About Posies and Poems

Owner of Posies and Poems holding a bouquetAbout Posies and Poems
Posies and Poems is a small business owned and run by me, Deborah Luce! I am a trained horticulturalist, herbalist and florist. I have been gardening since I was very young, first in my Grandad's garden in Kent, England. Then in my parent's beautiful backyard, full of roses, perennials, fruit and vegetables in Nova Scotia.

While raising my three sons, I lived on a small 5 acre farm just outside of Metcalfe, Ontario. I started a small business called, Herbs for all Seasons in 1994. I grew herbs and flowers and made a wide range of skin care products from them. I also created do-it-yourself kits and taught people how to make their own 100% plant-based products. It was a successful endeavor born from the love of plants and the desire to share my knowledge. Due to family circumstances, I closed my beloved business in 2006.

Fast forward to 2019, when I moved to a farm in Bourget, Ontario with the plan to start a flower growing business. Posies and Poems was officially registered in 2021 after a few years of growing flowers and testing the market.

I named the business Posies and Poems as I loved the Language of Flowers and I wanted to create beautiful arrangements and bouquets (small bouquets are called posies) that featured the symbolism of each flower in a special message (or poem) to the recipient.

Flower growing is very hard work! I loved my farm, but again, due to family circumstances, I moved back into town and I now live in Riverside South.   

I work from my floral studio at home to service the area with beautiful flower arrangements for all occasions. Given that I don't have the overhead of a retail store, I am able to make stunning bouquets with more flowers for my customers.

What is a posy?

A posy is a bouquet of flowers that conveys a message, based on the language of flowers. 

"As gallant as giving a posy may be, it is the secret message delivered via each individual flower that provides the overall symbolism of the presentation of the tidy bouquet, since a little can, in fact, mean a lot." — S. Theresa Dietz, Author of The Complete Language of Flowers

 

 

What makes my floral arrangements different?
Each Posies and Poems design is uniquely handcrafted and based on the language of flowers. By giving a bouquet or a wreath with a message, you are giving a special gift that speaks not only of the beauty of flowers and herbs, but also speaks to the receiver in the way words or a poem in a card might. It is a very special gift and card all in one!

What flowers do I grow and use?

I still grow a large variety of flowers and herbs in my own gardens in Riverside South. I use a lot of what I grow for my bouquets in the summer. For the rest, I buy locally grown flowers in season from Ottawa Valley flower farms. From November to April, I buy high quality flowers from wholesalers.

How is your arrangement packaged and how to care for it.

Your fresh flower posy comes with its own ceramic or glass vase or is tastefully wrapped in recyclable materials. The flowers are already arranged and conditioned to last (each stem is carefully harvested and/or trimmed, and soaked in water for several hours), and I add flower food to each vase. I suggest you change the water everyday or every other day if possible (this helps reduce the growth of bacteria), and display it away from direct sunlight. Some flowers last longer than others, so if one starts to wilt, carefully remove it and continue to enjoy the rest! Most bouquets will last at least 6-10 days depending on what is in it and how it is cared for.

I include a card with a poem or message that lists the flowers and herbs in the products we sell and their meaning, based on the language of flowers (its poetry).

Thank-you for your purchase. Enjoy! 
Debbie