Making Mini-Dried Flower Bouquets

Dried flowers are so gorgeous and they bring colorful beauty to any space without the worry of wilting. At PepperHarrow, we love experimenting with colors and textures to create unique floral arrangements. Recently, we conducted an A/B test to see what our customers preferred in terms of colors for the dried flowers we use in bouquets: soft pastel hues or slightly bolder pops of pink and purple. The results? It was nearly a perfect split!

The Romance of Pastels

Romantic Pastel Bouquets

Pastel dried bouquets evoke a sense of calm, romance, and elegance. With delicate shades of blush, cream, lavender, and soft blue, these bouquets are perfect for those who love a subtle, dreamy aesthetic. They pair beautifully with neutral home décor, wedding centerpieces, and gentle, airy arrangements. There’s something so soothing about the muted tones blending harmoniously, creating a peaceful ambiance wherever they’re placed.

The Beauty of Bold

Bold and Beautiful

On the other hand, our brighter bouquets featuring hot pinks, deep purples, and rich berry tones have their own undeniable charm. These bouquets bring energy and vibrancy to a space, perfect for those who want a pop of color that commands attention. Whether used in a modern home setting, as a striking gift, or simply to lift the mood of a room, these bright bouquets add a dynamic touch to any display.

Learn How to Make These Bouquets!

Learn how we create them on our recent YouTube video, which you can access here.

Which One is Right for You?

Choosing between pastels and brights comes down to personal preference and how you want your space to feel. If you love soft, understated beauty, a pastel bouquet might be your perfect match. If you prefer a more lively and bold statement, the brighter hues could be just what you’re looking for. Or better yet—why not mix and match for a unique, personalized arrangement?

At PepperHarrow, we’re thrilled to offer both styles so you can choose the perfect mini dried bouquet that speaks to you. Which side are you on—pastel perfection or bold and bright, or both? Let us know in the comments or visit our shop to pick your favorite!

XX Jenn and Adam

Growing Lavender at PepperHarrow Flower Farm

Known for its captivating scent, calming properties, and endless versatility, lavender has become a flower that’s a staple of our farm. The beauty and tranquility these beautiful plants bring to our growing areas is incredible. Lavender’s vibrant purple to ultra violet color and sweet fragrance not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also create a calming atmosphere that benefits visitors and the surrounding environment (so many bees!).

One of the lavender fields growing at PepperHarrow Flower Farm in Winterset, Iowa

Why Lavender?

We’re well known for growing over 200 different types of cut flowers at our farm, but for us, lavender is more than just a flower; it’s a powerhouse of uses. From its use as an essential oil, fresh or dried bundles, to its culinary applications, lavender is a favorite for us. Although occasionally tricky, its ability to thrive in the Midwest, where our farm is located in zone 5b, makes it an ideal addition to our fields of blooms.

We appreciate lavender not only for its fragrance but also for its practicality. The plant is drought-resistant, pollinator-friendly, and adds a stunning pop of color to the landscape. It also pairs wonderfully with the other flowers and plants we cultivate, creating a picturesque and sustainable environment.

As of this blog post, we’re currently supporting 2.5 acres of lavender, and we have plans to expand this in the future, adding new varieties and setting up interesting areas for photographs. Check out a great YouTube video for a small lavender tour of our farm here.

Growing Lavender at PepperHarrow

Lavender thrives in well-draining soil and full sun. The plant prefers a slightly alkaline soil pH (between 6.5 and 7.5) and benefits from being spaced adequately to promote airflow, reducing the risk of mold or mildew.

Our lavender plants are carefully pruned each year to maintain their shape and encourage healthy growth. We prune after the flowering season, cutting back about a third of the plant to keep it tidy and productive. This care ensures we have vibrant blooms and great harvests season after season.

Lavender’s Role on the Farm

Beyond its practical uses, lavender is a cornerstone of the farm’s aesthetic. Its purple hues contrast beautifully with the other flowers we grow, creating breathtaking scenes for our visitors. It’s extraordinary to see the fields in full bloom, which usually happens fro mid-June through early July.

