Washington has a beautiful new ‘You-pick flower’ option. Everlane Flower Company has fields of gorgeous zinnias, sunflowers, and more.

Owner Elizabeth Ann Cutler grew up on the parcel of land where she has started Everlane Flower Company. Her family has owned the land and other parcels for years. When the pandemic hit, she started growing flowers as a distraction. It soon grew into much more than that. "I wanted people to be able to come and harvest, and get their hands on the flowers where they’re growing. That experience in itself was the whole impetus of you-pick. It’s been several years in the making."

While Cutler has been growing flowers and taking them to markets for a couple of years now, this is the first year the you-pick field has been open.

Her family is from the area and has been farming for years. "My grandparents farmed tobacco, so it’s been exciting to take the family farming business into a whole new direction. I really wanted to carry on that legacy in a different way." The farmhouse that sits in front of the fields fell into disrepair after the lady, [Miss Rubie, whom Cutler knew growing up], that lived there, passed away. Cutler bought the property and has plans to renovate it. "It’s my vision to turn it into my flower farm store."

Along with the fields of flowers that one can pay to gather, Cutler also discovered many ‘legacy’ plants in cleaning up the land. "I’ve uncovered species that I know were planted generations ago because they’re not indigenous to this area, and they’re coming back."

Cutler says that plants and flowers have the ability to spark memories. "Not just visually, but the scents. There’s a lot of power in that."

Cutler’s personal background is in childcare. "I guess my passion has always been growing things and gathering community."

Along with the fields of flowers come pollinators. As you walk through the farm, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds flit about, happy to have so many options to feed and reseed.

Not sure where or how to pick certain flowers? Not to worry. Cutler shows patrons exactly what to look for and how to pick different varieties.

"We show you best harvesting practices, so it is picking flowers, fun, and educational at the same time. We have three pricing tiers. The 32 oz jar at $18, the two gallon bucket at $32, and the five gallon bucket at $47." You can bring your own vessel or use one of their to-go containers.

Cutler says she’s had folks come out and pick flowers in the morning, then bring their lunch and eat while enjoying the flower fields. She says that growing the flowers is something that really gives her peace, and she’s so excited when others enjoy that serene pleasure on the farm.

Everlane Flower Company is open Thursday-Friday 3-8pm, Saturday 8am-8pm, and Sunday 12-7pm. It is located at 1508 East Hwy 92 in Washington.

For more information, go to https://www.everlaneflowerco.com/?mibextid=Zxz2cZ.