Through the purple gate, a hidden garden greets you to Freesia and Vine. Downtown Frederick’s hustle and bustle quickly fades away to the serene sound of chirping birds and wind blowing through tree leaves as you step into the flower shop.
As you make your way into the store, you may even be greeted by a curious squirrel that owner, Liz Gillison, occasionally feeds while enjoying a meditative moment with nature between orders. The beauty of the outdoors pours into Freesia and Vine with different varieties of flowers filling the space with bright colors and fresh scents.
Liz, alongside business partner, Jackie Gambill, first opened Freesia and Vine in 2017 out of Jackie’s garage. The pair worked well together and became fast friends at a now-closed flower shop and knew they could grow a business of their own. In early 2018, Jackie and Liz were ready to expand and took root at their cozy downtown location. Easy online ordering and a straightforward selection of bouquet designs have been key ways of providing a great experience for people as Freesia and Vine established itself over the past six years.
But, it’s Liz and Jackie’s warm smiles, fun-loving personalities and deep love for the community that truly stands out about Freesia and Vine. “We put thought into the clients,” Jackie said. “We know this person has a cat, so we make a cat-friendly arrangement.”
Liz and Jackie’s original floral designs steadily make their mark in the Frederick community. A number of local restaurants and bakeries quickly turned to devoted clients, bringing vibrant fresh florals to their own businesses. Floral arrangements bring life to spaces for new homeowners across Frederick County as gifts from a local realtor who quickly became a regular customer at Freesia and Vine.
The attention to detail—selecting exactly the right color and style—makes every arrangement special and unique. “We like to have fun, and I think that makes a lot of people think the job is easy, but it is a lot of hard work and there is a lot of care we put into the details,” Jackie said. “We really enjoy the work and we are so thankful for our clients.”
When a client has a specific vision, and there’s one type of flower that can make it complete, Liz and Jackie will take the time to find that flower and make their dream a reality. These ladies are not only up for a challenge, but they will find a way to have fun and make it exciting through the process. They’ve been able to recreate sentimental arrangements that bring joy to their clients, like a bridal bouquet from over 20 years ago.
Freesia and Vine also connects people from out of state with their loved ones in Frederick County through their online ordering system. “We helped an older man in NJ who liked to give flowers to his grandson’s mother-in-law,” Liz recalled. “Those shared positive experiences can make it so satisfying.”
Liz and Jackie both lived out of state prior to settling in Frederick more than 20 years ago, so they know what a thoughtful arrangement from a distant loved one can mean for someone. “My biggest joy is my four grandchildren,” Liz said. “They don’t live in Frederick, but when I can, I love to go and hang out with them.”
That’s what it’s all about—family and love. Jackie and Liz help people connect with their loved ones and brighten their days through their thoughtful floral designs at Freesia and Vine.
FAVFlowers.com
“We like to have fun, and I think that makes a lot of people think the job is easy, but it is a lot of hard work and there is a lot of care we put into the details...We really enjoy the work and we are so thankful for our clients.” - Jackie Gambill
