At Pete’s, we’ve admired Charo of La Casa de las Flores for years—they’re the heart of our fresh floral bouquets. But this season, we finally got to step into her garden, and wow… what a treat! What started as an empty, tree-filled lot has become a 4,500-square-foot flower wonderland, buzzing with pollinators and bursting with color.
From Tulips to Zinnias (and Everything in Between)
Charo plans her seasons like an artist with a canvas. Spring starts with tulips, then come ranunculus and coneflowers, and by summer the annuals take over. She doesn’t bother with trays anymore—when you’re planting thousands, direct sowing just makes sense.
And to keep the blooms coming, she staggers her planting. Five hundred zinnias this week, another five hundred the next. That way, fresh flowers are always ready to cut.
Growing for Pollinators
Everything in Charo’s garden is grown organically, and she’s even working toward organic certification. Pollinators get special treatment here—sometimes she plants whole beds just for them! She calls it her “sacrificial crop,” giving the bees and butterflies their share so the rest of the garden can thrive.
The Magic of Marigolds
Ask Charo about her favorite flower to grow, and marigolds are near the top of the list. Why? Because they do it all. They’re gorgeous in the garden, long-lasting in bouquets, and incredible for pest control.
“Plant them around your vegetables,” she says. “They’ll keep the bad bugs away.”
Plus, they’re just fun. Deadheading a marigold is like popping bubble wrap—and their strong, spicy scent keeps pests on the run.
Garden Hacks That Make Life Easier
Charo has a few tricks up her sleeve to keep things manageable:
- Drip irrigation so her flowers survive those scorching 100-degree days.
- Weed matting to spend less time fighting weeds and more time enjoying blooms.
- Fertilizing once a week (especially in the early stages) to give plants a strong start.
And here’s a tip for shoppers: when you’re plant shopping—at Pete’s, of course—don’t just grab what’s blooming. Look for the healthiest plants so you’ll get longer-lasting flowers.
Fresh Blooms, Season After Season
Charo grows with the seasons. Pastel tones in spring, bold brights in summer, and rich oranges in fall. Lisianthus is her summer love (she grows 40 varieties!), dahlias rule in autumn, and sunflowers get planted by the hundreds each week through July.
Even in winter, she’s thinking ahead—adding evergreens and ornamental grasses so her garden has life and movement even when flowers fade.
Drying Flowers That Last Forever
This fall, Pete’s will feature some of Charo’s dried flower bouquets, and trust us—they’re stunning. Her go-tos for drying include strawflowers, celosia, ammobium, gomphrena (her all-time favorite!), and amaranth.
Her process is simple but smart: harvest at peak bloom, strip off the leaves, and hang upside down in a cool, dark place. Done right, you’ll have flowers that last forever.
Tips for Your Own Cutting Garden
Want to start your own little flower patch at home? Charo says to keep it simple. Start with easy growers like:
- Zinnias
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
- Gomphrena
- Cosmos
And here’s the best part—you don’t need 200,000 plants like Charo. Even a small patch will give you enough blooms to fill vases all summer long.
Why Charo’s Bouquets Feel Different
When you pick up a bouquet made from Charo’s flowers at Pete’s, it’s not your typical “grocery store bouquet.” They feel wild, fresh, and special—because they come straight from her heart (and her hard work).
Her garden isn’t just a job—it’s a sanctuary. A place where flowers, pollinators, and even the birds all find their share. And now, thanks to Pete’s, you can bring a little of that magic home too. 🌸
✨ Next time you’re in the store, look for Charo’s bouquets or dried flower creations. They’re ever-changing, always beautiful, and guaranteed to brighten your day.
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