific “heart plant,” I know I will always find joy and relaxation by being around something natural and alive.

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  2311. Aisha on

    My plant allies are the ones that start with a struggle yet still pull through. The joy in discovering the pop of life bursting through after a tough time is like no other. This resilience is a reminder to myself that I’ve come a long way and no matter what … just keep growing.

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  2312. Heather on

    I truly love zinnias. I enjoy cutting them to enjoy at home but I also love giving them away to friends and colleagues. My kids will cut them for bouquets and sell them at the bottom of our driveway. They truly bring joy to everyone in my home!

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  2313. Evelyn on

    Answer to question 1. Rosemary. My garden has been in the same location for 42 years.I planted a Rosemary hedge around the east end of the garden the 3rd year so 39 years ago 5 across the east end and 10 along the north side. They not only framed the garden at that end ,they also made a huge difference in pest control for the whole garden.The years came and went.Menopause hit if I could have walked around inside a refrigerator I would have.Florida zone 10. My garden sat fallow for 7 yrs 14 seasons for me :( One day menopause was over ,I HAD to garden right that day NOW my mind said. I went out to the garden 2 Rosemary bushes had survived my absence. I swear I heard them say “we waited for you ” The first year back I started with 198 pots and planters while I worked on bringing the 25x 50 garden back to life. I started 15 cuttings from those 2 Rosemary bushes that waited for me. Now all the pots ,planters and garden are in full use. Answer to question 2. Everything that is in my garden I would want to save the seed or cuttings from.

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  2314. Sandy Doyle on

    A flower that actually speaks to me is one of my grandmother’s favorites. She would actually pluck one of the flowers from the spike and pinch its corners to give it voice as if it were her own. My love of snapdragons may have started as a childhood rouse, but their beauty and hardiness give me hope for this weary world.

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  2315. Krystal Lynn on

    As a young farmer life gets hard every season, but we love what we do, and no matter what happens we smile and are grateful for all the beauty around us. While the gardens in my yard are a little wild and unruly, compared with the nice tidy rows on our farm, that wild world is where I go to wander through the mast of planted misfits. Every plant that wasn’t sale-able in our nursery found a home in my yard, some just a root with hopes it might flourish, some just were odd ones out, or had a goldenrod friend taking over their pot (we ask our plants to play nice, but goldenrod is just like my cat, always sneaking into places, and then you wake up with a cat on your head…). Anywho, my misfit gardens are a place I go to that helps me reset and realize that being “weird” just means you have a special place in the world where you might just be the most spectacular and unique thing that could inspire and create something amazing! I have found the most fascinating plants amongst the misfits and it’s those inspiring moments that get me excited and hopeful that this odd little plant could be the start of something special. I guess that’s much of what plant breeding is, but on a smaller more whimsical level. That whimsy and those wild little plants are what keep the hard times just part of a grand adventure.

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  2316. Marylou Wu on

    The flowers that makes me close my eyes and breathe deeply are lilacs, because they grew in abundance where I spent my childhood years and they always bring me right back to those days of hopping on bicycles, building forts, and playing hopscotch.

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  2317. Libby on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    I find myself turning towards my herbs, hydrangeas, and tomato on tough times and days. The herbs offer the smell and that inspire creativity in the kitchen. The hydrangea and other cut flowers remind me of my German grandmother, and the homegrown tomato remind me of my father and the joy he found in his garden.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, what seeds would you save from your garden this year? What plants do you want to grow alongside forever?

    Zinnias, basil, and heirloom tomatoes would be the seeds I would save.

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  2318. Kassie on

    I started with Dahilas last year after I had my last baby. I was dealing with postpartum depression and wouldn’t hardly even get out of bed. These flowers helped bring joy back and get me out of a slump I didn’t even realized I was in

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  2319. Vickie W on

    Ranunculus are my flowers that bring me joy and a feeling of happiness. To be able to grow them in 6b is somewhat of a challenge and when I set the goal to grow them during Covid and was successful, the precious papery blooms brought tears to my eyes . I love zinnias as well!

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  2320. Greta on

    Cramoisie Superieure, the old rose that grows along the iron picket fence in front of my house is my go to plant ally. I started her from a cutting from the neighbor’s back yard. He was getting rid of the wild and prolifically flowering bush that refused to be controlled and refused to die. She is like me and grows above my youngest son’s placenta. I have propagated and named two cuttings after rival sisters, They survive to this day at a temple nearby. And I share blossoms, bouquets from my own yard with neighbors, my ancestors and myself. The flowers give me joy and hope.

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  2321. Linda on

    1. Purple coneflowers have been my steady, perennial miracles. One of my husband’s favorite plants, they are native to North Carolina, and even in a hard personal season where many of my plants and flowers struggled with the heat and neglect, our little patch of purple coneflowers always kept pushing out blooms for us and the bees.
    2. I would have to save my zinnia seeds. These are the flowers I cut most often to deliver to friends who are having a hard time, ones who are going through transitions, and ones that just need a little sunshine. They are the easiest to grow, and give back so much with so little attention.

    So great to read through this interview with Kori. Thank you to Erin and the Floret team for the incredible work in making local growers and breeders visible and honoring their work. Loved reading about Kori’s art background. Cannot wait to grow these masterpieces 🤍

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  2322. Diana on

    I could not get through a growing season without my verbascum, foxgloves, various snapdragons, sugar daddy petunias, nicandra (sho’fly), cosmos, viola, nicotiana sylvestris, all mine because I have been growing and sharing these flowers from my own seed for decades. Most are true but the varience of my violas and petunias is what makes them special with their blue and purple jewel colors.
    You and your farm and your seed project are an inspiration especially right now in the depth of an Alaskan winter!
    I’ve been absorbing your film and allowing the unbelievable colors and varieties to wash over my spirit in anticipation of spring and the first seeding to commence by the end of this month.
    May we all be fulfilled.

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  2323. Lauren Elliott on

    What beautiful questions to ponder! As a child I loved purple…purple bikes, purple walls in my bedroom and purple flowers. My dad would say, ‘Ohh Lauren, you will outgrow this purple “phase’. To this day, I find joy in purple kohlrabi, monarda fistulosa, anise hyssop’s light purple summer blooms and my all-time favorite, spring- blooming Baptisia. My grounding force has always been the white birch. A young tree transplanted from the woods of Vermont into my front yard as a kid. I watched it grow in wonder. My love of the nature world in its infinite beauty came from a childhood of exploring the woodlands, uncovering crayfish in the streams, marveling at wild raspberry fields and caring for our veggie and cutting garden. I followed my curiosity instilled as a child, making a career shift from the business world to becoming a mindfulness facilitator and master gardener. Purples will always dance in my garden among the red crimson clover, the rainbow swiss chard and the whimsical mad hatter peppers!!

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  2324. Katherine Downey on

    I find that my garden is my happy place. It’s the place my family can find me when they’ve looked all over the farm. It’s a place where I can cry and be in the quiet with my thoughts and prayers. No one plant does it for me – it’s the collectiveness of the garden itself. If I were never able to save seeds again, zinnias and tomatoes would be the two I’d strive to save all I could of. Zinnias are prolific and easy to grow, drawing in pollinators and tomatoes are a staple food.

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  2325. Nancy on

    I live in the mountains in northern California, so for me, my constant friend in my ecosystem are the incense cedar. After a heavy snow, when they’re saturated with moisture, the smell is intoxicating as they age and grow their bark wrinkles and sheds just like an old woman’s skin, they are beautiful and graceful. Summertime flower, growing always includes a massive amount of sunflowers. Last year, in the middle of a stand of fully double lemonades, two of them, decided to fall in love, and turned their faces toward each other with about a 3 inch gap between them. They were no longer heliocentric, they were just in love! If all the seed catalog disappeared, that would definitely be a huge bummer, but some of the best things I’ve grown, and have in my yard have been from wild, foraging walks where a plant in the forest will just speak to you and say I want to go with you , Please take me with you.

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  2326. Terri Fisher on

    I LOVE COSMOS! They are so cheerful! They bring me such joy and happiness. They seem to wave to me from the garden and beckon me outside to greet them. I love all their colors and forms and will always have them in my garden!

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  2327. D J Martin on

    What plants will I grow forever? Basically the ones we have winnowed down to on our cut flower farm. Lilacs – the scent is heavenly, and they remind me of long spring days spent playing with friends under the bushes at my grandmother’s house. Peonies – the beauty, grace and fragrance. Wow! They just lift your soul! Dahlias – challenging, finicky, but gorgeous so well worth the effort. And finally, but definitely not least – zinnias. Zinnias can teach you about life – they aren’t particular where or when they are planted; they just give their all for their purpose. The variations in today’s varieties are amazing and are much improved over those at Grandmas 60 years ago. As we were getting started two years ago, our row of zinnias provided hundreds of stems to the STL floral designers and showed what might be possible with cut flowers on the prairie. Without that success, we may not have continued this journey. While there are always new stems that will come and go, we have decided these will always remain so long as we are on this path.

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  2328. Christine Watson on

    Zinnias, because living in northeast Florida that’s all I’ve been able to grow the most of with our growing season and temperatures. So they basically get all the tears, drama, and love! They can definitely take the heat. The crazy thing is , I’ve never liked zinnias. I thought they were ugly honestly. Kinda basic. But Dawn Creek & Erin are changing that with all of the new varieties out now.. they’re so unique and beautiful! People don’t even know they’re zinnias because they’ve never seen them like that before.
    I love hydrangeas and peonies but of course they don’t grow here. We’re kinda limited with extreme temperatures in the summer. So most people just gravitate towards tropical plants and not flowers.

    Reply
  2329. Ashley Absher on

    All of my plants are my allies through harder times. Something about getting your hands in the dirt and growing flower from seed is the best therapy!

    Reply
  2330. Sierra U on

    The plant that I would want to grow alongside the most would have to be Dahlias. I know that by saving those seeds, and each first bud, that I would be treated with the surprise of a flower I don’t know. Then at the end of the season I would have a chance to dig it up and share a piece of my happiness with someone else.

    Reply
  2331. Jessica on

    Last season I gave Zinnias a try. I had saved seeds from my sister who grew them in AZ. I’m in WA and this experiment didn’t work. This year I am determined to try it again with Zinnias. I have been mostly successful with Dahlias and growing flowers is one of my favorite things to do!

