CRANE HILL, Ala. – On the morning of Saturday, June 20, customers cut fresh flowers, sampled local honey and made their own bouquets at a customer appreciation event at Hite’s Honey and Cut Flowers. The event offered a two-for-one flower-picking deal, honey tastings and bouquet-making demonstrations. Guests walked through the flower fields, picked their favorite blooms and arranged bouquets with help from owner Neva Hite.
“We enjoy it, and everybody’s happy once they get here,” Hite said. “They’re happy when they leave.”
Hite and her husband, Hopson, started the business after many years of beekeeping. Hopson has worked with honeybees for about 40 years and Neva began the flower-picking side after she retired and wanted a new project.
The farm often welcomes visitors from Alabama and other places. Hite said guests have come from California, Chicago, Boston and even Belize. Many find the farm while visiting Smith Lake nearby.
Hite said about 200 people visited the flower farm last season.
This was the second year for the customer appreciation event, but the farm offers flower-picking throughout the growing season. Hite said people can usually visit on Saturdays or make appointments for private visits, group outings or special events. During a visit, guests get a container, learn how to cut flowers and make their own bouquets. They can also bring vases from home.
Besides the you-pick flowers, the business sells honey from the Hites’ beehives and sometimes has ready-made bouquets at local pop-up events and markets. Hite said the flower farm has grown mostly thanks to word-of-mouth, social media and returning customers.
Hite hasn’t made plans for next year yet, but she expects to keep hosting customer appreciation events.
“We’re just kind of one of those little hidden jewels,” she said.
Visit Facebook/Hite’s Honey for more information. Hite’s Honey and Cut Flowers is located at 12 County Rd. 4212, Crane Hill, AL 35053.
