This Valentine’s Day, about 54% of Americans will bestow loved ones with cards, gifts and flowers in observance of the holiday. All told, we’ll spend over $18.2 billion that day.
Second only to Mother’s Day in total sales, Valentine’s Day is a big day for flowers. In east Grand County, Margaret’s Garden is the source for every occasion’s floral needs, and Margaret’s Valentine’s arrangements are second to none.
Owner Margaret Bergman moved to Grand County 40 years ago, after graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in Cultural Geography. For the first twenty years, she worked seasonally and embraced the outdoor lifestyle skiing, hiking and exploring the countryside in her free time.
“I grew up on a dude ranch in Colorado. When I was young, I was in charge of flowers for the tables, so I made my first arrangements from local flowers and native grasses,” she recalls. Margaret’s husband, Mark, grew up with a nursery/greenhouse in the family and she found the tales of their nursery intriguing. After spending some time working in planting and garden design, Margaret discovered it to be her true calling.
In 2000, she took the leap and started her own business, opening Margaret’s Garden in Tabernash. Offering a brilliant stock of flowers and household plants, the store also carried gardening products, landscaping materials and supplies. In summer, the Greenhouse housed handpicked perennials, annuals, shrubs and trees for sale. In winter, the greenhouse was the best supplier of fresh cut Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands and all the bling the holidays bring.
The storefront broadened Margaret’s exposure to the community and visitors, and her floral design business gained momentum. When the store closed in October 2016, Margaret was able to make space at home to continue her floral business from there. A walk-in cooler keeps the flowers, grasses and ornamental branches fresh and a home workshop, complete with rolling workspace, allows Margaret plenty of room to create everything from a bouquet to a complete wedding ensemble.
The internet has now replaced the storefront, and sales from out-of-towners continues to grow steadily. The Grand County Weddings & Events Association provides networking and marketing opportunities, and Margaret is already booking weddings for the spring and summer. For the last five years, she’s been recognized for WeddingWire’s Couples’ Choice Awards.
Even as the longest standing florist in Grand County, reaching locals has been more challenging. “Since the store closed, some don’t realize I am still doing flowers,” she said. “I want everyone to know that I am still providing many of the same services I offered when the store was open.”
Margaret’s arrangements are unique, one-of-a kind designs. “Most of my orders come in by phone or online. They describe what they would like and I go to work.” From small vases to baskets, weddings and events, Margaret maintains an inventory suited to cover just about any request on short notice and delivered on time.
High altitude gardening has its limitations with cold temperatures and a short growing season. “I source as much of my product as I can locally and from the front range, but when I have to go farther, I use environmentally responsible, sustainable vendors,” she said. “I wish I could grow all the flowers that I needed, but it’s just not possible.”
Watching Margaret put together an arrangement is mesmerizing. Using her client’s preferences, she transforms a bunch of carefully selected flowers and ornamental botanicals into a floral work of art. “No two people want the same thing, and that is what makes this so enjoyable. I love working with all types of flowers and plants – daisies, peonies, roses, succulents. They mean different things to different people and there are no rules when it comes to designing an arrangement.” 
Margaret’s prices are based on the types of plants and materials utilized, and you can expect to pay more than what you would at a box store. Her knowledgeable and thoughtful product selection and creative packaging ensures flowers that will last longer and smell more fragrant than standard store-bought bouquets.
It’s not too late to order your Valentine’s bouquet, your next birthday bunch or prom boutonniere or corsage. And, if you have a special event, you are in luck, with such a talented florist and staff located close by. To place an order, visit margaretsgardenonline.net or call (970) 531-8127.