    Reply
  2332. Alina Subrt on

    I am in the beginning stages of my planting journey in our new space. Our space is very green at them moment. Audrey, a ride in the middle of the green that when we moved in only had one bloom and long sharp arms that caught everything passing by ( hence three name Audrey). She is now this beautiful blush colored goddess that stands outstretched in her grace , overlooking that I’m building inviting others in. I have slowly been bringing it color. Zinnias, Columbine, fox glove, yarrow, marshmallow, camomile, calendula, chives, cosmos daffodils, and tulips. It’s so hard for me to choose just one flower that I come to in hard times because building that garden and image of what I’m building is what is grounding for me. When we moved in, Fiddle leaf hawksbeard grew everywhere amongst the green. It is the most gentle flower that then dried into beautiful additions to any bouquet. I have since given it reign in certain spots. It looks like fireflies in amongst the green and warms every bit of my heart when it’s heavy. So long story short .. I can’t say that there is one I turn to, but rather that each one has its own place and time for healing me right when I need it… And sometimes when I don’t even know that I do.

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  2333. Sherry Mansfield on

    I enjoyed reading the interview! I live in Florida and find that Zinnias never let me down in our hot summers. I garden for butterflies and they flock to the flowers all summer long. I love all the different colors, shapes and sizes of zinnias.

    Reply
  2334. Kelsey on

    My cut flower garden started with Zinnias. A coworker told me how easy they were to care for and I planted some. From there it has spiraled, as my husband would say. I currently grow any type of zinnia I can get my hands on. I am so excited to snag some these from the seed sale because I will always grow zinnias.

    If my precious seed catalogs disappeared I would save seeds from zinnias, celosia, poppy’s, sunflowers and amaranth. I’d have beautiful bouquets with those!

    Reply
  2335. Stasia on

    I especially love being in my garden when I’m down. There’s nothing better than being in the dirt giving things a good weeding, or planting new seedlings. While I love all of my flowers and herbs, I always save my row of hellebores for last. Their soft hued palettes remind me of old fairy books I read as a kid. From far away they could easily be overlooked, tucked in the shade. Up close they are marvelously detailed and delicate. Once the blooms finally open in their little row I get so excited. It’s incredible how the foliage lasts all year, even in our cold Maine winters.

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  2336. Jane Windham on

    My garden was my solace in 2020 during which I lost my mother. Happy zinnias always greeted me and perked me up as no other flower can. I do save seeds from colors and types that I especially love. I am so excited and appreciative of your work and the release of your seeds!

    Reply
  2337. Mag on

    Kori has shared such intimate thoughts on her relationship with her flowers. Such inspiring words!
    We always plant zinnias in our community garden & tuck them into to our food basket donations. We’d love to add Karen’s zinnias & spread some hope to others. ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  2338. Lois Spengeman on

    I am new to growing Zinnias and am captivated by their ease and joyful spirit. In my hot hot climate they hang on and do not disappoint. My treasures though are my orchids that bring me joy and I dote over . The thrill of coaxing a bloom out of a moody specimen is exciting.

    Reply
  2339. Rosie on

    I would probably focus on saving my tomato seeds more than anything else, honestly! They’re what I look forward to most all winter.

    Reply
  2340. Jessica on

    I definitely have a plant that I spend time with to centre myself, and that is lavender. It was my grandmother’s favourite scent, and two year ago just before she passed away we planted 200 lavender plants so that we could harvest it in abundance. We were so smitten by it that this past summer we planted another 500 plants to create a lavender field. Everything about it feels special to me- the smell, the way you can make endless things with the buds, the way you can cook and bake with it….it really is a gift. I love to make things and give them to family and friends, and it really lets me be creative. But really the smell just reminds me of my grandmother and I really grow it mostly for her. Unfortunately she passed away before she could ever walk through our lavender field, but it still brings back nostalgic memories.

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  2341. Amy on

    My gardens are my happiest place. One of my earliest memories is being with my Grandparents and driving to a gladiolus farm in the Adirondacks (where we would go each summer) they would talk and talk with the farmers and I would sit and listen and look at the beautiful flowers. My Gramma would purchase an armful and we would drive back home and she lovingly would arrange them. She has been gone along time but I always grow Glads each summer to remember those times. About a decade ago I started growing dahlias because a dear friend shared some with me. I then began saving seeds from them and my love for saving seeds was born . It has been such a fun journey. From Veggies to Flowers it’s been fun to be able to share that love with my friends each spring. If the seed catalogs went away, I would save every possible seed I could. My celosia and sunflowers, zinnias and Dahlias, Marigolds and Nasturtiums…. too many to count.

    Reply
  2342. Janna Schrock on

    I am in a season of pregnancy and babies, and although I love to grow flowers and garden, there are times I get overwhelmed and discouraged with keeping up with it. But I always know if I can at least tuck a few zinnias in the ground, I’ll be rewarded richly even if there’s little time to tend to them. Zinnias have long been my standby but I have lamented the lack of softer colors, and I’m so excited about these new varieties!

    Reply
  2343. Laura on

    My mother passed away during a year when we had sub zero temperatures in my area for weeks. The day of her funeral, the cold broke and I found the first snowdrops of the season blooming in my garden. Each year I look for those snowdrops as a reminder of my mother and a happy thought of more blooms to come soon following winter in my garden.

    Reply
  2344. Rebecca E on

    What would I save:
    Hyacinth bean, plum granny, and false indigo- all were passed from my grandmother to my father to me. He passed last fall so these are extra precious!

    Flowers: of course dahlia seeds, poppy seeds, I can’t live without snaps or sweet peas either….

    Reply
  2345. Lauren on

    We recently moved into a new home and this will be the first year I get to start my garden. But daffodils are the flowers that bring me peace when times are hard. They were one of my grandmother’s favorite flowers and they were something we shared together. She has since passed away but every spring I am reminded of her gentle smile and kind heart through the daffodils growing around me.

    Reply
  2346. Kate Mc on

    This is such a lovely interview. Thank you for sharing the journey! My answer to your questions is likely the same – strawflower! I love walking through the garden and petting the crinkly buds. How can one not get a smile knowing the crinkly serenade is how nature intended? I cannot imagine a future without them in my garden (or dried in the house – it’s wonderful to see how they hold their color all year round), and saving seeds from them cannot be easier with their exploding fluffy centers. The other plant I am drawn to is sedum. Similarly, I love watching its evolution throughout the season.

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  2347. Nancy Bachman on

    Thank you for this fabulous interview.
    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would save seeds from a flower that was new to me last season : basket flower, centaurea americana. I was amazed by its unique beauty both fresh and dried. I appreciate that it is native and attracts pollinators. I thought my crop was a flop last season, but then pop! They were amazing.

    Reply
  2348. Colleen Hedican on

    Breadseed poppies are such a beautiful surprise when they pop out early each year. I love to photograph them in the sun and shade to see their beauty. They are so delicate but as soon as one is finished another one surprises me with its beauty. I save the seed of my favourites every year and love to share them with friends. I couldn’t live without them in my vegetable garden.

    Reply
  2349. JackieV. on

    All perennials that show their brave heads in the chilly days of spring are a sign to me of rebirth and perseverance. Seeing them slowly unfurl give me such a tickle of excitement. I didn’t have to tend them or pray for their existence–they just appear. Like so many things in life, perennials only require us to take note of their beauty and be awestruck by the magic of nature.

    Reply
  2350. Teri Taylor on

    Zinnias are my absolute favorite flowers! Although my garden is small I always have room for them. I save every flower head /seeds from every one of them and share with friends. Reading about your personal journey has inspired me to be open to possibilities to expand my flower world!

    Reply
  2351. Terri Nemenz on

    I have started saving Dahlia seed two years ago and am going to plant the tubers produced this year. Last fall I gathered seed from some of the larger varieties and am excited to see the dahlias that this seed produces. The process is addictive and fun. How amazing it is for both of you to be able to devote so much time to your passion!

    Reply
  2352. Christine on

    I don’t know that I’ve experienced a particular variety as a buoy in hard times, but gardening as a practice has been. I’ve been gardening since I was probably 8 years old, starting with zinnia and marigold seeds. I’ve noticed how getting my hands in the earth, pulling weeds, snipping flowers, feeling the water spray my legs helps me feel more present allows me to process my experiences productively. It helps me get out of my head a little bit. I know that in college, when life felt overwhelming, I started gardening. When I moved to Maine and knew no one, I found a community garden. I know that the plants have tended to me as I’ve tended to them.

    Reply
  2353. Sheena on

    When times are challenging, and I feel particularly alone, I first begin a search for mint growing throughout the landscape. I then search for other herbal allies that might aid mint, such as tulsi basil, prunella, or lemon balm. With a cup of tea in hand, I venture out once more to visit each garden room, the jewel bed with glorious blooms, the pumpkin patch where the cheerful squash grow, the serious patch with veg like kale, chard, and tomatoes. I look for surprises, and there are always surprises. Within moments, the greater canvas melts away, and I am one with nature again. Then, a hummingbird flits in front of my face to say hello, and is off again, on his own adventures. My garden is my shrine.

    Reply
  2354. Diana McGuire on

    I particularly love those plants that support the lifecycle of the swallowtails. Despite the fact that your beautiful plant is getting eaten, there is so much hope in watching the larva grow and eventually metamorphosis into something so beautiful.

    Reply
  2355. Amy on

    I love zinnias! Since the first year I directly sowed them into my backyard garden, I have saved their seeds, and grown them every year! They are so resilient, and when my growing conditions aren’t ideal due to lack of weeding or watering they thrive just the same. They are such a stunning burst of colour and stand tall and strong swaying in our sometimes strong winds. I will forever grow these alongside my veggies and love to grow them in a low thick row. My all time favourite thing to grow and enjoy, and gift to neighbours and friends all summer long!

    Reply
  2356. Kristy on

    When life is hardest, being at my garden and looking at all the bloom can make me calm. Diahlia is my favourite and it can put smile on my face when I see them in bloom.

    I will definitely save Dahlia Petite Floret and I will grow orlaya along side with it forever.

    Reply
  2357. April on

    I would (and do) save the seeds from my purple hyacinth bean vine. I love watching it re-emerge every year and the hummingbirds visit it, then in the fall when the pods have dried/ crushing the pods in my hand to find the beautiful little beans again! It’s resilient, wild, and whimsical.

