Our Story

Shady Oaks Flower Farm grew out of grief, love, and a deep desire for something more meaningful. After losing her mother to cancer in 2021, owner Amanda Ayers, felt a shift in what she wanted from life. Though she had spent over a decade in a fulfilling but high-stress career at Harvard, she longed for something slower, more connected to beauty, nature, and joy.

The farm started in a 60-foot garden bed at her parent’s house in 2023, where Amanda began growing flowers as a way to heal. Two years later, she and her husband found their dream farmhouse on 10 acres in Hackettstown, New Jersey. There, Shady Oaks Flower Farm blossomed - a place to grow flowers, and a life, rooted in intention.

Shady Oaks is named after Amanda’s parents’ home and features a logo inspired by her mom, Elaine. Elaine always grew vibrant zinnias and instilled in Amanda a deep love for life’s small joys. The farm’s logo honors that legacy with two zinnias. Today, Amanda cultivates an abundance of romantic, seasonal blooms using sustainable practices that respect both the land and the magic of nature. By avoiding floral foam and working in harmony with the seasons, Shady Oaks is built on care, not shortcuts.

With a whimsical, dreamy aesthetic and a deep reverence for the natural world, Shady Oaks offers:

• Farm stand bouquets

• Weekly bouquet subscriptions

• Floral design for weddings and special events

• Wholesale flowers for florists and designers

Amanda’s hope is that each bouquet brings a bit of wonder into your hands and reminds you, as it reminds her, of how beautiful life can be when we slow down and pay attention.