sharing flowers...

Yesterday, a young woman came to our door (in between rains) and asked me what the big pink flowers in our garden were so I went with her to see...she loved the echinacea and penstemon so I cut her some.  
She had been out walking looking for wildflowers for her friends birthday....made my day🥰

later, of course, I thought I could have picked her a full bouquet with some queen anne's lace and more penstemon, lavender, a few grasses...next time I'll be ready.

I usually imagine folks wondering why we don't mow more so when we have anyone appreciate the serendipitousness and  blowsyness of our yard and actually 'see' the individual plants I feel rewarded 💜

that's so awesome, i'm always looking at people's plants and occasionally think about asking what certain things are, most of the time people think I'm nuts (where I live people are not always great about talking to strangers) but we plant people generally are thrilled to share knowledge... and plants....

I walk anyone around our yard who shows the slightest interest (and even some who don't) since I finally realized our yard needs a guidebook

In the past someone told someone about my abundant sunflowers and we invited the parents of the bride to come out and they picked bucket fulls for the wedding for free!

I always thought I'd love to be a flower vender but every time money gets involved my focus and attitude change.  I think putting a dollar sign on things causes crop failure🫤

The fact that this young woman felt comfortable knocking on a stranger's door to ask about flowers is an indicator of the comfort level in this tiny town...at least on the subject of plants.

I think that is a high impact moment for that young woman. I'm sure she is going to tell the story of her asking about flowers for some time.

I bet that you made her day and she will remember those flowers for years to come.

My 'flower girl' came back yesterday with husband and 6yr old child and we had a lovely browse around the yard picking flowers and checking out bugs...they are anxious to get out of the city and grow a garden  

all that enthusiasm and young energy was so uplifting 💜💜💜

random acts of kindness are always uplifting. It's easy these days to question humanity. I work for a co-op, and last year I got to cashier in the outside nursery. A customer who was a nice but a quiet regular came through my line. Some how we started to talk about lisianthus. She grows them, and I had just ordered seeds. We had a nice chat. About 20 minutes later she came back with a little glass vase and her last lisianthus of the season, with a little note saying maybe we could share so we both have a bigger verity.
I was so touched. I'm not poor me, but I love sharing my flowers, and no one I know really grows flowers, so I don't get flowers. It fine because I get joy from sharing, but I have to admit it was very appreciated.  I hope to be able to share with her, though so far no luck with germination.
Thanks for sharing your story, it's very uplifting.

  Thanks for sharing your story, it's very uplifting.

as is yours!
...flowers feed the soul💜

We are fortunate that our son, who is a long time organic grower of all things, has been focusing on flowers lately and brings us and others bouquets all season long.

Jen Fulkerson wrote:random acts of kindness are always uplifting. It's easy these days to question humanity. I work for a co-op, and last year I got to cashier in the outside nursery. A customer who was a nice but a quiet regular came through my line. Some how we started to talk about lisianthus. She grows them, and I had just ordered seeds. We had a nice chat. About 20 minutes later she came back with a little glass vase and her last lisianthus of the season, with a little note saying maybe we could share so we both have a bigger verity.
I was so touched. I'm not poor me, but I love sharing my flowers, and no one I know really grows flowers, so I don't get flowers. It fine because I get joy from sharing, but I have to admit it was very appreciated.  I hope to be able to share with her, though so far no luck with germination.
Thanks for sharing your story, it's very uplifting.

Oh, lovely!  I adore lisianthus - is it difficult to grow?  Do you have tips?

I wish I could give great tips for growing lisianthus, but this is my first time, and I'm not doing very well.
I know It like to germinate in soil in the mid 70s. They  require light to germinate.  It takes a long time to germinate. If it gets to hot when it's young it will rosette which means it grows leaves, but won't flower.  It stays a small seedling for a long time. Also because the seeds are tiny they come pelleted, which I understand don't last very long, so there's no point saving seeds.

I was worried about them getting to hot so I think I started my first batch to late, outside, then moved to the greenhouse. out of 75 seeds 1 sprouted. I don't think anymore will sprout, but I keep checking just in case.
I'm trying again in the house on a heat mat in hopes that a more constant temp will make a difference. I ordered 2 colors, from sellers on Etsy. One came smashed to dust. I sprinkled it on soil blocks, because I have to try. ( I contacted the seller, and they are giving me a refund)

I guess my best trick is to find someone who is good at growing them and trade something you're good at growing.
Good luck

Thanks for responding.  It does sound tough.   I only found one seed supplier that doesn't look sketchy (I'm in Europe, though). It looks like it caters to the professional trade.  Which makes sense - I only see lisianthus in florists and rarely in gardens.  

Best of luck with your new attempt!