    Reply
  2358. Susan on

    Beginner gardener here! My husband built me raised beds 5 years ago and each season I learn something new. Gardening brings me such joy. Last year was my first year adding flowers to my boxes, growing Dahlias and Zinnias! I’m hooked! My zinnias didn’t do well as I think they weren’t receiving enough sun. I think I got overly ambitious and planted too many plants in one box. I’d love to win your seeds! These flowers look amazing! I’m just learning about you and look forward to following you!

    Reply
  2359. Darcey O’Neill on

    1. Dinner plate dahlias. I was at a botanic garden going for a walk to clear my head the first time I saw them. They had a whole section of dahlias and I felt like I was in a fairyland. The beauty, symmetry, and varieties were amazing.
    2. Sunflowers! I grew my first plot of them last year and it was so exciting to see all the varieties. I particularly like the multi toned ones.

    Reply
  2360. Connie Coyner on

    Almost 4 years ago, my life was crashing around me and I embarked on a journey of sobriety and recovery. It was at that time I began to realize a dream…to grow cut flowers. I fell head over heels in love with dahlias!
    My dream was to be able to grow dahlias for my only daughter’s wedding last September! I did and I will never forget that moment as long as I live! Cornell Bronze and Terra Cotta were the stars of her bridal bouquet! It was such a gift in my recovery journey, as the flower garden grew, so did I.

    Reply
  2361. Laura Sweeny on

    I love the honeysuckle as it reminds me of my grandfather’s garden when I was little. The sweet scent (and taste) are such a wonderful memory.

    Reply
  2362. Robin Carton on

    1: Iris are my go to when times are hard they were my mom’s favorite ….our family has a news letter “Diann”s Iris that I send quarterly. They bring me such closeness and they are such a classic flower.

    2: The Zinnias for sure I plant them in my small flowerbed, all colors and I call that space ” Happy People”

    Reply
  2363. Emily 🌷 on

    My gardening journey has become my happy place, a place that has opened conversations with my family about our past and brought us closer together. When walking through our flowers it has become a special moment with my mum and I to find our most favourite flowers and save the seeds to pass along to others. The whimsical cosmos are always her favourite so they will forever be sown in my garden along with all the pastel zinnias, lisianthus and sunflowers

    Reply
  2364. Leigh Ann Hasley on

    If seed catalogs were non-existent, I would save sweet Thai basil for their scent and color, mahogoney splender hibiscus for its workhorse spirit, my white zinnias for their purity and my dahlias for their unique shape! This was such a delight to read more about Kori.

    Reply
  2365. Mary Ellen Howard on

    When life is hard, and the world is weary, I go to my gardens for solace, seeking the comfort and peace the flowers bring, with their beautiful colors, glorious scents and the pollinators they bring, reminding me that there can be peace and harmony in the world. I love all flowers, but especially zinnias, peonies, cosmos, dahlias and roses. What a wonderful interview! I’m so excited and hopeful to get a packet of these gorgeous zinnias to grow here in my southern Maryland garden. Thank you. Erin, for introducing us to Kori and her incredible zinnias!

    Reply
  2366. Cindy on

    Zinnias will always be in my garden and my soul flower. I’ve grown them over 50 years and they’ve brought so much joy into my life and the lives of so many family members, neighbors and friends. Living in South Louisiana my entire life, Zinnias have been my friend. They thrive in our heat and humidity when many other plants like Dahlias struggle and cannot survive our extreme summers. But oh the Zinnias! Forever the star of my garden and the flower of my soul, it’s the first flower I sow each year. Last year, I had the immense joy of visiting a zinnia flower farm with my mother, daughter and granddaughter, four generations amongst the most beautiful fields of color, and I felt for sure it must be somewhat like heaven because my heart was overflowing and my soul was at peace for those few hours. I am in awe of the upcoming Zinnia collections and am hoping to be lucky enough to purchase a few of them. Thank you, Erin and Team, for your dedication and hard work in taking Zinnias to a whole new level. You are amazing!! 💕

    Reply
  2367. Lydia Dodson on

    I would say Didiscus. It is pretty difficult for me to grow but it is so dainty and beautiful. I find peace in their simple beauty. I would spend my time with that flower because if it can survive, I know I can too.

    Reply
  2368. Jessa on

    Beautiful interview! I could never be without sweet peas, zinnia, cosmos, and dahlias. These easy and prolific bloomers form the backbone of my cut flower garden. I’m looking forward to increasing the amount of seeds I save this next year!

    Reply
  2369. Terri Meme a on

    I have started saving Dahlia seed two years ago and am going to plant the tubers produced this year. Last fall I gathered seed from some of the larger varieties and am excited to see the dahlias that this seed produces. The process is addictive and fun. How amazing it is for both of you to be able to devote so much time to your passion!

    Reply
  2370. Christine Grumbach on

    I think for me the plants I turn to the most besides zinnias are snapdragons. Especially the Chantilly variety with their beautiful little petals that look like skirts. I love to watch them blow in the wind, and the colors that I grew this past summer were just gorgeous and I love how hardy they are. Amazing to me how they can withstand the cold like a frozen popsicle and that new growth still comes up in the spring. I ordered so much more for the upcoming year and I can’t wait!!

    Reply
  2371. Angie on

    Roses and Dahlias are my first choices but a couple years ago I ran across the zinnias from Dawn Creek and purchased from her fundraiser. I have been hooked on those ever since! One of my grandparents use to always grow zinnias, saved the seeds from that year and planted the following year. I always admired that and hoped to do that someday as well.

    Reply
  2372. Jennifer on

    I love and grow cosmos, zinnias and dahlias! Plus a lot of others! I love to go out and cut them to make my own arrangements. Our season is short so I spend a lot of time cutting as many as I can and give them away to family and friends. I’m so glad I found you and your beautiful flowers. I can’t wait to buy some. I already went on your site and everything is sold out. I’ll keep following though and when I get a chance I will have some beautiful flowers of yours in my garden!!

    Reply
  2373. Victoria M on

    Over the past couple years I have been learning to save seeds (thank you all for your work and education on this!) In no particular order I would prioritize zinnias, calendula, dahlias, zucchini, tomatoes, peas, green beans, lettuce and kale. I think if that was all I had left in the garden forever I would be happy! A perfect combination of beautiful and yummy!

    Reply
  2374. Cara Elise on

    In Ohio, I can always depend on my zinnias to pop up and make me smile every single year. They love the hot Ohio sun and heavy rains. Even when I had a small plot at my apartment I grew zinnias and now that I have just under two acres I plant them everywhere. I love how hardy the little seedlings are to transplant. They remind me of soldiers. They can thrive in compost or dry prairie.
    I would definitely save zinnia seeds. I’ve been saving my zinnia seeds through four moves now. Like me these flowers are infrangibile. That’s Italian for unbreakable. That has been my mantra for years as life as been hard but gardening has brought me my calm and my sense that the opposite of war is growth and creation.

    Reply
  2375. Heidi Gordon on

    I am running my small flower farm with a now 2 year old. It’s been the most amazing past two years and the most challenging! It can be near impossible to check off my to-do list and there are days I struggle to achieve even the most simple tasks. On these days I find myself gravitating to the Zinnia patch! My daughter loves the bright colors and the plants are so forgiving and resilient I can leave her to her own devices and not stress about a whole plant being yanked up! If I can spend even 10 minutes in the Zinnias picking Japanese beetles and deadheading I feel like I’ve accomplished something for the day. Being in their presence lifts my spirits!

    Reply
  2376. Suzi Hobson on

    I would save the seed of any and every plant that a butterfly or honeybee landed on.

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  2377. Anita on

    There are so many things I’d hope to save!Dahlias, Celosia, Zinnias ,Cosmos and the list goes on 😀 I love them all and thanks to Floret I was inspired to save more of my own seed.
    When things get tough I like to dream about dahlias. All the possibilities that could emerge from a seed. All the lovely colors especially the pale muted colors.

    Reply
  2378. Kristin on

    In January: a memory of how my flowers looked in the field; in March, a seedling emerging from soil; in July, walking through the rows that would become next year’s January memory. There is calm hope in every month for someone who loves flowers. It’s not work…it’s peace. While dahlias are my visual soul mate, lavender is my sensory one. And for saving seeds, I am very new to concept, but last year I saved my marigolds and butternut squash! I felt so proud holding the squash I grew from saved seed. Flowers, especially dahlias and zinnias, will be with me through all of the good times and bad.

    Reply
  2379. Sarah H on

    I decided to cut back my flowers this year and grow more vegetables, but I found that I really missed that I didn’t start snapdragons in the fall, so I would save my snapdragon seed if the ability to buy them went away.
    I just love their form, and I love watching the bumblebees slip inside the blooms to gather pollen. I love the ruffled madame butterfly and Chantilly cupped blooms too. They are mostly pest free (even deer) with the exception of my nemesis, thrips.

    Reply
  2380. Lori Braun on

    Every spring I get so excited to see my peonies start to emerge and love watching them slowly develop and bloom! I already save my zinnia seeds and have traded seeds with neighbors when a particular color is appealing! Zinnias are so easy to collect seed from and grow!

    Reply
  2381. Melissa A Rodriguez-Hill on

    Life w/out catalogs…

    I would forever want to grow Zinnias! In my neck of the woods, we can get pretty hot but Zinnias thrive! She is SO easy to grow, she isn’t fussy, she is Strong!
    Erin, I love that you are such an advocate for seed harvesting and saving! You’ve taught me many things in my few short years of growing flowers, and seed saving is one that will last.

    Reply
  2382. Charity Ravn on

    Flowers have amazing vibrations, I love how tapped in to that Kori is! My stress release flowers are definitely Zinnias (I love Floret’s Cactus variety), Yarrow, and Celosia. The unique shapes of these and the colors are a mood lifter.
    I save seeds every year for my neighbor and farm club seed exchange, the most popular are always flowers. Hyssop, Basil and Sweet Peas are what everyone wants first. The ladies who KNOW however love to trade zinnias. Everyone loves them. I’m trying to get the same appreciation out there for Marigolds too.

    Reply
  2383. Theresa Hatfield on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    When I feel overwhelmed I go outside and enjoy going to my flower gardens, my poppies will always be my favorite, but to be honest I say that about each one, when my dad died a few years ago, I put my hands in the soil and enjoyed watching new life abound.

