Inside Sharon’s Pesticide-Free Dahlia Garden on the Bellarine Peninsula
Sharon grows rare dahlias in a small seaside garden on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, 300 metres from the ocean.
Sharon / Seabreeze Dahlias, Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria, Australia · Words by Flower Club International · 5 October 2026
Sharon is the grower behind Seabreeze Dahlias on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. She grows rare dahlias organically and pesticide free from a small seaside garden 300 metres from the ocean.
What do you grow, and where are you based?
My passion is to grow rare & highly sort after Dahlia’s organically- pesticide free. I’m located in Australia- Victoria on the Bellarine Peninsula in a small seaside village.
How did you first begin growing flowers?
I’ve grown flowers as far back as my memory allows to when I was a young girl in a little garden built by my late Father. Days were spent growing bright orange Marigolds the size of tennis balls, and big red tomatoes. The heavy aroma of tomato leaves takes me back to that happy place still. 2020 was when my Dahlia addiction began :)))
What is distinctive about growing flowers where you are?
My tiny patch is located on a suburban parcel of land 300 metres from the ocean on rich free draining soil. Hence my business name Seabreeze Dahlia’s.
Which flowers or varieties are you most excited about at the moment?
Each season excites me for the addition of new cultivars that I obtain from swapping with fellow growers. This way we get to curate our collection with rare ones we call Unicorns as they’re hard to catch! Along with a new journey for growing Peonies and heritage Roses this year.
What does a typical day look like for you in the growing season?
A typical day begins at sunrise, my favourite time of day in Summer where I begin with harvesting stems for my Florists and customers. Wedding orders for bridal bouquets is my specialty. Then duties such as watering, fertilising, deadheading buds, weeding and pest management - there’s always something to do in a garden.
What is one thing florists or flower lovers often don’t realise about growing flowers?
Unbeknown to the majority of people about growing Dahlia’s, is their susceptibility to virus and pest issues such as spider & broad mites. If left unchecked/untreated they can cause devastating damage in a short period of time to the plant’s ability to thrive and produce quality blooms. Distortion of buds, weak stems and minimal production occurs rapidly which impacts existing & potential orders.
What has been the hardest lesson you’ve learned as a grower?
Learning how to practice an organic- pesticide free approach has been the greatest challenge! Identifying indicators of environmental issues, has been key to maintaining a healthy regenerative eco system where we live symbiotically with nature. Watching bees, ladybugs, lizards, birds and frogs make home amongst my flowers is the greatest reward.
What do you hope people feel or understand when they work with locally grown flowers?
It gives me such joy seeing how much these magnificent blooms bring smiles & admiration particularly on special occasions such as weddings as these memories last forever. They may even come with the odd ladybug or two :))
“Watching bees, ladybugs, lizards, birds and frogs make home amongst my flowers is the greatest reward.”
Photographs: Sharon / Seabreeze Dahlias.