Rhode Island Flower Farms Are in Bloom!
April 21, 2023
Rhode Island flower farms are fun spring things to do! Our flower farms bring joy – and millions of stunning flowers – to the masses.
At this very moment, more than a million and a half daffodils are brightening landscapes across Rhode Island (most especially in Newport) with lemon-hued beauty. More than a million tulips cover access up to acres. Wild forsythia can be found everywhere from front yards to the side of the highway. Then comes peonies, zinnias, magnolias and dahlias by the arms load.
Rhode Island is a beautifully planted state with flower farms, community gardens, and wildflowers from Woonsocket to Westerly. We’ve rounded up where to see, smell, pick and snap the Ocean State’s beautiful flowers.
Wicked Tulips Flower Farm
Wicked Tulips Flower Farm offers the largest u-pick tulip events in New England at three locations. This time of year, thousands flock to the wide open acreage offered by Wicked Tulips at farms in Johnston, Rhode Island; Exeter, Rhode Island; and Preston, Connecticut. Longtime visitors know it’s work signing up for the Wicked Tulips email newsletter as owners send out updated information on bloom reports and links for special events in the fields, including morning and sunset yoga and other movement offerings. Currently, the Preston Farm – the largest of the three farms with blooms spread over 5-6 acres – and Johnson farm, are continuing to welcome guests to the farm (more here).
Owners Jeroen and Keriann Koeman source bulbs from Jeroen’s family of tulip growers in his native Holland. When they first started out, the couple planted nearly 60,000 tulips by hand. Today, they plant 1.5 million tulips with a tractor.
Tickets to the farms are only sold in advance (for crowd control purposes) and range between $5 and $20, and include 10 tulips, but guests may purchase more for $1 a stem. Your most difficult decision will be which ones to pick as there are tins of different tulip varieties in a rainbow of every color. If you’re inspired to create a Wicked Tulip Flower Farm of your own at home, you can purchase bulbs to be shipped to your doorstep in the fall with instructions and tips.
Electric Moon Peony Farm
In the tiny village of Adamsville, Rhode Island, Electric Moon Peony Farm grows top-quality herbaceous and intersectional peonies that, quite frankly, take one’s breath away. The farm is typically open to the public in early June and the peonies, which you find in shades of pink, red, peach, cream, white and more, are sustainably grown. Technically, Electric Moon Peony Farm is not a “pick your own” and instead, it’s more of a “choose your own,” as you choose your blooms and the staff cuts them for you so as not to damage the delicate plant. Picture perfect with stone walls and an Instagram dream,
Electric Moon Peony Farm is open seasonally: in the spring for cut flowers and in autumn for rootstock sales. The best way to stay connected with happenings and be the first to know when it’s go time, follow the farm at @electricmoonpeonyfarm
Petals Farm
Petals Farm in West Kingston, Rhode Island, is known for growing and harvesting gorgeous flowers. Daffodils, tulips, narcissus, dahlias, lisianthus, daisy-like brown-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia triloba) and more make for stunning bouquets using no-till farming to growing methods. No-till farming creates a minimal disturbance to their growing fields and the organisms that call them home.
The farm offers a flower-focused CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where participants receive 24 weeks of bountiful bouquets featuring in-season flowers, or you can just buy as you go. Petals Farm also uses their blooms to make stunning decorative florals and bouquets for weddings and special events.
The Dahlia Shed
Dahlia Shed is a family operated flower farm in Middletown. The farm grows seasonal blooms and sells dahlia tubers. The the fields are closed to the public, they are located right next to the picture perfect self service flower stand stocked with fresh cut bouquets including dahlias of course, but through June, you’ll typically find ranunculus, anemones, campanula, tulips, pansy, peonies, garden roses, bachelor buttons, larkspur, Chinese forget me nots, green hydrangea, other seasonal flowers. Follow their bloom schedule in real time on Instagram.
Lavender Waves Farm
If you’re unable to jet over to Provence for an Instagram photo shoot, head to Lavender Waves Farm, a locally-owned, 14-acre lavender farm situated in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Stroll through 4,000 luscious lavender plants, get your zen on, then cut your own bundle of lavender to take home, to gift, or to dry for decor or to make sachets.
General admission allows guests to enjoy the farm by perusing the gardens, visiting the adorable animals on the farm, checking out the cute shop and spreading out a picnic blanket on the grounds or bringing a BYO lunch (table provided or score the picturesque gazebo).
Lavender is typically in bloom at the end of June. You can buy tickets to a designated Cut Your Own Event, which you bring your own cutting shears and basket, or for general admission, which allows you to enjoy the above without cutting the plants. (Details here.)
For a more immersive experience, the farm has an on-site AirBnB for adults only that embodies the rustic nature of its surroundings. Built in part with reclaimed wood from a 150 year old silo, reclaimed beams across the ceiling, a four poster bed, and an open kitchen and living room space with a view of the lavender field, the suite promises a peaceful stay – though you may hear some of the farm animals in the distance! What to take your stay up a notch? Book a personalized multi-course gourmet lavender inspired dinner with the farm’s private chef when staying at the suite.
Springtime is pure magic in New England and visiting Rhode Island flower farms are great way to celebrate the season and a great thing to do in Rhode Island!