    Reply
  2384. Yolande Lemire on

    Merci beaucoup pour ce bel entretien avec une personne aussi inspirante. Those zinnas are gorgeous. Growing flowers has a very powerful on me. While I’m in the garden, I’m in peace. It’s like if I was a part of something… beautiful Even when a bee hits me.

    Thank you to share with us your expériences and tips. I’m learning not only to plant but to share, to give, to listen, to smell, to hear, to taste and to fell the expérience.

    Merci pour ce partage.

    Reply
  2385. Caylea Williams on

    Snapdragons are my go to. I love watching the bees disappear into the bloom and get eaten by the Snapdragon then for it to pop out and move on to the next. My dad showed me how snapdragons could talk when I was ver young and its definitely something I’ve passed on to my kids. Role playing and talking with snaps, there is something magical about it. Snapdragons would be my choice for seed saving, along with dahlias, and zinnias.

    Reply
  2386. Karen Mason on

    I feel like Kori could be my sister. I feel most grounded when I am in my garden. I love zinnias, but I also like so many other plants. They are my family. Begonias connect me to my grandmother. Every year she would start and grow the most beautiful begonias. Daffodils are also a favorite. They signal the end of the harsh Wisconsin winter and the start of my plant friends returning. Gardening is a very spiritual act. Lately I am connected to my ash tree. She hasn’t been infected with the bore yet, I hope the connection keeps her going as all the other ash in the neighborhood decline.

    Reply
  2387. Gini on

    I love growing flowers. Just enough to have cut flowers inside or give to a friend. For cut flowers I love the zinnias because they are diverse and easy for me to grow. Although they are not cut flowers, I do love my day lilies too. I love seeing them emerge at the beginning of summer.
    If seed catalogs disappeared, I would definitely gather zinnia seeds. I can always count on them!
    Your flowers are beautiful. I wish you much success.

    Reply
  2388. Jane Hutchins on

    I have always loved bold, brassy zinnias, but yours speak to me in a different way. Brassy has become soft and gentle. Thank you for all the work put in to develop these charmers.

    Reply
  2389. Mike Nowak @ gravelridge farm, Ottawa ontario on

    At my farm . With all the stresses . Ya know. I really appreciate the different arry of colour in my zinnia patch . About an acre last year. This year will be 5 + acres

    Because I sowing so much flower seeds.

    The orange & yellow colour brighten my day.
    & Yes I lather on the Lavender oil put a crushed garlic clove in my shirt pocket . So the mosquitoes don’t eat me alive . While I make a hazelnut coffee . And bring a chair out and sit in the zinnia patch .admiring the swarms of mosquitoes . During the evening

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  2390. Shari on

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow Zinnias would definitely be on list. I love saving annual seeds, and disbursing seed heads on my perennials by hand just to see what will pop up naturally every season now. It is a delight to find new flowers in the Spring.

    Reply
  2391. Becky scheller on

    I love all of the plants and flowers my garden, but the ones that pull on my heartstrings are the ones I remember from my childhood. Especially the spring bulbs that I so look forward too after a cold gloomy winter such as daffodils and Lilly of the valley. I also would not have a garden without hydrangeas. And have come to love snowbells and the smaller spring bulbs and those that are gone in a flash

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  2392. Christa on

    Sunflowers are my ally. Cheerful, uplifting and bright. Being surrounded by them with a soft breeze, buzzing bumblebees, and abundant sunshine is simply amazing and provides such a spiritual lift.

    Reply
  2393. Becky Kimmons on

    I am thankful we have so many flowers that are easy to save seeds from. Some of my favorites are zinnias, celosia, snapdragons and orlaya.

    Reply
  2394. Pam Dean on

    Last year was my first time ever attempting a flower garden. I was actually more than surprised at how much enjoyment I got digging in the dirt, tending to the flowers I chose to grow and just the overall learning. All my flowers brought me joy but I would say my zinnias and gomphrena were my constant companions.

    Reply
  2395. Tami on

    Zinnia’s and Sweet Peas! Sweet Peas remind me of my grandfather. I am trying some new varities this year and am so excited! Can’t wait to see them bloom.

    Reply
  2396. Donna Shultz on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    For me when I am having a tough day at work or home life as a single mom, I turn towards whatever is in season. I walk my background garden every day and look for new growth of the bulbs coming up or the new buds coming in on the lilac or hydrangeas. I love when the dahlias start to pop up. Just putting my hands in the dirt provides a grounding or healing moment.

    Oh, I also love watching the butterflies and other creatures flock to my butterfly bushes. I have one outside my office window and find just taking a moment to watch nature is enough to give me pause during a stressful time.

    Reply
  2397. Rachel S on

    Question #1 answer: sunflowers! My grandmother and I have started a tradition of growing one long row on sunflowers in her vegetable garden every summer. Planting those seeds with her every April is what I look forward to most about spring arriving. She is turning 91 at the end of this month so I cherish every season of sunflowers with her. I also love sunflowers for the obvious reason- I believe they are the most cheerful flowers you can grow. But they hold special meaning to me because of my grandmother. I know that when she’s gone, I’ll keep up the sunflower tradition and be reminded of her.

    Reply
  2398. Anna on

    I will always grow zinnias. My mother grew them and passed her love of cheerful flowers brightening and bringing joy to the world to me. I hope to do the same with my kids!

    Reply
  2399. Candice Brockner on

    Every fall zinnias are the seed I make sure to save above all else. I clip the heads into baskets and save by color vs breed. When I plant in the spring the rows are a beautiful variety of form & flower. Though I feel my most loved plant ally is yarrow, it’s always made me feel protected. So much so that we named our Maremma LGD, Yarrow! It hangs in our home, adorns our gardens, & scatters our property thankfully growing in abundance for our area. 🖤

    Reply
  2400. Ashley Riner on

    Hydrangeas 100%. My love of gardening was born from my mother’s love of gardening. When I was still under my parent’s roof, my mother had these beautiful, huge Hydrangea bushes and the vibrant blue/purple colors were stunning. She would also dry them and put them in arrangements among our home. So it always reminded us of spring. I always find joy in them and own a few different varieties myself. I will be growing Zinnias for the first time this year and they’re also one of my mother’s favorite flowers. I’m starting a huge endeavor in 2024 and jumping into starting a flower farm. I’m scared, but excited at the same time! I would love to share these Zinnias with my community!

    Reply
  2401. Kim on

    I am literally writing this in a hospital bed recovering from surgery at MUSC they removed a mass from my thyroid they are testing for cancer. My dad passed away last year from cancer in Aug. Flowers have because my since of peace. My husband stated picking me wild flowers but it wasn’t until my dad got sick and I planted my very first set of flowers… different branching varieties of sunflowers and found the show floret. I binges watched to show and have a since of peace now thinking and learning and watching about flowers after I heal I’m so excited to try this year more then sunflowers. Flowers truly lift my spirits and bring hope in the darkness of life.
    If I had to save seeds because of no catalog it would be zinnias and sunflowers because this is where I first got to share flowers with others.

    Reply
  2402. Natalie West on

    I have always been drawn to zinnias! Their elegance and variety, even from one plant, creates the most beautiful display of happiness. Bonus, they grow so well in the harsh southern heat!

    Reply
  2403. Stephanie Heath on

    Daffodils have been my sunshine, my memory makers, my love since the age of seven. At that time I lived in Boston and as a child, and had to go in town to an eye specialist once a week for care. There was this most gorgeous brownstone house that we walked past and every week with a huge bay window always full of flowers . The most breathtaking site for me with was the bay window full of daffodils, and I promised myself whenever I grew up and had enough money I would have daffodils!
    Today I have hundreds that I have transplanted ,saved,bought and have been given!
    As for the seeds, for me to toss between zinnias and impatiens as they are my annual loves! Zinnias because they were my sons favorite flower as a child and the impatience because even in the deepest, darkest shade, they bring beauty.

    Reply
  2404. Lizz Frost Yocum on

    Life without seed catalogs would be dull indeed!
    I’d keep (already do) seeds from my cosmos, tagetes, calendula and nigella for sure. Not to mention pumpkins!
    I’d do a lot more cuttings from shrubs “just in case” and be glad that for the vigorous self-seeders that sometimes pop up exactly where I don’t want them to be.
    I’d take even more photos.
    And at last I’d have a justification for holding on to my favorite seed catalogs from previous years.

    Reply
  2405. Ruth Walters on

    Great interview. I always enjoy the beauty of the garden. Zinnias being my favorite. Dahlias are a challenge for me but I’ll keep trying this year again.

    Reply
  2406. Cindy on

    I inherited the need to start planting seeds for a summer garden from my father and have passed this along to our children and grandchildren. My five year old grandson was able to start an apple tree seedling this past week. One seedling came up out of 5 seeds! My father started planting his homegrown seedlings annually in his kitchen into his 90’s.
    My favorite to plant would be zinnias. I decided to plant more flowers this year instead of vegetables.

    I have saved seeds from last year’s zinnia plants and my favorites are the pinks. I enjoy trying different heights and sizes to have cut flowers to bring into our kitchen and give to friends.

    Reply
  2407. Stephanie on

    Dahlias are my go to flower in hard times. We had created a larger plot in 2019 specifically for dahlias and when everything happened in 2020, it became my personal space of peace. It gave me something to look forward to and the dahlias were spectacular.

    Reply
  2408. Emily on

    Agastache seeds I would have to save for my forever garden. The hues of purple, smells of anise and lemon, and the sight of all the pollinators on them.

    Reply
  2409. Lauren Cassel on

    Gosh if the seed catalogs disappeared I’d certainly scramble to save everything! But, I am a lover of tomatoes so I’d have to say they’d get my attention first, especially the sweet, small ones. And then next would probably be sunflowers, and then pumpkins! These things also remind me of my grandparents who fostered a love for gardening in me, and I can’t imagine a garden without any of them.

    Reply
  2410. Callie on

    1. Calendula. It’s beautiful, edible & medicinal. I’ve been growing it and drying it for a few years and I’ve to have it for a bouquet as well as tea or to use in salves.
    2. I love growing an abundance of tomatoes so I would really like to learn how to save those seeds to use and pass along to friends. And will forever have (and be adding more) beds of cut flowers. This is the newest category of gardening I’ve gotten into and wow, it’s been so much fun!

