Upcoming Events
Peonies, Silk Scarves and Tea
May in the gardens is always my favorite! Come spend a luxurious afternoon at the farm surrounded by peonies. To begin the afternoon you will play with dried and fresh botanicals to dye a beautiful 8x54 100% Habotai silk scarf. While they steam, enjoy afternoon tea fare and wonder the gardens. Then you’ll get to reveal your botanical dyed creations and hang to dry. Finally, you’ll make a gorgeous premium vase of peonies and other spring flowers. This event would make a perfect Mother’s Day retreat! SOLD OUT
Botanical Collage Art and Bloom Bar
We are so happy to have my friend Amy Davis come teach us to make a beautiful botanical collage. Amy is a Fine Arts Teacher and a fellow flower farmer. Collage is an art form that everyone can do. It is a relaxing and therapeutic creative process. Amy will guide us through this creative process and you will go home with your own original collage on canvas. Enjoy refreshments and create a vase arrangement from the Flower Bar.
Floral Design and Afternoon Tea
We are so excited to have fellow flower farmer/designer Anna Geinosky, @thefloweryardnc here at the farm. The wonder and joy that flowers provoke captured Anna’s heart in 2020 when she planted her first zinnia seeds. That passion for flowers has grown to include not only cultivating blooms in the garden but also a love for arranging those flowers so they can be enjoyed indoors. Join us in exploring foundational principles of flower arranging that can guide you in creating a garden style arrangement. End the afternoon by enjoying an Afternoon Tea Box from The Flour Box Tea Room.
Art Photography, Cyanotype and Bloom Bar
Indulge in an afternoon of artistic exploration with Eugenia Ramey. She will delve into the enchanting world of cyanotype printing and art photography, in a beautiful studio surrounded by a profusion of flowers. This relaxed and intimate class emphasizes inspiration, creativity, and connection. You’ll create your own unique cyanotype on high-quality cotton paper, as she shares her insights, offering tips and tricks for achieving stunning results. Eugenia will also share her personal journey, and exploring how these arts have cultivated growth and healing through the profound lessons of letting go that nature imparts. As a delightful bonus, we’ll visit the flower bar to design and assemble your own breathtaking bouquets to cherish at home. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of artistic discovery.
Roots & Rituals: A Retreat of Tea, Flowers and Purpose
TWO DAY EVENT
Saturday, September 6
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday, September 7
1:00 to 6:00 pm
Join us for a weekend of tea, tranquility, discovery, and connection—where every sip tells a story. Unwind and immerse yourself in the timeless art of tea and whole wellness at our exclusive Two-Day Retreat inspired by the book “The Way of Tea and Justice” by Becca Stevens.
This unique experience blends mindfulness and creativity through rejuvenating practices that promote healing and connection with oneself, while enjoying the rich traditions of tea culture every step of the way. We will spend the retreat surrounded in peacefulness and the earth’s natural beauty as we harness our inner power and reset our energy through a series of activities. Refreshments are included.
Each guest will receive a thoughtfully curated Welcome Bag filled with very special gifts, including retreat Itinerary, the book “The Way of Tea and Justice” for you to read ahead of the retreat, a journal and pen, exclusive tea blend, and more.
Language of Flowers
Sanctuary of Art
Intuitive Tea Blending
Wellness Tincture Making
Grounding
Sound Healing
Rooted Intentions
Becoming Who You Are
INSTRUCTORS
Kiley Duncan @teaandtoastshop
I was initially introduced to the powers of tea through my upbringing. My mom always had a tea or herbal remedy of sorts to share with my sisters and I while we were growing up, and conversations surrounding whole wellness through the things we consume {through body and mind} was a regular topic in our home. Over the years and into my adulthood, through all of the ups, downs, changes and growth that life can bring, tea has continued to be a most true companion for me. Tea is not only a way of connecting with oneself physically, but also on a deeper level. At our Tea Retreat, I'm looking forward to celebrating traditional rituals from our ancestors surrounding tea and all the healing it can help facilitate in the mind, body and spirit. We will spend time in practice slowing down to listen to our deepest selves, while diving into the art of intuitive tea blending and holistic tincture making.
