Farm Tour and Dahlia Workshop

Each September, our fields reach their crescendo — an untamed symphony of dahlias in full expression. No two blooms are alike: spiked, curled, cupped, or open-faced; in shades that elude description—smoky peach, weathered plum, electric coral, whipped cream. It is a flower that resists predictability, asks for attention, and offers revelation in return.

This year’s full-day workshop invites you into the heart of that experience. Whether you grow, arrange, or simply love flowers, you will leave seeing the dahlia differently—through the lens of cultivation, creativity, and curiosity. From underground tuber to towering bloom, we’ll share how we coax such abundance from the soil, how we harvest at precise moments for form and longevity, and how small changes in weather or timing can shift an entire season.

And this year, that experience will be shaped by a remarkable guest: The incomparable Christopher Spitzmiller joins us as our floral design leader.

Celebrated for his exquisitely glazed ceramics featured in the White House and gracing the pages of Architectural Digest and The Wall Street Journal, Christopher brings both elegance and playfulness to everything he touches. Author of A Year at Clove Brook Farm and an accomplished weekend farmer, he grows his own flowers, raises heritage chickens, and hosts legendary garden parties that marry style with seasonal authenticity. As a board member of both the Garden Conservancy and Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, he brings a deep reverence for gardens as places of both cultivation and community.

Now, for one day only, he brings that rare sensibility, and impeccable eye for detail to Bear Creek Farm.

This one-day experience is a rare convergence: a working flower farm at its seasonal height, an expert team deeply immersed in dahlia growing, and a creative visionary known for bringing beauty to life, petal by petal.

Date for Full Day Dahlia Workshop: 

Saturday, September 20, 2025, 10 am - 4 pm

What Awaits You?

Guided On-Site Exploration. Begin the day with a walking tour led by our founder, Debra Kaye. This is not your typical tour—it’s a dialogue. A behind-the-scenes glimpse into how dahlias are grown, selected, and cut for the highest quality blooms. You’ll see the trials, triumphs, and innovations that shape a flower farm through every season.

Lunch Gathering. Enjoy a catered meal surrounded by fellow gardeners, designers, and flower lovers. The conversation is always as nourishing as the food—connections are often sparked here that carry well beyond the field.

Afternoon Workshop with Christopher Spitzmiller. In a rare teaching engagement, Christopher, celebrated for his artistry and his unmistakable seasonal sensibility, will guide you through his floral design philosophy, shaped by years of growing his own blooms at Clove Brook Farm. His approach is intuitive, elevating what nature offers. Expect a lesson that blends aesthetic insight with a love of abundant flowers.

Hands-On Design. Following Christopher’s demonstration, you’ll create your own dahlia arrangement under his guidance and with personal feedback. With a small class size, there's ample room for individual attention—no rush, no pressure, just beauty unfolding one bloom at a time.

All Inclusive Creativity. Arrive with just your imagination in tow—everything else is prepared for you, from flowers to design materials.

Optional Upgrade: Spitzmiller Cachepot
Participants will have the exclusive opportunity to arrange in a medium green marble ceramic cachepot (7.5" tall) — a signature piece from Christopher Spitzmiller’s studio. A beautiful vessel and meaningful memento of the day, this upgrade can be added to your cart while registering above.

Capture the Moment. End the day by photographing your arrangement in a styled setting on the farm. We’ll have a backdrop selected to capture the full spirit of your creation, with a texture that complements the arrangement's architecture and your hand in shaping it.

What's Included

• A wide selection of peak Bear Creek Farm dahlias and other flowers;
• All arrangement materials, including a stylish compote and knife (or optional upgrade to Spitzmiller ceramic cache pot);
• A take-home floral guide for future reference;
• A special discount for 2026 Bear Creek Farm dahlia tuber purchase; and
• A commitment to very limited class size for a truly personalized experience. 

Who Will Flourish in Our Workshop

• Floral Designers - Whether you’re newly exploring dahlias or looking to elevate your mastery, this workshop offers both technical refinement and visual inspiration.
• Flower Enthusiasts and Hobbyists -  If you’ve fallen under the dahlia’s spell and want to learn how to grow, cut, and arrange them more beautifully, this is for you.
• Flower Farmers -  Deepen your understanding of varietal performance, field management, and presentation quality—from tuber to vase.

This is more than a class. It’s an invitation into the rhythm of the season, the structure of a flower, and the rich, layered relationship between humans and what we grow. We hope you’ll join us in the field, among the blooms, to learn what the dahlia has to teach.

Details
Full day workshop is $595.00. Class size is strictly limited to allow for personalized attention in an environment that is small and supportive.  For FAQ regarding workshops, please go to resources on the website. 

Referral Discount
When you and a friend sign up together, we will extend a 10% off discount to each of you! Email us at info@bearcreekfarm.com for more info.