Portland is once again witnessing a colorful clash of creativity at the annual Battle of the Blooms. Hosted by floral wholesaler Mayesh, this year’s competition will showcase the artistry of local florists as they compete to create stunning arrangements using five different flowers, with a twist: each team must incorporate a vintage, non-standard item into their design.
The event runs from March 12–14 at the Portland Flower Market, where teams from Darling Dahlia Floral, Glasshaus Gardens, Portmanteau Flower Company, Wild Flowers of Oregon, and Wild Flowers & Whimsy will each have just 30 minutes to craft their masterpiece.
As florists gather around to select their blooms, the clock will tick down, and the challenge intensifies. While the flowers themselves will be provided by Mayesh, the vintage item component promises to push the teams’ creative boundaries, ensuring a truly unique floral display.
The winning team will take home $1,000 worth of Mayesh flowers for each of its members, a coveted prize that encourages innovation in the art of floral design.
Ashley Preece, the owner of Glasshaus Gardens, is making her competition debut with an otherworldly “secret garden” concept, built around a distressed vintage chair adorned with preserved insects and a wolf skull. “They want you to think outside the box,” she says, alluding to the challenge’s unpredictable nature and its potential to push floral design to new heights.
More than just a competition, the event serves as a way to foster community within Portland’s floral industry, allowing florists to connect and showcase their talents.
With a hard winter behind them, local florists are using this event to boost morale and promote creativity, all while engaging with the public. The event also serves as a customer appreciation day, offering special sales and giveaways.
