–by Jen Ruple
PUBLICATION DATE: June 02, 2020
Known as Posey Jane to the Sylvania community, Jane Berry creates simple yet stunning floral arrangements that she sells at the Sylvania Farmers Market. Her free-form, farmhouse-style arrangements in clear mason jars, have continued to grow in popularity each market season, many weeks selling out completely.
Jane Berry of Posey Jane Flowers creates and sells mixed bouquets from the flowers she grows at her farm in Ottawa Lake, Mich. Berry will be at the opening day of the Sylvania Farmers Market on June 2.
All of Berry’s arrangements are composed from flowers she grows at her home located on a 6-acre farm in Ottawa Lake, Mich. With more than 10 flower varieties growing on one and a half acres of her land, it is truly a colorful site. “My main focus is on dahlias and sunflowers,” mentioned Berry. “I planted about 600 dahlia tubers, and I will plant that many more. They are great cut and come again flowers,” she added.
Berry started growing her own flowers in 2015 after she created flower arrangements for both of her sons’ weddings in 2014. “When I was working on their flowers, I visited a nearby flower farm. I bought peonies and fell in love with the place,” she said. “The place was so beautiful; I decided I wanted to grow flowers too.”
Get the look
Whether you purchase flowers from a market, florist or grocery store, Berry shared tips to help you get that fresh from the farm look.
Berry suggested to choose the vessel first. “Match the height of the flowers to the jar you are putting them in. I like mason jars because they are a good height, and they have a wide neck. That helps give the bouquet a nice shape,” she said.
Before adding flowers to water, Berry said, “Remove any leaves from the stems that will be underwater. Then trim the ends of the stems.”
When arranging, Berry recommended, “Start with three big focal flowers. Next, add some greenery and then small filler flowers here and there to give your bouquet a nice shape.”
Once the arrangement is made, keep it in a cool place and out of the sun. “Change the water every couple of days and give the ends a fresh cut,” said Berry.
Flowers don’t have to be expensive, noted Berry. “Use what you have in your own back yard,” she said. “Lilacs, dogwood branches, and ferns make great arrangements in the spring. And Queen Ann’s Lace is a good filler. In the fall, grasses and branches with berries go well with flowers.”
For more tips and ideas, visit Berry at the Sylvania Farmers Market beginning June 2 or email her at poseyjane4@gmail.com.