I LOVE flowers on our property because it creates diversity and feeds my bees.  My wife and kids like the beauty it adds, but we all love the income potential it provides.  We are growing flowers first to support pollinators (my friend Mr. Buzz Buzz).  But we are also using them as cover crops and as a composting mulch.  As an on farm enterprise we’ll see where that leads, but what a great learning experience for my girls.

Types of Regenerative Flowers

Flowering Perennials:  Of course flowering perennials return each year and in theory this makes them low-maintenance.  However the reality is that some of the more tender bulbs are only hardy over winter in certain growing zones.  Some examples include Black-Eye Susans, Asters, Daylily, and Bee Balm.

Annual regenerative flowers:  These are one planting and one growing season.  Annual flowers offer more uses than their perennial counterparts.  The provide an amazing array of color to the farm, people love to purchase them and they are perfect for bees.  However, as a cover crop they are invaluable when building soil.  We can simply mow them down over winter and allow them to “self compost” while caring for our soil.

Bees as Pollinators

What came first, the bee or the flower?  Without each other the other ceases to exist, well unless us humans intervene.  Bees are essential to the pollination process for our fruits and vegetables.  A diverse planting of flowers gives the bees the pollen and nectar needed to continue their never ending pollination work.  And remember to be a good friend to Mr. Buzz Buzz and don’t use pesticides.

Cut Flowers for Decoration

The smell of colorful fresh flowers on display offers a medley to your senses and puts a smile on my face.  Adding color to your home or business is easy by displaying regenerative flowers.  If you are cutting them yourself, make sure you have a clean and sharp pair of shears or scissors.  Put them in water immediately if you are going to display them.  Don’t forget to press and dry some for any future decorating project when it might be chilly.

Seasonal Succession Planning

You definitely don’t want one tremendously awesome flower bloom.  Think about going to the fireworks just to see the finale.  By planning out your succession planting for your regenerative flowers you should be able to be in flowers from spring until fall.  Staggering the same species will help, but having a flower plan based on specific blooming periods will allow some flowers to fill in while others are fading out.