About MAGNOLIA BLOOMS
Our Story
We both grew up in small towns, Train in Mississippi and me in Tennessee. We met when we were both in the early days of beginning our careers. I was a teacher and he worked in a children’s hospital. We were great friends for over a year or so before we found that there existed a space for something more. He ended up being my hero. He literally pieced my broken-heart back together with his kindness, consistency, and genuine character. I literally adored him and he held me so sweetly with his love. We were married in the chapel of Mississippi State University. So, you could say that it was in Mississippi that our love officially bloomed…thus our name “Magnolia Blooms”.
Years later there were children, two precious ones who are now so grown up…almost. We moved to North Carolina and therein developed an insanely ridiculous love for gardening. Trust me, it is a bit bananas! We then began a never-ending process of enlarging and expanding our garden, which led to us installing gardens for others. We would consult with beginner gardeners, create design plans, and then install the gardens, often alongside the customers themselves. In the meantime, our children worked alongside us and developed a love of the land as well and currently both have plans of attaining agriculture-based degrees in college.
My mom was my only parent growing up. In her final years of life, our chats and shared gardening experiences were a major point of joy. My family and I collected donations from precious friends and family and did a couple of garden installs (for spring and fall) at the nursing home where she lived. She, along with many other residents and staff, came together to plant the flowers and veggies and beautify their outdoor space to welcome the views of nature and visits from pollinators. Where possible, we would set up bird feeders and flower installations alongside the windows of the residents and pray that those who were bed-bound could enjoy some of God’s beauty. Tractor Supply of Sparta, TN did an amazing job of providing us with support and discounts for this project.
Unfortunately, my final gardening experience with my mom was our fall garden install. She was up and about independently helping plant and arrange things within the outdoor community. We planted blueberry plants and such, hoping for residents to enjoy snacking spots the next spring. Sadly, my mom passed away suddenly a couple of months later. Hours before she passed I promised her that I would always plant my flowers for her. So here we are, about a year later and we are growing a whole slew of flowers in her honor. I listen for the birds as I work in the garden and think of how much she loved them. And I think of how much I would surely love for her to see us now as we take these official steps of sharing God’s beauty captured in the petals of flowers.
We currently source our flowers for the arrangements we generate but are actively growing what are referred to as “cool season” flowers for over a month or so now. Our plan is to harvest the majority of what we can from our own garden for the bouquets we design throughout spring, summer, and fall. Please know that when you choose to purchase from us, your bouquet will be designed from the hands of someone who greatly loves the soil of the land, who values hard work, and wants you as the consumer to know that a family-owned and ran business is beyond appreciative of your order.
Thanks for choosing to shop local with us! Andrea & Train Henderson
We are GROWING!
Stay up to date with all of our beautiful blooms in progress! We are currently growing flowers to add to our bouquets this warm-weather season.
