Flowers speak to people in so many ways — a vibrant array of colors representing love and congratulations, soft petals and sweet perfume offering comfort and peace.
“I can’t look at a bunch of colors and the faces of flowers and not be happy,” says Cecily Fox, owner of Sweet Peas Flower Farm.
Fox grew up on her family’s farm in Hamilton County.
“The love of the outdoors, and plants in general, was instilled in us growing up,” Fox says. “We were always outside and always involved in growing.”
However, after working in landscape design for a handful of years after college, she found herself less than fulfilled.
“I loved designing outdoor spaces for people to enjoy, but I didn’t like the time behind the computer,” she admits. “I wanted to be outside using my hands.”
Sweet Peas Flower Farm produced its first harvest in 2014, with pastel ranunculus, brightly colored anemones and clouds of delphinium dotting what had previously been farm fields 20 miles north of Indianapolis.
Fox says she put up one high tunnel greenhouse.
“I built it with my dad and husband,” she shares. “It was full circle for me because I have a photo of my mom’s dad helping them build one of their first greenhouses.”
The soil is truly in the family’s genes … or jeans. It’s not unusual on any given day to see Fox’s 9-year-old son mowing and her 7-year-old daughter watering.
As the flowers have bloomed, so has the business. Fox and her husband, Wes, now work together and have expanded the number of high tunnels, which helps extend the growing season.
For years, the majority of the business has come from wholesale sales as well as predesigned bouquets sold at roadside stands and local grocery stores, such as Harvest Market in Carmel and a variety of Kroger locations throughout the area.
“A mixed bouquet is a labor of love because I know how long it’s taken for each bloom to reach that point,” Fox says. “It’s almost like reminiscing with each flower that goes into the bouquet. There’s a lot of pride in there.”
While premade bouquets are still regularly available at the roadside stand at 15431 Summer Road in Noblesville by the original field, the Sweet Peas Flower Farm team recently debuted their new retail space, located at 11351 E. 156th St. in Noblesville.
The Bloomery is a U-Pick flower farm with a mini-garden center filled with potted succulents and herbs, baskets, handcrafted dried floral products and patio arrangements. In addition, the Bloomery offers a place to gather. From mid-May until frost, The Bloomery will be open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with expanded hours during the height of the season.
"We want to create a space where people can come experience the beauty and joy of these flowers and be a part of the process like we are each day,” Fox says.
When the U-Pick experience opens in late May, visitors likely will see rows of ranunculus, along with stock, dianthus, fever few and snapdragon. Summer offerings, such as zinnia, sunflowers, aster and larkspur, will be emerging.
“Each month is different, which gets you excited for the next,” Fox says.
Check out hours, reservations and events at Bloomery.SweetPeasFlowerFarm.com.
Experiences and Recurring Events
Cut & Create: Hand-select and cut favorite flowers to create a one-of-a-kind arrangement.
Stay & Play: Enjoy a beautiful evening with fire pits and live music.
Bloomery Buds: Bring preschoolers for a sensory-rich class at the flower farm.
Petal Pals: Kindergarteners through third graders can experience hands-on exploration.
Ladies Night Out: Grab girlfriends for an evening of connection and creativity.
Creative Bloom Workshops: Learn various floral arranging techniques and gain insights into plant care in a relaxing and inspiring atmosphere.