    Reply
  2411. Allison Feuer on

    My zinnias give me solace every morning. My early mornings tending to all my seedling babies to my daily afternoon harvests are soul saving. I feel grounded and ready to face the world when I interact w my flowers. I can’t wait to try some of the new varieties!

    Reply
  2412. Rachel Catlett on

    When I am feeling down I go to my kitchen garden and find my nasturtiums. They always remind me of my Grandmere. She was my gardening mentor, she taught me how to start seeds in those magical jiffy seven peat disks in her little greenhouse, and gave me all the big flowers to arrange in her deep soapstone sink in her mudroom. She had amazing hands and could do anything with them, flower arranging, sewing, knitting, embroidery. So when I feel down I go find the nasturtiums and pick a few for my kitchen table. I grab a bit and that peppery zing, renews my spirits.
    If seeds were lost, I would save back my magic beans, those violet beans that turn green when you cook them just right, because my grandchildren love them, and the pale blue sweet peas my mother loves.

    Reply
  2413. VAMama on

    I love the “old” flowers that are so common in the South — roses and daylilies and even the simplest daffodils.

    Reply
  2414. Marcella Newlands on

    I am a landscape designer and believe that plants and flowers can change a person’s perspective of the world and the beauty it holds. My 2024 resolution is to start growing flowers for cutting in my own yard as a testing ground. I have chosen Ranunculus and Dahlias to start with and have Nigella coming back for the third year. Might just have to add in some Zinnias! Love the work you are doing. Such an inspiration!

    Reply
  2415. Rebecca de Waart on

    I love zinnias, but I think my favorites at the moment are dahlias. Last year was my first successful zinnia season, and I received some of Kori’s seeds last season, and have been patiently waiting to sow them, so maybe a new favorite this season!!

    Reply
  2416. Sarah Olfelt on

    Oooo such great questions. I think one of the things I appreciate most about plants when times are hardest is they help you continually think of others. Flowers are for sharing. Plants are for splitting. Seeds are for saving. Gardening is an automatic friend maker. And reaching out towards others is always advisable when your own life seems hard.

    Reply
  2417. Jes on

    On a particularly hard day last year, I went out to my garden and pick a rainbow bouquet. I was beautiful. The time and attention required to systematically pick flowers from each color and arrange them across the bouquet, helped me calm down and be present.

    Reply
  2418. Erin on

    I definitely turn to my garden in hard times! Nearly a year ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant. I felt hopeless but continued to nurture my pepper, eggplant, and tomato seeds. My garden gave me hope throughout my summer filled with chemo infusions. I am forever grateful to the magic of vegetable gardening for that!

    Reply
  2419. Elizabeth on

    When life is really challenging, I find the process of discovery in the garden to be the most powerful antidote to fatigue and losing hope. I had the pleasure of growing DC zinnias from the tiny packet I got a couple years ago, and seeing each new zinnia bloom was absolute magic. I couldn’t bring myself to cut any blooms that summer- I let every bloom go to seed so I could save seed from this gorgeous mix. Cannot wait to order the new DC mixes next week!!

    Reply
  2420. Lisa Nelson on

    When life gets tough the garden is my sanctuary. Flowers just have this magical power and they have a way of changing your mood. The flower I’m most draw to is dahlias. There are so many beautiful forms and styles . They just make me smile

    Reply
  2421. Kelly Foltermann on

    Growing flowers has become one of my greatest joys and nothing lifts my spirits more than cutting, arranging, and gifting a beautiful bouquet to a friend. From spring poppies and larkspur to late summer zinnias and dahlias!

    Reply
  2422. Megan Z on

    Sunflowers are my answer to both questions. They’ve always been a bright spot of encouragement or hope when I’m feeling low. They also have been a flower I’ve always tried to grow and save seed from (if I can beat the birds and squirrels). I have experienced some truly unique varieties/forms from seed I’ve saved and hope to continue.

    Reply
  2423. Courtney Dyer on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow, I would save all the Lisianthus seeds because I would never want to live a day without her gorgeous ruffled blooms. She is an absolute workhorse during our hot Texas summers and a showstopper in bouquets. Everyone loves her!

    Reply
  2424. Beth on

    Seems the flower I gravitate towards the most in happy and sad times as I stroll through my garden is Alaska mix Nasturtiums! The cheery bight colors the variegated leaves that remind me of lily pads their delicate appearance as if they would need loads of care. They make me smile and I find myself standing for quite sometime getting lost in happy thoughts!

    Reply
  2425. Beth on

    I get the most joy from my dahlias & zinnias. When my grandchildren visit and play in the beds it makes my life feel complete. I can’t wait to try some of your new varieties of zinnias this summer.

    Reply
  2426. cori on

    If seed catalogs disappeared tomorrow, I would save everything I could! But I would makensure to save the seed from the heirloom veggies I grow which include broccolini, tomatoes, cucmbers, greens, and so much more! On the flower side, Zinnias because they make me smile and the seeds are so easy to collect. (I have bags and bags of them from last year) but also Calendula, Larkspur, Snapdragons, Marigolds, Coneflower, Verbascum, Poppies, Asters, and Carnations. I would also save seed from my three Basils, Summer Savory, Dill, and Horehound. Happily, I have many perennials that would keep the garden going, even If I couldn’t save seeds.

    Reply
  2427. Nathina Duncan on

    When life is hardest, are there plants in your garden/ecosystem that you find yourself turning towards to help steady or buoy your spirits? What plants, if any, are your allies in hard times?

    I found the answers to these questions from my experiences last year. I was first diagnosed with lupus, not long after my dad passed away unexpectedly and then our state flooded. I felt like it was a year of loss because I spiraled inward and stayed there for quite some time. I decided I needed to start having morning talks with my plants and see if they had anything to say back. I had planted thousands of seeds and tubers, I spent several days salvaging 1000 dahlia tubers from soggy ground and I feel like we really got to know each other. I started focusing all my energy to saving something I had a tiny bit of control over. And even thought the tubers were put into dry ground, it still turned into a small river several more times and they prevailed. I kept rooting for them from my upstairs window when it was a time I had the most difficulty rooting for myself. Due to the loss of pretty much everything else I spent a lot of time with these dahlias and getting to know their habits and needs. I’d have lunch with them, photograph them in all different lighting, and just chat with them. They didn’t mind if I cried, laughed or had small breakdowns which I found kind of refreshing and better than reaching out to a human to talk.
    So yeah, if I could chose any one plant to stay close to as an ally, those lovely strong tubers I tended, dahlias.

    Reply
  2428. Morgan on

    Lovely interview! I love the act of seed saving, though when I clean the seed it makes me so thankful I can buy most of what I need as it is a very messy, dirty and sneeze inducing endeavor 😅 I will always grow patches of zinnias even if I stop farming.

    Reply
  2429. Michelle Crockett Jacobs on

    I would have to say my antique roses lift my spirit, I love tending to them every day! I would collect queen annes lace, hyacinth bean, moonflower and my favorite, gomphrena! Of course cherry tomatoes also!

    Reply
  2430. Genevieve Miller on

    I have to confess that I have always had a secret love affair with Dahlias. They speak to me from every little petal.

    Reply
  2431. Tammy Makoul on

    I’ve already started saving seed from my dahlias and zinnias as well as poppies and celosia! It’s so wonderful to grow and and save and grow more from your own crop! I love it!

    Reply
  2432. Peg Cox on

    If seeds catalogs were to disappear, zinnia seeds would be at the top of my list with cosmos (for filler) and larkspur or snapdragon for spike.

    Reply
  2433. Susan Branham on

    When our 34 year old son passed away unexpectedly in March , I had been watching your series. It spoke to me ever so much and I knew I needed flowers and their beauty in my life this past summer. So I planted Zinnias. ALOT of Zinnias. I had 6 rows in my garden and they grew and grew and were almost as tall as me. They brought me so much happiness in my otherwise dark days. I let people come and pick I had so many and then they brought joy to not only in my life but theirs as well.

    Reply
  2434. Lenny E on

    When things get overwhelming or tough, I love checking on the dahlias in the garden, as well as my four o’clocks. The dahlias are always doing something different, or need some tending to, which helps me focus in on the task at hand (with perhaps some freshly cut flowers as my reward), while the four o’clocks, well, they couldn’t stop growing if they tried. Like others say about roses, cosmos, zinnias, and others, I am always reassured by their resilience.

    Reply
  2435. Linda Bradley on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear, I feel it would be my mission to save everything I possibly could. That would include cold hardy annuals, ranunculus tubers and anemone corms, biennials like foxglove and sweet william, perennials like black-eyed susans, summer annuals including zinnias, cosmos and sunflowers and dahlias, both tubers and seed.

    Reply
  2436. Debbie Raggio on

    I love the soft colors of these zinnias. They would be a welcome addition to any garden! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  2437. Beth J Myers on

    My gardens are my refuge. Dealing with health issues that limit my mobility, I have rectangular raised beds near my patio to enjoy the fruits of my labor close up and personal. One bed is devoted to zinnias. Those are the absolute favorite flower of my boyfriend; therefore, it seems to get the most attention. Funny how it seems to thrive from our admiring attention. Next are daisies that touch my heart is such a sweet way. They simply make me smile, even giggle with joy at the beauty and wonder they share. The remaining two beds are deciding what they want to be. Sunflowers seem to be speaking the loudest! And I am awaiting the fourth flower to insist on its grand appearance. Oh, how I love gardening. It makes my soul thrive and expands not only my curiosity of the plant world but with a higher consciousness, I am an instrument of nature’s desire to shine.

    Reply
  2438. Bev on

    After a long winter I can’t wait for spring flowers. Especially Tulips. I love to plant some in pots and keep them in the garage over winter. I get so excited when I start seeing them poke their leaves out of the dirt.

    Reply
  2439. Debbie Vieira on

    Roses. Always roses. As for seeds, it would have to be dahlias! Technically you can eat them, you never know what you’ll get but it will be beautiful, and you can save, reproduce and live on them forever…what more do you need?!

    Reply
  2440. Rachelle Soucy on

    If seed catalogues were to disappear, I would save marigolds. Our family has a tradition of saving these seeds through generations. This act reminds me of family. Living in Canada, early spring bulbs are a buoy for me, a hint of hope that springtime is soon arriving, and with it, all the warmer weather, scents, and colours of Spring! I adore muscari, daffodils, narcissus, and hyacinths.

