COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT: Blackstone Flower Farm

At Anna’s Garden, Home & Wellness, we take great pride in spotlighting the incredible growers and makers who help our region thrive. This month, we’re honoured to introduce you to Tina Higgins, the heart and hands behind Blackstone Flower Farm, located in the beautiful village of Colchester. Known as Canada’s Southernmost Specialty Cut Flower Farm, Blackstone lives by the motto: Grown here, not flown here.

Every bloom on Tina’s farm is grown in the field—no greenhouses, no imports—just fresh, seasonal flowers that thrive in Colchester’s rich soil and warm southern Ontario climate. What makes Blackstone special is more than just the flowers. It’s the story, the intention, and the deep-rooted connection to place.

For Tina, growing has always been in her blood. Her love for gardening began as a child, inspired by her father’s incredible backyard harvests. She remembers racing home from school to see what he had planted or what new sprouts had appeared on the windowsill. That same spark stayed with her into adulthood. After running a landscaping business and heading into retirement, she longed for something more personal—something that would bring her joy. That longing led her to flower farming.

Today, Tina grows a wide variety of unique and unusual flowers, always adding something new to the mix. Her personal favourite? Italian ranunculus. Gorgeous, challenging, and incredibly long-lasting, these blooms are a symbol of her dedication and love for the craft. She appreciates the science and patience involved in their cultivation, and her customers appreciate the beauty they bring into their homes.

Tina farms without greenhouses, meaning every season is shaped by nature’s rhythm. “It’s a bit of a dance,” she says. But that’s exactly what she loves. Each year is different, and every harvest tells a story of perseverance, curiosity, and the ever-changing relationship between grower and land.

Beyond the growing itself, what Tina finds most rewarding is the way flowers touch people’s lives. Over the years, Blackstone Flower Farm has provided blooms for everything from baby showers to weddings to final goodbyes. Tina understands that flowers are there for life’s biggest moments—and she’s honoured to play a small part in those memories. Whether joyful or solemn, flowers bring comfort, and that’s something she never takes for granted.

Being born and raised in Colchester, Tina’s connection to the land runs deep. Her family has called the area home for generations, and she’s proud to share the beauty of her farm with both locals and visitors. Located along the EPIC wine route, her roadside flower stand has become a beloved stop for people from near and far. Guest book messages have come from places like Port Stanley, Oshawa, Bobcaygeon, and even Calgary.

At Anna’s, we are so proud to support growers like Tina Higgins. Through her work at Blackstone Flower Farm, she’s not just growing flowers—she’s cultivating community, beauty, and a deep appreciation for the land we all call home.

Next time you’re in Colchester, stop by Blackstone Flower Farm. Pick up a bouquet, breathe in the beauty, and experience what Tina has lovingly grown—right here, not flown here.