Lavender is also a huge attractor for bees and butterflies, making it a vital player in our commitment to sustainability and supporting pollinators. The fields all hum with the buzz of bees, who are busy at work, gathering pollen to take back to their hive.

Harvesting Lavender

Harvesting lavender is one of the most rewarding tasks on the farm. We cut the stems early in the morning when the essential oils are at their peak, ensuring the freshest and most fragrant product. The blooms are then bundled and hung to dry in a cool, dark space to preserve their quality.

Lavender Bouquet Care Tips

Dried lavender is used in so many different ways. We love making a dried lavender wall against our battened white walls in our barn to make a really beautiful, visually stunning statement piece for guests to enjoy when they visit.

Dried lavender can be used in wreath making, sachets, and even in the farm's seasonal offerings like holiday wreaths, and lavender lemonade. Whether fresh or dried, the lavender from PepperHarrow adds a touch of beauty and serenity to every use.

A Few Tips for Growing Your Own Lavender

Choose the Right Variety: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is hardy and great for colder climates, while French and Spanish lavender thrive in warmer areas.

Well-Draining Soil: Lavender dislikes “wet feet.” Adding sand or gravel to your soil can improve drainage.

Full Sun: Lavender loves the sun—aim for 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.

Minimal Watering: Overwatering is a common mistake. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Prune Regularly: Pruning helps the plant stay healthy and prevents it from becoming too woody.

Need Pro-Level Growing Tips?

Check out our Lavender Masterclass here. It’s a fee based online course with a ton of great information, our best tips & tricks for how to be successful growing these tricky plants.

Lavender's Timeless Appeal

What is it about lavender that everyone seems to love and connect with? Is it the fragrance? Is it the gorgeous purple blooms? For us, lavender represents so many things. Lavender’s a blend of visual beauty, utility, and also sustainability. Whether it’s gracing our flower fields or the star of the show, enhancing our handmade products, it continues to be at the core of what we do and leans into our mission of bringing beauty, wellness and connection to people’s lives.

We would love to invite you to visit the farm and experience the calming presence of lavender for yourself. Walk among the rows of this enchanting plant, breathe in its soothing aroma, and take a little piece of PepperHarrow home with you.

Let’s Celebrate Lavender Together!

Follow along with our farm’s journey as we cultivate not only flowers but also connections with nature and our community. Lavender is just one way we share our passion for the land with you.

New for 2025, we’re celebrating our 1st annual Lavender Festival. Grab your tickets and enjoy a weekend filled with live music, great food, and all things lavender.

Dahlia Bouquet Inspiration

Dahlias are the main event in late summer and fall gardens. During this time at PepperHarrow, our nearly 2 acres of dahlias burst with blooms of every color, shape, and size. These incredible blooms are not only showstoppers in the garden but also the perfect stars of the show for mixed bouquets. Whether you're arranging for your own enjoyment or creating a gift for someone special, dahlias bring vibrancy and joy to any floral arrangement.

Sunset Glow

Capture the warmth of an unforgettable summer evening with a bouquet that matches the hues of a magical sunset. Combine hot pink, coral and orange dahlias with complementary blooms like pink cosmos, red celosia, and snapdragons. Add texture with a few stems of blue salvia for an unexpected pop of blue to set off this radiant arrangement. This bouquet is perfect for brightening up a kitchen table or gifting to a friend in need of a little sunshine.

Autumn Abundance

Celebrate the harvest season with a bouquet that showcases all of fall's warm, rich hues. Pair warm-toned dahlias in shades of orange, rust, peach, and yellow with dark foliage like nine bark, and bright celosias.

These beautiful bouquets feature dahlias: Ferncliff Spice, Robinhood, Chewy, Hillcrest Suffusion, and Ivanetti.

