Novice Hybridizer: Alexandra Finch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Finch, member of Triple Wren’s Novice Hybridizer Class of 2024, and her amazing dahlia, Finch’s Cornman.

Alexandra Finch

Alexandra is a farmer-florist and small business owner of Finch Florals, an event floral studio based in Dexter, MI. Though she never set out to be a flower farmer, after growing her first dahlia plant she was hooked. When an opportunity to grow at a local wedding venue, Zingerman’s Cornman Farms, became available, she unlocked a new passion. Alexandra specializes in growing and hybridizing dahlias using regenerative methods. You can often find Alexandra, her husband Tim, and two young children, Oliver and Calvin, exploring and playing in the rows of flowers at Cornman Farms. Alexandra’s dream is to one day create her own line of dahlia varieties meant specifically for use in event work.

Finch’s Cornman

Alexandra started working with Cornman Farms as a florist for their events and when she mentioned she had purchased too many dahlias and would not have enough space to grow them on her own property, the owners offered to have Alexandra grow flowers right on the farm! While the existing cut flower garden was in a state of disrepair and full of weeds, a couple seasons of coaxing and using regenerative farming methods brought it back to life and she’s now more than doubled the existing cut flower field. Initially, Alexandra thought she’d grow just one row of dahlias for use in events but enjoyed the work so much she kept expanding and learning more about flower farming each year. Now, on the brink of introducing her first dahlia variety, it only made sense to name the bloom Finch’s Cornman- an ode to the place that made its discovery and stewardship possible.

This dahlia’s blooms are really amazing–a perfect bridge between smoky mauve and pink with a classically perfect formal decorative form. We’re growing lots of Finch’s Cornman this year, so watch for this beautiful flower to show up throughout the summer on in our emails and over on our Instagram.