In the world of gardening and floral design, creativity blooms not only from soil and stems—but from shared vision, mutual inspiration, and meaningful collaboration.

As a flower farmer and floral designer, I’ve learned that some of the most memorable projects and moments don’t happen in solitude. They take root when creative minds come together—whether it’s a local photographer capturing the fleeting glow of a summer bouquet, a painter finding muse in the textures of our fields, or a community organization helping us bring the beauty of flowers to a wider audience.

Why Collaboration Matters

Creative collaboration expands what’s possible. It allows us to blend disciplines, share resources, and build something richer than any of us could do alone. When we work alongside other creatives, we invite new perspectives into our process. A photographer might frame our flowers in a way we’ve never seen before. A sculptor might highlight shapes or textures we hadn’t noticed. These encounters spark ideas that ripple through our own work long after the project ends.

Collaboration also helps us push the boundaries of what we think we can do. It challenges us to leave our comfort zones, explore unfamiliar territory, and stretch creatively. Working with someone who brings different skills, viewpoints, or lived experiences often results in work that is more innovative, more layered, and more meaningful.

At its core, collaboration is about connection—not only between people, but between ideas. And those connections are often where the magic happens.

Collaborating Across Disciplines

With Photographers:

Working with photographers is one of my favorite forms of collaboration. Whether we’re styling a tablescape, capturing seasonal blooms, or documenting the daily beauty of the farm, their lens allows me to see my work in new ways. Together, we tell stories—about place, about seasons, about the quiet magic of flowers.

With Painters & Sculptors:

Art and nature are natural allies. I've had the joy of supplying flowers as reference material for painters, or setting up installations that complement sculptures and vessels created by potters. These moments spark new ideas—suddenly I’m thinking about color and form in a different medium, inspired by someone else’s brush or hands.

“Fortitude,” a photo by Amy Bates-Garon, won best in show at the Focus ’20 exhibition.

Meet “George” functional sculptural art by Re Jin Lee. Eremerus grown by Sweet Earth Co.

With Community Connectors & Organizations:

Some of my most fulfilling collaborations have been with local community leaders and organizations. For the past few seasons, I’ve worked with my town and a dedicated group of volunteers to provide weekly bouquets to senior citizens as part of the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. It’s a simple act—bringing flowers to the seniors of our community—but it’s made more powerful by the collective effort behind it.

I also collaborate regularly with my friend and realtor Jessica Watts to cohost presentations about the value of ecological landscapes. Together, we help homeowners, gardeners, and land stewards understand how beautiful, functional, and biodiverse plantings can enhance their properties while supporting pollinators and ecosystems. These gatherings are a blend of education, design, and community building—a perfect example of how shared values can drive creative and purposeful work.

A Living Example: The Bluebird Botanical Art Project

One of the most rewarding collaborative experiences I’ve had was creating the Bluebird botanical art project for American Flowers Week. The idea began as a personal vision: a wearable floral design that would honor the beauty of native plants and pollinators. But it quickly grew into a collective endeavor involving a creative partner (The Gardenist), photographer (Sally Semonite Green), a model (Ryan Matthew), a national organization (Slow Flowers Society), and various floral wholesalers.

Together, we brought to life a one-of-a-kind wearable piece made entirely from botanical materials, inspired by the Eastern Bluebird. Every element—from the floral cloak to the photo shoot setting—was a product of shared imagination and effort. The result was more than an image; it was an expression of seasonal abundance, artistic partnership, and the ecological connections we aim to celebrate through flowers.

You can read more about the project and see the final images here.

Botanical Bluebird designed and created by Sweet Earth Co. & The Gardenist for American Flowers Week and Slow Flowers Society. Sally Semonite Green Photography.

The Invitation of Collaboration

If you’re a creative person—no matter your medium—I invite you to look around and ask: Who could I make something with?

Whether you’re a florist, gardener, chef, or dancer, collaboration can breathe new life into your work. It can stretch your imagination, build your community, and remind you that creativity is a shared gift.

At the root of every good collaboration is curiosity, trust, and a willingness to grow together. That’s where the real magic happens.