Zannier Flora

Custom Floral Arrangements

Zannier Flora has become another creative expression for me. I grew up with my grandmother Nonny (whose mother was Zannier) growing flowers outside of her tiny apartment in New York; a small reflection of her gardens from her home in Sequals, Italy were Dahlias grew huge, Rose of Sharon lined the property, and Peonies scented the kitchen table. I started gardening in earnest when my children were young to have organic vegetables and some flowers but also to show them the connection to nature that my grandmother gave me.

Every year I added more flowers and herbs and less vegetables. I started having so many flowers I started giving bouquets away in the recycled jars from my husband’s bee keeping hobby. The pleasure of giving the flowers away inspired me to take the garden to the next level. I took a class from Floret Flower Farm over the winter which inspired me to start over 1,000 seedlings and dahlia tubers in our garage this winter/spring.

The magic of watching the tiniest seed grow into a beautiful Chinese Aster or Torchia Mexican sunflower or an ugly root tuber turn into an amazing Dahlia is so awe inspiring. I love the hard work of gardening and the bound with nature is very grounding. To see the bees, butterflies, birds, praying mantis’ and other living creatures being supported by the flowers is another wonderful aspect of my work that I am very grateful for. 

The Joy that flowers bring to people is a gift that I am very grateful for. I hope to bring more joy to more people with my next season.