When I first set out this year to photograph and interview flower farmers and gardens around the world—starting in my hometown region of North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad—Shellie Ritzman of My Garden Blooms was one of the very first to say “yes” to my endeavor. And I'm so thankful she did! 

 

I first met Shellie on a sunny morning at a local flower event, held at the now-closed Mossy Hill Farm (Keli’s decision to sell her beloved property left many of us heartbroken). It would be nearly a year before I stepped foot on Shellie’s own farm, but even in that brief first meeting, I knew our paths would cross again. She carried herself with a quiet grace—humble, sweet, and radiating kindness. Over time, as I spoke with more flower farmers in our area, her name surfaced again and again. They spoke of her with unmistakable warmth, and whenever a tricky growing question arose, the answer was always the same: Ask Shellie. So when I finally walked through her garden gate, a little sign reading happy place greeting me, I instantly understood why so many call her the queen of flowers.

 

Visiting My Garden Blooms feels like stepping into a storybook—a place where fairies might dance among the flowers, butterflies drift lazily on the breeze, and every corner hums with the quiet joy of happy garden creatures. I found its beauty so captivating that I returned three times: once in the soft glow of morning, again in the golden light of evening, and finally for one of Shellie’s cherished workshops.

Nestled beneath the shade of towering oak trees, this garden paradise bursts with hundreds of raised beds brimming with both flowers and vegetables. When I visited at the end of May, I was astonished to see Shellie’s dahlias already in full bloom—a rarity in our region. Typically, dahlias planted in early May don’t reveal their first blooms until late July or even August. Yet here they stood, tall and vibrant, crowned with magnificent blossoms. Shellie, ever generous, shared her secret: at the end of the previous season, she had left her tubers in the ground over winter, carefully protecting them from the cold. Come March and April, as the weather began to warm, those tubers were already primed to leap into the new season, giving her dahlias a spectacular head start.

As Shellie led me through the garden, I was captivated not only by the blooms but by the small, thoughtful touches woven between them—her own sketches and paintings quietly accenting the flowers’ beauty. It became clear she is not only an extraordinary flower farmer and gardener, but also a gifted artist, her delicate brushstrokes scattered throughout the space like whispers of her creative spirit. Every building, greenhouse, fence, and garden post seemed to wear a piece of Shellie’s artistry, turning the entire garden into a living gallery.

 

And my favorite of all her artistic displays is, of course, the famous wall of blooming angel wings—a signature of her garden that has become a must-visit spot. It’s the place where everyone pauses, smiles, and captures a photo before leaving.

Another delightful surprise scattered throughout the garden was Shellie’s pansies—tall and elegant, their cheerful faces lifted toward the sun. I had never seen violas so striking, each one a tiny masterpiece of color and charm. Her secret? Custom-made metal grid panels that cradle and support the blooms, paired with planting them close together. This gentle guidance coaxes the pansies to grow straight upward, creating a display as graceful as it is vibrant.

Toward the far end of the garden, closest to the woodline, you’ll find Shellie’s workshop—a place where magic takes shape, where people gather to connect and share in the beauty around them. Step inside, and you’ll see that Shellie has once again worked her artistry, transforming the space into yet another masterpiece, every corner touched by her creative hand.

 

The air here is rich with the scent of dried flowers, teas, and petals—aromas that feel like gentle whispers from another time. It’s the kind of place that invites you to slow down and simply be where your feet are. In this very space, I attended my first workshop with Shellie, joined by her guest of honor, Gina Ramey of Copper Flower Studio, who led us through the delicate art of creating cyanotypes. (Don’t worry—if she’s up for it, I’ll be interviewing Gina very soon!)

 

In the company of eight other beautiful, creative souls, we spent three unhurried hours immersed in the magic of My Garden Blooms. Shellie truly outdid herself, offering an array of thoughtful refreshments—lavender-infused lemonade, cool water brightened with mint and crisp apple from her own garden, and a selection of treats from a beloved local coffee and tea shop she supports. It was the kind of afternoon that lingers in your senses long after it ends. If you know Shellie, you know her heart beats for community—she’s a devoted supporter of local businesses, fellow creatives, and flower farmers, generously sharing her garden and her space to help others flourish. 

 

If you’re longing to slow down, spark your creativity, and connect with others, Shellie’s workshops are made for you. Throughout the growing season, she offers a variety of gatherings—each one a soul-enriching experience featuring a different creative pursuit. And every workshop ends with a beautiful tradition: crafting your own arrangement from flowers freshly harvested from her garden, the blooms shifting and changing with the rhythm of the seasons.

As summer fades into fall, Shellie prepares to close out her sixth season as a flower farmer—offering vibrant flower subscriptions, fresh blooms for fellow floral creatives, and dried flowers and edible petals for the local tea and pastry shops she lovingly supplies. For my fellow local photographers, her garden is nothing short of a dream—an enchanting backdrop for family portraits, headshots, or any shoot that calls for a touch of magic. Shellie generously makes her garden available for photography sessions at an affordable hourly rate, inviting your lens to capture the beauty that graces every corner.

 

And in the coming future I hope to also partner with Shellie hosting my own workshop, The Gathering, in her enchanting garden. 

 

If this summer of connecting with flower farmers has taught me anything, it’s this: each one is humble, kind, generous, and lives a life rooted in simplicity and joy. Shellie is the embodiment of all that—and more. In her, I found a kindred creative spirit, not only in nature, but in beauty, in life, and in savoring the quiet joy of everyday moments. So thank you, Shellie, for sharing not just your breathtaking garden with us, but also your heart, your generosity, and your light. The world could use so much more of you.

 

To connect with Shellie and view her upcoming workshops (located in Kernersville, North Carolina) please click here. And to view my full photography portfolio of my visit click on the link below. 

 

P.S. 

Shellie and I are also fellow bun sisters! We both love to wear our hair up in a tight little bun. Although, Shellie, I just recently cut all my hair off, so I won't be wearing my bun for a while. 

I’m finally back to watching a bit of TV again—thanks to Grayson going to bed a little earlier these days—and there are a few shows I just have to share with you. They’ve been filling my evenings with joy and inspiration, the kind of soul-enriching stories that stay with you long after the screen goes dark. 

 

Stanley Tucci Searching For Italy Is on HBO Max and then there is another on Disney + Tucci in Italy 

I absolutely adore Stanley Tucci, so I was over the moon when I stumbled across his show. I first watched the National Geographic series on Disney+, and later my mother-in-law and I happily discovered there was a second one on HBO Max. I don’t usually watch many food shows, but the concept of Stanley traveling through Italy’s different regions and showcasing their local dishes felt brilliant to me—a delicious way to learn about the culture, and a big part of why I long to visit Italy so badly. It is an absolute joy to watch and I highly recommend it if you want to be inspired. 

 

If you’re curious about the marvels of the human body—and don’t mind admiring a rather stunning one (a true ode to the God of Thunder himself)—Limitless with Chris Hemsworth is a National Geographic docuseries on Disney+. Guided by world-class scientists, doctors, and wellness experts, Hemsworth takes on extraordinary challenges that test resilience, longevity, and strength. Watching it really got me thinking about my own body and long-term health—what my 80-year-old self is screaming at me to start doing now, as I step into my 40s.

 

And finally, if you’re just in the mood for a good laugh—the kind that leaves your belly aching and these days for me, tinkles of pee—Platonic on Apple TV+ has me cracking up night after night. I swear to God this show is so well written and the comedic chemistry between Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne (The stuck-up chick from Bridesmaids) is a drug that you never knew you needed. Please, go and do your comedic soul a solid and watch it! 

 

Ok, that's it for this week.