meet the farmer florist
samantha nelson | OWNER
Welcome!
I'm Sam - the hands and heart behind Thistle & Weeds. Every arrangement begins here, on our flower farm in the Dandenong Ranges, where I grow each stem from seed and gather blooms in rhythm with the seasons. What began as a quiet longing for slower, more intentional beauty has grown into a floral studio rooted in storytelling, artistry and a reverence for the natural world.
It all started in the midst of the pandemic, with a handful of café au lait dahlias and a patch of borrowed earth. Growing those first blooms grounded me in a time of great uncertainty and reminded me how something small and beautiful can bring us back to ourselves. That moment planted the seed for what would become Thistle & Weeds.
Flowers have always called to me. Their wildness, their poetry, their ability to hold emotion without saying a word. At Thistle & Weeds, I create with what’s growing now, shaping each piece to feel deeply personal and beautifully fleeting.
This is more than just flowers. It’s a way of marking time, celebrating presence, and gifting with meaning.
Thank you for being here.
our why
At Thistle & Weeds, every bouquet begins with a seed - planted by hand, tended slowly and grown with intention in the Dandenong Ranges. This isn’t floristry built on trends or convenience. It’s a practice rooted in place, in seasonality and in meaning.
Click play for a closer look at the heart behind it all: who I am, what I grow and why it matters.
If you’ve ever longed for something more thoughtful… more beautiful… more real? You're in the right place.
about the farm
At Thistle & Weeds, everything we create begins and ends right here on our farm, nestled in the bushland of the Dandenong Ranges.
From sourcing seeds, bulbs, and tubers from other local growers, to planting, growing, harvesting, and arranging – every step happens on our land, ensuring each bloom is truly farm-to-vase.
We embrace seasonality, working in harmony with our local climate and conditions, growing as naturally and sustainably as possible.
By increasing biodiversity and encouraging wildlife, we nurture not just flowers but a thriving ecosystem. Our bees play a vital role in pollination, feeding on our flowers and gifting us delicious honey in return.
Rooted in community, we are passionate about supporting local businesses, reducing our carbon footprint, and sharing the joy of fresh, beautiful blooms with our neighbours.
Everything we do is borne from the cycles of nature and the very soil beneath our feet. A labour of love, from seed to harvest to you.
COME BEHIND THE SCENES...
There’s more to the flowers than what you see here. Join us over on Instagram for a peek behind the scenes, garden glimpses and daily moments that inspire each arrangement.
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you.
We usually respond within one business day. Be sure to check out our FAQs if you have any questions.
shop by occasion
For every chapter worth marking, from sweet beginnings to joyful milestones, explore our wild, artistic blooms that make the moment linger.
what makes us different?
SLOW-GROWN, FARM TO VASE
Every flower we use is grown on our boutique farm in the Dandenong Ranges. We harvest by hand, in rhythm with the seasons, and design the same day - no cold freight, no middlemen. Just nature, at her most generous.
A Little Wild, a Little Like You
We honour the unruliness of nature and the people who love it. Our arrangements are sculptural, seasonal, and a little uncontained. Each one is an artistic celebration of what’s blooming now.
Luxury, Rooted in Intention
Luxury, to us, is about presence; in the growing, the gathering, and the giving. Every order is wrapped with care in compostable materials, tied with our signature ribbon, and accompanied by a handwritten card.
Flowers You Can’t Get Anywhere Else
We grow varieties that don’t survive shipping or shelf life - fragile, fleeting, beautiful things. Harvested to order. Designed just for you. That’s why you won’t find our flowers in any shop window.