“When someone gives flowers to me, it says, ‘I honor you. I see you. I’m thinking about you.’ I have loved being part of people’s special moments — watching mothers and daughters picking flowers together, and husbands and wives finding peace and connection in the flower field.”
First generation farmer, Devery Bellingham — owner of Aurora Flora in Mooresville — admits she hasn’t always had a green thumb. But after reading stories of cut flower farms around the country, and realizing there were literally endless varieties being grown, she knew she’d found a new passion.
“Things went from curiosity, to hobby, to obsession, and now a career!” says Devery. “I began my gardening journey in Texas, where my husband was going to school. We have only been in the Lake Norman area for two years, but now we are here to stay!”
As a busy mom, she also needed a creative outlet. So, she planted seeds!
Visit the farm in Mooresville (named for Devery’s daughter) to pick your own rainbow of pretty flowers, and you’ll immediately feel the warmth of Devery’s love for all things in bloom. The field is a quarter of an acre, there will be hundreds of blooms to choose from and navigating the space is easy.
“We are small and quaint, not a big, commercial, multi-generation farm,” she explains. “I grow all the seeds myself, plant them myself, and tend to the flowers myself. I like the variety we have on the farm, where people can actually create an arrangement with different textures and dimensions, rather than having one type of flower.”
You don’t need to bring a thing — except maybe a water bottle. Devery provides the container, the water, the flower clippers (to borrow — and only adults get to clip!), as well as instruction. She does remind visitors to wear sensible shoes! There are two container options: An individual cup that holds 20-25 stems for $20.00, or the “bulk” bucket which holds 60-75 stems for $60.00.
“Most everyone chooses the cup size, but occasionally people request a bulk bucket so they can DIY their flower arrangements for a bridal shower or baby shower, or if they want to make multiple arrangements for friends,” she adds.
Connecting with the community has been Devery’s favorite part of starting this new venture, along with nourishing her own soul.
“When I first started growing flowers, my favorite part was being able to give them to friends and neighbors, and I craved to reach more people. Flowers instantly brighten someone’s day. They can be considered an ‘extra’ for many, and I think that’s what makes them so effective in boosting moods — they can be considered a non-necessity, but are really so much more! To me, flowers mean dignity, and can be the beautiful ‘extra’ in your day!” adds Devery.
She loves hearing stories of who customers are buying flowers for, and finds joy in making bouquets for special occasions.
“The most common comment I get when people visit the farm is ‘thank you for creating something so beautiful,’ and ‘this is exactly what I needed.’ I feel honored to be able to give something like that to the community — a relaxing moment of peace, bonding, and fun.”
Many have fond memories of a particular flower from their grandmother’s garden, and Devery enjoys educating visitors on what local flowers are in season.
“While you can always find roses and lilies at a grocery store, locally grown flowers are completely dependent on climate and weather,” she explains. “The types of flowers available differ from week to week, sometimes month to month. Our blooming season is from May through October (until frost comes). We have sunflowers every week, so that’s a staple. No one leaves the U-Pick area without at least one or two sunflowers in their cup!”
Reservations are required for U-Pick, to ensure everyone has plenty of blooms to choose from — and you’ll love that it’s never too crowded. Once a ticket is purchased online, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Aurora Flora is typically open by appointment on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, but can vary due to weather and flower inventory. Stay tuned to their website — auroraflora.net — and social media @auroraflora.lkn — for weekly hours posted every Monday, and for any schedule updates. Email [email protected] for more information and don’t forget to tag them with photos of your beautiful bouquets!