Vikki Dawn @therustedbucketproject
My intention is to teach and learn. I am new to the ritual of tea, and this retreat is an opportunity for me to deepen my understanding. Shellie and Kiley have introduced me to the finer parts of tea, and The Way of Tea and Justice has taken me even further into its meaning. The ritual of being present and intentional aligns deeply with my values, and I love digging into the idea of it, seeing how things connect, and sharing what I discover. My faith is evolving—intentionally. I believe in the power of love, forgiveness, and grace—the kind of love that is vast and impossible to fully comprehend. I see it in the miracle of nature, when my hands are deep in the dirt or when I’m out on a walk, reminded that the world keeps turning whether I get everything right or not. Being in a peaceful and beautiful place like My Garden Blooms—surrounded by creativity, connection, and the sacred—is a respite. And feels like the perfect setting to embrace this journey. What I love most is that this kind of learning, creating, and growing isn’t just for when we escape to a retreat—it’s for every day, if we’re willing to grab hold of it. I can’t wait to dig in (literally and figuratively). We will write our vision, swap ideas, and busy our hands with kokedama. (photograph credit to Claudia Carter)
Shellie Ritzman @mygardenblooms
My passion for tea began 40 years ago when my mother introduced me to my first tea room, and since then, the ritual of tea has become a cherished part of my daily life. Throughout my journey, I've faced numerous painful trials, including domestic violence. In those challenging times, the solace of tea, paired with my faith, provided a comforting refuge that helped me persevere. At our on-farm events, guests often remark on how the natural surroundings and the serene beauty of the gardens bring them a profound sense of peace. Creating a retreat that offers a nurturing space for imagination, reflection, and emotional healing has always been a dream of mine. For my contribution to the retreat, I’m thrilled to incorporate cyanotype botanical art and the language of flowers— eager to witness the wellness and healing they will inspire in our guests.
Kathy Williams @staywellhealing
I am so looking forward to meeting each of you in September. To creating a space for you to relax and let go, by using nature and Vibrational sound healing, to help you reset and return to your roots of natural wellbeing, to shift into your parasympathetic nervous system. To assist you in reconnecting with yourself and feeling well in your Spiritual body, Mental body, Emotional body, and Physical body.
To make partial payments email info@mygardenblooms.net
Tea and Bloom Bar
Kiley Duncan, with Tea and Toast, will be hosting an Herbal Infusion "Tea" Blending Class. At this springtime workshop, we will be using a glorious variety of freeze dried berries and seasonal edible blooms, and our wellness tincture-making segment will include the use of powerful adaptogenic mushrooms. These Herbal infusions are delicious, nourishing, and caffeine-free. Kiley will cover how to use a myriad of herbal ingredients (a mixture of local and international) to create a one-of-a-kind infusion of your own, choosing either to boost energy or provide relaxation. Also, she will do a deep dive into tinctures. You will take home a unique jar of your custom blend that you can make hot or iced "teas" with at home, your custom recipe card, a small health and wellness tincture, and informational packet. You will also enjoy refreshments and create a vase arrangement from the Flower Bar. SOLD OUT
Mossy Hill: Moss Wreaths and Flower Pressing
Join us for a botanical afternoon with Kelli from Mossy Hill Farms! I will be bringing my entire collection of pressed flowers to create your own 8x8 floating frame art piece, and Kelli will introduce you to many preserved mosses to create your own beautiful moss wreath for your home or covered porch. Your moss wreath can be hung or used as part of a centerpiece. Join us for this incredible collaboration. Refreshments are included. SIGN UP at MossyHillFarm.com
https://mossyhillfarm.com/events
Tea Blending and Pressed Flowers
One of our most popular event of the season is back! Kiley with Tea and Toast, will be hosting an Herbal Infusion "Tea" Blending Class. This is a hands-on workshop where we omit the use of the tea plant "Camellia Sinesis" and utilize 100% herbal ingredients such as dried leaves, roots, flowers, and spices, to create what can also be referred to as an "Herbal Tisane". These Herbal infusions are delicious, nourishing, and caffeine-free. Kiley will cover how to use a myriad of herbal ingredients (a mixture of local and international) to create a one-of-a-kind infusion of your own, choosing either to boost energy or provide relaxation. Also, she will do a deep dive into tinctures. You will take home a unique jar of your custom blend that you can make hot or iced "teas" with at home, your custom recipe card, a small health and wellness tincture, and informational packet. I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned about pressing flowers. You will take home one of our custom flower presses ($35 value) and choose from a selection of pressed flower crafts to make. Join us for refreshments and a fun filled afternoon!
Staghorn Fern and Pressed Flower Crafting
We are excited to have my good friend Vikki Brandstetter back for another cool plant class. She will help guests create a staghorn fern art/display piece. Staghorns are super easy to care for and can grow in moss on a wall mount board or basket, you’ll have options to choose from. We will also be making a pressed flower glass votive holder and Valentine’s Day gift tags. Refreshments are included.
Silk Scarf Dyeing, Dried Flower Pumpkins and Chocolate Bar
Join us in The Workshop as we learn about botanical bundle dyeing on silk. Each guest will make their own 8"x54" 100% silk scarf using fresh and dried botanicals. You will also be making a dried flower pumpkin, perfect for the Thanksgiving table! The reveal is the best part! While they steam we will enjoy a Chocolate Bar including hot chocolate!
