Chase the Color: Sunflowers, Dahlias, Mums
- Diana Pierce
- Sep 20
- 2 min read
By Diana Pierce
Fresh Cuttings- September 17, 2025
As autumn begins to peek through, there’s still plenty of bloom color waiting to be enjoyed close to home. From sunflower fields to fall flower shows and glowing dahlias, this week’s issue will help you make the most of September’s beauty.
What’s Blooming Now
Sunflower fields – Treasured Haven Farm
Still open for visitors Sept. 19–21. Nothing says late summer like a goldfinch perched on a sunflower.
MN DNR Fall Colors Map
Not flowers, but a favorite fall check-in for Minnesotans. Updated daily with the state’s changing palette.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The Dahlia Trial Garden is in full display along Three-Mile Drive. Keep an eye out for roses, garden mums, and purple asters too.
Como Conservatory – Sunken Garden Fall Flower Show
Two shows this season:
Sept. 19–Oct. 19 – Orange, pink, and purple chrysanthemums
Oct. 24–Nov. 30 – Darker tones with creamy accents, featuring crimson red, deep purple, and pale pink mums
Bloom With YOU: Sun Hat Edition
A couple of weeks ago, I shared pics of my sunhat collection and asked you to send me pics of yours. Thanks to these subscribers who brightened my inbox!
Carol M., Indianapolis (top): “It’s a Tula straw hat I won in a Garden Bloggers’ Contest in Austin back in 2008.”
Pam A., St. Paul (bottom): “I always wear a hat when I’m working in the garden.”
Keep them coming — I love seeing how you bloom.
BloomLore (New!)
Starting today, I’m adding a new corner of Fresh Cuttings: BloomLore.
Every flower carries a story — whispered through history, culture, and myth. Here, we’ll explore the hidden tales behind blooms we love.
Sunflowers & Strength
Minnesota’s sunflower fields are family favorites, but this bloom carries a deeper story.
In Ukraine, sunflowers have become a symbol of resilience and peace. After the country gave up its nuclear arsenal in 1996, leaders planted sunflowers at a former missile site — a living marker of hope (Time, 2022).
In recent years, they’ve taken on fresh meaning worldwide, appearing as a sign of solidarity with Ukrainians (Smithsonian). So the next time you pass a field of nodding sunflowers, remember — you’re standing in a story that stretches from Minnesota roadsides to the heart of Ukraine.
Also, if you enjoy BloomLore, hit reply and let me know which blooms you’d like me to explore next.
Until next week, may your walks be filled with color and surprise.
Diana
P.S. For several years I’ve been producing a photo calendar of my favorite bloom photos I’ve taken through the year. Last year I made them available to the public and they were very popular.
So I’m doing the same thing this year. If you’d like to order a calendar, reply to this email and let me know!
© 2025 Diana Pierce
11330 57th Ave. N., Plymouth, MN 55442
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