Behind the Business - Beyond the Bloom

Broomfield flower grower Helen Butler has an eye for beauty that has been gifted from her father and grandfather.

The third generation flower grower has transformed a “weedy paddock” into a riot of colour that today sustains her cut flower business, Beyond the Bloom, and has germinated a new venture offering a ‘pick your own’ experience — with photos encouraged.

“My dad supplied roses to Woolworths and my grandad had a nursery garden, so I guess it’s in my genes,” Helen says. “I was taught as a child – from putting in my first pea and seeing it grow, and the excitement I felt. Everything here is grown from seed or cuttings.”

As a teenager, Helen decided to break from family tradition and began planning for a career in marketing. “As I got older, though, I felt it wasn’t the direction I wanted to go in.”

Helen has not been immune to the weeds of life. Personal challenges, as well as an accident that kept her in a wheelchair for six months, kept her from returning to her roots.

Buying the property from her father about 10 years ago brought her back to her passion. Today, the bearded irises that bloom in all colours that were her father’s favourites and the original rootstock from her father’s roses keep the family connection an everyday reminder.

Environmental sustainability is at the backbone of the business and the bees that flit from flower to flower are evidence of nature in balance. The garden follows the seasons, with busy springs spent weeding and planting, and winter a time for the business to close while nature is dormant.

Helen is looking forward to the opening of the new arm of her business in summer, and will be offering experiences to fill a jar, a milkshake cup or a bucket with blooms, as well as continuing to provide bouquets at markets and for weddings. She is also working towards her goal of opening the garden for tours.

“When people take home a bucket of flowers, there’s no sad faces, and that’s pretty special,” she says.