Hi flower friends,

Do you know this flower? She’s called nerine, also known as a Guernsey lily, Jersey lily, spider lily, or a naked lady. ☺️

One of my new favorite fall flowers, nerines are in the Amaryllis family. They are a bulb native to South Africa. They grow green, strappy leaves through spring and summer that die back in the autumn, then shoot up this fabulous flower (hence the naked lady nickname). The vase life of these babies is insane. There has been one on my kitchen windowsill for 2 weeks plus, and she’s still looking amazing.

A little fussy to grow, as they like hot and dry summers; they don’t love being moved and want to be crowded. Pots are a good bet. They come in a range of colors from red to pink to white. I’m planting a gazillon more for next autumn, that’s for sure.

Speaking of Amarallyis - I've got a number of winter-forcing Amarallyis coming in this year for folks to purchase. I prefer the more delicate and refined Amarallyis cybister (spider-type) over the showy ones you can get at the hardware store. This year I’ve ordered ‘Botoga’ and ‘La Paz.’ Let me know if you want one!

Rowan Berry Magic

Along the hedgerow of my flower field stands a rowan tree (also called a mountain ash). I’ve been called to string her jewel-like berries for several years, but I haven’t been able to beat the birds until this year. (Don’t worry, there are still plenty for the birds!)

Long associated with protection and magic, rowan berries have a tiny five-pointed star or pentagram opposite their stalk.

The rowan tree makes an appearance in a tale from the Fianna Cycle of Irish mythology; it concerns a love triangle between the great warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill, the beautiful princess Gráinne, and her paramour Diarmuid.

Strung on a red thread, they will be used in an upcoming wedding installation and then hung around the house through the winter for joy and magical protection.

Now that the autumn equinox has passed, we are officially in CANDLE SEASON, BABY! I start singing the Waldorf school lantern walk song to myself this time of year. IKYK.🤣

This is your last chance to sign up for the beeswax Candle Dipping Workshop in Port Townsend on the Fabled Flora Farm, as it is coming up next weekend, Sunday, October 4th, from 2-4 pm.

I will also be offering it at Christianson’s Nursery on Saturday, November 21st, from 2-4pm. If you are looking for a low-key holiday shopping day, I strongly recommend a weekend trip to the Skagit Valley. Top stop after Christianson’s? Hedgerow.

Sending you the last garden harvests and cozy sweaters,
Emmy and Kai