The Hills are alive …

Edit 10. Bakker Flowers

For Ruby Bakker gardening, and creativity are in her genes, and while she never really imagined a career growing and arranging flowers, it is evident that Ruby has found her calling.

Enterprising from the age of 10 – Ruby and her siblings would forage for Iris in local paddocks and then sell them to anyone driving past - “We would go down and pick the Iris from the paddock next door, then sell them on the road…it was sooo much fun – we use to do stalls all the time”. Now an adult, Ruby spends her day’s wandering through her family’s 6-acre biodynamic garden in Monbulk, in the Dandenong Ranges, with soil so rich and fertile you can pretty much grow anything.

Growing most of the plants she uses, Ruby’s picking is seasonal and her garden adaptable, from Dahlias, Ginger, Australian natives, and a variety of foliage to choose from, Ruby explains “It is so much better for the environment to be using all seasonal local stuff, I don’t understand why we would be buying imported things when we have so much here”. Anything Ruby doesn’t grow she sources from local growers, all in the Dandenong Ranges.

Ruby’s creations are unique, large in scale - a garden path lined with 600 bunches of Queen Annes Lace to suspending an upside down Christmas tree from @pan_after ceiling, Bakker Flowers is known for bringing unique beauty and awe to everyday spaces. Recently Ruby discovered a piece of wood on her nature strip, “It was completely petrified, it had been struck by lightening”. She transformed the wood into a delightful arrangement which now forms part of an instalment @leemathewsau in Armadale.

Ruby’s love for biodynamic gardens is embedded in her every day. She lives with her family in their home that is constructed from recycled materials – it is phenomenal – it’s no wonder most of Ruby’s arrangements are formed around reclaimed items including old gas bottles and milk kegs.

When asked what she loves about her job Ruby’s response is simple, yet powerful, “it is the best job in the world, I bring people flowers and make them happy”.

Need something unique for an occasion or special event? Reach out to @bakkerflowers