    Reply
  2441. Sarah on

    Last year I had a hard farming season and found myself turning to roses. I had never grown roses and bought 4 mystery bareroots from a rose farm on a clearance sale. I am a flower farmer and while everything else had become things I “had” to do for the business, the roses were just for me and became what I “wanted” to do. They really helped me keep some of the enjoyment in my flowers during a hard time.

    Reply
  2442. Andrea S. on

    Nothing makes me feel more successful during hard times than growing winter squash and pumpkins. Their colors, cooking abilities, and storage qualities make for such a fulfilling and happy addition to the garden and kitchen during the first cool days of fall and in the depths of winter.

    And while pumpkins may be a comforting plant to turn to, nothing beats the first fresh sugar snap peas from the garden after the snow has finally melted away for the last time. That will always turn the day into a happier one.

    Reply
  2443. Cassie Russell on

    The flowers that cheer me up when I’m feeling down are honestly the ones that look most happy and cheerful such as feverfew, cosmos, white star zinnias, it’s really hard to pick just one. My cut flower garden makes me feel so proud and happy. If I were to choose a variety to save seeds from it would be calendula! I find it very easy to save and they come in unique colours. But if I could choose my favourite I would continue to save my dahlia tubers! Their beauty is unmatched. I’m looking forward to trying new zinnia varieties though, I’ve never seen colours like these and what you have done is truly amazing.

    Reply
  2444. Amanda Wright on

    Cosmos are my biggest source of joy in the garden every year. They’re so simple yet abundant and I love collecting different varieties.

    Aside from saving all my cosmos seeds forever, snap dragons, celosia & zinnias are some of my favourite year after year.

    Reply
  2445. Amanda Wilson on

    Definitely zinnias, sunflowers, hydrangeas, tomatoes, and cucumbers. And, oh, my okra!!

    Reply
  2446. Ad on

    The flowers I turn to in hard times are dahlias and zinnias are a close second. They are my love language. I feel love when I grow them, and I show love to others when I share them! It’s such a win win relationship with these wonderful plants. Also, if seed catalogues went away, I always make sure to save zinnia seeds, and definitely sweet pea seeds since they grow true to the mother plant and I know I couldn’t mess that up.

    Reply
  2447. peggy curtin on

    Zinnia’s! I love that I can save the dead heads and gorgeous zinnias will come back, so happy to see their
    Return to new life 💞

    Reply
  2448. Brian Prosser on

    Dahlias are my friends in good times and not. I’ve kissed many a Dahlia flower I can tell you!

    If I could only save 3 seeds, it would be sunflowers, zinnia and Celosia, all for their ease in growing and the joy that they bring. Big Smiles on a February morning just thinking about them

    Reply
  2449. Mary HL on

    When life is hardest, I turn to mint plants. They can be picked and made into a lovely mint tea that soothes a lot of tummy issues. And if one can reduce pain in any area of life, it might be just enough so that the pain goes away. And if seed catalogs were to go away tomorrow, I’d want to save radish seeds–they grow so quickly and can be eaten with bread and butter. :-)
    Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers and my goal is to share with all the neighbors (for free!) so I can see lilacs everywhere in the spring. Pretty easy to do, just dig a little sprout and plant it somewhere else. (Inspired by the book, Miss Rumphius.)

    Reply
  2450. Teresa Angotti on

    In my backyard garden my daylillies bring such delight! The grower of which I became friendly was very impactful in sharing her journey with her plsnts her breeding I’ve one of her own variety named for her sister who died with cancer. They live a day only to bloom wilt die and yet bloom again! Life in a plant with so much vigor pretty much carefree yet gives back with impact from every bloom! We gardeners share this energy snd appreciate the life of our plants.

    Reply
  2451. Jennifer A Adams on

    When life is hard, I turn to my grandmothers flowers we transplanted from her house the summer after she passed away. I get excited every year when they start to come up out of the ground. They are planted in many a place on my small farm. I have her daffodils and yellow and purple irises at the top of my main garrden. I have her bleeding heart on the corner of the house. Her 3 types of lililo are down on the fence line by the sunflower fields. Her yellow buttercups are on the corner by the oak where we do not plant (it’s part of the sunflower field entrance). So my rick in hard times is my grandmother.

    Reply
  2452. Karen G on

    I love saving seeds and I have my favorite tomatoes, lettuce plus several herbs and flowers like celosia and orlaya. I especially appreciate the seeds that are easy to save and don’t require all the isolation fuss. Those that self seed everywhere are even better.

    Reply
  2453. Terry Hanahan on

    Two of my favorite plants that I hope to always have in my garden are Fama Deep Blue Scabosia and Indian Summer Rudbeckia. I love to share these plants with friends and neighbors because both flowers have that “wow, what is that” factor and are beautiful in a vase! I faithfully save seeds each year just in case they are no longer available in the seed catalogs! Best of luck with all your breeding trials!

    Reply
  2454. Esther on

    I gravitate toward my dahlias. So many colors and forms and such beautiful flowers. The diversity reminds me of a God that has it all under control.

    Reply
  2455. Rebecca Barnett on

    I’ve gardened in some form since I was 13 and we moved to an old stone farmhouse, and the previous occupants left a blossoming summer garden that I loved.
    We moved to our current house in March 2020, right before the birth of our second kid, my husband‘s form of nesting was making sure that we had four raised beds built and filled in the backyard before the baby came. I’ve loved those little garden beds ever since.
    If I had to save seed, I would make sure that I had some of the GinFiz tomato seeds I grew last summer, they make an excellent tomato and mayonnaise sandwich (with salt and pepper) to share with my dad.

    Reply
  2456. Heather Trent on

    My solace is found in my garden Ami g the flowers I grow! I find peace among the rows of zinnias and dahlias. Weeding, grooming and maintaining my garden is therapy for me!

    Reply
  2457. CJ Wilcox on

    I love my mignonette and the sweet smell that radiates from them. Zinnias and dahlias too. It’s easy to love the stalwarts that bring joy in the garden and in the vase without too much fuss or need of protection. I save seed from every plant I can (not with a an eye to guiding the genes but just hoping to have more flowers to share and grow and I haven’t quite figured out the trick to dahlia seed saving, even with your guides–maybe this year I’ll get it!). This year I’m hoping to give as many seeds as I can to friends and family. I’m most excited to share zinnias, calendulas, mignonette and celosia seeds. Sweet peas too!

    Thank you for inspiring my love for flowers and for sharing this interview.

    Reply
  2458. Kara Goode on

    Thank you for an incredible giveaway opportunity!

    For me if seed catalogs disappeared I would continue to hoard and grow zinnias, buplereum, sweet peas, and then tomatoes, tomatillos, and herbs from the seeds in my garden. I will grow these plants forever!!

    Reply
  2459. Petra K. on

    I love that you write about all the lives behind the new varieties. And what’s generous of you too is that you provide so much advice on seed and tuber saving! I share the same passion of growing flowers and your way of talking about all this is invaluable to me. So thank you!
    Hellebores are my go to plants in the winter. Heirloom roses in the summer. They bloom and bloom and, with little nurturing, give so much happiness even in the tough times.
    And as for seeds, I save whatever seeds I can. My bottom fridge drawer is full of exciting varieties. Perhaps the most favorite one to save are vibrant peachy Oklahoma zinnias I found in my cut flower patch. Those will be planted this season with my little son.

    Reply
  2460. Mary Dorcey on

    I can hardly wait to get some of these seeds!!A neighbor gave me some zinnia seeds 2 years ago….and I am hooked! I saved a lot of seed last year, so hoping I get some more gorgeous flowers! I love zinnias and dahlias…so looking forward to Spring, to see what colors I get this year. Can’t wait for the seed sale!! Best of luck!

    Reply
  2461. Kathy Bailey on

    I love Dalias and they are for sure my allies in good and hard times! My daughter and I started growing them during the pandemic and then when she went back to school they were turned over to me to manage by myself. I have expanded my beds each year and I think I will likely have at least 50 dalia plants this year. I also love to grow other cut flowers, with zinnias being a favorite too! I hope to keep expanding and sharing with friends and family and perhaps sell a few down the road. You and your videos with other growers have been a great inspiration to me!! Kathy Bailey

    Reply
  2462. Kim Rillero on

    What a beautiful blog post to read as I wake up this morning. Both of the questions you have given are thought provoking and is causing me to daydream. Karry Onree, your post was so touching what an honor it was to read your mother raised and nurtured an amazing woman.

    As hard as it is to answer the questions asked I would have to say at this point in my life the plant/flower that inspires me when I need it most is luffa. The reason is complex but I will provide a shortened version of why.

    I work and volunteer in the district of Likuni, Malawi Africa. The lack of nutritious food is overwhelming to me as I partner with local educators to find ways to grow healthy food and healthy soil. Amazingly luffa grows well in parts of Malawi however the gourd is only used as a sponge. I was excited to share with the community partners the stages of a luffa and how to prepare and eat it. They are shocked and having a hard time processing the information. Luffa grows as a volunteer around the pit toilets in Likuni therefore it is considered a dirty weed.

    We have begun to plant the seeds in fields, taking proper care of the plants and they have watched me eat the immature gourd straight from the plant and they witnessed no ill effects.

    So, when I see a luffa flower in my garden it symbolizes hope for a better tomorrow.

    Thank you so much for reading.

    Reply
  2463. Lisa Skriba on

    I love my seed catalogs…. To view in January and get inspired! I would have to save zinnias , snapdragons and my native rudbeckia. Zinnias and rudbeckia because they are just so happy! They both make me smile. Snapdragons for the reminder of my youth when we would gather and play with them and for just how beautiful and simple an arrangement can be made with the flowers picked from my yard

    Reply
  2464. Jean Slaon on

    I am so excited to start growing and saving seeds!
    You both have inspired me to teach my grandchildren to love gardening and save for future generations. Thank you

    Reply
  2465. Nhi Tran on

    When I’m on feeling lonely or sad, I tend to turn towards my roses. Their sweet scent and fleeting beauty transports me to another place of mind where I temporary forget about my troubles. Roses reminds me that something so delicate can be so resilient and thorny. Sometimes that’s the attitude I realize I have to adopt and that it’s okay to be both side of the coin.

    Reply
  2466. Rebecca on

    Cosmos have a special place in my heart because they were the first seeds I grew in 2020 that got me growing and sharing flowers. But I think I’d have to go with butterfly weed – it’s a beautiful bright orange native, and last summer my family and I raised monarch butterflies and released them. They bring me purpose and joy.

