Embracing the Rhythm of Rest and Renewal

As the calendar flips to January, the world buzzes with talk of resolutions, fresh starts, and ambitious goals. Don’t get me wrong—we love goals! Here at Bede’s Blooms + Co., we’re all about positive changes, refining our craft, and pursuing our dreams with passion. But as flower farmers, we’ve learned to flow with the natural rhythms of life, and this time of year is more about resting and dreaming than sprinting out of the gate.

In nature, life doesn’t spring forth in January. The earth is still slumbering, gathering strength for the explosion of growth in the spring. And so, we take this time to rest—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s vital to health and well-being. It’s also the fertile ground where dreams take root, and boy, do we have some incredible dreams for the 2025 growing season!

While we’re giving ourselves the space to rest and dream, we’re also carefully tending to the seeds of the future—literally and figuratively. January is a time for preparation, planning, and laying the groundwork for the breathtaking blooms to come.

What You Can Expect from Bede’s Blooms + Co. This January:

 Seed Starting

We’re kicking off our seed-starting season with lisianthus and eucalyptus. Lisianthus is a favorite here, and with over a dozen stunning varieties planned, it’s going to be a showstopper year. Have you seen this gorgeous Voyage series Champagne? Just Wait!

Lisianthus Voyage series Champagne - photo courtesy of Johnny’s Seeds

We will also be growing many other Lisianthus varieties including LisAdora Apricot, Voyage series Light Apricot, Lavender, First love, Pink Improved, and some newer types such as Pucchino Choco.

Lisianthus is one of the most enchanting flowers we grow here at Bede's Blooms. These cold-hardy annuals take time and care to cultivate, which is why we begin their journey in January. With different groups of lisianthus varieties, we plan to stagger planting times, extending their growing season to provide you with these romantic beauties for even longer. Grown close together to maximize space, lisianthus is as practical to grow as it is stunning. Their long vase life, combined with their whimsical, fluffy, and elegant aesthetic, makes them the perfect choice for any bouquet or wedding arrangement—and they bring effortless beauty to everyday spaces like your kitchen counter or dining table. A celebration filled with lisianthus? Absolute swoon-worthy!

Eucalyptus is another must-grow for us. Not only does it make for a perfect filler in bouquets, but I also love to grow enough stems to hang fresh weekly bundles in the shower. They act as natural steamers, filling the air with their soothing aroma—an absolute treat during the winter months.

Pre-Sprouting Ranunculus Corms

We’re thrilled to commit to growing ranunculus this year! These beauties will be one of a few new varieties to help bridge the gap between spring and summer flowers, and we’ve selected a variety of breathtaking colors to brighten your days. Think fluffy pastel and blush marshmallows (no but for real, look up Chaw mellow Ranunculus, dreamy!)

Photo credit: floret

The ranunculus variety I am most excited about this year? Amandine Chamallow. With its soft, fluffy petals, its as dreamy and inviting as a pillow you want to sink into!

Low Tunnels & New Beds

This season, we’re incorporating new beds for our cold-hardy flowers, supported by low tunnels. These additions will allow us to start the season sooner, meaning we’ll have flowers in your hands earlier than ever before. We’re also planning to rotate these beds with summer annuals for maximum efficiency.

Roses and Dahlias

We’re expanding our rose collection with new additions, including many beloved David Austin varieties. These timeless blooms are a customer favorite, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

And, of course, more dahlias! Because can you ever have too many? We don’t think so.

Looking Ahead: Weddings, Pop-Ups, and More

We’re excited to share that we’ve already booked a handful of weddings for the 2025 season. If you’re considering booking us for your big day, now is the time, as we’ll be closing this option soon.

Additionally, we’re planning to attend several pop-up events in the mid-Michigan area. Stay tuned for announcements and come say hi—we love connecting with our community!

Balancing Rest and Ambition

Even with a long to-do list and ambitious plans, we’re committed to prioritizing rest, creativity, and family time this season. Winter is a season of stillness, but it’s also a season of possibility. As we dream and prepare for the year ahead, we hope you’ll join us in embracing this beautiful rhythm of rest and renewal.

Wishing you a Happy New Year! May 2025 be a year of growth, beauty, and joy for us all.

With floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms + Co.

Welcome to Petals & Prose: Where Floral Inspiration Meets Creativity

Fresh cut dahlias in our trusty ole’ radio flyer wagon

Hello, and welcome to Petals & Prose! I’m Alex Winans, the founder of Bede’s Blooms + Co., and I’m thrilled to share my story with you. I’ve always had a deep love for flowers—a love that first bloomed in my childhood thanks to my grandmother, Susan. She had a passion for flowers, and her love for them sparked something in me that has stayed with me throughout my life.

