Alison Lopakka Joy

My passion for floral design blossomed in the garden during my childhood, where I eagerly immersed my hands in the soil. Chasing the bees and butterflies through my grandmothers’ flower beds, I consistently found a sense of belonging. These moments laid the foundation for my journey to become the Portland event florist and gardener that I am today.

Drawing inspiration from those formative years, I found myself captivated by the artistry of both my Grandmothers. Witnessing my Finnish grandmother, Irma, regularly redesigning her garden beds and tirelessly moving plants around offered so many lessons. Her coastal garden was something to behold and she took great pride in caring for it well into her late 80s. Now her playground has become mine and I know she would delight in seeing me follow her path. I think of her often as I discover new floral varieties and shift plants around in my own garden.

Before I decided to pursue this passion to its fullest, I worked in the public health field where I loved educating and connecting with people. Eventually, I shifted gears and decided to stay at home with my two boys while they were young. During this time, I rediscovered my love for all the magic a garden has to offer, and cultivated a flower filled garden through the rewarding process of sowing seeds.

In 2019 I took my affection for all things floral and set up shop with a local collective boutique – which is now called Plural Collective – selling houseplants and plant and floral related goods. As life took a transformative turn in 2020, like many, I yearned for a closer connection with nature and beauty and was reminded how houseplants make people feel less alone and how a single bouquet can brighten someone’s day.

As we enter 2024, I embark on a new chapter, solely dedicating myself to my floral business. Having explored the vast spectrum of all the greens nature provides, I now know, deep in my heart, that crafting garden- inspired floral arrangements for events, both big and intimate, is my true calling. Making magical moments of connection happen through flowers, remains the most rewarding aspect of my work. Despite the passage of time, my garden remains the heart of my inspiration for these endeavors.