My Story
Hello, I'm Joanna.
Owner of Flora & Fauna
Much of my childhood was spent around flowers and being outdoors, and I’ve always had a deep connection with nature.
My Grandma grew cut flowers for drying in the 80s and early 90s, my Grandad was a basket maker, and my Mum arranged the flowers. I spent much of my time growing up watching this process and being among flowers taller than me.
Being dyslexic, I struggled my way through school and left at 16 to start an apprenticeship at Ashtons of Lytham/Lytham Posy Bowl. Fast forward to 2006, I bought the business, where I ran the Interflora business successfully for 12 years. In 2018 I sold it, yearning for a new chapter and challenge that I could adapt around my family. I enrolled on the Floret course and many other advanced growing courses, and in 2019 Flora & Fauna was born.
With many learning curves, highs and lows, I now grow on one acre of land, bringing locally grown flowers into the community. I still order flowers in, but keep this to seasonal blooms and always British grown when I can. I am very passionate and proud of what I have created. If I’m outside, around flowers, or with my hands in the soil, I’m happy!
Making people happy through flowers.
My field is ‘off grid’. I have solar power, pump my water from the well and use rainwater, use compostable gift-wrapping products where I can, compost all my flower and plant waste to feed back to the land
My sister Amy and I have an apiary, we enjoy as a hobby since 2020 having lots of Bee hives around the land, this helps seed production in pollinating the plants, we are also rewarded with Honey for Family and Friends. I love working outside and had no idea I would enjoy the growing side of my business as much as I do. I am very grateful to be where I am, it’s come from hard work, focus and dedication.
25 + Years Experience
Bringing fresh flowers to the local community means everything to me. Since the age of 15 I’ve been serving the public in different ways.
When I owned a high street florist, the access to flowers was incredible – what once felt like an Aladdin’s cave eventually became something quite ugly.
I had never really considered the cost this had on the planet. Flowers are shipped and flown in from across the world – Colombia, Ethiopia, Ecuador – and treated with chemicals to preserve and enhance them. I often suffered with rashes on my hands and arms from these chemicals, something that isn’t talked about enough. This experience really made me stop and think, and it became clear that I wanted to change things for the sake of my own health.
