How this small backyard blossomed into a profitable farm

Starting with just 10 plant pots and a love of horticulture, this Victorian woman now runs a blossoming and productive flower farm.

Maiden Gully’s June Weir once had just 10 pots of chrysanthemums in an urban courtyard, a simple backyard garden of flowers.

Now, June and her husband Lachlan tend to almost a hectare of productive flower farm, Pure Maiden Farm in Central Victoria, where ranunculus and chrysanthemums bloom in a colourful springtime bounty.

“I learned to propagate from 10 pots, then 100 the year after. When it was close to Mother’s Day I made a bunch, then posted to Instagram,” June said.

By 2020, while pregnant with her first child, June’s backyard garden had grown to more than 600 pots, with ongoing demand from the public for her fresh blooms. 


“People couldn’t see their family, the demand for local cut-flowers was high … we started the business in a difficult time,” June said.

June Weir on her flower farm in Maiden Gully. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“I approached my in-laws and asked whether I could use a couple of acres to grow cut flowers.”

June and Lachlan now grow a variety of cut flowers on land on Lachlan’s parents property, where they’ve been running Pure Maiden Farm for three and-a-half years, offering weekend pick-you-own flower sessions, workshops, and resources for at-home growers keen on turning their hand to the art of flower farming.

And June, who grew up in a city north of Thailand, is enthusiastic about sharing her skills and knowledge with anyone who wants to learn. 


“I knew nothing of gardening, everything I know is just from reading and research.,” June said.

“I encourage people who want to start with cut flowers, you can start in pots in the backyard. Even with small land, you don’t need big land to grow.”