The Ashen Elm, Bathurst
The Ashen Elm is a family‑owned Bathurst florist known for thoughtful, beautifully made arrangements delivered with care. The work is grounded in quality blooms, natural movement and a style that suits real life moments – birthdays, celebrations, condolences and everyday gestures. It’s a floristry that feels personal without being overstated, shaped by someone who understands how flowers can carry meaning.
Why we love it
Reliable local delivery, intentional design, and arrangements that feel genuinely considered.
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The heart behind The Ashen Elm
We were lucky to hear from the real Ashen Elm. Her story is honest, powerful and gives the studio its depth. Here are a few candid thoughts she shared about the journey behind the business…
How long has The Ashen Elm been operating?
The Ashen Elm is new but the idea has been brewing slowly for a couple of years. We only opened in May this year.
What part of yourself did you rediscover or meet for the first time when you began creating through floristry?
I spent years in a career that demanded everything of me. It was fast-paced, high-pressure and all-consuming. It took me away from my family for long periods, crept into my days off, and left very little room to simply be present. I became so used to living in survival mode that I thought my next chapter had to be just as demanding.
I was looking at returning to university when a conversation with some close friends changed my perspective. They gently challenged why I was chasing another career that would consume me in exactly the same way. It was the first time I stopped to ask myself what I actually wanted.
That’s when I realised I’d spent so much of my life working hard for other people that I’d forgotten there was another way to live. I didn’t need another job that required me to sacrifice myself. I needed a life that gave something back.
Floristry helped me rediscover that. It taught me that slowing down isn’t weakness – it’s a choice. That creativity can be just as fulfilling as adrenaline. That success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your health or your family.
I gave almost everything to a profession I believed was important enough to lose myself for. Looking back, I don’t believe any career is worth that. We only get one life, and I’ve chosen to spend mine creating beautiful things, being present with the people I love, and building a life that feels peaceful instead of relentless.
What does creativity look like for you now, and how does it shape the style and feeling behind your arrangements?
Creativity, for me, is letting go of control. I don’t choose the colour palette when I order flowers from the market – the wholesaler does. Some people might find that daunting, but I love it. It pushes me to see possibilities instead of limitations.
I enjoy pairing flowers that, on paper, shouldn’t work together, only to watch them bring out the best in one another. It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t come from everything matching perfectly. It comes from contrast, character and unexpected combinations.
I think that philosophy naturally finds its way into my arrangements. They’re not about following trends or rigid colour rules. They’re about creating something that feels balanced, interesting and full of personality.
Maybe that’s why I love floristry so much. Just because something is different doesn’t mean it doesn’t belong. Sometimes it’s the unexpected bloom that becomes the main event.
How has connecting with other local women in business influenced the way you see your place in the community?
Connecting with other women in business has completely changed the way I see my place in the Bathurst community. When I first started talking about the idea of opening a florist, the incredible women at Duo Studio were the ones encouraging me to back myself. They answered countless business questions and reminded me that it was okay to start before I felt completely ready.
When I launched my website, I received a phone call from another home-based florist. If I’m honest, I braced myself for criticism. Instead, she welcomed me. She told me that if I was ever stuck for flowers, I could call her. Not long after, I missed a market delivery and I did exactly that. She didn’t hesitate to help. Another local florist has offered the same generosity.
We often hear stories about women competing or tearing one another down, but my experience has been the complete opposite. These women could have seen me as competition, yet they chose kindness, encouragement and genuine support. Their offers weren’t polite gestures – they were real, and they’ve helped me through some stressful moments in business.
That sense of community extends far beyond floristry. The small businesses I visit every day – my hairdresser, my beautician, the people I chat with over coffee – were some of my very first customers. They quietly supported my dream before anyone else knew what The Ashen Elm would become.
It’s made me realise that community isn’t built through grand gestures. It’s built through small acts of generosity, shared encouragement and women genuinely wanting to see one another succeed. As someone who wasn’t born in Bathurst, that’s been one of the greatest gifts this town has given me. It’s made me feel like I belong.
Photos: The Ashen Elm