Bold + Beautiful

For those who love a punch of color, mix jewel-toned dahlias like deep burgundy, magenta, and purple with hot pink zinnias, blue delphinium, and lime-green amaranth. This eye-catching bouquet is a conversation starter, making it an excellent choice for celebrations or as a bold gift for a daring friend.

Dahlias featured in these bright beauties are: Isabel, Caitlin’s Joy, Beatrice, and Ivanetti.

Soft + Romantic

Create a soft and dreamy bouquet with pink and other pastel colored dahlias. Pair pink and creamy white dahlias with soft foliage, light colored lisianthus, and blush spiked celosia. The result is a romantic arrangement perfect for weddings, anniversaries.

Dahlias shown: 20th Avenue Old Major, Pink Sylvia.

Electric Avenue

Turn up the vibrancy with a bouquet of shockingly bright, electric-colored blooms. Combine neon pink, coral and vivid orange zinnias, bright flowers like blue salvia, and bright pink dahlias. This arrangement is perfect for making a bold statement or energizing any space.

Dahlias shown: Pink Sylvia, Caitlin’s Joy, and Isabel.

Our Best Tips for Using Dahlias in Bouquets

Pick fresh blooms: Dahlias are best cut early in the morning when they are well-hydrated. Use sharp scissors or floral snips to make a clean cut.

Condition the stems: Place the freshly cut dahlias into a bucket of water immediately and let them hydrate for a few hours before arranging, keeping them in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

Pair with complementary textures: Dahlias bold form pairs well with delicate blooms, feathery textures, and structured greenery. It’s good to mix them up!

Change water regularly: Dahlias are thirsty flowers, so keep the water clean and fresh to extend their vase life. Always re-trim the bottom of the stems when you take them out of water to clean.

A mixed bouquet of dahlias and other flowers isn’t just a gift of decoration to have sitting in your home—it’s a gift of joy, beauty, and wellness. Whether you’re creating an arrangement for your home or sharing it with someone you love, these stunning combinations are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. Be creative and use the beauty of flowers to add joy into the world!

SET YOUR REMINDERS FOR OUR DAHLIA TUBER ONLINE SHOP JANUARY 1ST AT 9AM CENTRAL

or join our Patreon group for early access beginning December 31st at 6PM Central

2024 Holiday Style Guide

YAY! It's the time of year to turn our farm spaces into a cozy, wonderful winter wonderland. The best way to do it is by adding the natural beauty of fresh greenery, natural accents, with pretty, muted accent colors. This holiday season, plan on decorating with nature's gifts to craft a festive and welcoming atmosphere that feels warm and looks stunning.

It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year! We love decorating for the holiday season at the farm with lots of natural materials. This year we decided to decorate the exterior of our spaces with the color combinations of soft, muted tones such as sage green, terracotta, brick red and metallic colors such as bronze and muted gold tones. So very pretty! We love the way it elevates the look of our pretty flower cottage. Unassuming, simple, yet elegant.

Power of Pink

Pops of soft pink strategically placed throughout your decor add a touch of modern elegance to the effect of simple greenery. What can you use? Think about pretty pink velvet or satin ribbons, carefully tied bows, non-traditional ways to add pink to your decor like pretty dried flower ornaments, or dried gomphrena wreaths (shown below) and clusters of shiny ornaments.

Bows are super IN right now so add as many as your heart desires! There also seems to be a trend this year more towards large velvet bows, so the bigger, the better. You can put a bow on just about anything your heart desires and it’s pretty much guaranteed to look wonderful.

Wall tree created as a pretty backdrop for photos on the farm for visiting guests

Nature’s Elegance

Start by bringing the outdoors in with fresh greenery. Noble fir branches, cedar, and pine not only infuse your home with the invigorating scent of the season but also serve as a canvas for holiday creativity. Drape garlands along stair railings, mantels, and doorways, allowing the vibrant green hues to set the stage for a festive atmosphere.

A well-crafted wreath speaks volumes. Starting with fresh greenery for your wreath, add unexpected dried flower accents, such as gomphrena, statice and strawflower to your front door. From pine cones, cinnamon sticks to velvet and satin bows, create a warm and inviting welcome for guests.

