Anna Rook

Meet Anna

Founder and florist behind Bark & Bloom.

I didn’t grow up dreaming of a flower farm. In fact, flowers weren’t really part of my world at all — they were something reserved for weddings, funerals, and moments of loss or celebration. For most of my life, I was a little jealous of people who had a “thing” — something they were naturally good at and deeply passionate about. I tried plenty of hobbies, from watercolor and calligraphy to basketmaking, but nothing ever quite stuck. Each time, I was reminded that maybe my “thing” just wasn’t out there — and for a long time, that was okay.

Around the time of Covid, while navigating life as a single mom and teacher, I found myself in a difficult season. Then, by “chance,” a friend sent me a little pick-me-up that changed everything — an Instagram post of a Crichton Honey Dahlia. It was stunning, and immediately the beauty of it filled me with a warm, fuzzy peace and a deep sense that everythkng would be ok. I also felt like something inside me had woken up, a flame ignited. From there, I fell down the flower rabbit hole — and I haven’t looked back.

I grow many of our flowers myself and source locally from other women-owned farms whenever possible, believing deeply in community and shared growth. Through Bark & Bloom, I design arrangements, grow blooms from seed to stem, and host hands-on classes on the farm — guided by a deep sense that flowers call to me, trusting me to carry their light and beauty to those who need it most, just as I once needed their peace in a dark time, and to those who may still be searching for their “thing.”