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CENTRAL VIRGINIA
design ✦ improve ✦ garden ✦ live
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ORGANIZE, SPRING INSPIRING
ENERGIZE! CELEBRATIONS DESIGN
garage solutions time for tea kitchen islands
housekeeping routines historic garden week landscape plans
SPRING 2021
irvington spring farm mimosa hill farm
wool branch farm pharsalia
Riots of beauty
area flower farms offer an abundance of blooms
BY J E SSIE THOMPSON
It’s as if Ralph Waldo Emerson had a vision of Here, we learn about four area flower farms and
spring in Central Virginia when he penned the line their owners who not only celebrate nature’s
“the Earth laughs in flowers.” There is a sense of beauty, but cultivate it, bloom by bloom, with
glee after a stark, leafless winter when the vibrant thought, determination and dedication. Each farm
green of the grass juxtaposes with fuchsia blooms has its own story, its own personality. All create
of redbuds, the delicate pink of dogwoods, and delight, and, in these tumultuous times, a sense
the sunny daffodils peeking through the dirt. of peace. Each applaud Lady Bird Johnson’s
We are fortunate that our area has the right declaration: “Whenever flowers bloom, so does
climate for so many varieties of flowers to thrive. hope.”
cvhomemagazine.com 21
Kaye Moomaw has been working the land of IRVINGTON arrangements; their blooms can also be found at the Lynchburg
SPRING FARM alongside her husband, Ben, for decades. Community Market.
They understand the cycles of time and life, signaled by what “Having a cutting garden is work every day. It doesn’t have
is blooming or what work is yet to be done. They understand to consume you, but you end up serving the garden,” Moomaw
the need to mark important life events with flowers, and says. “We’ve been doing this for so long, it’s a way of life.”
also, sometimes, the need to create celebrations for nothing That commitment has made the Moomaws aware of the
particularly special at all. interconnectedness of all living things, and has sparked a desire
“We started selling flowers when we lived in Charlotte,” to implement positive changes in their corner of the world. They
Moomaw says, “and when we came back here, we knew it was are committed to decreasing the use of pesticides and other
something we wanted to continue.” chemicals, and planting and selling pollinator plants.
Although the land had been in Ben’s family for generations, “We want to do more than simply say we love the butterflies
they were the first to really farm it. Now, there are three acres and honey bees; we want to give the earth back to them. Without
of cut flowers and two “high tunnels” (think: greenhouses), pollinators, we wouldn’t survive as a farm or a planet. In addition
which offer a different climate for growing flowers that might not to being a certified pollinator habitat, we’re working on ever-
survive in the field. increasing sustainability methods,” she says.
The family has cultivated more than 70 varieties of flowers; all Another way to do that, says Moomaw, is to focus a bit more
but a handful have limited availability—typically several weeks. on some native species, which require less to thrive. “Gardening
They are also avid rosarians, and have created both propagation teaches hope, patience. It takes a long time. Be gentle with
and cultivation areas for roses, as well planting dozens of varieties. yourself and your plants. There is a lot to learn, and to learn, you
What’s grown is available for wholesale, to designers have to deal with failures.”
and florists for special events (including weddings), and, They are passionate about caring for the land, coaxing beauty
for nonprofessionals, there is an onsite flower cooler that from it, and sharing that bounty with others. Especially after the
offers flowers by the bunch, mixed bouquets, and Mason jar pandemic hit, Moomaw thought it was important to give people
22 Central Virginia HOME Spring 2021
in the community a place to come for tranquility As the plantings and other offerings evolve, so
and beauty, so while everyone is welcome to shop too, does the business. The Moomaws have handed
(using the honor system), people may also come to over the management of the farm to their daughter
just enjoy a picnic. Maggie, and have also recently opened their large
“When [coronavirus] first came out, things were farmhouse (where Moomaw and husband Ben
deathly quiet here,” says Moomaw. “Slowly but continue to live) and its adjacent buildings as
surely, people started coming out, then it was in AirBnB offerings; that business is managed by
droves.” daughter Mary Ellen LaFreniere.
Some customers paid extra, she says, and some “It’s a lifestyle,” Moomaw says. “We love to do
wrote touching entries in the notebook the farm this—thankfully, my husband loves it too. I’ve been
provides for customers to record purchases. selling so much around town, some people call me
“There was a tremendous outpouring of support,” ‘The Flower Lady.’ I love it.”
Moomaw says. “It was huge, so affirming.”