Chimes, Chai and Dried Flower Pumpkins
We are so happy to welcome back Jennifer Harkey, with @jenniferharkeystudio, to start your spring off a little early by guiding us in making a beautiful wind chime (retail value of $65). Jennifer is an artist that works with kiln fired recycled glass, copper, and wood. She has been creating unique glass designs for over 12 years. You can view her large commission pieces on JenniferHarkeyStudio.com, Etsy or in person at one of her many art events. You will create a 23” long windchime, choosing colors from her supply of hand cut kiln fired recycled glass. She will guide you step by step on how to weave the glass together with copper wire for your finished chime. And I can tell you that they make such a lovely sound from the movement of the wind! Enjoy chai tea and chai banana bread, walk the gardens. You will be going home with a dried flower pumpkin, with flowers grown here on the farm!
SOLD OUT
Pressed and Dried Flower Pumpkins and Christmas Tags
Join me to decorate real pumpkins! Our decorated real pumpkins have been known to last 6+ months! The secret is that we do not pierce the pumpkin which begins the rotting process. You will have one small and one medium pumpkin to decorate. We will decorate the medium size with dried flowers and botanicals, and the small one with pressed flowers. You’ll also make three pressed flower Christmas tags for holiday gifts. As always, refreshments are included.
Cyanotype Art and Bloom Bar
We are so happy to welcome Catherine Cross Tsintzos, for a fun and upbeat activity to create a one-of-a-kind piece of botanical art. Catherine has been awarded Artist Residencies from the Blumenthal Foundation twice to work on her art and agriculture project at Wildacres in Little Switzerland, NC, three times from the Rensing Center, Pickens, SC and May 2021 at the Edgewood Farm, Truro Center for the Arts, Truro, MA. She is a practicing and exhibiting artist from North Carolina and has been working with Cyanotype prints for over 20 years. Cyanotype is one of the oldest photographic processes used by architects, botanists, and artists alike. In this workshop, you will collect blooms and greenery from the gardens, and with the transformative power of the sun create a botanical print to take home in frame. Enjoy refreshments and make a fresh flower vase arrangement!
Culinary Lavender and Bloom Bar
Learn how this fabulous herb can be used in your kitchen! Join us for an afternoon filled with recipes and how-tos with Ellen Reynolds, owner of Beagle Ridge Herb Farm in Wytheville, VA. Ellen will teach us about culinary lavender options while preparing tasty samples filled with aromatics and gourmet flavors. The demo includes how to make your own lavender simple syrup which can be used in lavender lemonade, a lavender Bee's Knees cocktail, and a Lavender Latte. Their farm’s signature herbs de Provence blend is popular in a spread which can be used for sandwiches or a delicious appetizer. Lavender sugar to use as a garnish or as that special touch to your favorite tea. And finally, how to add lavender to your favorite cookie or shortbread recipe. Each attendee will receive some culinary lavender and recipe cards to enjoy at home. We will end the afternoon by making a vase arrangement from the Flower Bar! SOLD OUT
Mother’s Day Silk Scarf Dyeing and Bloom Bar
Join us to celebrate moms as we fully immerse ourselves in flowers! Each guest will start by hand dyeing an 8”x54” 100% silk scarf using fresh and dried botanicals. While they steam, walk the gardens then make a vase arrangement from the Flower Bar. Enjoy beautiful sips by Tea and Toast, and delicious nibbles from The Flour Box Tea Room as we unbundle your silk scarf for the big reveal. Bonus gift includes a take home bag with botanical surprises. Bonus drawing for a beautiful gift basket featuring “Peony” scented beauty products by CarolDee.com! Don’t miss this one!
Charcuterie and Bloom Bar
We are so happy to have back to the farm, Whitney Chaney, owner of @gatherandgrazeco. She is masterful at creating the perfect delicious charcuterie board. She will be guiding us through the charcuterie process to help us impress guests at our next gathering with Instagram worthy presentation skills. Not to mention become an expert at ingredient pairing! Join us for refreshments, create your own vase arrangement from the Flower Bar, and make your own delicious charcuterie board to take home.
Chimes, Chai and Tulip Bar
We are so happy to welcome Jennifer Harkey, with @jenniferharkeystudio, to start your spring off a little early by guiding us in making a beautiful wind chime (retail value of $65). Jennifer is an artist that works with kiln fired recycled glass, copper, and wood. She has been creating unique glass designs for over 12 years. You can view her large commission pieces on JenniferHarkeyStudio.com, Etsy or in person at one of her many art events. You will create a 23” long windchime, choosing colors from her supply of hand cut kiln fired recycled glass. She will guide you step by step on how to weave the glass together with copper wire for your finished chime. And I can tell you that they make such a lovely sound from the movement of the wind! Enjoy chai tea and chai banana bread, and end the afternoon by making a beautiful vase arrangement from the Tulip Bar! SOLD OUT
