Artemisia Flower Studio

Interview with Kim Harrison, owner of Artemisia Flower Studio
by Rachael Sarto

When did you start Artemisia?

I started Artemisia in 1998 but have been a flower designer for about 13 years.

What got you interested in flowers?

I was in art school and met a girl who was a flower designer for Laurel Street Flowers. I wanted to try it out as an outlet for my artistic desires, and I loved it instantly.

What’s your favorite part of running a flower studio now?

A few of my favorite things about owning my own business are the flexibility it creates in my life, and the power to mold Artemisia into what I want it to be.

Who else works at Artemisia, and what do they do?

My employees have backgrounds in art and horticulture. I have 3-5 people working for me during the busy wedding season (April-October) doing anything from washing buckets, to wrapping flowers for the co-ops, to creating centerpieces for a wedding.

Tell me about the local growers and organic growers you buy your flowers from.

The local growers I work with year-round are Len Bush Rose, out of Plymouth. They are known all over town for their beautiful roses, lilies, alstromeria, gerbera daisies, snap dragons and lissianthus. They are wonderful to work with and have the freshest product I have ever purchased. My flowers are cut no more than 24 hours before they’re shipped out to me. There is no middle man involved, so the flowers aren’t sitting in an airport for 2-3 days or in some cooler for 5-9 days before getting to me. Even the conventional flowers are Farm Direct and are cut and shipped to me within 24 hours.

My organic farmer is Ryan Evans who owns Shining Hills Organic Farm just south of the city. He has been a farmer for many years and knows more about flowers and sustainability than anyone I have ever met. He grows all different types of flowers but prides himself on growing native wildflowers and grasses. I would keep my eye out for any flowers that come from Ryan.

I know you have a commitment to environmentally sustainable practices. How does this shape your business?

My understanding of sustainability is the ability of natural resources to provide ecological, economic, and social benefits for present and future generations. My part in this process is purchasing flowers that are locally and organically grown as often as possible, recycling everything I can, using my bicycle as transportation when meeting with brides, and composting.

What do you like to do for fun?

For fun, I enjoy seeing live music, biking, reading and taking my dogs to the dog park. I’m excited to become your supplier for local and organically grown flowers.