But my journey to becoming a micro flower farmer and floral designer truly began in 2020, when I moved back to my home state of Michigan and met my now-husband, Adam. We were planning our wedding for 2022, and as we began looking into floral options, I was shocked by the astronomical quotes we received for wedding flowers. We had recently bought a fixer-upper on 1.25 acres of land, and I knew there was a large, full-sun space just waiting to be transformed into a garden. I made a decision then and there: I would grow our own wedding flowers, even though I had never grown flowers before. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was determined to give it a try. I spent my first growing season in 2021 learning the ropes—more or less winging it—and by September 2022, I was able to create beautiful bouquets, personals and arrangements for our wedding. It was an experience that changed my life.

From that first season of growing flowers, Bede’s Blooms began to take shape. I’ve always loved flowers, and it turns out that my passion ran deeper than I ever realized. Flowers helped me through a season of grief after losing my grandmother in April 2024, where I also discovered that her mother, my great-grandmother Edna Mae, had also grown flowers and shared them with neighbors and friends. What I wouldn’t give to have a picture of her in those days, surrounded by cut blooms in her garden.

Flowers have been my constant companion through various seasons of my life—grief, postpartum, change, and embracing new roles as a wife, a bonus mom to two beautiful young girls, and a new mom to our son. Flowers have comforted me in the hardest times and brought joy during the happiest moments. They’ve been my anchor in a world of change and have rooted me right here in Mason, Michigan, my home state, where I never thought I would end up.

In 2023, I was welcomed into an incredible community of local flower growers who have brought light and inspiration into my life. We share knowledge about flowers, insects, soil health, and more, and the motto we live by is “Community over Competition.” This group of women has extended such kindness, wisdom, and understanding, not only about flowers but also about the challenges of motherhood and running small businesses. I’m beyond grateful for this community, and I can’t wait to give back and be a part of something bigger than myself.

As I continue to grow my flower business, I’m also pursuing my passion for floral design. It’s a labor of love, and I feel so fortunate to be able to create custom bouquets and designs for weddings and small events. While flower farming is incredibly labor-intensive, I couldn’t do it without the help of my husband, who has been my biggest supporter. He’s not just free labor—he’s my encouragement, my rock, and my partner in all things flowers. None of this would be possible without him.

I also want to take a moment to thank God for leading me down this path. Without His guidance and confirmation, I wouldn’t be here today. This business is more than just about flowers—it’s about fulfilling a purpose. Bede’s Blooms + Co. is my way of making fresh flowers more accessible to brides and families, offering affordable DIY and full-service wedding floral options. I believe every bride deserves the beauty of fresh flowers on her wedding day, and working with a grower-florist has its unique advantages, especially when it comes to having a hands-on piece in your florals.

Sustainability is also a huge part of my values. I’m passionate about supporting local farmers and small businesses because, as a society, we need to prioritize our environment. Flowers grown locally help reduce emissions, and by buying from local farmers, you support healthier ecosystems and the pollinators that play such a vital role in our food system. I am committed to growing flowers without harmful chemicals, pesticides, or fungicides, and I hope to one day incorporate bees into our farm to support pollinators even more.

Another cause close to my heart is fighting human trafficking. A portion of the proceeds from Bede’s Blooms will go to local ministries that are working to end exploitation, and I am proud to use my business as a platform to support this important work. Flowers have always been a symbol of hope and love for me, and I want to extend that love and hope to others in need.

As I continue to grow Bede’s Blooms + Co., I’m still figuring out what my future holds. I work full-time and manage a family with three children, a dog, two cats, and now, three chickens. I’m not sure if I want flowers to be a full-time career, but I’m open to wherever this journey takes me. What I do know is that I am passionate about sharing flowers with our local communities in Mason, Holt, Lansing, and beyond.

Bede’s Blooms was originally called Bede Botanical + Co., which is still active today as a place where my mother and I make small-batch botanical soaps, using herbs, flowers, and botanicals I grow on the farm. The name “Bede” (Bee-Dee) comes from a family nickname my mom gave me when I was born, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

I am so excited to have you join me on this journey. Here on Petals & Prose, I’ll be sharing everything from flower care tips and seasonal bloom trends to personal stories and insights into the life of a micro-flower farmer and floral designer. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to sharing more with you as we grow together—literally and figuratively.

With gratitude and floral magic,

Alex Winans

founder & owner, Bede’s Blooms & Co.