Hello!
My name is Christina, and my business, The Flower Lady OTR, was built on my desire to give back—to embody the phrase: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
The dream of starting my own urban flower farmer–florist business began in 2013 while I was working for Cincinnati’s Paul Mitchell cosmetology school and volunteering for their “Green Team.” John Paul DeJoria—the CEO of Paul Mitchell and a generous philanthropist supporting numerous gardening initiatives—was instrumental in my journey, and I’m deeply grateful to Linda August and Winn Claybaugh, whose guidance and support helped bring us together. With determination, a clear vision, and the encouragement of my leadership team, I secured a meeting with Mr. DeJoria to present my idea of adopting the oldest community garden in the heart of Cincinnati—The Over-the-Rhine People’s Garden. My goals were straightforward: to revitalize this inner-city garden with fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and to educate as many cosmetology students and community members as possible on sustainable gardening practices that protect pollinators.
The meeting was a success! Thanks to a Grow Appalachia garden grant from Mr. DeJoria, I spent the next few years—after work and on weekends—growing in the garden and teaching area residents how to grow their own food and flowers. Simultaneously, I began studying horticulture with Berea College’s Grow Appalachia Program, completed the Civic Garden Center’s Civic Gardener Development Training, taking online classes with Floret Flowers, connecting with local growers, and reading as many books as I could get my hands on. Being in nature, preserving it, and surrounded by excited and engaged adults and youth eager to learn brought me immense joy. By then, becoming a flower-farmer florist had become a passion, and I could envision the real possibility of it. I knew I had to find a way to do it full-time.
To pursue my dream, my husband and I decided to lower our expenses. We sold our three-bedroom home and a car, and moved to a 600-square-foot loft condo in Over-the-Rhine. Becoming a minimalist and learning how to grow a business was crucial. Everything started falling into place when my friend, the owner of Sunrock Farm, allowed me to use a portion of her land to grow flowers for my business. With these pieces coming together, I decided to go for it. In 2019, I resigned from my position and in 2020 began the full-time pursuit of my career as a flower farmer-florist.
Then I expanded! In June 2021, through the Urban Agricultural Program of Greater Cincinnati, I obtained an additional 1/3-acre plot of land in the historic East End to grow more flowers. Cultivating the land (primarily alone) and using simple hand tools has been a challenge, but I am happy to share that it is now full of blooming flowers!
What motivates me? Teaching gardening—and everything I’ve learned while building my flower-farming business—to empower others with an essential, sustainable skill and inspire future green-career pathways. Beginning in Jan. 2026, I will be teaching a horticulture course for Cincinnati State Community College, expanding my mission to reach adult learners and emerging professionals.
I continue to bring flower-farming and floristry to the youth as well. I lead a free community garden club with students from the Wesley Chapel Mission Center after-school program, and I teach flower farming and floristry once a week at Leaves of Learning, an innovative educational institute in Cincinnati. Together, we’ve grown a thriving cut-flower garden on school grounds, crafted spring earrings from daffodils, and harvested, designed, and gifted countless floral arrangements. Watching students learn, create, and connect through flowers has been incredible—they gain confidence, develop patience, nurture teamwork, and discover the joy of seeing their efforts bloom into something beautiful.
I specialize in growing flowers and creating beautiful, fragrant solutions for a wide range of floral needs. My primary focus is on serving brides and grooms, my neighbors, restaurants, and florists in and around the Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I live, work, volunteer, and grow. I believe in the deep interconnectedness of all living things, which is why not all of my flowers are cut. I dedicate portions of my flower gardens to our precious pollinators and practice organic methods, including saving rainwater and making my own compost.
In the fall and winter, I transition to wreath making and hosting wreath making workshops, creating stunning dried floral wreaths that celebrate the end of the growing season. These wreaths are a wonderful way to bring natural beauty into your home and mark the changing seasons with elegance and charm.
I love meeting people and sharing the growth of my business with the community. Whether you are looking for wedding flowers, a unique bouquet, or a seasonal wreath, I am here to provide you with the highest quality, organically grown blooms and bespoke floral designs. So, be sure to stay connected with me through my Instagram @theflowerladyotr & Facebook Page @theflowerladyotr & blog where you will find updates for opportunities to learn, be inspired to give, and appreciate nature.
Peace, Love, Happiness & Flowers,
