Traci Stephens was not necessarily born into the florist business. No, her parents purchased Flowers by Jackie in downtown Lakeport 35 years ago and moved the family from Petaluma. Of course, they were already familiar with the county, thanks to vacations at the lake. Stephens began helping out in the shop before finishing high school and started up full time as a florist shortly after graduation. Now in addition to all the daily work as a florist, she teaches a flower arrangement class two nights a week at the shop.
1. So how busy are you on Valentine’s Day?
Oh — ridiculously. It’s the busiest single day. Mothers Day lasts for a week. Valentine’s Day is the day. We have four trucks out. But it’s fun.
2. Is it all roses?
No, not really anymore. It’s roses and lilies. People love the lilies.
3. What’s your favorite?
I love them all in different seasons. But probably the Stargazer lily.
4. Do people give you flowers?
Yes — you know, that’s a good question — but yes, they do. I love them. And it’s different when you receive flowers. One is all you need.
5. Ever get tired of the smell of flowers in here?
No, it’s always something new and different. It changes with the seasons. And once a flower child, always a flower child.
6. How long does it take to learn arranging?
I’m still learning. Designs change, trends change, styles change, even the product we put the flowers in changes. If you walk in tomorrow you might have someone who wants them in a bowling ball. Or maybe the person is a musician. You figure out how to do it. You’re constantly creating.
7. Just what is that green stuff you add?
Oh, there’s tons of awesome greens. The most traditional is leather fern. We use myrtle, lily grass, hibiscus — I’m probably going to lose you; I could go on forever. We use three to five different greens in arrangements for texture and color. It’s fun.
8. How many flowers can you choose from?
There’s what’s in in what season to is it locally grown or is it imported. A bride walks in in July when it’s 3000 degrees outside and wants Hydrangeas, she can still get them.
9. So do the old rules about flowers still apply?
Red is love, yellow is friendship — those are traditions. But no. Everybody has their own tastes.
10. You’ve been doing this most of your life. But say you had to do something else …
I don’t know. I always come back to flowers. Probably forensic science, but I’d do arrangements on the weekends.