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cvhomemagazine.com 23
Kathryn Hansen, who started MIMOSA HILL FARM with her made help keep out deer; to date, she has not had too many husband Billy last year, is just as surprised as passersby that they problems with other critters. She credits a homemade, organic created an urban garden in the middle of a pandemic. “I had no “compost tea” for helping her plants thrive: “The healthier the idea how much I loved flowers until I started growing them,” she plant, the harder it is for pests to damage it,” she says. says. And as the pandemic began in 2020, Hansen was harvesting Although toiling in the soil is nothing new to her—she grew her first flowers: tulips, 750 huge tulips. Then came the planting up helping her grandfather plant vegetables in his “garden” of dahlias: 99 from seed. And eventually, a 70-foot-long bed with (a bona fide pumpkin farm), and her family grew Christmas dozens of varieties of flowers. trees—she could never imagine gardening leading to a career. “Every time I plant something, I get so excited,” Hansen says. What she could envision in 2015, when she and Billy She credits the Floret Online Workshop, created by renowned purchased their 1902 farmhouse on four acres, was that the farmer-florist Erin Benzakein, for minimizing mistakes, and space could become a place to bring people together. follows a biodynamic sowing and planting calendar, calling on Several years ago, she cleared some land and planted a family to help. circular garden around a firepit. Her two children each staked “My grandfather farmed and now his son, my uncle Jack a claim. Then, after going apple picking one fall, came the Evans, and his wife Pam, have a farm in Appomattox, Rocky purchase of a few fruit trees. And that lead to a vegetable garden. Top Farm, that we visit often. They also practice organic/ Hansen committed herself to bio-intensive practices, which, in sustainable farming, and sold vegetables and flowers at the layman’s terms, uses organic methods to get maximum results Lynchburg Community market for years. They are my ‘call a from a small space by putting companion plants together—for farmer hotline’ with any growing questions I have. It’s truly a example, tarragon and eggplant, or beans and beets, increasing blessing to have someone that’s been growing for years to call,” biodiversity and helping the soil stay fertile. Fences her husband she says. 24 Central Virginia HOME Spring 2021
Eventually, there was more produce (and flowers) In addition to selling produce and precut floral
than the family and neighbors could consume. And a arrangements in varying sizes, Mimosa Hill offers
hobby became a business. "smell and taste tours," flower bars featuring cutting/
Hansen’s dad built the farm stand and table that arranging, various flower subscriptions, and other
offers the farm’s daily harvest. At first, offerings were ways to take advantage of all that the farm produces,
put out on Saturdays. As the gardens began thriving, including farmhouse dinners, a variety of herbs,
every day brought something new. “I mentioned to him bundles of lavender and eucalyptus, and even some
we needed a covered stand to put our flowers in and he oils.
had a wonderful vision for it,” Hansen says. “The wood “We’ll do this as long as we can; that’s the plan,”
for the table is from the old pine window frames he Hansen says. “I think, even if you don’t have a
salvaged from our farmhouse renovation last summer. big garden space, connecting back to nature is so
I’m so grateful for him building a beautiful little stand important.”
to sell our flowers and vegetables!”
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cvhomemagazine.com 25
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Amy and Adam Bigham are rooted in Central Virginia. Literally
and figuratively. Both life-long residents of the area, she works
as a library assistant at Concord Elementary School, and he is a
Realtor. Since getting married in June 2007, they have had two
children (Eli and Emi), purchased 10 acres, and founded WOOL
BRANCH FARM .
“We had this open field sitting behind us,” says Amy Bigham,
“and we were trying to think of something that may be profitable
so I said ‘What about flowers?’ The year before we planted rows
of sunflowers and they did great. I didn’t sell them but they
made for such pretty and fun photography.” Husband Adam
was on board, so they ordered and planted a variety of seeds,
including sunflowers, zinnia, cosmos, gladiolus, sweet pea,
(434) 376-2418 | www.francisoil.com dahlias, lavender, limelight hydrangea, sedum, and various herbs,
including mint, oregano, rosemary, spearmint, and lemon balm.
PROUDLY SERVING RESIDENTIAL
There was a lot of trial and error; some they tried to grow
AND COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS in flats and others were directly sown. “Some flowers came up
IN CENTRAL VA SINCE 1956… and some didn't, but we knew there would be a chance of that,”
Propane | Gas Logs & Heater Sales and Installation Bigham says. “Luckily our flowers that did well were bountiful.”
Gas Water Heaters | Decorative Gas Lanterns | Fire Pits While some growers are hesitant to select a favorite, Bigham
says sunflowers top her list: “They're just so beautiful and vibrant!