    Reply
  2467. Amy C on

    My allies and the plants that bring me the most comfort are perennial herbs. Something about their reliance brings me great comfort. The knowledge that no matter how tough the winter is they will keep returning is incredibly supportive and I look forward to continuing to learn about their medicinal qualities. While I love flowers, they are a recent love of mine and roots feel embedded in a small herb garden. If I were to rely solely on saved seeds for next year’s annuals, those would have to be zinnias, strawflowers, marigolds and some herbs. They are so easy to collect in quantity that I’d feel confident I could get at least a little germination!

    Reply
  2468. Allison on

    If seed catalogs disappear tomorrow, I’d have to save seed from snapdragons. They are the flower that got me started. There is something so precious about the spike and dainty petals standing tall in the garden. I need snapdragons forever!

    Reply
  2469. Autumn on

    If I were to save seeds to grow from this last year to be the only seeds it would definitely be zinnias and sunflowers. They are my favorite flowers and always will be!😍

    Reply
  2470. Anne Finewood Switzer on

    I am very much a rookie gardener. I do recall harvesting marigold seeds as a child, which I saw my father doing. I have since carried on the tradition with marigolds and now my zinnia seeds. I love the joy at seeing what becomes from my previous year’s harvest. I love the surprise of what emerges!

    Reply
  2471. Terry Tunkel on

    When times were difficult during Covid I turned to growing an herb garden to keep my mind occupied and help with feeding my family. I decided on a small, circular herb garden, colonial in style (in my mind anyway). With a friend’s help, was able to locate old historic bricks from a factory that had closed and set about building the roughly 6 foot in diameter garden. Of course, it’s still a work in progress! But I find that my herbs give me peace, a sense of routine, and connection. I’ve enjoyed drying them, bottling them in small mason jars, and using my own herbs in my cooking. The feeling of sustainability in doing so makes me feel very satisfied and happy. Nearby, and along side, I have a small perennial garden and pots of annuals that brighten my days and provide a photogenic spot to take pics of my dog.

    Reply
  2472. Kathleen Miller on

    My soul flowers are seedling dahlias. I love the anticipation, the surprise, the quirky, sometimes wonky flowers that emerge. They’re all beautiful, but there’s always that chance that you get a keeper.

    Most of all, I love how the bees (especially the bumbles) adore them.

    Reply
  2473. T.J. on

    Tulips. Such a surprise to me.
    I first began growing flowers in the summer of 2019. It went well, I was hooked. That fall I decided to invest in some spring bulbs just to see how it would go, and if they would be a good addition to what we had going on. The first year they popped their heads through the ground was the spring of 2020, I had just given birth to my first child and the work as we knew it had come to a halt.

    But the tulips.
    They showed up just when I needed them. They helped me heal physically and gave my aching heart hope for the uncertain future. I tended to them. I watched as their expressions changed. I felt kindred to them.

    That spring we decided to sell our home and seek out more land to begin our flower farming journey.

    We currently have hundreds and hundreds of tulip bulbs asleep under a blanket of snow. Each day that inches closer to spring brings anticipation for greeting my old friends.

    Trust your gut, give those bulbs/seeds/corms a try.
    They may just surprise you and change your whole life.

    Reply
  2474. Whitney H on

    My passion for flowers has become for stronger than ever. I just lost my mom a couple weeks ago to a very progressive palsy. She absolutely loved flowers and became a master Gardner when I was young. Her love for flowers has brought me to love flowers and more so now since she’s gone. In her memory I am starting a flower garden for her and want to plant different varieties of daliah and ziannas. I planted a few here and there last year but this year since I’m putting up a fenced in garden, will be more. They bring me so much joy as they brought my mom.

    Reply
  2475. Sonia on

    #1 – Clematis…roses…zinnias….poppies….love in the mist….peonies….sunflowers….cosmos….daisies…oh soo many that can reset ones mood! : )

    Reply
  2476. Haleigh on

    If seed catalogs disappeared (nooooo!!!), I would save seed from my zinnia patch. Easy to grow and fail safe, I’d know I could enjoy their bounty for years and years.

    Reply
  2477. DeAnne on

    When life is the hardest I turn toward whatever flower is growing successfully at the time. Often we find ourselves focusing on the flowers that aren’t growing well. If I sit back and refocus on the beauty of the healthy flowers and contemplate their impact on other’s lives, then I can regroup toward positivity.
    Allies is hard times are pansies bc they remind me of my mom who loved them and all flowers. They are also resilient and determined to shine through adversity. An example to us all.

    Reply
  2478. Janice Nadworny on

    During the outdoor growing season, I love and need all! For me, the more comforting and exciting flowers are the ones that like my garden so much that they return (even when they’re not supposed to!). Zinnias, cosmos, borage, calendula, lupine, mustard, collards, tomatoes – I welcome these old friends back, year after year, generation after generation.

    And during the long winters, I bring herbs inside to keep me going and give me something green to touch! This year it’s tarragon, parsley, ginger root, and thyme. I’d turn my whole house into a giant greenhouse, but my hubby won’t let me.

    Reply
  2479. Stacey Diehl on

    My ally in tough times is the tiny viola. I received my first ones in a load of thousands of free daylilies a local business was relocating. I didn’t know but included were some precious violas that peek out to me from amongst their neighbors. Now each year I search them out as an example to me of resilience and determination. They bloom all season quietly and surely.

    If seed catalogs were to disappear this year, I would save everything, because I want all my friends back next year. Bus specifically, I would make sure to save zinnia seeds, because like Kori, I have formed a special bond with them.

    Reply
  2480. Katrina on

    I’d probably save try saving vegetable seeds if seed catalogs disappeared. I already save some flower seeds.

    Reply
  2481. Andrea Steele on

    When I’m down, I go walk amongst my roses. I check each bush and snip and love on them. If I had to save seeds, it would be my zinnias, I love them all when my cut flower patch is full of blooming zinnias of all varieties.

    Reply
  2482. Mikael on

    I couldn’t live without Zinnias! They are so beautiful.

    Reply
  2483. Heather on

    1. This is such a loaded question for me, but I would have to say zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, and lisianthus. With just those four things, I can make a huge, colorful bouquet to pass along. In return, that bouquet brightens not only my day, but the lives of other’s too. This year, I am focusing on cheery colors with dramatic fillers and cannot wait to see what’s in store.

    Reply
  2484. Edith on

    I think dahlias are the most heart-warming flowers. Their beauty can make anyone smile, even in harder times 💕

    Reply
  2485. Dorthe on

    OMG what lovly shades of all my favorite colours, i love all the pastel variations, they are so dreamy ( ;

    when life is hardest, my garden is my best friend. Being in the garden, working in the garden, is so rewarding and meaningful to me, and it helps with most things, with doubts, with vulnerability, sadness, and mental exhaustion. My garden is green and lush, managed in the wild way, and brings me so much peace and joy. If I were to mention specific plants that enhance the calm, it would be hanging willow, ornamental grasses and green leafy plants. But if the mood needs an energy boost, then zinnia, cosmos, dahlia and gaura must be the favourites.

    Seeds I would save from the garden would be Verbena bonariensis, gaura, kale, and a lot of tomatoes.
    Figers crossed to win this beautiful seeds ( ; Dorthe

    Reply
  2486. Jennifer on

    The flowers that have the biggest place in my heart are morning glories and black-eyed Susan’s. My grandmother always grew the most beautiful morning glories in her backyard and my mother always loved black-eyed Susan’s. I love all flowers (and home -grown vegetables) and if the seed catalogs disappeared, I would do my best to save all the seeds to share wirh my friends and neighbors.

    Reply
  2487. Kaitlyn Gholson on

    If I had a few flowers to pick to save seed from for forever, it eould defiantly be zinnias, snapdragons, celosias and coleus. They all have beautiful structure, and all of them are so easy to save seed from. Congrats on yours and Erin’s success.

    Reply
  2488. Catherine Doucette Meyer on

    My parents and grandparents were gardeners. I grew up in vegetable gardens, no flowers were planted except zinnia which my mom planted around her porch. For the longest time, that’s where I found peace, successfully watching veggies grow to feed my family. We bought a home with 1 acre of land and I had space to play. I started with zinnia, and Queen Anne’s lace (as they grow wild in the fields and remind me of my childhood). Those flowers just bring me joy. When I’m feeling sad, or frustrated, or scared, I just do what I call a “turn about”, and head to walk my garden. Seeing what food I’m growing, or what bees are sleeping in the zinnia.

    Reply
  2489. Joanne Hass on

    I love so many flowers but right now my passion is dahlias. I call them my flower smiles and send the photos of my latest blooms to my friends and family who live to far to see them in person.

    Reply
  2490. Katie M on

    I’m relatively new to the cut gardening sphere, but am trying my hand at saving zinnias. It was very tough this past year as we had a record season of rain. I’m really hoping it’s not the same this year. I’ve also tried saving bachelor buttons because who doesn’t love a blue flower ;)
    While I do love dahlias and zinnias, I have to say that Sunflowers are among my favorites to see and grow. There is something about the vibrancy that makes all well in the world.

    Reply
  2491. Tamar on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would save my Zinnia seeds, Cosmos, and Forget me Nots, all of which I did save from my Floret purchase last year. I am new to flower/seed gardening, so I am hoping they will grow again this year! I wish I could have saved some sweet pea seeds, but unfortunately I did not have good luck with them last year. Lastly, I would definitely save my dahlia seeds/tubers!

    Reply
  2492. Peg on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save an early season bloomer – stock. The colors and scent are so welcome and needed after a long winter.

    Reply
  2493. Erin on

    Dahlias bring me so much joy and are what I enjoy growing most each season. It feels like waiting for Christmas morning when the first bloom is getting ready to open. When life is stressful, a quick 10 min walk around my garden helps me anchor my thoughts & feelings.

    Reply
  2494. Angela on

    I save as many seeds as possible from my garden. It would be very difficult choosing one seed.

    Reply
  2495. Andrea Duda on

    Comment to question #1:

    My beautiful Dahlias are my go-too. They are an “Expression of Love and Affection”to me and convey messages of love and admiration. I gift and cultivate Dahlias as they hold a sentimental value for the people in my life that I cherish and love the most which creates a cheerful and positive atmosphere to those that receive them. The beauty of a Dahlia has no words, they are divine and they are appreciated for there charm, elegance, grace and are everything to me.

