Anastasi Blooms’ Tammy Anastasi says the Bundaberg Region is ideal for growing a range of flowers, and with the areas perfect climate it would be easy enough to grow both the Ruby Passion Sunflowers or typical sunflowers year-round, but it was nice to keep it seasonal and special. Ruby Passion Sunflowers have started to blossom at Anastasi Blooms – as owner Tammy Anastasi’s own passion for flower farming grows.

As a farmer florist Tammy is involved in every step of the flower production, from sourcing and growing seeds, to cutting, bunching and selling the locally grown flowers and foliage.

Tammy said people typically thought of vibrant or deep yellow tones when it came to sunflowers, but she said there was actually a large variety of colours from bright lime greens, to lushest reds with chocolate tones, right through to revolutionary white sunflowers, with only a few varieties grown in Australia.

It’s the third year Anastasi Blooms has produced Ruby Passion Sunflowers, and the beautiful, rich and eye-catching reds ensure they are always quick to walk out the door.

“I never thought I would grow sunflowers,” she said. Anastasi Blooms’ Tammy Anastasi said people typically thought of vibrant or deep yellow tones when it came to sunflowers, but she said there was actually a large variety of colours from bright lime greens, to lushest reds with chocolate tones, right through to revolutionary white sunflowers, with only a few varieties were grown here in Australia. “People either love or hate normal sunflowers, but with the ruby sunflowers everyone seems to love them.”

Growing flowers on her family’s Moore Park Beach sugar cane farm happened by chance.

Tammy said it was after she became a mum to her daughters, Lailah and Hailee, that she decided having a nine-to-five career wasn’t something she wanted anymore.

“I said to my husband (Ben) that I didn’t want to return to work, and we looked in to something I could grow on the land we have,” Tammy said.

“I went on to study cut-flower production, and at the time I didn’t think I would be where I am now.

“I am not a trained florist, but I guess when it comes to arranging flowers it’s like art – you can either draw or you can’t draw.

“I originally thought I would grow and cut flowers for florists, but with the help of my best friend Trina and my husband’s aunt Rose we are able to produce mixed bouquets, small and large vase arrangements and bunches, that are now available at three stockists: Leaf and Bean Café, Friendlies Hospital and Moore Park Beach Service Station, and all three locations sell out!” Bundaberg Region ideal for growing flowers

Tammy said the Bundaberg Region was ideal for growing a range of flowers, and with the area’s perfect climate it would be easy enough to grow both the Ruby Passion Sunflowers or typical sunflowers year-round, but it was nice to keep it seasonal and special.

“Doing this (growing a range of flowers) is definitely not effortless, but where we live definitely […]