For the love of flowers
PRAVINA Rae love for gardening and nurturing flowers has motivated her to be a go to vendor for pot plants, wreaths and bouquets for those living in Suva and Nausori areas.
Growing up, Rae always loves the peace and comfort one gets from weeding gardens and taking care of flowers.
She decided to take the passion to greater heights by starting her Secret Garden and has become an experienced florist over the years.
Started in 2004 with a small garden of local flowers, Pravina’s Secret Garden has expanded to a wide variety of flowers and even imported flowers from Thailand and Netherlands.
“I grow my own flowers and I import Orchids from Thailand and Tulips from Netherlands.”
She said the two flowers do not grow well in the Suva weather so she imports them as the need arises.
In the 18 years she’s been operating, Rae has also started to teach other women the art of floral arrangements and flower propagation.
“I work with a few churches, once a month I go and teach women how to arrange flowers and they come to my garden and I show them how to grow flowers.”
“It is a great opportunity as I am able to impart the knowledge I have to the ladies. Knowledge shared is good knowledge,” she said.
The Koronivia resident said while business may not be always regular, the time she spends with her flowers and plants is priceless.
“I have always loved doing this as a child and now, I also keep fit by gardening — a winwin situation.”
She said everything is possible with hard work and there can be no success without sacrifice.
Rae urged Fijians to always be happy with what they do as it will make the struggles of life less stressful.