Tucked away on a 150-year-old farm between the majestic Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains lies a place where heirloom and native flowers flourish abundantly. It’s a haven where the laughter of two best friends mingles with the gentle whisper of nature. Welcome to “Nana’s Blue Greenhouse.”
The story of this enchanting flower farm began 17 years ago when Janel Louk and Rachel Butler first kindled their friendship. While they initially had no inkling of the business they would someday create together, they believed that something beautiful would inevitably bloom between them—it was only a matter of time.
“In September 2021, I got engaged, and that’s when the dream sparked,” recalls Louk. “Rachel offered to grow the flowers I needed for my wedding. We decided to experiment on the farm to discover what I liked, what I didn’t, and ensure we had enough stock.”
The two friends swiftly cleaned out Louk’s mother’s greenhouse, setting the stage for a remarkable journey. This cleaning yielded not just an empty greenhouse but also a brand-new business idea.
“As the day concluded, after some intense labor, I stood there and thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if this is what we did for a living?'” Louk mused.
At that time, Louk worked as a security manager, and Butler was a nurse. Like many others, the pandemic prompted them to pause, reflect, and contemplate the direction of their lives—both personally and professionally.
“I think everybody did,” Butler remarked. “We weren’t unhappy, but we weren’t necessarily content with what we were doing at the time either.”
Without missing a beat, Louk and Butler swiftly conceived a catchy name, “Nana’s Blue Greenhouse,” and began envisioning what it meant to be flower farmers in 2021. Both friends drew inspiration from Erin Floret, the owner of Floret Flowers, a renowned flower farm in Washington. They dived into research and, over time, took the bold step of leaving their careers to pursue the flower farm full time.
“It all happened so fast,” Louk noted. “But it was also incredibly mind-blowing. When Rachel started talking about our first blooms and seeing what we had created, we genuinely surprised ourselves in the first year. I remember as we gathered our first harvest, I kept saying, ‘You grew this. You did this amazing thing.’ It was an incredible moment for both of us.”
She added, “I think as we delved deeper into farming, we realized it’s not always picturesque. It’s often muddy, dirty, and can be mentally exhausting.”
Their inaugural harvest began with seeds that Butler had purchased for Louk’s wedding, and it only flourished from there. Nana’s Blue Greenhouse’s flower season spans from mid-April through November, with some flexibility depending on the unpredictable weather.
As you stroll through their farm, you’ll be greeted by stately sunflowers, a kaleidoscope of dahlia blooms, and ranunculus with delicate “frilly-frilly” petals. Other seasonal stars include zinnias, irises, and native flowers.
With a strong commitment to sustainable, natural, and holistic practices, Butler emphasized their decision to eschew pesticides and fungicides in favor of natural pest control methods in their garden beds.
“It’s essential for us to be conscientious about how we treat the earth and maintain transparency with our customers,” Butler said.
The offerings at Nana’s Blue Greenhouse are as diverse as their blooms. Whether you seek a seasonal bouquet, a petite or luxurious arrangement, wedding flowers, wholesale blooms, or dried arrangements, you’ll find a floral creation that suits your needs. Furthermore, you can explore creative art and take home extra stock from the greenhouse. Wholesale options are also available for those who desire stunning florals without the fuss.
The dream that birthed the flower stand in front of the farmhouse remains a significant part of their journey. Butler realized she needed a place to showcase her surplus stock as she and Louk fine-tuned their choices for the upcoming wedding. Now, as you drive by, you’ll see cheerful bouquets of bright flowers, poised to bring joy to someone’s day.
“We’ve received immense support from the community,” Louk shared. “People have been incredibly helpful, offering ideas, supporting our business, talking to others about us, and spreading the word. It’s genuinely heartwarming to do this here.”
“I believe the community we’re in is the perfect place to embark on this journey,” Butler added. “It’s a highly supportive community.”
Butler, who has always had a green thumb, chuckled when Louk admitted she sometimes has a heavy hand when it comes to plant care.
“But sometimes, to grow things, you have to let them go,” Butler added, sharing an insight into their roles.
The two women swiftly realized their unique strengths—Louk, passionate about marketing, loves to create content for their social media platforms and craft beautiful arrangements. In contrast, Butler finds her strength in nurturing the soil, tending to seedlings, and nurturing them into blossoming flowers.
Reflecting on their nearly two-decade-long friendship, Louk and Butler expressed their belief that their connection was destined to withstand the test of time and more. Through various life changes, relocations, and personal milestones, they’ve always remained in touch.
“I genuinely think it was a serendipitous moment when you got engaged and returned here. It led us to flowers,” Butler mused.
As they gaze toward the future, Louk and Butler have charted a three-year plan that will allow them to invest time and resources into their flower farm—on their own terms.
As they continue to grow and evolve, the friends are making appearances at events throughout the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia. However, their hope is to remain close to home, catering to the needs of their local community—a community that has generously supported them.
“This is what we should have been doing all along,” Louk concluded. “We just didn’t realize it because we both had other things going on. Life happens. But, in the end, it was the perfect timing for us.”
“Nana’s Blue Greenhouse” is not just a flower farm; it’s a testament to friendship, perseverance, and the beauty of following one’s dreams. Louk and Butler have sowed the seeds of their passion, and they are now reaping the vibrant blossoms of success.
