Producer Profile: Flowerdale Flowers
Fresh, local and grown by a family business – three of the things we love about much of our fresh produce at Hill Street. Flowers are no exception. Read on to find out why you need to buy lilies, tulips and snapdragons grown by our wonderful supplier in Wynyard, Flowerdale Flowers.
It’s in Hill Street’s DNA to support local growers and bring the freshest produce possible to our customers; produce that has travelled minimal distances and is still bursting with life force. Flowerdale Flowers in Wynyard on the North West Coast supplies us with beautiful tulips, lilies, snapdragons and other cut flowers which not only look stunning, but last a long time in the vase.
Flowerdale grows lilies in a 20,000 m2 glasshouse located 4km out of Wynyard. It’s a state-of-the-art climate-controlled environment which allows lilies to be produced throughout the year. In winter the temperature is maintained by using waste biomass sawdust, a green energy renewable fuel helping Flowerdale towards its goal of being carbon neutral.
Lilies are Flowerdale’s focus. They grow both pink and white Orientals all year round, and a range of LA’s (which stands for longiflorum asiaticum) which come in yellows, pinks, oranges, reds as well as white.
Tulips are their next most important crop, grown in the ground under polytunnels. These are predominantly sold in Tasmania with some also going to the mainland.
We recently caught up with Rob Sadler, Director of Flowerdale (and second-generation flower grower) to find out more about this successful Tassie family business.
Tell us about Flowerdale’s beginnings and how you’ve grown.
Flowerdale started in a tractor shed in 1982 as a sideline to my parents’ dairy farm. Mum and dad tinkered on the side with flowers for some years and then about 15 years ago, I joined them in the business and became a little more serious. My parents have long-since retired and taken off around Australia in a caravan. I run the cut flower business, and my sister Pip looks after the bulb-growing business. We grow lilies, which account for about 60 -70 per cent of our business, as well as tulips, snapdragons, delphiniums, sweet William, stock, asters and matricaria.
And the bulb business?
Lily bulbs only last for about six months. So we grow bulbs and export them to growers all over the world, and in particular, to Holland, to enable northern-hemisphere growers to grow lilies in their season. In turn, we then buy bulbs from Holland to plant and grow for the southern-hemisphere’s season.
And is the next generation working in the business too?
Yes, I have three young children under ten and they are just old enough to start helping around the farm, which they love.
What’s special about your flowers?
Tasmania is the perfect place to grow flowers. In Wynyard we have mild summers of between 15 - 26 degrees. Because of our cool climate, the flowers can grow slowly and are not subjected to heat or humidity like the rest of the country. Being grown in Tassie, they aren’t fumigated or dipped in round-up up to their heads, like imported flowers. Also they get to market quickly, especially those sold in Tasmania through Hill Street! So our flowers are fresher and last much longer in the vase than imported flowers or flowers that come from the mainland.
What do you love about being a producer in Tasmania?
I love Tasmania and I love farming! So it doesn’t feel like work.
What’s the biggest challenge in your business today?
As compared to Europe, we have about a quarter of the per capita consumption of flowers. I’d like flowers to be an everyday, affordable luxury. This is starting to happen and selling well-priced flowers through Hill Street stores for the last six or seven years is definitely helping!
What do you do in your down time?
I love to get away and surf at Marrawah on the West Coast.
What’s your next holiday destination?
The top of Ben Lomond! In a few weeks I’ll be taking my family there for their first snow experience. I had a previous life overseas as a snowboarder so I’m keen to get the kids into the snow.
What’s your favourite edible Tassie product or favourite dish?
I love anything to do with Tassie milk and cheese - I eat marinated feta with just about anything
You can keep up-to-date with Flowerdale Flowers by following them on Instagram or Facebook, or learn more about them at their website.
Share this featured content
Interested in beautiful blooms from Flowerdale Flowers that are available at Hill Street Grocer?
Shop in-store for bunches of Oriental Lilies for $25 until Tuesday 9 July 2024 as seen in this week's catalogue.
Or Shop Hill Street Flowers online, with bouquets designed by own talented florists onsite at Sandy Bay, Longford, Devonport and West Hobart.
