Growing Ilex for Florists: Lane DeVries with Sun Valley Floral Farms

Growing Ilex for Florists: Lane DeVries with Sun Valley Floral Farms

Author: Scott Shepherd, Host and Flower Educator November 6, 2023 Duration: 51:53

Imagine growing up among tulips and lilies in the Netherlands, and then taking that green thumb all the way to building the first Dutch Glass greenhouse in California. From managing the growth of flowers to CEO and President of Sun Valley Floral Farms, Lane DeVries has forged a path as a grower and is a reflection of his devotion to his craft.

Over the years, Lane has served the floral community in a variety of positions such as Board of Directors at SAF, trustee for the American Floral Endowment, Chairman of the Board for the California Cut Flower Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the Certified American Grown coalition. today we are talking about growing flowers, especially tulips and one of his favorite projects growing and hybridizing Ilex.

In this episode, we chat about Sun Valley Floral Farms production of tulips, Ilex, Rosehips, and their newest crop butterfly ranunculus. 

Learn more about Lane DeVries and all of our past guests by visiting TheFlowerPodcast.com

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. We are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, Gaana, and many more!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for access to all of our Zoom chats, tutorials, Live's, and video extras.

Sponsors of The Flower Podcast

ASCFG

Farmer Bailey

Chrysal

Rooted Farmers

Real Flower Business

Accent Decor


Scott Shepherd has spent years immersed in the world of blooms, not just as a host but as an educator, and he brings that entire perspective to The Flower Podcast. This isn't just about pretty arrangements; it's a deep, root-level exploration of the entire floral industry. Conversations here weave between the practical realities of running a business and the sheer creative joy found in a garden. You'll hear from the people whose hands are in the soil-flower farmers and growers-as well as the designers, photographers, and entrepreneurs who translate that natural beauty into art and commerce. Each episode features a different voice from this vibrant community, sharing specific knowledge on trends, techniques, and the personal journeys that fuel a life with flowers. Whether you're a professional florist looking for savvy advice, a hobbyist seeking inspiration, or simply someone who appreciates the intersection of nature and enterprise, this podcast offers a unique bouquet of insights. Tune in for genuine, meandering chats that always circle back to a shared passion, revealing the surprising depth and connectivity within the floral world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Flower Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Christmas Special:  Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:44
Hello everyone! This is a special episode of The Flower Podcast. This year we're continuing a tradition that started last year with sharing something from our family's archives. My Dad for many years has collected a wide…
Selling to a Wholesaler: No Till Flowers with Scott Shepherd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:09
I'm excited to share this week's episode with you! Earlier this year Jenny Love, flower farmer expert and host of the No Till Flowers podcast, asked me to be a guest on her podcast to chat about working with wholesalers…
Finding Your MVP with Ashley Fox of Ashley Fox Designs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:44
This week, I'm joined by Ashley Fox, the creative force behind Ashley Fox Designs, a full-service floral studio in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Specializing in stunning floral arrangements for weddings, events, and edi…
Sarah Winward: Creating Weddings That Reflect Nature [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:38
Sarah Winward is a floral artist and event designer based in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in destination weddings. Her work, known for its seasonal, nature-inspired designs, has been featured in The New York Times…
Selling to Florists with Sarah Jo Eversole of Everbloom Fields [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:48
My guest this week is Sarah Jo Eversole, owner of Everbloom Fields in Lancaster, TX. It might be a micro flower farm, but she produces not only exceptional quality blooms but high volume as well. She shares many of her e…
Mindshift:  Serving Not Selling with Charlotte Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:16
I'm excited to share that Charlotte Smith is our guest again on The Flower Podcast. Charlotte teaches farmers the skills they need to make money on their farms and live calm, balanced lives through mindset coaching. Goin…
Replay: Growing Dahlias with Kristine Albrecht of Santa Cruz Dahlias [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:28
Ready to talk Dahlias? This week my guest is Kristine Albrecht of Santa Cruz Dahlias. Known for her award winning dahlia hybrids and her book, Dahlia Breeding for the farmer florist and the home gardener, Kristine is sha…