I recently had the pleasure of visiting Tambuzi Roses, another one of Kenya’s beloved World of Spray Roses growers. My first encounter with them was when I literally ‘Smelled the Roses’, experiencing their beautifully scented varieties. When I got into the flower industry in 2019, it was my first time encountering that type of garden-cut roses. As the trailblazers of fragrant garden roses in Kenya, this farm boasts a remarkable legacy. What began in 1998 as a small farm and goat ranch, founded by Tim and Margie, has blossomed into one of the country’s most appreciated flower farms.
The Story of Tambuzi Roses
The name Tambuzi holds a story, rooted in the Swahili word for goat (mbuzi in Swahili); it reflects the farm’s origins and the founders’ vision for growth and excellence.
Tambuzi Roses made history by introducing Kenya’s first-ever garden-scented rose farm, setting a new standard in the floriculture industry. Their flowers have even graced royal weddings! Their unique portfolio of products and quality saw them later expand into spray roses in 2021, kickstarting their spray rose journey with varieties from Interplant Roses. They introduced a new element to their portfolio. From an initial 1 hectare of spray roses, the farm doubled its cultivation to two hectares by 2022. Today, across their three sites, Tambuzi grows 31 Interplant spray rose varieties.
- The Bombastic Line – They have a great array of colors to choose from, opening in numerous elegant layers of petals, perfect for high-end floristry.
- The Trendsetters Collection – Just as the name suggests, trendsetters’ lines are setting new standards in the industry with their beautiful, stylish, and unique roses that open in beautiful and multiple layers of petals, displaying their full-bodied beauty.
- The Gelato – Soft, light pastel from the outside that darkens into pink on the inside. This is my new favorite as well. It looks like a bowl of gelato or strawberry ice cream!
Profit With Purpose, Tambuzi's Approach
Tambuzi isn't just about the celebrated beautiful flowers, it’s also about its people and responsibility. The farm is B Corp certified, with a promise to balance profit with purpose. As carbon-neutral award winners, they continue to set environmental benchmarks.
I could not help but notice that despite engaging in greenhouse farming, Tambuzi coexists harmoniously with nature, maintaining a diverse ecosystem with cows, goats, and trees alongside their roses. Their belief in 'People, Planet, and Profit' ensures a holistic sustainability model that supports both the environment and their workers. One of Tambuzi’s strongest pillars is its people.
The farm has built a vibrant, tight-knit community where workers receive various benefits and privileges. Their commitment extends beyond employment—Tambuzi actively gives back to the local community, serving as a bridge between government and society through infrastructure development, education support, and advocacy.
Some of their notable Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives include;
- Educational Support – Supplying computers for the Kenyan CBC curriculum and funding holiday tuition camps for community children.
- Environmental Conservation – Engaging in initiatives such as the "10 to 4" environmental project to promote sustainability.
From their Kenyan fields, Tambuzi roses travel across the world, reaching markets in the UK, the Netherlands, the Middle East, Russia, Africa, and China. Their flowers carry not just the fragrance of a Kenyan garden but also the values of sustainability, ethical farming, and community empowerment.
From Kenya With Love
Tambuzi’s unique roses are loved worldwide and across different markets. From farm to vase, they are not just growing flowers, but a legacy; from pioneering the growing of garden roses to expanding into spray roses depicts their passion, innovation, and finesse. As they continue to introduce more of the World of Spray Roses varieties from Interplant Roses, I can’t wait to see how they shape the future of floriculture. Interplant spray roses are celebrated for their unique shapes, elegant colors, and pest-resistant qualities; proof that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.
The World of Spray Roses continues to dream of more distinctive farms like Tambuzi Roses, where uniqueness isn’t just a goal but a promise. This farm remains true to that promise, ensuring that every stem carries beauty and a story of passion, responsibility, and a commitment to making a difference.
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All pictures courtesy of @Patrick Ngugi.
