Flower business blooms in the Pilbara

A family of flower lovers has brought a new scent to the air at Karratha Centro.

Red Earth Flowers has blossomed from a successful online shop to a new bustling storefront, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Owner Melissa Thompson has been a florist for 24 years and held an opening party for nearly 50 guests last weekend to celebrate the next chapter of her business.

"I've had such great feedback, everyone has commented on the lovely smell of flowers as you walk into the centre, and the wide variety of flowers we stock," she said.

"I've got my sisters Lauren and Nicole here helping me get things running.

"I started my own shop when I was 20 after I finished my florist's apprenticeship, and then employed Lauren. She had completed her apprenticeship as well and was with me for nearly 14 years.

"My other sister Renee also completed her florist's apprenticeship and worked for me for 12 years too … Nicole is not a florist, but has worked with us for years doing the administration and bookkeeping side of things."

Red Earth Flowers provides floral arrangements, bouquets, wine, hampers, chocolates and teddies.

Mrs Thompson said the shop was quickly inundated with Valentine's requests from eager Pilbara lovebirds.

"In Karratha, lilies are generally our biggest movers because they last," she said.

"Roses are obviously the most traditional on Valentine's Day, and are usually a safe bet.

"Roses and other flowers should usually last about a week. We provide flower preservatives complimentary to our customers, but if you don't have that, just be sure to trim 1cm off the ends before putting them in a clean vase with clean water, and be sure to change the water every one or two days."

As the business continues to grow, Mrs Thompson said she would like to move into providing flowers for corporate functions.

"Flowers are a massive part of an event, as without them, things can look really boring," she said.

"So we do anything, we do balloons, vases, centrepieces, all of that.

"My aim is to pass my product knowledge on to the customer, and teach them what I've learnt in the trade about how to get the best out of their flowers."

For more information or to place an order, visit Red Earth Flowers in Karratha Centro, or contact via email at redearthflowers@hotmail.com . Alternatively, visit the online store at www.redearthflowers.com/shoppingcart .