When your parents own a lavender farm, it’s hard not to grow up loving plants. But Genevieve Ruth, whose parents own the popular Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm, says it wasn’t until she was much older that she learned to appreciate all the botany and plant care her mother had taught her when she was young. Now, she is putting that knowledge and passion to use with the opening of her new floral shop, The Flower + Vine, located at the Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm. Her business was already the recipient of the Thurston Green Small Business Award.
“[My mom] is a Master Gardener, while I never thought I had the patience to enjoy it,” shares Genevieve. “It wasn’t until I bought a home in the Cascades 20 years ago that I leaned into everything she taught me, as the area has a unique micro-climate, and started to really see the seasonality and delight that came when something I worked on before came back bigger and better each time.”
During that time, Genevieve worked in the technology industry while owning several businesses including photography, graphic and web design, content creation, etc. – always something creative she explains. It was actually a client of hers that brought her back to flowers. “In 2010, I went into consulting and specifically focused on developing woman-owned, local businesses,” she shares. “One of my clients was a florist who wanted my assistance growing her blooming business, and in exchange for my services, I asked her to teach me everything she knew about the elements and principles of floral design. I was hooked!”
Bringing Fresh Flowers to Olympia
Genevieve started her own floral business in the Seattle area nearly a decade ago. In 2020, she moved back to Olympia and moved her studio and workshop with her. In 2024, she decided to open a shop on her parent’s lavender farm.
The shop features a maker’s space, gift shop, design area and a greenhouse on the other side of the field from the Evergreen Valley Lavender Farm’s gift shop. The shop is open year-round by appointment, and will also be open seasonally on Saturdays when the lavender farm is also open. “The Lavender Farm will be closed next year for a complete plant rejuvenation, so visits will be limited to my gift shop only,” she adds.
The Flower + Vine is all about sustainability and fresh flowers, so she grows many flowers and berries to use in her arrangements. “I grow many of my greens and use lavender, sweet pea, astilbe, Queen Anne’s Lace, yarrow, tulips and berries, when they are seasonally available at the farm, which is on four acres next to a creek,” she shares. “I grow orchids, tropicals and succulents in my greenhouse, but predominantly source my arrangement floral from local or US-based growers.”
Her On Demand service means she is ready to take your local order at any time! “I have the flexibility to design and deliver within Olympia quickly,” she says. Just text or call with your request. “I ask three simple questions: 1. Budget 2. Delivery Details 3. Arrangement Look. My style is ‘Omakase’ (designer’s choice), so I use in-season botanicals and the customer’s color/style request to design a unique piece, that smells fresh and will last far longer than any store-bought bouquet.”
You will also find fun cards, dried floral arrangements, hostess gifts, wine accessories, candles, bags, wall art, jewelry, cute tchotchkes and more inside. And be sure to say hi to the store’s unusual mascots…two sugar gliders, Daisy and Dandy!
Flower Design Classes at The Flower + Vine
Flower + Vine will have floral design workshops, pop-up events and openings year-round, especially during the holidays. Small group classes are held on Thursdays and will be similar to a paint-n-sip style, with lavender lemonade and snacks being served while you work. “An assortment of flowers and greens are set out to choose from, then attendees create their own interpretation of the style taught while having personal instruction and guidance, before taking home their creation,” Genevieve explains. Students will get a chance to shop the store, and will receive a 10% discount on anything they purchase that evening.
Looking for an event at your place? Genevieve will travel and the host gets a free spot in the class! Off-site events can accommodate groups from 12 to as large as 50, as long as the space allows. Drinks and snacks are provided for these events as well!
Current class offerings include her signature design – an s-shaped centerpiece – kebana-style, European hand tie, bouts and corsages, flower crowns, wreaths, bloom & stem prep, flower printing, pressed flowers, lei-making and much more!
Thurston Green Business Award Winner
Thurston Green Business is an organization that promotes local small businesses that practice green steps in their daily operations, including things like saving water, conserving energy, reducing waste and buying or selling green. These are businesses that actively work to lower their environmental impact.
Each year in January and February, Thurston County businesses can apply to be designated a Green Business. When Genieve submitted her application, she had no idea that in addition to the designation, the group also gives out Business of the Year awards. “I was ecstatic to win such an incredible award,” she says. “I felt so honored that the hard work, efforts to maintain sustainability, use of the ‘slow flowers’ movement, and tippy-toe footprint of the way I operate The Flower & Vine was acknowledged. I was surprised and excited when they called to let me know that I was the Thurston Green Small Business of The Year!”
For more information on classes, On Demand service and her shop, text or call 425.213.8048 or visit The Flower + Vine website, Facebook or Instagram.
