"Roses for Autism"

These roses are part of my blog because they are from "Roses for Autism", which is located at Pinchbeck Farm, Guilford Connecticut.   The Pinchbeck family had been growing beautiful roses here as a commercial operation since 1929; with their greenhouses being the largest in the world at that time.  They were one of the largest rose distributers in New England until 2008 when they were on the verge of going out of business.   A couple good friends of theirs, one who has an autistic son, decided to form a partnership with the Pinchbecks so that the farm could continue to supply flowers as a place where young people on the austism spectrum could be trained to work in the business. 

I learned about Roses for Autism from the local newspaper this winter right around Valentines Day.  Since I really love flowers and also have a young nephew who is on the austism spectrum, I decided to go visit and see for myself.   Driving in, I saw two of the largest greenhouses I had ever seen in my entire life.     When I went into the shop, it had a very cheerful atmosphere, with the busy hum of people coming to get last minute Valentine's Day flowers, and nice young people helping customers with their orders and two ladies behind the counter wrapping the flowers and working the cash register. 

I had heard that the lavendar roses were very special and the most fragrant so I wanted  

to give a dozen to my nephew's family.  However, I didn't see any in the refrigerator and was disappointed.  A young woman asked if I needed help and I told her I was looking for the lavendar roses.  She said she thought they were all out, but would go in the back and see.  A few moments later, she came back with a dozen of the most fragrant roses I'd ever smelled and they were the most beautiful lavendar color!   "The last ones there", she said.  I felt very lucky as I paid my money for the flowers.  There were so many beautiful red roses and other colors, I would have been happy with any, but I thought these would really be enjoyed as they were so special.

It was a nice, well-deserved surprise for my busy sister-in-law who was very thrilled with their color and fragrance.    Since then I have visited "Roses For Autism" at least once a month; most recently bringing some to my mother for our big family Mother's Day party.   Everyone who works at "Roses For Autism" is very nice and someone will be happy to help you carry things to your car, if you can't resist getting more than you came for!   It is a great place to get beautiful roses at incredibly reasonable prices, even if you just want something beautiful for your own table.  They have been a big hit for friend's birthdays, as hostess gifts and of course, on Mother's Day.  When was the last time you paid $15 or $25 for a dozen of the the most fragrant scented roses you can imagine which bloom perfectly!?!    They also sell very nice, healthy young vegetable and herb plants for your garden.   If you love flowers and/or need some plants for your garden, you must make a visit there soon - it is definitely one of our Connecticut Shoreline treasures and a very special place!