Freighter View Farms

Here at Freighter View Farms, we’re wrapping up another wonderful growing season. The chill of October has begun to settle in, and with frost soon on its way, this will be the final bouquet of the season. There is a certain bittersweet feeling that comes with cutting these last blooms—a gratitude for what the garden has given us and a promise to cherish these final glimpses of summer’s brilliance. As I look back on the colorful explosions of flowers that have graced our garden beds, I want to share a little about how to capture that magic in your own bouquets, using the flowers grown with care and love.

Creating a bouquet is a celebration, a way to carry the garden’s spirit indoors as the seasons change. Each bouquet that I make, whether it’s filled with sunflowers, zinnias, gladiolus, or roses, is an opportunity to hold onto a piece of summer—an echo of warmth even as autumn draws near. Today, I’ll walk you through the simple joy of building your own stunning arrangements with flowers from your garden, just as we do here at Freighter View Farms.

Building the Perfect Bouquet: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Visualize the Theme of Your Bouquet: Before you start cutting, think about the mood you want to create with your bouquet. At Freighter View Farms, I often love a mix of vibrancy and nostalgia—bright sunflowers alongside the vintage elegance of creamy roses, or bold red zinnias mixed with the soft greens of eucalyptus. Decide if you want your bouquet to be rich in color or more understated, and keep that vision in mind as you work.
2. Choose Your Focal Flowers: Every bouquet needs a few stars—those blooms that command attention. Sunflowers are a wonderful focal flower, with their large, golden faces, radiating warmth and happiness. Dahlias and roses are also wonderful choices, adding a lush and full look to the bouquet. Start by cutting these main blooms, typically two to three, and hold them together loosely to start the structure of your bouquet.
3. Select Complementary Flowers and Filler Blooms: The supporting flowers are what give depth and character to your arrangement. Zinnias, in soft and bright hues, are fantastic as fillers. They have a cheerfulness that balances beautifully against larger, more dramatic flowers. Add in smaller blooms, like gomphrena or asters, to provide texture. Gladiolus, with their tall, elegant form, can be used to add height and drama, while daisies bring an element of casual charm.
4. Incorporate Greenery and Texture: At Freighter View Farms, I find that greenery adds an essential layer of softness and contrast. Eucalyptus is a personal favorite—it adds a lovely fragrance and balances the vibrancy of colorful blooms with its soft, silvery leaves. Cattails are another unique addition, bringing a rustic, earthy touch that pairs particularly well with sunflowers for a quintessential autumn bouquet. These greens are like the glue that holds the whole arrangement together, giving it a lush, full appearance.
5. Assemble with Balance and Movement: Start by placing your focal flowers in different directions, creating movement throughout the bouquet. Add supporting blooms, making sure to alternate colors and textures to create visual interest. Think of the arrangement as a dance where each flower has its own role to play—some leading, others following, and all coming together in harmony. The balance doesn’t have to be perfect; in fact, a touch of asymmetry can make the bouquet feel more natural and full of life.
6. Play with Colors and Textures: The bouquet’s beauty often comes from the interplay of different textures and colors. Zinnias, with their layered petals, provide a wonderful, ruffled look, while roses bring a classic softness. Sunflowers provide a big splash of color, and gomphrena adds a playful burst of texture. Combining colors that complement each other—like the sunny yellow of sunflowers against the deep red of zinnias—can make the bouquet pop. For a gentler look, mix creamy whites and soft pastels.
7. Enjoy the Process of Creation: For me, building a bouquet at Freighter View Farms is more than just arranging flowers. It’s about savoring the creativity of the garden, being inspired by what’s blooming, and enjoying the art of putting it all together. I love gathering the flowers from the garden, laying them out on the kitchen table, and slowly piecing them together. The process is calming, a time to connect with nature, and to honor the flowers that have graced our beds through the season.
8. Finishing Touches: Once your bouquet feels just right, tie the stems together loosely with some twine, giving it a rustic feel. Trim the stems to the desired length, then place them in a vase filled with fresh water. I find that a simple glass vase, or even a mason jar, works perfectly for letting the beauty of the flowers shine through. The vase is just a frame; it’s the flowers that tell the story.

A Thankful Farewell to the Growing Season

As I sit here admiring this final bouquet of the season, I feel an overwhelming gratitude for the garden and all it has offered. The bright sunflowers, cheerful zinnias, delicate roses, and fragrant eucalyptus are more than just flowers—they’re memories of sunshine, warm breezes, and the joy of a flourishing garden. Bringing these blooms indoors is a way of keeping the garden’s spirit alive, even as the days grow shorter and the frost draws nearer.

Here at Freighter View Farms, growing cut flowers has become more than just a hobby—it’s a tradition. It’s a way to bring the vibrancy of the garden into our home, to share that joy with others, and to savor every last bit of beauty the growing season has to offer. As we say goodbye to this year’s blooms, I can’t help but look forward to next year, knowing that the garden will come alive again, full of color, life, and promise. Until then, these bouquets are a beautiful reminder that summer’s spirit is never far away.