Member Stories – Kimberly Ortega León

From the health benefits of flowers to a creative connection with nature, Kimberly’s outlook on florals is a captivating read.

In this interview Kimberly shares with us her flower favourites, Ikebana goals, and her experiences as a Flower Club member. Keep reading for fab recommendations for all things botanical – bookshelf staples, Florida days out, and even an insight into research studies on the positive impact of flowers!

Kim is a designer and art director focused on translating strategies into significant visual experiences achieved through design and art with a concept-driven approach. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico, surrounded by tropical flora. Her love for botanical artworks and flowers is expressed in various ways, primarily nurtured by her curiosity and centered around her design and fine arts formation. She enjoys taking photos, visiting art exhibits, spending time in nature, being with loved ones, cooking and dining out, learning new things, and finding ways to stay creative.

What’s your favourite flower right now?

My favorite flower right now is a beautiful Phalaenopsis orchid I got last April at a local flower festival. It’s white with soft strokes of lilac that sometimes look pink. I also got a new Maxillaria tenuifolia, a “coconut orchid,” which smells wonderfully tropical. I love orchids, tulips, roses, hibiscus, and cosmos flowers. In my heart, my forever favorite would be what, in Puerto Rico, we call azucenas (or Polianthes Tuberosa).

What’s growing in your garden?

My garden currently consists of everblooming visuals I design or curate and photos I capture. I used to have a container garden in my previous apartment, where I grew herbs and wildflowers. Successfully growing tuberose bulbs (azucenas) I brought from a trip back home to Puerto Rico was a meaningful experience.

Flower goals this year?

I’ve wanted to immerse myself in the world of Ikebana, and this was the year. I found the Flower Club, became a member, and enrolled in the Beginner’s Ikebana Course. The experience has been inspiring. I love books, magazines, and zines. I have a collection of cookbooks and art books, including some related to flowers, botanical illustration, and floral design. Another flower goal of mine this year would be to expand my library with books on Ikebana. Any recommendations? 😃

‌Some flower-related books on my shelves:

Ikebana: The Art of Arranging Flowers by Shozo Sato
Modern Ikebana: A New Wave in Floral Design by Tom Loxley and Victoria Gaiger
Still Life by Doan Ly
Rebecca Louise Law: Life in Death
Tropica: Color Cyclopedia of Exotic Plants and Trees by Alfred Byrd Graf

‌Some books in my wishlist:

Adam Silverman: Common Ground: With Sogetsu Ikebana Los Angeles
Flower Color Guide by Taylor Putnam and Michael Putnam
The Hidden Histories of Flowers: Fascinating Stories of Flora

Do you have any favourite flower tips?

I may not have any tips on technical gardening or arranging just yet. However, I recommend intentionally surrounding yourself with flowers, whether they are natural, digital, printed, embroidered, or made of Lego. Here are some interesting research studies by the Society of American Flowers on the impact and health benefits of flowers:

Health Benefits Research

And overall, remember to stay curious and be kind. 🤍

Where do you source your floral materials, vases & tools?

I’ve just started my flower arranging journey and got my beginners kit from the Flower Club. I’ve found beautiful vases and frogs mostly at thrift and vintage shops, others at Target, HomeGoods, and such. Some floral materials I get at Trader Joe’s or local Tampa Bay vendors like Pistil House and Posies Flower Truck; others I forage if I can. A “new eye” has opened, and I look forward to supporting more of my city’s flower shops and many ceramic and glass studios.

For flower lovers – where would you recommend they visit in St Petersburg, Florida in a 24-hour visit?

For flower lovers visiting sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, for a day, Sunken Gardens is a must. St. Pete’s oldest living museum has over 100 years of history and thousands of exotic tropical plants and is home to many beautiful birds. It is also one of Florida’s oldest and last remaining roadside attractions.

They could also visit one of our many museums. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of my favorites, and it has presented floral interpretations created by local florists and Ikebana artists of works in its collection. In the colorful MFA lobby, you’ll find Café Clementine. Try their delicious pastries, often garnished with flowers; everything is tasty, but I love their Mojo Pork Croissant Tarts and anything with guava. Also, The Dalí Museum, another favorite, currently has ‘Reimagining Nature: Dalí’s Floral Fantasies’ on view, presenting a selection of Salvador Dalí’s botanical print suites.

Afterward, you could take a walk at The Pier, then head out to have dinner at one of the plenty of great restaurants in St. Pete. I’ll narrow down the options for flower lovers and Japanese or Pan-Asian cuisine enthusiasts. If looking for an upscale night out, try Sushi Sho Rexley‘s Omakase experience or Fortu – their Black Cod Miso, Japanese Sweet Potato, Wagyu Gyozas, Ube Cheesecake… For those wanting a fun karaoke time with delicious food, visit Good Fortune. For those who enjoy a more casual and laid-back ambiance, I’d recommend Buya and their rich ramen, building a pretty bouquet and sharing some drinks at Pistil House, or ending the night with some amazing bites and live jazz at cozy In Between Days, Florida’s only Tokyo-style listening bar and craft sake house.

P.S. Let’s meet if you ever visit!

Favourite flower memory?

My favorite flower memories involve shared moments with loved ones, experiencing art and nature, or creating with and capturing flowers—pressing flowers as a kid for bookmarks, wearing flowers in my hair at school, beholding the women in my family finding joy and pride in their plants, making floral collages, walking around Old San Juan and Santurce with friends accompanied by the lovely scent of azucenas, my flourishing tuberose bulbs, getting engaged at El Yunque tropical rainforest, my future sister-in-law gifting me her wedding bouquet, friends baking me birthday sugar cookies garnished with flowers, creating a publication to celebrate flora and art and the interactions it sparked, experiencing Rebecca Louise Law’s art installation ‘Life in Death’ at Kew Gardens, smelling the conceptual flowers of Luis Camnitzer, my encounters with awe-inspiring flora art pieces and murals, strolling around beautiful gardens and trails…

There are so many favorite flower memories that I treasure and bring me joy. I couldn’t just pick one, and it makes me feel grateful.

What’s on your flower bucket list?

I’m looking forward to visiting more botanical gardens and art spaces. I’m excited to create and curate more art inspired by flowers, do more flower arranging to nurture my creativity, connect with nature, and meet fellow flower lovers. I see many opportunities for creation and connection ahead.