Big blooms from The Tiny Gardens

My love for gardening started when I was around 10 and my dad, a keen gardener, suggested we start a vege patch together. I still remember the satisfaction of pulling up my first radish, despite not liking the taste! From then on, I kept growing food and found the whole process from seed to harvest incredibly rewarding.

Name: Ellie - Urban Flower Grower and Florist

Location: Taupō

Garden size: 300m² with 45m² of cut flower beds

Follow me: @thetinygardens

As I learned more, I became interested in companion planting, adding flowers like calendula and marigolds to support my veges, which soon led me to the world of cut flowers. Through social media, I discovered flower farmers around the world whose beautiful creations inspired me to give it a try myself.

Although I dreamed of having acres of land, I was determined not to let my urban garden hold me back. My first space was less than 50m² and I eventually removed the lawn to create flower rows. I started with garden centre seedlings, before gaining the confidence to grow from seed. I got creative with space, using flexi tubs and even lining our shared driveway with dahlias in grow bags - thank you neighbours! Once I felt confident growing a variety of flowers I began selling small, seasonal bouquets through social media and the response was amazing. If you’re starting a cut flower garden my advice would be to begin with a single raised bed and a few easy-to-grow varieties. Feed your soil well with compost and sheep pellets - flowers are hungry, and healthy soil will reward you with plenty of blooms! 

Growing in a small space means careful planning. I rotate crops seasonally - spring flowers give way to summer dahlias and autumn seedlings. I’ve become very intentional with what I grow. My golden rule is that a flower must be either highly productive or have something really special about it. For example, statice produces heaps of stems, while delphinium is less prolific but magical. This rule helps me reign it in!

Growing flowers has taught me patience, creativity, and how to make the most of what I have. You don’t need a perfect setup - just be willing to learn, experiment and get your hands a bit dirty!

Ellie's TOP CUT FLOWERS for beginners

• Bulbs (tulips, gladioli, iris)
• Statice
• Zinnia
• Cosmos
• Sunflowers
• Scabiosa
• Persian Cress

Tip: Let your favourite colours guide you!