Fresh Cuttings for the week of July 23rd
- Diana Pierce
- Jul 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 24, 2025
This Week's Garden Escapes
Dive Into Tranquility: Water Garden Tour This Weekend
July 26 – 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Step into a serene summer dream where koi glide under blooming lilies, waterfalls sparkle in backyard ponds, and every stone path leads to calm. This west metro garden tour offers an oasis of beauty across dozens of private landscapes.
I’ve been invited to photograph several stops—and I can’t wait to show you the magic!
$17 advance • $20 day-of • Kids under 15 free - Details + tickets here
One weekend. Dozens of gardens. Endless inspiration.
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Lavender Season Is at Its Peak!
Looking for a fragrant summer outing near the Twin Cities? Head to:
Lavender Barnyard for the latest in Farmington, MN. No appointments needed!
I recently visited with owner Marie Schuhwerck, who showed me varieties that thrive in Minnesota: These are the blooms clustered together above:
·Big Time Blue·
Big Time White·
Miss Katherine (pink blooms)·
Cynthia Johnson (tall, elegant—cultivated in Minnesota 30+ years ago)
Her favorite? Royal Velvet —I had to snap a close-up.
Marie offers group tours, but it’s best to call ahead.
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Catch Summer’s Showiest Blooms at the Como Zoo Conservatory’s Summer Flower Show.
Now through Sept 14.
Featuring bromeliads, citrus, hibiscus & more
AND don’t miss the giant Victoria Water Lilies outside the visitor center—the only public display of their kind in Minnesota!
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Sunflowers at the Arb!
This week, the Arboretum’s Farm at the Arb stage is bursting with tall, golden sunflowers, alongside lush hostas on the MacMillan & Morgan Terrace, and early garden mums in the Chrysanthemum Collection—all beautifully showcased in the weekly highlights.
There is also Summer Fun at the Farm every Saturday through Sept. 6.
It allows people to harvest a different crop every week in the fields at Farm at the Arb. Visitors can see cooking demonstrations, taste their harvest, play lawn games, and more.
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Coming soon in Bloom With Me—a garden visit with Twin Cities Live host Elizabeth Ries!
From backyard chickens to her go-to garden salad, she shares the roots of her homesteading life, her favorite things to grow, and the family traditions blooming in every bed. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at how she cultivates beauty at home.
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Bloom Alert: Award-Winning News!
I'm thrilled to share that Bloom With Me has received the Silver Laurel Media Award from Garden Communicators International!
This national honor celebrates excellence in garden-related content—judged by peers for clarity, professionalism, and impact.
It means so much to be recognized—but even more to keep growing with you.
Want to see more behind-the-scenes flower photos and nature moments?
Follow me on Instagram @bloomwithdianapierce.
Diana Pierce
Diana Pierce Photography
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2026 Flower Calendar Pre-Orders
Each year I produce a calendar of my best flower photography. September is when I usually start taking orders for them. If you'd like to make sure you are notified as soon as they are available to order, reply to this email letting me know!
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Follow @DianaPiercePhotography for more floral stories each month! About the Author:Diana Pierce is a floral photographer, writer, and Art in Bloom participant who shares her passion for flowers and creativity through her newsletter, Bloom With Me. |
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