Karin Woodward, the creative force behind Haute Horticulture, is embarking on a transformative journey in the world of floral design. Moving beyond conventional wedding arrangements, she is now focusing on cultivating local, seasonal blooms at her newly established Seventh Hand Farm. This shift represents a deeper commitment to nature's rhythms and a more authentic expression of her artistic vision, which she also shares through her innovative Flowerwheel app and upcoming floral design workshops.
A Deep Dive into Karin Woodward's Floral Philosophy and Entrepreneurial Spirit
In a recent engaging conversation, floral artist Karin Woodward, the visionary behind Memphis's esteemed Haute Horticulture, shared the inspiring evolution of her distinguished career. Initially, her work predominantly featured elaborate wedding arrangements, frequently gracing the pages of prominent bridal magazines and influential blogs such as Style Me Pretty. However, as the golden hued days of early 2012 unfolded, a profound shift began to take root within her artistic soul. Karin, driven by an innate desire for designs that truly echoed her personal aesthetic, started to explore more editorial-inspired creations. She meticulously gathered a diverse array of flowering plants from local nurseries, combining them with wild vines foraged from her own verdant garden. Collaborating with a talented photographer friend, she orchestrated captivating vignettes, blending exquisite florals with carefully selected accessories, gourmet edibles, and coordinating textiles. These evocative visual narratives swiftly garnered attention, launching her into the realm of editorial styling and cultivating a signature look for her Memphis collective.
Karin's artistic journey is marked by an increasing reverence for local, in-season flowers. She articulates that designs resonating with the natural cycle foster a deeper connection, both for herself and her discerning clientele. This philosophy mirrors the simple pleasure of savoring a perfectly ripe peach in summer, contrasting sharply with the insipid taste of out-of-season fruit. She firmly believes that humanity, especially women, possesses an inherent longing for this authentic connection with nature, which extends beyond sterile, mass-produced goods to embrace the tactile beauty of natural materials. This growing appreciation for the organic, for elements like wood, metal, and naturally dyed fibers, signifies a collective yearning to reconnect with the earth.
Furthering her commitment to sustainable floristry, Karin has acquired an additional two acres of land, expanding her property to a total of four and a half acres, where she and her family reside. This expanded estate will serve as the foundation for Seventh Hand Farm, a venture dedicated to cultivating a wide array of flowers, foliage, herbs, and ornamentals. Her motivation stems from the challenges she faced as a designer, often struggling to procure specific flowers locally or receiving dried, expensive shipments. By growing her own produce, Karin aims to meet the demands of her local market and cultivate highly sought-after Southern blooms. Moreover, this initiative allows her to practice regenerative farming techniques, enriching the soil with compost and creating a pesticide-free sanctuary for bees, a stark contrast to the monoculture prevalent in her region. Among the captivating varieties that have recently captured her imagination are passion vine, hops, and unusual fruiting specimens like Mexican cucumber, along with delicate white cosmos and green cotton, all chosen for their ability to flourish in the Southern climate's clay soil, heat, and humidity.
Beyond her hands-on farming endeavors, Karin is also the co-creator of the innovative iPhone application, Flowerwheel. Developed in 2011 with her programming-savvy husband, the app was initially conceived to educate brides and event clients about seasonal flower availability. However, it quickly found an unexpected audience within the global floral design community, attracting users from diverse regions including China and Russia. This widespread adoption has prompted plans for future enhancements, including the incorporation of botanical names and precise growing season information, moving beyond market availability. Looking ahead, Karin envisions Seventh Hand Farm as a beacon of sustainable floristry. She plans to openly share her farming journey through blogging and will introduce a unique "floral yoga" methodology for teaching floral design, a concept rooted in her academic background in art, psychology, and education. This holistic approach promises to nurture both the seasonal movement and the soul, fostering a deeper connection between individuals and the beauty of nature.
Karin Woodward's journey from a celebrated floral designer to a passionate farmer-florist and educator is a compelling narrative of evolving artistry and commitment to sustainability. Her dedication to local sourcing, the creation of her innovative Flowerwheel app, and the upcoming launch of Seventh Hand Farm collectively demonstrate a profound belief in the power of nature and the transformative potential of connecting with the land. Her "floral yoga" methodology promises a fresh perspective on floral education, inspiring others to embrace seasonal beauty and a more mindful approach to design. Karin's work is a vibrant reminder that true artistry often blossoms from a deep reverence for the natural world and a relentless pursuit of authenticity.