Maine’s cut flower industry is experiencing significant growth, driven by the booming wedding industry and diversified farm incomes. This trend has kept professionals in the field exceptionally busy over the past decade.
Frogmore Flower Farm in Brooks is a key player in Maine’s cut flower scene. Owner Ashley Petrochenko, after over a decade of planning, launched her U-pick operation, bouquet stand, and education site three years ago. She distinguishes her farm through agritourism, creating a botanical garden-like experience for visitors.
Petrochenko aims to make her farm a community hub, driven by the positive response from visitors. “What keeps us going is the joy we see in our visitors when they pick flowers,” she said.
On the other hand, Mary Lou Hoskins, board president of the Maine Flower Collective, leads a cooperative wholesaling and distribution of flowers from 41 farmers across the state. The collective, launched in 2023 after the closure of Bennett Wholesale Florist in 2020, primarily serves designers catering to Maine’s multi-million-dollar wedding market. Hoskins also reported significant growth in local flower sales over the last 10-15 years.
Dan Nygaard of Dan’s Flower Farm in Sedgwick has seen the wedding industry evolve. While locals once preferred arranging their bouquets, today’s destination weddings demand turnkey services. His partner, Juli Perry, now the business owner, is navigating the rising competition on the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Leslie Leighton, who has been farming flowers in Greenville for ten years, noted a surge in new flower farms. Although there are no official statistics, many growers have entered the market post-pandemic due to strong customer demand. Leighton, who runs Leslie’s Backyard Blooms in Greenville, benefits from minimal local competition and collaborates with a local florist.
However, with 80% of cut flowers in the U.S. being imported, local growers emphasize sustainability and quality, ensuring a bright future for Maine’s cut flower industry.
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