ENUMCLAW, WA — Kelsey Hall, a passionate flower farmer, has unexpectedly captured the attention of the floral community with the discovery of a unique dahlia variety at her Enumclaw farm, Cattle & Cut Flowers. This serendipitous find raises questions about its potential for fame and marketability while also posing challenges for Hall as she navigates the complexities of flower farming.
A Blossoming Journey
Hall’s foray into flower farming was not part of her original plan. The Enumclaw farm, established in 2017, began as a sustainable venture focused on selling chicken eggs and leasing highland cows. However, everything changed in 2018 when Hall received a gift of dahlia tubers. “I got really bit by the dahlia bug,” she recalled, marking the beginning of her journey as a flower cultivator.
What started with just 30 tubers has now blossomed into an impressive operation, with Hall selling over 4,000 dahlias annually across nearly 200 varieties. Dahlias, known for their genetic diversity, present both opportunities and uncertainties due to their unique genetic makeup. Unlike most plants that possess two chromosomes, dahlias have eight, making their breeding process unpredictable.
The Daffodahlia Surprise
The discovery that would change Hall’s trajectory occurred last August. As she tended to her plants, she noticed a striking mutation in one of her dahlia varieties. Initially resembling a standard ball dahlia, the flower suddenly displayed half of its blooms with inward-curving petals, resembling a cup shape rather than the usual spherical form.
Initially, Hall feared the worst. “Honestly, when I first saw it, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s a disease; it’s going to ruin my soil and all the other dahlias,’” she expressed. This apprehension was heightened by previous experiences with rot that had affected some of her crops. However, after consulting with fellow flower experts and sending samples for testing to the Washington State University Department of Horticulture, Hall’s concerns began to ease when the results confirmed that no diseases or viruses were present.
With her worries assuaged, Hall took to social media to showcase her intriguing discovery. The dahlia quickly garnered interest, and a commenter coined the term “daffodahlia,” a name that has since gained popularity.
Viral Sensation
Hall’s Instagram post about the daffodahlia quickly went viral, capturing the attention of flower enthusiasts far and wide. “It’s gone absolutely bonkers,” she remarked, surprised by the overwhelming response. The flower’s unique appearance caught the eye of celebrity lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, who featured the daffodahlia on her Instagram account, leading to a surge in interest and over 177,000 likes.
As the flower gained notoriety, numerous bulk flower sellers began reaching out to Hall, expressing interest in acquiring the daffodahlia for resale. However, Hall emphasized that further genetic testing and years of cultivation would be necessary before the flower could be brought to market. “If that’s even possible,” she added, acknowledging the uncertainties that lie ahead.
Challenges of Fame
While the newfound fame has provided a boost to Hall’s business, it has also introduced challenges. She has reported instances of people trespassing on her property, demanding to see the daffodahlia flowers. The sudden attention has placed added pressure on Hall to protect her crops while managing expectations from the public.
The American Dahlia Society (ADS), which promotes the culture and development of dahlias, has not yet issued an official statement regarding the daffodahlia. PR Coordinator Larry Smith, in an email interview, expressed his personal disinterest in growing the flower in his own garden. For Hall to gain recognition from the ADS, Smith noted that she must cultivate the flower for several years and submit it for evaluation in a trial garden to assess its show potential.
“If approved, the ADS would officially recognize the daffodahlia as a garden dahlia,” Smith explained, highlighting the potential for Hall’s farm to further increase its visibility and sales.
Unanswered Questions
As Hall continues to explore the daffodahlia’s potential, many questions remain unanswered. The cause of the flower’s unique mutation is still a mystery. “That’s the million-dollar question. There isn’t really an answer to that at this time,” Hall said, admitting that environmental factors might play a role. She anticipates that it may take several growing seasons to experiment with different theories before drawing any definitive conclusions.
If further testing yields positive results and the daffodahlia can be successfully propagated, Hall estimates that the flower could be market-ready by 2028. Until then, Hall remains focused on her business, continuing to offer a variety of floral arrangements and services to the community.
A Bright Future Ahead
Cattle & Cut Flowers offers a range of services, including wedding reservations, event planning, and photography sessions. Additionally, Hall conducts workshops, aiming to share her passion for flower farming with others. “You can shop for Cattle & Cut Flowers on our website at cattleandcutflowers.com,” she encourages, inviting floral enthusiasts to explore what her farm has to offer.
As Hall navigates the complexities of her newfound fame and the potential of the daffodahlia, she remains optimistic about the future. The journey from a humble chicken farm to a flourishing flower business has been a whirlwind, but with determination and support, Hall is ready to embrace whatever blooms ahead.
With the dahlia season approaching, Hall looks forward to continuing her legacy and sharing the joy of flowers with the world. Whether or not the daffodahlia achieves widespread recognition, one thing is certain: Kelsey Hall has successfully put Enumclaw on the floral map, showcasing the beauty and wonder of nature’s unexpected gifts.
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