CULLMAN, Ala. – The Red Barn Farm Flower Cottage has opened its doors to the community through the summer.
Flower artisan and owner Allie Johnson said that a few years ago, the family was trying to come up with a side business she could run from home. Her love of growing flowers grew into that business. “Some of the kids are more interested in flower farming than others,” Johnson said. “They all pitch in a willing hand or muscles when needed! Our hope is that running a side family business will teach our kids teamwork, grit, to plan and to manage money wisely and to enjoy the fruits (or flowers) of our labor.” When asked what her favorite flower is, she said she can’t pick a favorite because she truly loves them all. “They each have qualities I love and are each uniquely beautiful,” Johnson said. “It’s kinda like asking me to choose which of my kids is my favorite. Growing flowers has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Both of my grandmothers taught me to love flowers and shared their beautiful flowers and gardens with me. I also loved my job experience through my high school years working at a plant nursery.” Johnson said her husband is a builder and she shared with him her dream to have a building to sell flowers in. “Our original flower stand had blown over multiple times in storms and wasn’t a great shelter from the sun and heat to keep flowers on hot summer days,” she said. “So my husband, Micah, drew up plans and set to work milling wood and building a flower cottage. It highly surpassed my expectations. It’s been a blessing to have this building for our growing flower farm.” She added, “I wanted a space to make bouquets, keep them cool and have a welcoming place for our customers to come for flowers.” The Red Barn Flower Cottage has a wide variety of flowers, plus more. “Each bouquet is $20 and we take cash, check or Venmo. Some weeks we have cookies made by my daughter, Josie, and they are $3 a bag. We also sell wrapped, mixed flower bouquets. in the summer we grow sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, dahlias, lisianthus, celosia and more,” said Johnson. “We kicked our season off in April with tulips and peonies and we grow many different varieties through September.” The Red Barn Flower Cottage is located at 1932 County Road 1464 Cullman, off of Alabama Highway 157 near Cullman Regional. It’s open Tuesdays and Fridays, from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. throughout the summer. Visit Facebook/Red Barn Farm for more information. “I want to add encouragement to embrace the season you’re in,” Johnson said. “Different seasons bring unique joys, challenges and lessons. Bloom where God has you right now.”
