On her farm in the heart of Zone 8, Galena Berkompas has cultivated a vibrant life filled with flowers. Her journey began when she was a 20 year old newlywed planting her first roses from Heirloom Roses in the yard of her  tiny house in Clark County, Washington. "I left those roses there when we moved so the next renters could enjoy them, and 13 years later, they’re still blooming and gorgeous!" 

Growing up, flowers weren’t a prominent part of Galena’s life, except for a single long line of rose bushes planted by her mother. She remembers skipping down the sidewalk and stopping to smell the fragrant blooms. "That’s where the love of roses began for me," she recalls. This passion has blossomed over the years into a vibrant flower business, where Galena shares her knowledge and expertise on gardening at @microflowerfarm, inspiring others to grow their own colorful cutting gardens.

Five years ago, Galena made her dream of farming a reality, starting on a small ½-acre urban lot that she slowly filled with flowers. Just this past June, she and her husband moved to a 6-acre farm in Southwest Washington—a place that feels perfect for their family and her big garden ideas. "It was always our dream to find a bigger ‘small’ farm to raise our kids and have space to do all my crazy garden and farm ideas," she explains. In her cottage-style garden, roses often take center stage, serving as the focal point for her garden and the bouquets she creates.

One of Galena's favorite roses is Lady of Shalott, a hardy variety with gorgeous orange-peach blooms and an incredible fragrance. “I often pair it with blue and purple flowers in the garden,” she says, “since that color combo is amazing in an arrangement.”. But gardening in the Pacific Northwest has its challenges since black spot and other fungal diseases are made worse by the heavy rain in fall and winter. Galena keeps these under control by pruning often and making sure her roses are hardy varieties that can handle the weather.

Her gardening advice is simple: "Find colors that you love, pick complementary plants to go with them, and choose roses that bloom a lot! Also make sure they get plenty of sun and water, and fertilizer often  to keep them happy and healthy."

Galena’s story isn’t just about growing flowers—it’s about growing dreams. With every bloom she nurtures, she reminds her followers that gardening is more than just plants; it's about creating a peaceful space for yourself and the people you care about. Plus having a little space to spread out and grow beauty is always a good idea!