Elevated Ideas

Elevate your holiday decor with a unique twist by using starburst lights as indoor decorations. While typically reserved for adorning porches, we took a creative approach by suspending these beauties from the rafters inside our event barn. The result? A striking design statement that infuses the space with a touch of holiday magic. Picture the awe-inspiring sight of these twinkling lights gracefully hanging from the rafters, their magical sparkle lights casting a breathtaking glow throughout the room. It's a simple yet impactful way to bring the spirit of the season indoors with a touch of whimsy and elegance.

Oldies but Goodies

Can you ever have too many bottlebrush trees? Every year we seem to add more to our collection. In year’s past, we’ve collected many different colors, but this year, we chose a simple green color that looks simple, but pretty in our space. Add a little ‘snow’ from stuffing and twinkle lights and you have a ready made Christmas Village.It’s the easiest, most pretty holiday decoration idea.

As the holiday season approaches in 2024, we hope we’ve given you a few ideas for how to decorate your homes with warmth and festive cheer. Gather inspiration, let your imagination run wild, and make this 2024 holiday season truly unforgettable. Happy decorating & hosting for the season!

XX Jenn and Adam

Introducing Our New Fragrance Line

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new fragrance line that brings a whole new layer of luxury and sophistication to any fragrance collection. Whether you're drawn to the refreshing crispness of eucalyptus, the warmth of tobacco and vanilla, or the grounding depth of citrus and earthy tones, we have something for every scent lover.

NOLA: A Fresh Awakening

Our best-seller, NOLA, starts with a burst of eucalyptus, instantly awakening your senses, much like a deep, refreshing breath of fresh air. This opening note is bright and energizing, setting the stage for the layers underneath. As it settles, fruity notes lend a subtle sweetness, gently lifting the fragrance and creating a sense of lightness and joy. But what truly defines NOLA is a scent base of nostalgic, warm vanilla that’s grounded and earthy, providing an unexpected depth and warmth that makes it feel both soothing and comforting. NOLA is perfect for those who love a fragrance that’s refreshing yet cozy, uplifting yet calming.

CHARMING: Bright, Balanced, Beautiful

Next, we have CHARMING, a fragrance that embodies the delicate balance of brightness and grounding depth. It opens with citrus notes that immediately capture attention, offering a burst of energy and vibrance. But this fragrance doesn’t stop at citrus; the blend of vanilla and earthy undertones give it a smooth, rounded center. What truly sets Charming apart is the way it grounds itself with woody depth, offering a fragrance that feels both warm and timeless. It’s the kind of scent that lingers with you — comforting but full of character, and elegant in its simplicity.

Perfect for both daytime and evening wear, Charming is for anyone who wants to feel fresh, confident, and effortlessly sophisticated.

TOBACCO AND SPICE: Comfort Meets Exotic

If you’re someone who loves a fragrance that’s both comforting and exotic, look no further than Tobacco & Spice. This complex, multi-layered fragrance blends the rich, warm notes of tobacco with the smooth, familiar sweetness of vanilla. Together, they create a deep, comforting warmth that feels cozy and inviting. But what truly sets this fragrance apart is the addition of spices, which infuse it with an intriguing and exotic flair. The combination of these elements creates a fragrance that’s both familiar and alluring — a perfect balance between something grounding and something daring.

Which One Will You Choose?

Each of these new fragrances brings something unique to the table, from the refreshing energy of NOLA to the elegant depth of Charming, to the exotic warmth of Tobacco & Spice. No matter which one speaks to you, you can expect an experience that’s both luxurious and personal.

We’re so excited to share these beautiful new scents with you, and we can’t wait to hear which one becomes your new signature fragrance. Let us know if you have a favorite already, in the comment section, below.

Stay tuned for more updates and special promotions surrounding our fragrance collection, and be sure to follow us on social media to stay in the loop!

Ready to experience them all? Head to our website to shop the new fragrance launches today!