Story

A simple thought can be powerful and motivating inspiration, and that’s all it was-a simple idea - I want to grow flowers. That simple idea germinated into our small flower farm, created in 2024 in SE Portland.

When we bought our home in Portland, we discovered it had been listed as Lady Grace of Abernathy—a name full of charm and character just like the beautiful house. It was Chris who had the idea to carry that name forward, and thus Lady Grace Flower Farm was born. Just like our home, the farm is a place of creativity, community, and growth, shaped by the hands and hearts that care for it.

Janel is the head gardener and flower grower at Lady Grace. After 35+ years wrangling kids as a developmental specialist (and sneaking in gardening whenever she could), she decided it was high time for a change. These days, you’ll mostly find her knee-deep in dirt, bossing around flowers, and living her best farm life—though she still pops in to work with kids now and then, just to keep things interesting. For more about her work with kiddos visit www.theorytopracticeportland.com

Chris is the visionary behind our greenhouse, designing and building it from the ground up. Together (but mostly Chris), we trimmed trees, tilled the soil, pulled weeds, and moved endless piles of dirt—getting our hands (and everything else) dirty in the process.

Beyond the farm, Chris is an artist, and his creativity shines through not only in his artwork but also in the craftsmanship of the greenhouse and structures around the farm. His work is often on exhibit in his Portland studio, just a stone’s throw from the farm. To explore more of his creations, visit his blog, christopherelliman.blogspot.com

The land is owned by the Tillstroms, who have generously given us the opportunity to bring a dream to life on their once-abandoned lot. With their support, we’ve set out to transform this space into a flourishing flower farm—a place where beauty grows, community gathers, and visitors can wander, unwind, and handpick their perfect bouquet. What was once just an idea is now blooming into reality, thanks to their kindness and trust in our vision.

Liz is our help-with-anything person. When she’s not keeping up with her wild child or buried in a knitting project, she’s getting her hands dirty in the garden or making sure the Lady Grace website runs smoothly. With a knack for crafting, a love of flowers, and just enough tech skills to be dangerous, she’s always up to something creative. A little chaos, a lot of passion, and plenty of coffee fuel her days! If you’d like to explore some of her handmade creations, visit her Instagram, LasManosDeEdija