This year marks a milestone we’re so proud to share—31 years of Roxanne’s Dried Flowers. What began as a small dream has blossomed into decades of creativity, community, and countless arrangements made with love.
To celebrate, we sat down with Roxanne herself and asked her 31 questions—one for each year in business. From favorite flowers to memorable moments, and even a few personal tidbits, these questions give a glimpse into the heart behind the shop.
Here’s to 31 years of blooms, stories, and all of you who have made it possible. Now, let’s dive in!
1. How did Roxanne’s Dried Flowers begin?
I had been growing flowers for drying for about 2 years and did craft festivals during that time. Then I thought opening a store front would be easier than having to move and display my product at craft festivals. I opened the storefront on South Main street Washington Pa in September 1994.
2. What inspired you to start working with dried flowers?
My husband and I were driving around our new area and stumbled upon Shields Herb and Flower Farm has been in Spraggs, WV since 1982. It’s run by Leigh Shields along with his beautiful wife Liki. I instantly fell in love with everything about Leigh and Liki Shields' business. They sold unusual live herbs, plants and bundles of dried flowers. They also sold Liki’s flower creations, wreaths, wall pockets and arrangements. When I picked up a bundle of dried holy basil and took in the smells it was all over. I knew immediately what I wanted to do. So I decided to turn our little 2 acres of bottom land into a farm of flowers and herbs for drying.
3. Do you remember your very first arrangement?
I remember making my first wreath using a grapevine base with german statice, gomphrena and other flowers that I grew.
4. How has your style evolved over the years?
As I got more into dried flowers I grew to love more exotic flowers from Australia, California, and South Africa. Therefore, I used many of these beautiful flowers such as Banksia, Protea and leptospermum in my arrangements and this I believe set me apart at that time.
5. What has been the biggest change in the dried flower industry since you started?
There used to be many more farms that grew flowers for drying. Now not as many farms are taking the extra steps to pick and dry since they are able to just sell to the fresh markets. Also, the price has changed considerably since Covid.
6. Which milestone moment stands out most in your 31 years?
When I moved from 2124 Penn Avenue across the street to 2115 Penn Avenue. It was a much bigger space to display. Also it was a stand alone building.
7. What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned running the shop?
The amount of patience it takes from beginning to end with finances, employees and products.
8. How have customers influenced your designs?
I like to see how customers are using the dried flowers. This has steered me to create arrangements in that direction. Using flowers that are most popular and including them into the designs.
9. What’s your favorite shop tradition?
I get so excited about Christmas! I love to pull together the themes and display them.
10. How has the community supported the shop over the years?
Our loyal customers! Many of them have been supporting the shop for decades now. I am so delighted with their support and curiosity for each new season.
11. What’s your go-to flower or foliage for arrangements?
Lavender & Eucalyptus. They just make any arrangement smell and look lovely.
12. Do you have a favorite color palette to work with?
One of my favorite color palettes is orange and pink. It is just so bright and cheerful. But really I love so many different combinations it is so difficult to consider just one. I also love coming up with new ones, especially unusual combinations.
13. What’s your process for creating a new wreath or bouquet?
First I consider what style of wreath or arrangement we want to create. Then looking at the flowers, wreath base or container I am using at the moment. Then I make a couple of samples and pick the best one that says that’s the one.
14. Where do you find inspiration outside of florals?
This is a big list. The forest, streams, plant nurseries, gardens, interior design magazines, paintings and other floral artists.
15. Which season do you most look forward to designing for?
I love spring. It is the onset of summer and I love to get back into my garden.
16. What’s a floral trend you’ve loved?
The dried flower floral trend. Dried flowers have definitely made a comeback since my beginnings. There are a lot more dried flower floral artists around doing great designs. I honestly can’t get enough of seeing so many great designs. One in particular that stands out is the over the top mantel piece designs. In which the design goes for the ceiling to the floor.
17. What’s a trend you’ve happily skipped?
None! I’ve tried to be openminded and see the value in all of the coming and going trends.
18. Which flowers do you wish more people knew about?
The more exotic flowers and branches. Banksia, Protea, Hakea, Natraj and Manzanita. Also, Preserved Cedar, Juniper and Magnolia leaves. These foliages last and smell for years.
19. What’s your favorite flower in the world—fresh or dried?
One of my favorites is any kind of poppy flower. They do not dry but the seed pods do a reminder of the fragile vibrant petals.
20. Do you have a memorable customer story you can share?
One day a sweet customer came in to give me two Amorphophallus plants. I was taken aback by this kind gesture that she thought of me to bestow the plants to me. I still have them growing. I cherish them.
21. Which creation have you been most proud of?
The creation of the entire shop! I especially enjoy watching customers ogle and awe over the merchandise and displays. That always makes me proud that I opened the shop.
22. What’s a typical day in your life like at the shop?
A typical day is never as I plan it to be. I never know what to expect, meaning there are so many variables that everyday is a new day.
23. Do you have a favorite memory from a wedding or special event?
The Silver Jubilee celebration that Thommy Conroy planned. We had Brewer’s Row play music, Tina’s serving drinks, Mi Empanada popped up, and an evening of shopping. So many folks came out to celebrate the Anniversary and congratulate me personally.
So so sweet!
24. Which flowers remind you most of home?
Peonies. Every home I have ever lived in had peonies in the garden. Always a special treat in the spring time.
25. What’s a song, book, or film that inspires your creativity?
Orlando the movie by Sally Potter. I just loved everything about this movie especially the costumes and the set design was amazingly beautiful and inspiring. The song Rose Hip November by Vashti Bunyan. And the book Dried Flower Gardening by Joanna Sheen and Caroline Alexander. This book is my go to book since I started working with dried flowers.
26. Is there a scent in the shop that you never get tired of?
Lavender, lavender and lavender.
27. What advice would you give your younger self starting out?
Patience! Things happen slowly and not overnight.
28. How do you see the shop evolving in the next few years?
Gosh! Not exactly sure. I do wish I had a crystal ball. I would love to continue with what we have going on now with maybe more finished flower combinations. Possibly more educational offerings as well. Only time will tell.
29. If you could design with any flower—past or present—what would it be?
I really miss deluxe dried Cobra Lillies, Sarracenia alabamensis from Alabama. They used to be available to us but not any longer. But they certainly were beautiful and unusual. I am sure the species lost habitat and are protected now.
30. What keeps you passionate after 31 years?
I recently have been teaching an Amish woman named Bertha to grow and harvest flowers for drying. I wish I had more time to grow. But this has really inspired me as of late to see which flowers do well that particular year. Each year one type of flower really produces and the next not so much. It’s always exciting to watch each growing season change. But, really , the flowers every year are different and keep me motivated year after year.
31. What’s one thing you’d like to say to your customers right now?
With the world changing away from nature and more toward technology. I believe it will be even more important to showcase the natural world in a light that we can not live without. So this next generation will learn to appreciate, be a part of and love.
And thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My customers have helped to make my dreams come true and then some. Decades of support, well-wishes, inspiration, and
