Today we are joined by Niki Irving, owner of Flourish Flower Farm and the SE Regional Director of the ASCFG. Nestled in the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, Niki's journey into flower farming is a beautiful tale of turning dreams into reality, rooted in her deep love for plants and nature.With a background in outdoor education and a family history in horticulture, Niki's affinity for growing, nurturing, and creating beauty shines through in every bloom that graces her nine-acre farm. From lush, seasonally-inspired arrangements for weddings and events to sharing her expertise in her best-selling book "Growing Flowers," Niki's commitment to sustainable flower farming and her belief in the transformative power of flowers is truly inspiring.In this episode, Niki shared valuable insights on her journey, including the importance of patience, the lessons learned from failures, and the strategic planning behind her diverse selection of perennials and annuals. From hydrangeas to zinnias, ranunculus to cosmos, Niki's farm is a vibrant tapestry of colors and textures that reflect her passion for creating stunning bouquets.So flower friends, grab your gardening gloves and get ready to be inspired by Niki's dedication to nurturing the land and spreading beauty through her flourishing flower farm. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Niki's journey, her favorite flowers to grow, and her tips for successful flower farming. Let's let our backyards bloom with Niki's wisdom and expertise!In this episode, you’ll hear about: 00:02:23 - Nikki Irving's Journey into Flower Farming 00:07:25 - Challenges and Lessons of Moving Farms 00:11:24 - Finding and Leasing Land for Flower Farming 00:19:11 - Lessons in Patience and Planning on the Farm 00:26:38 - Searching for the Forever Farm 00:32:07 - Planting Perennials on the Forever Farm 00:42:20 - Recommended Perennials for Flower Farming 00:47:58 - Annual Flowers Grown on the Farm 00:53:03 - Bouquet Ingredient Categories and FavoritesLearn more about Niki Irving & Flourish Flower Farm: Visit Website: https://www.flourishflowerfarm.com/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flourishflowerfarm/ Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flourishflowerfarmNC Signed Copy of Growing Flowers Book: https://www.flourishflowerfarm.com/shop/growingflowersbook***Rate, Review, & Follow The Backyard Bouquet***If you enjoyed this episode, will you please consider leaving the podcast a review? Your review helps make the podcast more discoverable to others and allows me to continue creating more episodes. I'd love to know what you enjoyed most about the episode.New episodes are coming every Tuesday to help keep your garden blooming!JOIN THE BACKYARD BOUQUET COMMUNITY ON FACEBOOKhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/cutflowergardeningSign up for my newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/nlw4wua8s3