About

My growing story

Nestled in Saanich, on Vancouver Island, BC, Blooms and Barks Flowers is where my love of dahlias meets everyday life with my beloved dogs.

Long before dahlias took over, my garden was filled with berries and vegetables, with a special corner always reserved for my mom’s favorite from my childhood—geraniums. She nurtured in me a love of nature, flowers, and the simple joy of having my hands in the dirt.

Over time, I’ve shaped my small backyard garden around regenerative practices—eliminating pesticides and focusing instead on organic compost, thoughtful fertilizing, and building healthy soil. Caring for the soil has become just as meaningful to me as growing beautiful blooms.

What started as a handful of tubers quickly grew into more than 100 dahlia varieties in a variety of colors and sizes. When I ran out of space, half the lawn came out, and pots began popping up around the yard to make room for what has clearly become a full-blown obsession.

In the coming years, I’ll be refining my dahlia collection to include more of the rare “unicorn” varieties—those harder-to-find treasures—alongside the cultivars I simply can’t imagine my garden without. I’m so excited to share the dahlias I’ve grown and loved right here in my own backyard.

My beloved digging crew

Rosie, my senior assistant. Her job is to dig the holes and security detail. She's been my faithful sidekick for over 10 years. 

Kona, my junior assistant. This señorita's role is to sunbathe, obsess over the squirrels in the overhead trees, get into mischief, and avoid the rain and cold outdoors at all costs.