Blooming beautiful

It's my aim at some point to have an abundance of flowers so I can have bunches in the house and plenty to give away when people visit; perhaps even some left over to sell at the Foster farmers market.

In winter 2010, I had one of my most successful flower crops.  Mum had given me some gorgeous proteas which we planted near the orchard and I have bought some of my favourite bulbs. 

Shady lady

Peonies

Blushing bride

Fringed tulip

Lily of the valley

The plan is to continue to plant more bulbs each year and gradually grow the flower farm.  I love flowers and the effect they have on my mood.  I think the combination of colour and form and the fact that you get to bring a little bit of the outdoors in is why flowers have such appeal for me.  As a child I always dreamed of vases overflowing with seasonal blooms.  I have a collection of vases and the children will frequently pick flowers from the garden for me to have in the house as they know how happy they make me. 

 Mum and my mother-in-law have kindly donated various bulbs to my collection over the years.  Mum is the best green thumb I know and has been growing freesias, one of my favourite flowers due to their gorgeous fragrance since I was a kid.  The freesias have naturalised in her garden and in 2008 they had their driveway reshaped and as a result she kindly gave me two boxes full of freesias.  Many hours later the kids and I had planted the freesias at the block and they come up amongst the grass around my birthday each year and will always remind me of my Mum.  I smile every time I see them budding, knowing that when I walk past them their fragrance will fill the air and bring back memories of the excitement I felt in the build up to my birthday each year.   Mum would pick me a huge bunch every year for my birthday and have them in a vase on the kitchen bench for me when I woke up.  Even now that I live three hours away, Mum will still pick me a large bunch of freesias and bring them up when she visits for my birthday!

Mum also has a knack for growing beautiful gladioli.  I bought a number in 2008 and have them planted up the drive and they continue to grace us in summer.