Bring inspiration, education, and flower-fueled joy to your next garden club or community event.
Nicole Dillon—owner of Breemar Flower Farm, garden coach, and sustainable flower advocate—offers engaging talks rooted in real-life experience, practical takeaways, and a deep love for the natural world. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting your journey, Nicole’s presentations will leave your audience informed, inspired, and blooming with ideas.
Conversations in Bloom: Topics I Love
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Peonies: From Field to Vase
Peonies are more than just a springtime favorite—they’re a symbol of beauty, abundance, and lasting memories. In this engaging presentation, flower farmer and garden coach Nicole Dillon takes you behind the scenes of her 150+ plant peony operation to share the secrets of growing, harvesting, and designing with these beloved blooms.
Attendees will learn:
The different types of peonies (herbaceous, tree, Itoh) and how to choose the right ones for their gardens
How to plant, divide, and care for peonies in a way that supports long-term health and bloom production
Solutions for common challenges like botrytis, ants, and flopping stems
Tips for cutting and conditioning peonies for long vase life
Favorite varieties for cut flower gardens and design work
Whether you’re a peony collector, a curious beginner, or someone who just swoons over those frilly blooms each spring, this presentation is packed with practical knowledge and heartfelt stories that will leave you inspired and ready to dig in.
Format Options:
45–60 minute talk
Includes a Q&A session
Optional: live bloom samples (in season), slides, or printed resource guides
Perfect For: Garden clubs, horticultural societies, flower enthusiasts, and anyone dreaming of a peony-filled garden.
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Cut Flowers for the Home Gardener: Easy Blooms That Keep Giving
Bring beauty from the backyard to the kitchen table! In this lively and practical presentation, flower farmer and garden coach Nicole Dillon shares her best tips for growing cut flowers at home—without the overwhelm.
Whether you have a few raised beds or just a sunny border, Nicole shows how to turn your garden into a source of joy, gifts, and endless arrangements with flowers that thrive in real-life conditions.
Attendees will learn:
Top-performing annuals and perennials for easy, reliable cutting
How to plan a low-maintenance cutting garden with continuous blooms
Harvesting tips for longer vase life
The secret to succession planting without stress
How to build simple, beautiful arrangements with garden-grown flowers
Rooted in sustainable practices and personalized experiences, this talk helps home gardeners create beauty they can bring indoors— again and again.
Format Options:
45–60 minute talk
Includes Q&A
Optional: bouquet demo, planting plan samples, or seasonal flower list
Perfect For: Garden clubs, hobbyists, new homeowners, pollinator enthusiasts, and anyone who loves flowers but doesn’t want a second full-time job in the yard.
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The Story Behind the Blooms: Why Local Flowers Matter
Behind every bouquet is a story—but not all of them are beautiful. In this heartfelt and eye-opening presentation, flower farmer and sustainable gardening advocate Nicole Dillon pulls back the curtain on the global flower industry and shares why choosing local flowers makes a world of difference.
From environmental impact to worker conditions and community connection, this talk reveals the hidden costs of imported blooms—and the joy and meaning of choosing what’s grown close to home.
Attendees will learn:
The surprising journey of most store-bought flowers
Why local, seasonal flowers are better for people, pollinators, and the planet
The importance of flower diversity and supporting small-scale growers
How to find and support local flower farmers
Seasonal highlights: what grows when and why
How flowers mark life’s moments—and why sourcing them mindfully matters
Nicole weaves together personal stories from Breemar Flower Farm, insights from the American-grown flower movement, and practical tips for choosing better blooms.
Format Options:
45–60 minute talk
Includes Q&A
Optional: local flower calendar handout, bouquet display, or seasonal buying guide
Perfect For: Garden clubs, women’s groups, environmental organizations, and anyone who loves flowers and believes in voting with their dollars.
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For the Love of Hummingbirds: Attracting them to Your Garden
Hummingbirds bring unmatched energy, color, and wonder to any backyard landscape. In this lively and informative presentation, flower farmer and garden coach Nicole Dillon reveals how to transform your garden into a vibrant haven for these tiny pollinators using targeted planting strategies and sustainable habits.
Attendees will learn:
Top native plants, perennials, and annuals that naturally draw hummingbirds all season long
Key garden design strategies to provide shelter, perching spots, and continuous nectar sources
Best practices for feeder setup, cleaning, and safe feeding without harmful additives
How to create an eco-friendly habitat that supports the tiny insects hummingbirds need for protein
Common pitfalls to avoid, including pesticide risks and poor placement choices
Whether you are hoping to spot your very first ruby-throat or looking to upgrade your yard into an active pollinator sanctuary, this talk blends practical gardening techniques with hands-on insight to get your garden buzzing.
Format Options:
45–60 minute talk
Includes a Q&A session
Optional: slide presentation, native plant list handout, or seasonal bloom guide
Perfect For: Garden clubs, native plant advocates, nature centers, beginner gardeners, and anyone eager to invite more wildlife into their outdoor spaces.
Book a Garden Talk:
Engaging, practical, and tailored for garden lovers—my talks are perfect for clubs, groups, and events.
Available in-person (VA-based) or virtually.
Let’s grow something beautiful together—use the form below to get started!