Blyth's The Secret Garden

Tucked away on a country sideroad, just off of Highway 4 south of Blyth, stands a sign at the end of a driveway that is easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it. It says “The Secret Garden”, that is all.

 

The sign is sure to pique your interest if you do happen upon it, and it belongs to a passionate gardener who started as a wholesale seed grower over 20 years ago and has expanded her business to include fresh flowers. While The Secret Garden is primarily a wholesaler to florists and seed companies, there is also a website for online sales and she does accept appointments for sales and tours.

 

Bronwen Heinrich has transitioned the bulk of her business from vegetables to flowers and gradually increased the amount of flowers that she grows. The cut flowers started as she dabbled with various annuals and the results were a hit with local florists. The garden started out small, but expanded every year as Bronwen loved seeds and maintaining seed diversity. From the sprawling perennial beds near the house, to the one acre commercial garden behind the barn to the tidy greenhouse between, it is apparent everywhere on the farm that her heart is in growing. 

 

When asked about her favourite flowers, Bronwen proceeded to name three for each season! “Everybody can enjoy flowers! From the master gardener to the home gardener, my goal is for flowers to be accessible to everyone.”

 

The biggest challenge to the flower farm is the weather, but the bunnies and deer do like to compete with Bronwen for the plants. This year a cool, wet April delayed the early spring flowers and delayed some of the summer planting. The weather has the biggest influence on the cut flower market, as the blooms are ready for a short window to be cut and shipped. Seeds, on the other hand, are a much more forgivable commodity as the plants are able to mature to the end of the season when they are harvested.

 

A new initiative at the farm is “Fabulous Flower Fridays” where bunches of mixed stems are available from the cooler for $25/bunch from 2 pm to 8 pm. Enjoy whatever is in bloom that week, without an appointment.

 

Because flowers are so photogenic, The Secret Garden’s social media sites are a great way to keep up with the seasons in the garden. On Facebook at @thesecretgardenonline.org or Instagram at @the_secret_garden_bh. Online store is www.thesecretgardenonline.org

40116 Hullett-McKillop Rd, Blyth by appointment.