Hi, I’m Caroline

Thanks for taking a moment to get to know me and the story of Caroline Florals! 

My love for gardening started as a kid at Hillside Farms. In the summertime, I freely roamed the farm while my dad worked. I was a nuisance - helping myself to whatever was growing in the greenhouse, developing deep connections with the farm’s most stubborn animals (Miram, a pregnant cow, and Jacob, a rather ornery ram), and conducting unofficial farm tours. During my time at Hillside, the farm transformed from private property to a nonprofit with a robust education program, complete with a captivating summer camp that I got to “help” test out. Regenerative farming didn’t capture my attention at the time but harvesting fresh fruits and herbs for experimental homemade ice cream did. 

The seed was sown

Years later, I found myself working at a small ½-acre urban farm at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). At MUSC, we cultivated a diverse range of crops, from sugar cane to okra, with the invaluable support of patients, medical students, and community volunteers. Together, we nurtured the crops, harvested them, and distributed not only the produce but also healthy recipes and seedlings at a free community farm stand. It was here that I gained an understanding of regenerative and ergonomic urban farming practices. More importantly, I discovered the profound impact gardening can have on grief and mindfulness.

This experience served as the catalyst for my personal urban garden plots of past and present, and my mission as a florist—using locally sourced flowers. However, I must admit that I am a very unserious gardener. I pretend to crop plan and plant things in an ombre. Each year, I am humbled by the unruly and organic nature of my garden plot, which allows me to flower my home (and sometimes pepper your arrangements)! My farming experience developed my deep appreciation for the work of flower farmers. 

The seed germinated

I began processing flowers at a bustling retail flower shop on Mother's Day, driven by a desire to immerse myself in the world of flowers and hone my skills. “Processing” included removing thorns and leaves from roses, detaching water tubes from hydrangea stems, and carefully trimming the ends of hundreds of flowers every Monday morning. Through this experience, I gained insights into the dos and don'ts of flower care and became acutely aware of the staggering waste produced by the floral industry. Each week, I participated in the disposal of countless unused flowers from the cooler, replaced by what were ostensibly "new" roses, gerbera daisies, sunflowers, and lilies—though in reality, these blooms had endured a two-week journey from overseas in water tubes, damp newspaper, and plastic. I found myself inexplicably drawn to the flower trash. I began salvaging what I could, preserving their beauty through hang-drying or practicing design with blemished stems. My fascination with flower waste evolved into a mission. I started gathering discarded blooms from all the flower shops in town. If nothing else, I’m thrifty.

With a burgeoning collection of rescued flowers, I ventured into the world of dried wreaths and arrangements. Teaming up with my mom, we embarked on a joint venture known as "Giving Tree Earth Works." At local Farmer's Markets, we introduced a unique combination of my flower wreaths and her smoking/grilling woodchips infused with aromatic herbs. It was odd but also made sense? These market days became an opportunity to connect with our neighbors and fellow artisans. However, as we slowly emerged from lockdown, we began to transition back to our regular jobs, gradually phasing out our joint venture. Yet, my passion for flowers remained unwavering, continuing in the background of my life.

A flower bloomed

I traded Charleston’s Spanish moss and jasmine for Philly’s hellebore and peonies in 2021. Since moving, I’ve received formal floral training through the Floral Cohort with Jennie Love at Love ‘n Fresh Flowers and plenty of hands-on experience through freelancing with some of the most incredible florists in Philadelphia. I officially launched Caroline Florals in 2023. It was built out of my desire to run a sustainable, admirable floral business that not only celebrates the beauty of locally grown flowers but also contributes positively to the environment and the communities I serve. As a florist, I bring a blend of Southern hospitality, budget-conscious innovation, a passion for colorful, seasonal florals, and a joyful spirit of collaboration to every arrangement and project. I truly cherish every opportunity to work with flowers.

When not flowering, I work at the Institute of Contemporary Art and freelance with other florists. You can catch me at the Clay Studio, the dog park with my sweet dachshund Trout, or in my community garden plot.