About North Shore Flower Co.

Hi, I’m Ashley — the grower behind North Shore Flower Co., a small flower farm in Portapique, Nova Scotia (Zone 6a).

I’ve been growing dahlias for over seven years, and every tuber I sell has been grown here on the farm. I don’t resell stock, and I don’t offer varieties I haven’t grown myself.

My love for dahlias began with their incredible range of colours and forms. Early on, I grew mostly ball and miniature ball types. Then a red Spartacus dinner plate dahlia opened the door to a whole new world of scale and personality.

From there, each season became an opportunity to try new varieties from other growers and see what truly thrives in Atlantic Canada.

In addition to growing dahlias for the garden, I grow them to be cut and used. I sell bouquets at local farm markets and at my roadside stand, and working with dahlias in arrangements has shaped how I choose varieties — with a focus on colour, stem length, vase life, and how flowers pair together both in a bouquet and in the garden.

The full cycle of growing dahlias is part of what keeps me committed to them. Lifting and storing tubers in the fall, watching them wake up in spring, and seeing the first shoots break through the soil never loses its excitement.

Dahlias do require some care, especially with winter storage, but they’re far more approachable than many people believe. They pay you back generously, often multiplying into several new tubers by the end of the season.

Growing with intention

North Shore Flower Co. will always remain intentionally small and personal. Part of the farm is dedicated to experimenting with new varieties, and part is reserved for proven favourites that earn their place year after year.

I enjoy discovering what works well here and sharing those varieties with others who appreciate dahlias too.

Whether you’re planting your first tuber or adding to an established collection, my hope is to offer dahlias that bring joy and spark curiosity. I believe they should be accessible to everyone, and I’m glad to be part of that journey.