Guide to pick-your-own flowers in RI: Tulips, lavender, dahlias, sunflowers and more
From early spring right through to the fall, it's flower picking season in Rhode Island. And there are plenty of farms in Rhode Island that deliver an Instagram-worthy experience.
The season starts with tulips, erupting from the earth in a riot of colors at the ever-popular Wicked Tulips in early April, and from there cascades into peonies, then lavender, then the summer cut-flowers including the beloved dahlia, and ending with sunflowers in the fall.
Here's your guide to where to go to fill your home — and Instagram feed — with your hand-selected, locally grown blooms all season long.
Where to pick your own tulips in Rhode Island
When does the season start: For the earliest blooming varieties of tulips, the season starts in early-April. As different varieties come into bloom, the season will last until mid-May.
Wicked Tulips: Wicked Tulips has two locations in Rhode Island. One in Exeter, at 400 Hog House Hill Road, which typically comes into bloom first, and their original location in Johnston, 90 Brown Ave. Between the two farms, they have about 1.5 blooms during their season. A kaleidoscope of color, it’s a popular spot for both picking and photographing flowers. To go, online tickets are required, and as anyone who has ever tried to go knows, tickets do sell out. Adult general admission is between $17 and $23 and includes 10 tulips to take home. Additional tulips can be purchased for $1 a stem.
Dame Farm and Orchards: Unlike at Wicked Tulip, tulips are not the bread and butter of this farm, which is next door to the Wicked Tulip Johnston location. In 2022, they had a modest field with plenty of blooms. They charged $25 to pick a mason jar’s worth of stems, which is about 15 stems, and do not require tickets.
Where to pick your own peonies in Rhode Island
When does the season start: Peonies typically start in mid-May and are at their best in June.
Electric Moon Peony Farm: Unparalleled in the variety and quality of peonies, Electric Moon Peony Farm, 43 Old Harbor Road, Little Compton, is a peony lover’s dream. They typically have two “open houses” in June, where people can pick their own peonies in the same way you can cut your own Christmas tree. You pick it out, and one of their pickers cuts it for you. It’s $6 for a herbaceous stem and $9 for an Itoh stem, cash or check only.
Where to pick your own lavender in Rhode Island
When does the season start: Lavender season hits its stride in late June and blooms until early August, with some varieties stretching to a light bloom in October.
Lavender Waves Farm: For the most relaxing flower-cutting experience out there, head to this farm, 3814 Commodore Perry Highway, South Kingston, to take in their more than 4,000 lavender plants. In addition to being able to visit just to stroll through, they have cutting events when a $20 admission fee will allow you to cut your own 6 oz. bundle of lavender. This is a ticketed event.
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Where to pick your own dahlias in Rhode Island
When does the season start: Dahlias start coming into bloom in mid-summer and continue until the frost.
The Farmer’s Daughter: With multiple fields of dahlia varieties arranged loosely by color, The Farmers Daughter, 716 Mooresfield Road, South Kingstown, is like a candy shop for people who love flowers. There’s so much to choose from. They charge a flat $16 per pound and provide everything you need to make your bouquet. No tickets are required.
Dame Farm: Providing you with a mason jar to fill, Dame’s, 91-B Brown Ave., Johnston, has a variety of dahlias for you to pick from. They provide a mason jar and water, and it’s recommended that you bring your own clippers.
Where to pick your own summer cut flowers, i.e. zinnia, cosmos, gladiolas, fillers
When does the season start: Mostly annual flowers, these flowers will start coming into bloom in mid-summer and continue until the frost.
Sweet Berry Farm: In addition to the showstopping limelight hydrangeas, Sweet Berry Farms, 915 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, grows zinnias, cosmos, gladiolas and other annual cut flowers. They provide the clippers.
Dame Farm: Providing you with a mason jar to fill, Dame’s, 91-B Brown Ave. Johnston, offers zinnias, snapdragons, dianthus, and lilies. They provide a mason jar and water, but it’s recommended that you bring your own clippers.
The Farmer’s Daughter: In addition to dahlia’s this South Kingstown farm and nursery has a huge variety of filler flowers such as zinnia, Ammi, statice and more that will allow you to make your bouquets look high-end.
Young Family Farm: In addition to the bouquets in their farm stand, this Little Compton Farm, 260 W Main Road, offers pick-your-own zinnias, celosias, lilies and other popular cut flowers.
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Where to pick your own sunflowers in Rhode Island
When does the season start: The season typically starts in August and stretches well into the fall.
Manfredi Farms: With many varieties of sunflowers to chose from, this Westerly farm, 59 Dunns Corner Road, puts out a vibrant display. Bring your own clippers with you.
Dame Farm: Providing you with a mason jar to fill, Dame’s, 91-B Brown Ave. Johnston, will set you loose in their sunflower patch. It’s recommended to bring your own clippers.
Sweet Berry Farm: Mixed into their flower offerings, Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, grows many varieties of sunflowers. They provide the clippers.
Young Family Farm: In addition to their other cut flowers, Young Family Farms has a sunflower patch for you to explore.
Jaswell’s Farm: In addition to the apple and pumpkin picking, Jaswell’s Farm, 50 Swan Road, Smithfield, will let you pick your share of sunflowers to take home.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI flower farms where you can pick-your-own flowers. What to know
