Floriography’s Emily Calhoun grows and designs with local flowers in New Mexico (Episode 176)

Summary: Last week's featured guest was Fran Sorin, gardening and creativity expert, and author of the just-released 10th Anniversary edition of Digging Deep: Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening. Fran graciously contributed a copy of her book for me to give away to our listeners. The lucky recipient from our drawing is Wendy Gorton. In her comment on my web site, Wendy shared her earliest memory of flowers or nature - and I know that when Fran hears this, it will bring a huge smile to her face. Wendy wrote: I’m adopted and lucky enough to have had an adoptive mother who loved working in the garden. She would take me out with her at a very early age, where we would plant vegetables and flowers and make mud puddles. This time with my mother was such a gift and taught me how to reconnect to what is important in life. A beautiful story in relation to this…my mother told me that one time, after one of our sessions in the garden where we both came in just covered in mud, the social worker stopped by, as was the case with adoptions. My mother was mortified and tried to explain why we were covered filthy. The social worker just smiled and said, “no worries; it looks like this little one is having a healthy childhood.”  Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment and I hope you come back to win something in one of our future drawings! I'm super excited to introduce you to today's guest, Emily Calhoun. A farmer-florist who owns Floriography, Emily has established her growing fields and design studios in two locations -- Albuquerque and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Albuquerque is in the center of the state and Las Cruces is in that little niche near El Paso, Texas where New Mexico, Texas and Mexico come together. We're talking 235 miles apart! Floriography blossomed in 2012 when Emily saw the need, even a thirst, for responsibly grown flowers and a fresh, new design aesthetic that was modern, yet steeped in tradition (just like her!). She proudly produces and utilizes stunning heirloom flower varieties alongside all-time favorites like sunflowers and tulips. Floriography’s business model is unique in that Emily collaborates with other growers, landscapers, and home owners to harvest many local and native plants, cacti, and foliage, bringing a special touch from New Mexico's beautiful landscape through her floral designs to table, event, or special occasion. Sourcing botanicals locally eliminates many of the extra costs associated with the floral industry, thus making it affordable to enjoy the benefits of fresh flowers. Floriography is the expression of Emily’s pleasure and skill in providing beautiful, unique, natural, and innovative floral design while honoring her agricultural heritage through sustainable best growing practices. The name Floriography (while it is indeed a mouthful!) reinforces Emily's belief that flowers carry profound meaning for the thoughtful giver and the lucky recipient. Floriography, defined as the language and the art of communicating through flowers, gained popularity in the days of Victorian England. This interest in the language of flowers had roots in Ottoman Turkey, when during the first half of the 18th century the court in Constantinople became obsessed with tulips . Floriography is founded on this powerful and romantic notion that flowers are such wonderful communicators. "Our mission is to help our clients express their fondest thoughts, hopes, and feelings through our flowers and design," she says. “I believe in flowers…” Emily continues, and this is excerpted from the Floriography web site: "I am constantly in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds us in the Rio Grande valley. I love walking through the farm land and down the drainage ditches collecting pods, grasses, and other unique vegetation.  After living around the country, working in Latin America and Europe as a travel guide and cook,