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Locally grown marigolds brighten weddings, Diwali, Day of the Dead By Janet Eastman Oct 30, 2022 01:00 AM A A 4 View all photos Elizabeth Bretko of Uber Herbal grows organic marigolds on a Rogue River farm. [Janet Eastman/The Oregonian] These 4-foot-long garlands — crafted by Elizabeth Bretko and sold through her Uber Herbal online store and farmers market stall — have 70 to 80 marigold blooms. [Janet Eastman/The Oregonian] Marigolds growing at Rogue River’s Easy Valley Farm and are harvested by Elizabeth Bretko of Uber Herbal. [Janet Eastman/The Oregonian] Elizabeth Bretko of Uber Herbals sells marigold garlands at the Grants Pass Growers Market Saturdays. [Janet Eastman/The Oregonian] Southern Oregon flower farmer Elizabeth Bretko puts her heart and hands into nurturing marigolds that are displayed at life’s happiest and saddest moments. Recently, she sent a box of the aromatic flowers to Las Vegas for a memorial. She provided fresh marigold garlands for a bride and groom to exchange at their wedding near Corvallis, where many of the guests were from India. And she filled orders for marigolds to decorate for Diwali, the days-long festival of lights last week, as well as for Día de los Muertos holidays next month. As Oregon’s flower-growing season comes to a close, Bretko is busier than ever, harvesting marigolds for fall celebrations in which the bright yellow-, tangerine orange- and golden orange-colored blooms hold deep meaning. Since ancient times, marigolds have been used to represent the power of the sun and the most tender of human feelings. Bretko’s small business, Uber Herbal, puts her in direct contact with each buyer seeking a meaningful addition to a life-changing moment. “The best part of my work is knowing where the flowers are going,” Bretko said, standing in a field of marigolds near Rogue River. Bees are bouncing off blossoms and her daughter, Be, 13, tries to catch butterflies as they fly by. Bretko’s voice is soft as she talks about a call requesting marigolds for a memorial. “It’s an honor to be a part of people’s ceremonies on the hardest days in their life and the most beautiful days in their life.” Ode to marigolds Gardeners appreciate marigolds for their hardiness — they protect vulnerable plants from disease and pests — as well as their talent to lure in pollinators. They are helpful companion plants, say Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardeners. The steady and predicable annual, which grows in every U.S. state, can endure stingy soils and cruel temperatures. But people not only cherish the vivid color waves, offered in spring, summer and fall; some embrace the flower during their deepest rites of passage. Amrita Sehgal and Vishesh Khanna were married outside Corvallis, at the Inn at Diamond Woods in Monroe, Sept. 3. Their ceremony was a blend of traditions from India, where Khanna was born, and the U.S., where both Sehgal and Khanna were raised. “Marigolds were part of our wedding vision from the beginning,” said Sehgal. “They are a visual representation of our culture, symbolizing sun, brightness and positive energy, and are a huge part of every celebration, whether it’s a new baby or new house, even politics.” When the couple requested marigolds from their wedding florist, DelJean Benton of Flowers & Thyme in Springfield, Benton called her regular fresh flower supplier, a wholesaler with 21 locations in the U.S., including a warehouse in Portland. She was told: They didn’t have marigolds. Her wide internet search to find fresh marigold garlands — not dried, paper or plastic ones — led her back to Oregon, and to Elizabeth Bretko’s organic marigold field. Bretko has been selling fresh marigold garlands that she strings by hand for 10 years. “I’m so glad I found her,” said Benton. “The marigolds were amazing and so beautiful. You can tell she cares. She included extra touches, like a bag of loose flower heads and marigold confetti that we could place around. It was a sweet touch.” During the wedding ceremony, the bride presented her garland to her partner, showing her acceptance of the marriage proposal, and the groom offered his garland to her. Guests saw 4-foot-long garlands draped over wine barrels at the reception and watched the newlyweds descend stairs dusted with eco-friendly marigold confetti as they were introduced as husband and wife. Why marigolds? Masala chai led Bretko to marigolds a decade ago. She was selling Heartsong Chai, her version of a cardamom-rich, spicy tea that originated in India. She also wanted to grow flowers, but not compete with Oregon’s flower farmers who already face steep competition from importers. Bretko landed on the marigold. “I just love that the flowers are bright and long-lasting, and the infinite layers of petals amaze me,” she said. “They transcend culture and location. India, Bali, Thailand, Mexico are distinct cultures with a common thread: the marigold.” She plants seeds in the ground by hand, and later snaps the blooms off the stems by hand, placing them in her woven basket. She’s so fast harvesting the tops, she makes a steady popping sound as she moves down the row. She sells chai, farm-direct fresh marigold garlands and confetti made of dried marigold petals through her online Uber Herbal store and Etsy shop, and in person Saturdays at the Grants Pass Growers Market. Her pop-up shop is a dolled-up vintage horse trailer with a walk-up window. But Bretko is seldom inside. She prefers to be out in front, talking to regular customers and meeting new people. On a recent Saturday, she put a fresh garland over the head of Augustine White of Cave Junction. She told him the garland eventually would dry out, and he could untie the end of the wire strand and use the loops on each end to hang the garland on a wall. When he’s ready, he can bury the garland in the ground and a line of marigolds will appear. Reach reporter Janet Eastman at 503-294-4072, [email protected] and @janeteastman