    Reply
  2496. Adriana on

    1. My garden allies in darker, tough moments in my life are my peach tree, dahlias, zinnias, tomato , basil and sunflower plants. These plants and their yields give me hope, provide me with a sense of calm and beauty and nourish my brain and body. They remind me of my roots and my dad who was a prolific gardener.

    2. If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save the seeds from the above 6 plants.

    Reply
  2497. Gretchen on

    Trees are amazing. All of them! And if seed catalogs disappeared I’d definitely save my snapdragon seed. They remind me of a magical fairy land and make me smile.

    Reply
  2498. Kristy Wessel on

    When things get tough, which they often have lately, I find myself turning toward my “self care” flowers like lavender and chamomile. I grow loads of both in the summer to prepare for long Minnesota winters. There’s something special about pouring a cup of tea in the dead of winter when I know it was provided by the land outside my window ♥️

    Every year I save tons of lettuce seed from my garden because seeds are expensive and always want fresh salad greens to be growing alongside me. If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would continue doing that and also save more carrot, onion, peas, beans, and sweet corn seeds to feed my family the freshest, tastiest food I can. For beauty and light ☀️ in our lives, I would save zinnia (thanks Erin for showing me how easy this flower is!), cosmos, poppy (super easy to save), and of course chamomile and lavender seeds 🌱

    Reply
  2499. Jenny Duvall on

    Hellebores are the burst of life that carry me through the doldrums of winter. When Christmas festivities are packed away and excitement dies down we hunker into our homes for a long few months awaiting another growing season. The absence of life during winter can drain my creative streak but every time I discovery the frilly bursts of hellebores in January, bursts of excitement soar throughout my soul.

    Reply
  2500. Suzanne on

    When life is the hardest I turn to the humble pansy for cheer and inspiration. These flowers always seem to have a smile and survive in some of the hardest conditions. Each is unique in color, shape, and design and I always find myself surrounding myself with them during the Grey times.

    Reply
  2501. Jayme Overman on

    I’ve always turned to geraniums, hostas, zinnias when life is hard on me. There is something about those beauties that just bring comfort and calming. They were what my grandma grew, she’s no longer with me, but she was my best friend and I was always following her around in her garden when I was a kid. They remind me of her and comfort she always brought to me. Just recently I’ve gotten into dahlias; they bring peace to my soul. Those happy little faces, have a calming affect on me. When I need a boost or rekindle because life has beaten me to a pulp, I’ll go dabble in my garden and the fire is ignited again.

    Reply
  2502. Auyanna on

    I just take a walk through my garden through the tough times. Some days I am drawn to visit and sit with certain plants longer than others. To me all of them are beautiful and I am always reminded about how amazing nature is.

    I would save my hibiscus and butterfly pea flower seeds because I love making tea. I would also save my viola seeds. We recently moved and I am starting a new garden and so excited. Although I did not grow a lot this year I had to grow something just for the peace and beauty. I look forward to saving many seeds from the new garden.

    Reply
  2503. Natalie Mahoney on

    When things are hard and I need to run away or reset, I look to the woods beside my house. Sometimes just to sit on the porch and watch the light filter through the leaves other times to wander through and experience the sounds and smells.
    I would turn to daisies. They remind me of my grandmother. She introduced me to plants and gardening. No matter what she planted, she always had a small section of daisies and they always make me smile.

    Reply
  2504. Ash on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would save snapdragon seeds, they remind me of gardening with my mom growing up. Also, all the cosmos – they’re just so happy!

    Reply
  2505. Quinda Patrick on

    I have irises, daylilles, rose bushes. Would love to have zinnias seeds to start new beds. I save all seeds from my vegetable garden I can.

    Reply
  2506. June Buma on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear, I would be ok. I learned to save seeds frim my grandma. Most all veggie seeds and of course marigolds and zinnias. But I didnt learn about breeding them. Ive been learning about that from you. Seed saving is a lost art to the younger generation I think. It is so much fun! I love seeds.❤️

    Reply
  2507. Connie Fulmer on

    If seed catalogs would disappear I would be fine as I save my seeds each year from my pollinator garden flowers and host plants for my butterflies including milkweed for the monarchs. I have so many beauties that bring the pollinators back year after year to my gardens and that is what makes my soul happy. 🌺🦋🐛🐝

    Reply
  2508. Sandra Szasz on

    When life is hardest I am getting lost in the rose garden, during the pandemic when I needed some mee-time , when I was tired from the fulltime online job and taking care of the 3 kids in the same time, I just spent few minutes in the rose garden, dead heading roses or working the soil. After working hours and almost near sunset I was watering the roses and thinking of the future. Like many others stuck in a house with job, kids, housework, online school and bad news on TV – nature, roses, garden, planning for a chnage in career and a future flower farm helped me stay out of depression.

    Reply
  2509. Joy Kuhar on

    What seeds would I save????? that is a hard one…..Vegetable seeds for sure but I am going to guess that we are looking at Flowers. Batchlor Buttons, Zinnias because they always bring me a smile, Blue Tye Basil, sooo good and beautiful, Hybiscus, Straw Flower. Boy! that was a hard question!

    Reply
  2510. Jennifer Vieira on

    When times are hardest, I find myself turning to my roses for comfort. I admire their resiliency through tough times. They may not flower well when they are neglected or in drought, but with love they give the most beautiful gift back to the caretaker in the form of stunning flowers.

    Reply
  2511. Athena on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear tomorrow I would grow cosmos. They are so resilient and tenacious they belie their delicate appearance.

    Reply
  2512. Amanda Maphet on

    Zinnias are my go-to flowers during hard seasons. With a disabled child, it is tricky to find time to tend my garden the way I would like. But the zinnias come back regardless of how much care I have shown them. They just keep producing blooms that I can cut and put by my kitchen sink to make me smile on hard days.

    Reply
  2513. Annie Tremper on

    I’ve had to move a lot and reestablish gardens at each new place. Whether it’s pots that I can take with me or plants planted in the ground, they are all my anchors and my grounding. I find myself walking around the yard chatting and inspecting my rooted friends at the end of the day, touching petals and strong stems. Flowers are my biggest joy. Each one holds a secret gift waiting to be discovered.
    My mother has dementia. She was an avid gardener and flower grower. She still can create amazing arrangements using bits of nature. Sometimes we drive back roads and she will say “stop” and points at what she wants. We will collect a bucket of wildflowers and greenery that she will turn into something ethereal. I’m growing flowers for her her and her fellow residents to “play” with. The healing power of flowers goes a long way 🌸

    Reply
  2514. Jeanne Taylor on

    Trees. Trees are my allies. They start so small and just keep reaching up and up and up.

    Reply
  2515. Zsuzsa Berenyi on

    There are no individual plants that I can pick out. I rather liked the feeling when I could care about them and be by their side.
    I would save the dahlias for now.

    Reply
  2516. Kerry Onree on

    Easy to answer, one I have been each & every year, for slightly more than forty years, has been my “chain link”, -my “anchor”, my connection and honor of a woman, my dear beloved little immigrant grandmother, whom shortly before passing, seated rubbing her calloused hands to illustrate to me in her broken English how to remove the chaff from the basil seed she unknowingly bequeathed to me, a basil, having worked in various vocations involving plants, I have never seen before, nor since. For slightly more than forty years, each year, in honor of this woman that could neither read nor write, that came to this country with nothing, via as many before and after, through Ellis Island, I still plant this dwarf exceptionally strong scented basil. Anyone who has grown & saved basil from their own collected seed knows how notorious basil is to try, just try, to keep that original strain “pure”. The testament that I have , that I still recall my grandmother that day decades, decades ago, adding for me to further understand in her native broken English, that if I don’t collect the ripened seed from the basil plants in time, they will fall, be gone for ever. I had no idea I grew each year this unique plant as an honor to her, until someone had to explain it to me. I had no idea what was pulling me, literally pulling me, to the tiny island 7k miles away, to see where she came from and left, me taking just a few of those basil seed with me, just a few, to plant in soil in a recycled food stuff as planter, much as the people there still do-but for the first time ever, the basil would not grow much longer than a sprout. It made me for the first time utter & to a plant, in frustration, “if you are going to die, then die”, and within a week of the basil seed there sprouting, it did, just that. Now all this time, decades later, I realized, silly me, what pulled me to that God foresaken land was to feel something, anything, of my grandmother. But most ironic of all, as I now write this, I realize that little harsh smelling basil, which I don’t know how my grandmother used it in her cooking, it wasn’t brought back with her from the “old country”. It was given to her by someone in the same tenement apartment in which she lived, in the same area she and so many other immigrants all first came to reside, the lower east side of Manhattan. I to this day to not know what or where that basil came from, what immigrant countries culture, but it wasn’t where I travelled 7k miles with idiot cards written by my mom, so I could communicate with a lineage of people whom would walk away from you if you spoke English to them. The basil wouldn’t grow in their native soil and felt exactly as I had -I only understand that now, that it wasn’t from there. I wasn’t even from there. Only my roots were from there. In closing, excuse for the length, but no one except Tiffany, has seemingly ever credited the unsung zinnia hybridizer of the zinnia forum, “the zen man” with providing as he had the experience and unselfish wealth of his knowledge and hybridizing efforts of zinnias-anyone can if they had the time still read on line, see his posted photos, answering for so many years, honestly, anyone’s questions into the foray of zinnia breeding. In closing I give a shout out to my grandmother and for those interested in zinnia breeding, to the originator and unsung “hero”, of the zinnia (garden plant forum) -the zen man. He initially if you read his posts wanted to change the course of zinnias, and he did, explaining which strains he used. But that the corporate seed houses weren’t interested in his work. Being an older person and not savvy like Erin or Kori, his years and years of breeding efforts not sharing any of his zinnia seed, have gone “unsung”-but the sharing of his knowledgeable journey lives on through Tiffany, for those to realize how each and every one of us can literally not just influence but alter and improve both mentally, spiritually and physically, the lives not just our own but so many others via the love of plants and nature. Erin and Kori are the epitome of that. I acknowledge you all.

    Reply
  2517. Kathy Kangas on

    If seed catalogs were to disappear I would save snapdragon seeds as they remind me of my grandmother . She had a a lifelong love of growing flowers and taught me so much.

    Reply

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