From Belarus to Portland: Our European Flower Story
How a passion for European-style floristry crossed an ocean and found a home in the Pacific Northwest
When people ask us what makes Kvetka Flower different from other Portland florists, the answer lies not just in our flowers — but in where our story began.
Kvetka (pronounced /ˈkvɛt.kə/кветка) means "flower" in Belarusian. It's more than just a name — it's a connection to our roots, our heritage, and a floral tradition that spans centuries.
Growing Up Surrounded by Flowers in Belarus
In my native fields, Gomel region, Belarus
My journey with flowers didn't start in a floral shop or design school. It started in my grandmother's garden in Belarus, where flowers weren't just decoration — they were a way of life.
In Eastern Europe, flowers are deeply woven into the cultural fabric. Every celebration, every gathering, every meaningful moment involves flowers. We give bouquets for first days of school, for birthdays, for simply visiting a friend. The art of gifting flowers is taken seriously — there are traditions about which flowers mean what, how many stems to give (always odd numbers for joyful occasions!), and how to arrange them with natural, garden-picked charm.
The European Approach to Flowers
What I learned growing up was that flowers should look like they could have been gathered from a meadow or garden — wild, natural, full of movement and life. This is the essence of European-style floristry:
- Natural, organic shapes — not overly structured or symmetrical
- Seasonal and locally sourced — working with what nature provides
- Textural variety — mixing garden roses with wildflowers, adding unexpected elements like berries, grasses, or herbs
- Romantic, slightly untamed — beauty in imperfection
- Storytelling through flowers — each arrangement tells a story
This approach felt so natural to me that I didn't realize it was "different" until I moved to the United States.
The Journey to America
Like many immigrants, my path to Portland wasn't straight or simple. It was a leap of faith, driven by a desire for new opportunities and the American dream.
When I arrived in the Pacific Northwest in 2023, I was struck immediately by the landscape. The lush forests, the mountains, the commitment to sustainability and local living — it reminded me of home in the best ways. Oregon's natural beauty spoke to me.
But I also noticed something interesting about the floral industry here.
What I Found in American Floristry
The American approach to flowers is beautiful in its own right, but it's distinctly different:
- More structured, symmetrical arrangements
- Strong focus on perfect, uniform blooms
- Emphasis on specific color schemes and matching
- Tropical flowers often preferred over local seasonal blooms
There's nothing wrong with this approach — it's elegant and polished. But I found myself missing the wild, romantic, garden-style arrangements I grew up with. The kind that look like they were just gathered from a countryside field at golden hour.
I realized there was an opportunity to bring something different to Portland — something that combined the best of European tradition with Oregon's incredible local flowers.
Why Portland is Perfect for European-Style Floristry
The more I explored Oregon, the more I realized Portland was the perfect place for European-style floristry.
The Local Flower Scene
Oregon is home to incredible flower farms growing dahlias, roses, peonies, sweet peas, and so many other gorgeous blooms. The growing season is long, the climate is ideal, and there's a strong farm-to-table (or in our case, farm-to-vase) culture.
Portland residents value:
- Sustainability — just like we do in Europe
- Supporting local growers — which aligns perfectly with our philosophy
- Unique, artisan products — not mass-produced
- Natural, organic aesthetics — which is the foundation of European design
It felt like fate.
Starting Kvetka Flower
One of our soft white bouquets from Kvetka Flower. Photo by Georgiy Shishkin
In 2020, I officially launched Kvetka Flower with a simple mission:
To bring the beauty, romance, and natural elegance of European-style floristry to Portland, using the incredible local flowers Oregon has to offer.
I started small — creating custom bouquets, working with local farms, and slowly building relationships with clients who appreciated something different from the typical floral arrangements they'd seen before.
The response was overwhelming. People loved the natural, garden-gathered aesthetic. Brides reached out wanting romantic, European-inspired wedding flowers. Customers told us our bouquets felt more personal, more alive, more special.
Our Philosophy: Where European Tradition Meets Oregon Nature
Today, Kvetka Flower is a blend of two worlds I love:
From Belarus, We Bring:
- European design principles — wild, romantic, natural
- Attention to seasonality — working with nature, not against it
- The language of flowers — understanding symbolism and meaning
- Artisan craftsmanship — every bouquet is handcrafted with intention
From Oregon, We Embrace:
- Incredible local blooms — dahlias, garden roses, local greenery
- Sustainable practices — minimal waste, eco-friendly packaging
- Community connection — working with local farms and growers
- Pacific Northwest aesthetic — incorporating the natural beauty of our region
The result is something truly unique: European artistry meets Oregon's natural abundance.
What Makes Our Approach Different
When you order from Kvetka Flower, you're not just getting a bouquet — you're getting a piece of our story and philosophy.
1. We Work with Seasonal, Local Flowers
About 80% of our flowers come from Oregon and Washington farms. We choose what's in season, what's at its peak, what's grown with care by farmers we know personally.
This means:
- Fresher flowers that last longer
- Supporting our local economy
- Lower environmental impact
- Unique seasonal variations (spring peonies, summer dahlias, fall asters)
2. We Design in the European Style
Our arrangements are:
- Organic and natural-looking
- Full of texture and movement
- Slightly wild and romantic
- Never overly stiff or structured
- Designed to look like they could have been gathered from a garden
3. We Honor Tradition While Innovating
We respect the centuries-old European floral traditions I grew up with, but we're not stuck in the past. We combine classic techniques with modern aesthetics, creating arrangements that feel both timeless and contemporary.
4. Every Arrangement is Handcrafted
We don't mass-produce. Every single bouquet, every wedding installation, every subscription delivery is created by hand with care and intention.
Our Commitment to You
When you choose Kvetka Flower, you're choosing:
- Artisan quality over mass production
- Local sustainability over imported convenience
- Unique European aesthetics over cookie-cutter designs
- Personal service over automated transactions
And if you're ever not completely happy with your flowers? We have a money-back guarantee. Your satisfaction matters to us because every arrangement carries our name, our reputation, and our story.
Looking Forward
Working on an airy wedding installation above the gazebo at Oregon Garden in Silverton, September 2025
As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to create beautiful, meaningful floral experiences that connect people to nature, to celebration, to each other.
We're honored to be part of Portland's vibrant creative community. We're grateful to work with amazing local flower farms. And we're thrilled every time someone tells us our flowers made their day special.
From a grandmother's garden in Belarus to wedding celebrations in Portland, from childhood memories to creating new traditions — this is our flower story.
And we'd love to be part of yours.
Let's Create Something Beautiful Together
Whether you're planning a wedding, celebrating a milestone, or simply want to brighten someone's day — we'd be honored to create something special for you.
Ready to experience European-style floristry in Portland?
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Thank you for being part of our story. Here's to beauty, nature, and the flowers that connect us all.
— Mary and Nick from Kvetka Flower
Portland, Oregon