Slow Flowers are flowers that are grown and sold locally. Seventy five years ago there were lots of flower farms in New England. Almost all flowers were locally grown and available for purchase shortly after picking. Today most flowers travel hundreds of miles before we have the opportunity to purchase them. Some are grown in California but the majority arrives from South America and Africa. A national movement, SLOW FLOWERS, is reconnecting consumers with the pleasures and benefits of buying locally grown blossoms. Like vegetables and fruit, locally grown flowers are available in season. Freshly picked, they often last longer then standard florist flowers. Buying locally grown flowers and produce benefits our local economy and keeps us connected to our communities in special ways.

Join Betsy Williams and Tower Hill Botanic Garden for a tour of two local flower farms. Our tour will begin at the Cupp farm in Littleton, Mass. where acres of sunflowers and other flowers are grown every year for the local florist trade. After a stop for lunch on our own, we will continue to Stow Greenhouses in Stow, Mass. to visit the fields and greenhouses of Barbara Rietscha, who grows flowers for both the wholesale and retail trade. Our afternoon will conclude with a flower arranging class on Barbara’s screened porch. Using freshly harvested, Stow Greenhouse flowers, each person will make an arrangement of Slow Flowers to take home and enjoy.

Directions will be mailed. Register online at www.towerhillbg.org. Tower Hill member price $75, nonmembers $90. Photo from www.sunflowerfarming.com.