Alaska’s next boom? Forget oil, it’s flowers! I don’t think Michelle and Beth were comparing the two exactly when they planted their first peony roots a few years ago, but oil prices are low (today) and the demand for their peony flowers is steadily growing.The special sauce? Alaskan peonies bloom later than other commercially available peonies because the cooler temperatures. Thanks to Alaska’s cold dirt, brides planning weddings in August can still have their favorite flowers.
Thanks to a referral from writer/friend Maria Finn I was hired for an assignment photographing two Peony farms in my Homer, Alaska hometown for the hip Modern Farmer Magazine. The article came out fall 2014.
Over the last few years my curiosity had been growing as I flew around Alaska and noticed the ever increasing number of peony beds being planted. This assignment was a great way to satisfy my curiosity. Poor Beth and Michelle had to endure a lot of questions while I photographed them working.
Gotta have some for yourself? You can order flowers direct from these wonderful ladies (and that really nice guy) at their websites:
Beth – Scenic Place Peonies
Michelle – Chilly Root Peony Farm
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