Bob Wollam

   Wollam Gardens

 
UPDATE IN EARLY 2008. Bob Wollam has now been a flower farmer for 17 years. While he will be quick to tell you he had an exciting life before 50, he'll be even quicker to tell you his addiction to beautiful cut flowers has been nothing but thrilling --- and he intends to continue the addiction well into his nineties. In the winter of 2006-2007 he developed a 25 year plan for his flower farm and in the last year he is well on the way to implementing that plan. Bob is driven to grow unique, difficult to grow and difficult to ship cut flowers for specialized florists, designers and farmer's market customers.

With no background in agriculture except a gene handed down from both grandparents, Bob has undertaken the challenge of turning Wollam Gardens into an exceptional destination for flower lovers. He has learned quickly by reading everything he could find and with the guidance of other cut flower farmers who share under the umbrella of the ASCFG (the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers). In 1998, Bob became a Regional Director of this 600 member International organization and followed that by leading the ASCFG as President for 2 terms.

Wollam Gardens now grows over 70 varieties of cut flowers on 7 acres. In addition, 3 cold frames grow cool season plants including his well-known Temptress poppies. There is a continuing interest in flowering shrubs as cuts (quince, hydrangea, physocarpus, viburnum), with fragrant bulbs (Oriental lily, Mexican tuberose), and a growing interest in dahlias (probably about 4,000 plants in 2008).

More people are coming to the farm to purchase flowers and plants. Eventually Bob hopes all sales will be from the farm. Today, flowers are still sold to 15 florists in the DC metro area as well as at 4 farmer's markets.

There are lots of old details about Bob in the articles in this section of the website. The best way to know and see more is to visit him at the farm.

 
Flower Farm Thrives in D.C. Market
Click Here to read the Growing For Market article about Wollam Gardens.