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Get to know the flower sommelier
Christopher Barrett Sheridan - the Cliffs Notes Edition
I'm sure you're all more interested in flowers than you are in The Flower Sommelier, but a brief introduction will help reassure that I'm not a front for an Artificial Intelligence operation. I live and garden in the Philadelphia region (America's Garden Capital), and on the New Jersey Coast, with deer my nemesis in the first instance, and sandy soil and wind providing challenges in the second.
I earned a Certificate in Ornamental Horticulture from Longwood Gardens during my transition to a second career. In my first career, I was a national-level public interest lawyer, clerked for two judges, and earned three degrees (from Tulane and Villanova - twice), all of which focused on writing and research, so I'm following the model of Sarah Raven (originally a British medical doctor), more than Piet Oudolf (Dutch nurseryman and legendary naturalistic designer). The point of sharing my background is that horticulture is a big umbrella, and for anyone looking for a rewarding first, second (or third) career, there's a place for you. In my case, that place is as an writer, researcher, spreadsheet nerd, educator, photographer, and history enthusiast (old garden books, heirloom plants, and historic gardens).
My Specialty - Fragrant Flowers and Scented Plants
I'm an active member of GardenCOMM (formerly the Garden Writers Association), and this experience helped me appreciate the benefit of developing a specialty/brand which resonates with the public.
While a number of excellent books have been written about scent over the decades, this is a subject that hasn't received its due compared to other gardening topics, and I intend to be your top resource moving forward. The lack of coverage is understandable given the challenge of writing about something which is ephemeral, unpredictable, and subjective. On the other hand, most of us instinctually poke our noses into a bloom when we encounter one, so it's the second most important quality in a flower after color. Scent is also a source of memory and escape, healing and comfort, and simple delight (when it comes to the pleasing scents).
Given the the overwhelming number of flower choices, cultivars ranging from just released to centuries old, the challenges of climate change, and the opportunities to make your garden a compelling place, I think you'll agree the world is ready for The Flower Sommelier.