Gallery • 12 Photos

One late Friday afternoon, just past 4 o’clock, a long gravel road between two soybean fields led me upon my destination, the P&D Flower Farm, where I was greeted by both Phil and Dawn VanBlarcum, the owners, sitting in front of the supply shed. After exiting my car, I walked into the little structure and got directions from Phil to go take a look around and then come back for my flower bucket and clippers.

Walking through the shed to the other side, I came upon eight or nine rows of flowers. Most were in bloom, from the lanky sunflowers to the bushy marigolds. With every step, butterflies, bumble bees and grasshoppers fluttered from flower to flower or across the row. Even a lone frog frolicked through the black-eyed susans. With the sun illuminating the blossoms, I set out making notes of all the flowers for my bouquet.

When I got back to the shed to grab my bucket and clippers, Phil took me out to show me exactly where on the flower stems I should cut, as well as telling me which flowers were available to me. He recommended cutting 18 inches down the stem for optimal vase length and budding. I chose to go with the special, seven stem bouquet for $5, as opposed to the 14 stem for $10, or the 26 stem for $20. There was also the option to purchase single stems, $1 each or $2 for specialty flowers such as the sunflowers and dahlias. However, I thought to get the best deal the bouquet was the way to go. In doing so, I got the background on his farm.

From city to country, Phil and Dawn VanBlarcum moved to give their children space to grow up and so that they could also grow their own produce, according to the P&D Flower Farm website. Along with the garden, Phil and Dawn planted a couple varieties of flowers, which became to be by far their favorite. Soon enough, every visitor was leaving the farm with produce and a bouquet. Their love of flowers and desire to share their “back to the basics” country life with others created the dream of their eponymously named P&D Flower Farm.

This flower farm is the only flower farm in central Indiana where no flowers are imported and are all grown locally on the 10 acres of land that make up the farm. According to Phil, the two-year business really started to take off after the creation of their Instagram and social media pages. This flower farm has been visited by people from all over the world, such as Brazil and Germany, and has become a “destination,” according to Phil. The huge growth in business has all stemmed from their social media platform, where not one dollar has been spent advertising.

“People love the green space,” Phil said. “It’s an awesome green space to come visit, a park-like atmosphere. We’re a cultural dream for people who’re in educational resource, we have girl scouts come out in groups and earn badges. We have garden clubs come out too.”

I first went to the sunflowers, and looked for the brightest, fullest one in the row. It was easy with the selection I was given, so I picked one out and clipped. Then I went about my way to the marigolds and lots of other beautiful flowers.

Once I was finished, I went back to the shed and stripped the leaves of the stems, and wrapped up my bouquet with the brown paper and twine that was provided.

The overall feel of the P&D FLower Farm is rustic, simplistic and absolutely beautiful. The flowers themselves smelled delightful and refreshing, as well as the air that the flowers filled with their aroma. The atmosphere is inviting and draws you in, to spend the afternoon away with family, friends and flowers.

Key things to know before setting out to this Indy treasure, is that sometimes they are closed due to weddings, so calling ahead would be ideal. Also, the farm is only open on weekends, Friday to Sunday from 10 to 6 PM. When leaving, it would be good to have some way to keep the flowers or bouquet upright on the drive home. Other than that, anyone is ready to head over and spend some time outdoors to create their own bouquet.