Jessica Guilfoyle’s passion to develop a flower farm in the fertile soils of Millbrook over the last decade

Jessica Guilfoyle has spent 10 years developing her flower farm in the fertile soils of Millbrook, a 15-minute drive from Albany. “I started with five 25m rows and I just gauged the interest, to see if I could actually do it,” she said. “I still consider myself a beginner without any horticultural training.” There are now 27 rows of flowers of all sorts at Millbrook, from spindly headed leek to the bushy feverfew. “I’ve always been interested in gardening, in growing things,” Ms Guilfoyle said. “I’ve always enjoyed being outside and seeing what I can keep alive.” The property slopes down to the brook it is named after, which flows into the Kalgan River. While it is traditionally a busy time of the year for weddings and celebrations, Millbrook Flower Farm is still full of colour. Dahlias of all colours bob their heads in the breeze, and bees waft in and out of the powdery soft Rottnest Island daisies. “I love the Rottnest Island daisies just because they’re so local, and you don’t see them a lot in the commercial bunches,” Ms Guilfoyle said. “They come in a blue, a really light pink and white. I grow them from seed that I sow, that I save from the previous season — you save the best flower.” While Ms Guilfoyle does some flower arranging, it’s the process of flower farming, gardening, growing and cultivating that is her primary passion. “I love the growing side of it,” she said. “That’s why I do it.” Millbrook Flower Farm boasts about 50 different types of flowering plants, not accounting for the different colours that can be found in each variety. Despite the late season, the dahlias presently in bloom at Millbrook are beautiful. “Everyone loves the dahlias, they’re a beautiful summer/autumn flower, a real focal flower,” Ms Guilfoyle said. “There’s so many different colours and varieties, unfortunately the bugs love them but that’s alright, there’s plenty to go around.” There is always something to be done in any garden, and Millbrook is a full-time occupation. While she receives assistance one day a week from a helper, Ms Guilfoyle undertakes most of the work herself. “It’s definitely a creative outlet, seeing the colours and the textures work together. It’s all a beauty, just working outside,” she said. Millbrook offers a dazzling diversity that commercial flower farms can’t match, a result of passion and experimentation. Millbrook Flower Farm and Riverdale Farm hosted a joint tour in November, which sold out. “People just love to come out and have a look and wander around the flowers, it’s pretty special,” Ms Guilfoyle said. For anyone struggling with their garden, Ms Guilfoyle has some pragmatic advice. “If it dies just try again.”