By Ann Cipperly
Against a background of open fields bordered by woodlands, the Circles of Colors U-pick flower farm showcases rows of vibrant-hued blooms along with a vegetable garden. Chimes on the back porch of the farmhouse ring throughout the garden as visitors select flowers for their bouquets. The setting echoes the past with silos, barns, and an old country store where farmers once purchased tools and garden supplies in Notasulga.
Arely and David Kloss lived in a small house on West Drake in Auburn when they purchased the six-acre farm in 2020. Construction was happening behind their Auburn home, and they decided to move to a less populated area. They found the former working farm appealing, surrounded by the countryside in Notasulga. The town had received its name from Creek Indians who resided in the area, meaning “bear clan.”
As soon as the couple purchased the farm, they began cleaning up the property removing old farm equipment. They also cleaned up and restored the country store that once sold fertilizer, grain, and other farm supplies. David turned the old store into his wood shop, where he makes a variety of furniture.
Arely was born in Cuba, and when she was nine years old, the unrest in the country concerned her mother. She sent Arely and her older sister to live with their grandfather in Spain. When she attended school, Arely lived in a convent and could visit her grandfather on breaks.
When she was 15, her father, who was in Miami, Florida, submitted forms in 1974 for her to come to America.Her port of entry was Puerto Rico; then, she went to Miami, where she graduated from school and received a cosmetologist license.
Arely also lived in Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to Montgomery, where she met David, who lived in Auburn. After they married, Arely, who has always loved flowers, planted blooming plants in about 50 pots at their home.
At the farm, she has the space to grow hundreds of flowers, and David also has a vegetable garden. When Arely began taking flowers from her garden to others, David suggested that she grow more flowers and sell them. That was the beginning of their cut-flower business.
Arely decided on the name “Circles of Colors” since it was the name of her jewelry business. “When I was thinking of a name,” she says, “I thought the name also applied to the garden with all the colors of the blooms.”
Three acres are dedicated to growing wildflowers and an assortment of flowers. In 2022, Arely planted 60 dahliasand now has over a thousand. This past spring, she had over 300 iris plants blooming at once.
Other popular flowers include sunflowers, zinnias in various colors, delphiniums, Jewels of Opar, lilies, forget-me-nots, Lisianthus, and many others. Summer and fall favorites include dahlias, hydrangeas, gladiolus, tuberose, roses, Craspedia, and yarrow.
Fillers are also crucial for bouquets, and they grow Bupleurum, Bishop’s Flowers Green Mist, Wild Carrot Dara, False Queen Anne’s Lace, Long Island Mammoth Dill, Talinum, and others.
Arely and David do not use any chemical pesticides on the plants. Customers can be comfortable picking their own, and children can help without concern for harsh chemicals. Arely works throughout the week on the plantsand planting more for a more extended season.
The couple has also planted a peach tree orchard and hopes there will be a bountiful crop of peaches to sell. They will also sell fresh vegetables during summer.
Arely is a self-taught gardener and says she has learned from her mistakes. “I like to do things with joy,” she says. ‘When I am in the garden, I ask God to bless the fields.”
She provides a pitcher with water for customers to cut their bouquets from the garden. Then, they can transfer it to their own vase to take home. Most bouquets cost around $20. The dahlias are priced per stem, ranging from $1.30 to $2.
The U-pick farm also offers do-it-yourself flower buckets for parties, showers, and other events. Arely will harvest the flowers, or the buyer or a group can cut them. Bulk bucket prices start at $35 for 45 mixed stems and fillers with seasonal flowers and cost more with dahlia stems.
The farm is registered with USDA, State of Alabama, and has a grower’s permit and a nursery certificate so they can sell plants and produce. The farm is also a member of Sweet Grown Alabama and the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers.
Since the garden setting is lovely, couples come to the farm to have their engagement photos taken throughout the garden and flower beds. Customers can schedule events and birthday parties at the farm as well. “I want the garden to be as pretty as possible for everyone,” Arely says.
During winter, she still makes jewelry to sell and donates to animal rescues and sanctuaries. She had started making jewelry when she volunteered at the Humane Society in Auburn to help raise funds for the animal rescue shelter. She sold the jewelry at CityFest and other art shows.
Circles of Colors U-pick flower farm is open every weekend during summer and fall, weather permitting, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The farm is located at 7887 Alabama Highway 199 in Notasulga. For additional information, contact Arely at 334.740.2230. Circle of Colors is on Instagram and Facebook.
