If you have been an avid Netflix viewer in the past five years or so, then you’ve definitely seen her in one of the shows. Yes, that’s Sarah Campbell, the renowned luxury and wedding floral designer, educator, speaker, and floral community leader. Does 'The Big Flower Fight' which premiered on Netflix on May 18, 2020, and went on to become quite a captivating watch ring a bell? Yes, that’s likely where you’d remember her from. But then again, she's really easy to spot, even out there in a crowd thanks to her larger-than-life personality!
The Big Flower Fight was a contest in the style of The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee but with the artistry of floral design instead of baking or sewing. It featured ten pairs of florists, sculptors, and garden designers facing off in a friendly floral fight to see who could build the biggest, boldest garden sculptures made of flowers and plants.
A Floral Safari That Allowed Her to Explore the Beauty of Kenya’s Flowers
Well, bubbly as she’s always been, with her infectious cheerful demeanor, all paired with her trademark playful floral apron, Sarah who is the owner of the Annapolis, Maryland-based Intrigue Design & Decor—accompanied by her husband Ken—recently took on a memorable trip to Kenya, diving right into the East African country’s famously known floral landscape.
Enabled through the input of Rosemary Kimunya, the founder of the Kenya Flower Festival, Sarah’s visit was not just a usual trip; it was a floral safari that allowed her to explore the breathtaking beauty of Kenya's flora while connecting with some of the local flower enthusiasts, and along the way, experiencing the warm hospitality of the people. Most importantly, it was about giving her a firsthand experience of the flowers that Kenya is renowned for. And by all means, she wasn’t disappointed!
Interplant Roses East Africa Showcases the Allure of Kenya’s Floral Diversity
Kenya is celebrated for its rich biodiversity, particularly in the floral sector. During her visit, Sarah was charmed by the stunning varieties of flowers that thrive in the country's unique climate. The icing on the cake for her was a visit to Interplant Roses East Africa’s facility in Naivasha, where she was introduced to an impressive array of rose varieties, especially spray roses; some of which, she admitted, she could not find in the U.S. or even among South American growers; the latter being key suppliers to the U.S. market.
Based in the Flower Business Park in Naivasha, Interplant Roses (E.A.) has, over the years, developed into one of the most beautiful flower facilities in the region. The facility is part of Interplant Roses, a family-owned business with a rich history that dates back to 1962. During her time at the breeder’s facility, Sarah had the opportunity to meet Gavin Mouritzen, the General Manager, and George Hopf, who supervises the breeder’s flower farm.
With his rich knowledge of roses, Gavin guided Sarah through the sprawling greenhouses, showcasing the extensive assortment of roses available. She was particularly thrilled by the wide selection of spray roses, many of which she could hardly access back in her country, emphasizing the unique position of Kenya as a global powerhouse in flower production. Alongside George, the duo’s passion for floriculture was evident. And Sarah found the pair’s insights invaluable.
From the standard roses to regular sprays, premium sprays, Trendsetter roses, Clustar roses, Flow roses, and #Ashtag flowers, the varieties were practically innumerable. And as she strolled the expansive greenhouses, Sarah couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale of production, the operations, the enthusiasm of the staff, and the beauty of the roses themselves. They simply left her deeply moved.
Still full of life and energy, and ever-beaming with a lively personality, she spent hours exploring the glasshouses and the facility in general, learning about the different varieties, and absorbing the energy of this bustling flower-production hub, with the exchanges with Gavin, George, and other members of the entourage filled with laughter and a common love for flowers. She, especially, couldn’t hold back her awe for the large variety of roses, their spectacular spectacle of color, their shapes, and the fragrance of the roses.
The World of Spray Roses
Another key moment of Sarah's visit was learning about Interplant Roses' innovative campaign dubbed World of Spray Roses. This is a global initiative that connects prominent spray rose growers worldwide. It seeks to showcase the beauty and diversity of spray roses, which have lately gained popularity among florists and designers. World of Spray Roses is an important feature of Interplant Roses' efforts to highlight this often-overlooked flower variety. Spray roses are smaller than traditional standard roses but offer multiple blooms on each stem, thus they are ideal for creating lush arrangements. These roses come in different colors, forms, shapes, and textures, allowing designers like Sarah to experiment with different styles.
The campaign educates florists and flower users about the endless possibilities, and unique qualities of spray roses, promoting their use in floral arrangements, largely due to their ample blooms and diverse colors. Their unique quality of possessing multi-bloomed stems offers a different aesthetic compared to traditional single-stem roses. Interplant Roses has been a pioneer in this field, continuously introducing new varieties that dazzle the floral market, with more than 1 billion spray roses sold annually. Sarah was thrilled to learn that World of Spray Roses not only promotes the beauty of these flowers but also emphasizes ecological sustainability. Her visit, also, provided a firsthand perspective of this initiative’s impact in driving spray rose adoption.
Thus, in due course, Sarah's enthusiasm for spray roses grew as she imagined their potential in floral design. Unlike standard roses typically found in U.S. markets, these unique varieties offered a fresher inspiration for her work. She was particularly inspired by the varieties available; from the elegant regular sprays to the whimsical Trendsetters and the fanciful Clustar roses. For her, since each variety offered a unique prospect for artistic floral expression, she continually envisioned how these roses could enhance her floral works back in the U.S.
Sightseeing Kenya’s Flora and Fauna at Maasai Mara
Well before Sarah visited the Interplant Roses (E.A) facility, her Kenyan floral safari began with an excursion in the famous Maasai Mara, where she was enthralled by the reserve’s natural beauty. The rich colors of the landscape, the thorny acacia trees, and the feel of being surrounded by flora and fauna, all left, perhaps, an indelible impression on her. This, she loosely described, as truly a sensory overload, but in the most delightful way.
Alongside her husband and a few other friends, she got herself absorbed in the raw untamed beauty of the wilderness; the iconic savannah swarming with wildlife provided a striking contrast to the cultivated and tamed beauty of the flowers in the greenhouses. Plus, the sights and sounds – lionesses walking their cubs, a lazy cheetah spending hours motionless in the grassy fields, and possibly, the graceful giraffe silhouetted against the sun as it set, and the peculiar calls of exotic birds, all gave her something to revel in and, perhaps, draw some inspiration from the natural beauty.
But more than that, it was the people’s warmth and hospitality that also left a lasting impression. She noted how welcoming everyone was during her visit. Everyone made the couple feel right at home despite being thousands of miles away. This left a pleasant impression on her. The Kenyan floral safari was, for Sarah, more than just a trip; it was an opportunity to learn more, and also, for personal and professional development, as the whole experience enhanced her understanding of the global floriculture industry.
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