Karly Paranich grows the curvy stems that won’t fit in a box
At PETALHEAD farm in Ladner, British Columbia, Karly Paranich grows atypical stems on 0.05 acres for local florists.
Karly Paranich, Ladner, British Columbia, Canada · Words by Flower Club International · 28 September 2026
Instagram: @petalheadKarly Paranich grows atypical flower stems on 0.05 acres in Ladner, British Columbia, Canada, where PETALHEAD farm sits inside the orchard of an equestrian stable. During the growing season, she harvests before the heat, takes flowers back to the cooler in her Vancouver studio and delivers to florists.
What do you grow, and where are you based?
I grow atypical stems on my 0.05 acres, in Ladner, BC, Canada. Bearded Iris, Peonies, Sweet Pea’s, Allium, Garden Roses, Heirloom Mums, and other bits of intrigue.
How did you first begin growing flowers?
I found myself in quarantine during Covid, staring at this neglected patch of dirt below my apartment balcony… found the one open greenhouse an hour outside of town and never looked back. 11/10 mental health project, plant a garden.
What is distinctive about growing flowers where you are?
PETALHEAD farm is located inside the orchard, of an Equestrian Stable. Extra kismet - as I used to ride horses competitively as a kid. Nice to be back in the saddle.
Which flowers or varieties are you most excited about at the moment?
My Heirloom Mums are about to start opening!!! My first time growing them - so excited to learn more, collect more. To dis-bud or not dis-bud is my current experiment.
What does a typical day look like for you in the growing season?
Freeform - but generally - wake up before the sun, harvest as much as I can before it’s too hot - take my full car load back to the cooler in my studio in Vancouver. Deliveries during the day to florists.
What is one thing florists or flower lovers often don’t realise about growing flowers?
How much time investment can go into a single stem. Peonies take 3-4 years to give you the flowers of your dreams. Snap dragons start in January/February - slow buggers.
That said, growing from seed is a miracle everyone should witness.
What has been the hardest lesson you’ve learned as a grower?
Perfect isn’t possible - 80% is good enough. And don’t bother weeding.
What do you hope people feel or understand when they work with locally grown flowers?
Local flowers are more expressive and emotional. The curvy stems I yearn for won’t fit in a box to be shipped anywhere - and they also can’t be found anywhere else but on the farm.
I hope people enjoy the weird magic - grown by their neighbours, hardworking hands.
“The curvy stems I yearn for won’t fit in a box to be shipped anywhere - and they also can’t be found anywhere else but on the farm.”