Wild thing!
Hello!
We are back from the bluegrass festival. My feet are tapped out and my back is recovering from sitting so much.
The flower fields have been more active. All sorts of things are growing, including weeds. Anywhere that is not mulched or covered has a bumper crop.
I’ve totally lost the battle with one bed in front of our house – it’s embarrassing. For the sake of marital harmony, it’s referred to as “the pollinator bed.” But really, it’s a thicket of milkweed, goldenrod, grasses and who knows what else. Through them, I still see some lilies, phlox and nigella (aka “love-in-the-mist” – or in this case “love-in-the-midst”).
I bravely ventured in to harvest. As I reached for a purple phlox stem, this wonderful caterpillar caught my eye. The mess is a habitat and haven after all!
I’m seeing marvelous photos of last week’s bouquets and Celebration Buckets (a selection of blooms and foliage for creating your own arrangements). I’m so glad you are enjoying the flowers! And bravo, fundraising friends, for your successful efforts. You make us all stronger.
I learned this week that the Canaan Valley Flower Company is a finalist in the Tucker County Business Pitch Competition! As I was getting some super-constructive coaching to help me refine my 5-minute presentation to its essential (and hopefully winning) points, I was reminded to keep to the bigger picture, not to “go into the weeds.” Touché!
The forest for the trees. The monarch for the weeds.
With the pitch competition added to my calendar, I’ve decided to push the start of the late-summer Season Passes back a week. They will start next Friday and run into September/early October. That is, until the first hard frost or when the flowers simply decide they’re done. You can choose a 3- or 5-bouquet option, with the same flexible week-by-week ordering by text message. It’s our way for you to enjoy fresh, seasonal, local flowers throughout the flower season.
Because I’m getting more and more orders for custom bouquets, Celebration Buckets and weddings, I will only be offering a total of five Season Passes, so REPLY “SEASON PASS” to reserve yours.
No need to wait, though. This weekend the flowers are headed back to their usual venues – Blackwater Galley, Davis Farmers Market, Canaan Valley Pop-Up, Stumptown Ales.
I have to admit, all these developments feel a bit like those dueling banjo and fiddle duets last week. Faster, fuller, and absolutely exhilarating!
Let there be flowers!
Lizz
PS – This weekend’s Points of Sale are:
• Friday - Sunday, bud vases at Blackwater Galley in Thomas (delicious breakfasts and baked goods from 7 am - 2 pm!)
• Saturday evening - until sold out, bouquets at Stumptown Ales, Davis
• Friday, 4:30 - 7:30 pm, Davis Farmers and Artisans Market, next to Davis Riverside Park, across from Shop’n’Save supermarket
• Saturday, Canaan Valley Pop-Up, 9:30 am - noon, on Route 32/Appalachian Highway (by the Canaan Valley Garage)
• For custom orders, Celebration Buckets, wedding inquiries or just because – contact me! hello@canaanvalleyflowerco.com
PPS – The 2026 Tucker County Business Pitch Contest finals take place on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the National Youth Science Academy, 494 Riverstone Road (off Corridor H, across from the Rubenstein Center), Davis, WV. Six finalists will present their live pitches, and the audience can vote for a People's Choice Award. Come support Tucker County’s entrepreneurs!