26 Central Virginia HOME Spring 2021
I have to share a quote, by Helen Keller: ‘Keep your face to the “I had been following other flower carts and thought we could
sunshine and you cannot see shadows, it’s what the sunflowers totally do the same with this old truck bed,” Bigham says. “Adam
do!’” added the roof, side ledges, and the racks for galvanized flower
Bigham finds inspiration and helpful information from the buckets. It was perfect.”
book “The Flower Farmer” by Lynn Byczynski, and from social The couple posted pictures on social media, made about 30
media, especially Brownings Farm and Flower Truck, and bouquets, filled a few extra buckets with individual stems and
Blooming Joy Flower Farm. fillers, and let folks know they would debut the full cart the
“They have helped give me the determination and motivation following morning.
that I need day in and day out. I don't teach classes or anything “We set up in a vacant parking lot right beside Concord
like that yet, but I'm hoping by gaining more knowledge and School, and much to our surprise, we sold out of flowers in under
experience with flowers I'll have the confidence to do so. I would 30 minutes,” Bigham says. “We were blown away by the love and
love to have a cut flower field or offer bouquet making classes/ support of our community. It was wonderful to see the joy that
events.” these flowers and this little cart was bringing. It had been a hard
The farm’s flower cart, she says, was one of those things “that year for many; having something as simple as fresh, local flowers
just sort of happened.” bring smiles and happiness was such a blessing. From this point
“July (2020) rolled around and Adam said, ‘We have got to do on I knew this is what I wanted to be doing with my life. This
something with all these flowers,” Bigham says, which lead to the flower journey has been a crazy, beautiful one and I wouldn't
cart. Adam had purchased the old GMC truck bed, which serves trade it for anything.”
as the base for the cart, on Craigslist a while ago. He wasn’t sure
what would become of it, but felt he couldn’t pass on the vintage
piece.
cvhomemagazine.com 27
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When Foxie Morgan tells the story of PHARSALIA , her Nelson
County flower farm and event space, it’s part nostalgia for the
past, part looking toward the future, and, ultimately, a love story.
The plantation home was built in 1814 as a wedding present
for William Massie, one of Morgan’s ancestors. Now, 200+ years
and five generations later, Pharsalia is a breathtaking 20 acres
overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains that is listed on both the
National Registry of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks
Register.
For Morgan, who is a direct descendant of William Massie’s
youngest son (Bland Massie), Pharsalia (along with its flowers,
fruits, and vegetables) is as much a part of her life as breathing.
“We are definitely connected to this place—dangerously so,”
she says, explaining that as a child, she would spend weekends
and summers on the property. In 1974, when she married her
husband, Richard Morgan, they moved into what was once the
caretaker’s house. “My heart and soul are here.”
Pharsalia remains a private residence and a working farm; it
434.942.2222
is open to the public by appointment, for events, and for farm-
sponsored classes.
kathyterrell9@gmail.com “We have hosted flower classes on ‘how to,’ including seed
starting, arranging, gathering and foraging, et cetera, to classes
on antiques, apples, ticks and grilling,” says Morgan. “Our spring
flower classes may instruct all about peonies, planting dahlias
28 Central Virginia HOME Spring 2021
or harvesting the many hydrangeas on the
property. Fall classes are about foraging the
grounds and using the unexpected—like
gingko leaves, chestnut pods or paradise tree
pods in your arrangement—and of course,
cutting fall flowers, including dahlias. Dried
flower classes are popular too, using what we
harvest here.”
Morgan grows about 200 varieties of
annuals and perennials, mainly for cutting; her
biggest crop is peonies, which she admits are
her favorite perennial. She has about 1,700
peony plants, and, at the height of the season,
she is cutting them four or five times a day.
“Flowers are my passion. It’s a feel-good
product that changes monthly. I’m lucky to
have found one,” she says. “It grew; it didn’t
happen all at once.”
Her mother always encouraged her to have
a little garden, and she did. But, she also taught
elementary school and was busy raising her
three now-grown children.
With fewer family obligations, she’s been
able to nurture her passion, with trips near and
far, a membership to the National Association
of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, and evenings
to sit with stacks of beautiful, informational
books.
When arranging, she says, “I’m not afraid
anymore: If I like it, that’s all that matters.”
She enjoys adding unexpected items from
foraging: the long frill of chestnut tree blooms,
stems with not-quite-ripe blueberries, tiny crab
apples, poppy pods, even figs on stems.
Cut flowers are for sale to wholesalers, for
events on the property—mostly weddings—
and can be purchased seasonally (along with
produce) at the Nelson County Farmer’s Market
in Nellysford, which Morgan has been regularly
going to since it opened in the mid 1990s.
“The Market is a way that I can market
Pharsalia, and also being able to sell there helps
me pay for my help. It’s all a cycle,” she says.
Morgan enjoys meeting and talking
with other growers: sharing and sometimes
trading varieties, learning best practices,
pushing for fewer pesticides and more
pollinators and more native species. “There’s
always some competition,” she says, “but it’s
not cut-throat. … You can learn so much from
others.”
For now, she is happy to see couples
exchanging vows, continuing the love story.
“There are three things I love about my job:
I can go to work in my pajamas; my employees
are the very best—I would be nothing without
them; and my husband, who is willing to
help—being the chief grass cutter takes days—
and he never stops or sits down. He’s always
rearranging and coming up with new ideas.” ✦
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