I had the chance to meet Heidi from Flowers by Leslie at a Rising Tide Society meeting at her flower shop in Portsmouth, NH. We totally hit it off! Ever since I moved over to the seacoast NH area I have been wanting to get to know some of the wedding vendors over here and do some vendor spotlights on them. After meeting Heidi I knew she would be the perfect one to kick off my vendor spotlight series.
On a frigid winter’s day, I visited Flowers by Leslie to take some photos and get to know Heidi a bit more. She has such a cute shop with a bunch beautiful flowers, small gifts, and several air plants in dinosaurs — so fun! I explored around her shop, taking in all the beautiful flowers and nice smells creating some photos to show off the store. While I watched Heidi busily making table centerpieces for the Holidays we chatted about how she got started being a florist, favorite flowers, the history of her shop and our shared favorite winter activity — snowboarding! The whole time Heidi and I were talking I don’t think she stopped smiling once :)
If you are looking for a Portsmouth, NH wedding florist, or just flowers to wow your partner or loved one, definitely check out Flowers by Leslie at 801 Islington St #22, Portsmouth, NH 03801.
Flowers by Leslie a Portsmouth, NH Florist
Tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started being a florist? And how did you end up in Portsmouth?
I am born and raised in New Hampshire and got my love of flowers from my grandparents. I started working with flowers in Vermont almost 20 years ago and ended up on the Seacoast after deciding that since I hung out in Portsmouth so much while growing up, that I should just make it my home :)
What is your favorite thing about being a florist?
I LOVE being able to play in the flowers on a daily basis, don’t get me wrong being a florist is a lot of work but who can complain when it’s flowers ;)
Tell us about the history of Flowers by Leslie?
Leslie first opened the doors to Flowers by Leslie in 1966 and it was originally on Maplewood Ave. in Portsmouth, NH. Leslie passed away in 90’s, then the Johnson family owned until 2012 when my family took it over.
What is your favorite flower and why?
I’d have to say my absolute favorite flower is Lily of the Valley, it’s one of those flowers that is available in nature for such a short time and when it’s blooming they smell AMAZING! It is also one of the hardest to get as a florist so I think the limited availability makes me appreciate them more :)
Do you have a few tips for an engaged couple when it comes to deciding on their flowers?
I find it helps to have an idea of colors that they’d like to include in their wedding as that will set the mood for the day (ie. Bridesmaids dress colors, linen colors, etc.) It is also nice to have an idea of style they’d like (ie. Vintage, Garden style, Boho etc.) as all of these decisions help to make sure their day is perfect!
I hope that you have enjoyed getting to know Heidi from Flowers by Leslie. If you are looking for a wedding florist in the Portsmouth, NH area then she is your gal!
