The floral industry is filled with talented creatives, but every once in a while, a designer comes along whose passion, artistry, and story leave a lasting impression. In a recent podcast episode, Details Flowers Software CEO Corrine Heck sat down with Casey Sims, winner of this year’s Stem Wars competition, to talk about creativity, competition, and community. Read below to get to know Casey, our 2026 Stem Wars Champion!
Casey’s winning Stem Wars design, Sentiments of Spring, captured the attention of floral professionals and flower lovers across the country. Throughout the competition, audiences voted bracket-style for their favorite designs, and Casey’s work consistently stood out among an incredibly talented group of designers.
Reflecting on the experience, Casey shared how surreal it felt to see so many people rally behind her work.
“To be able to put my piece in against so many talented designers was such an honor. To make it all the way to the end was shocking and amazing!”
What made the competition even more special was seeing how engaged the floral community became throughout the process. Customers, fellow designers, garden clubs, and supporters from all over the country followed along, voted daily, and shared encouragement online.
Corrine shared that one of the most exciting parts of Stem Wars has been watching audiences connect emotionally with floral artistry in a competitive, interactive format.
Before flowers became her career, Casey’s creative foundation began in fine art. Growing up in Missouri surrounded by gardens and flowers, she developed an appreciation for nature and design early on. Her professional path originally started with an art wholesale distribution company focused on painting and visual arts.
Her floral career began unexpectedly after a friend asked her to create flowers for a wedding.
That one opportunity changed everything.
From there, weddings and events quickly turned into a full-time floral career. After visiting the city while her son toured law schools, she fell in love with Nashville’s creative energy and knew it was where she wanted to be.
That move led her to Rose Hill Flowers, where she now works alongside a team known for transforming flowers into artistic experiences.
One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation was the intersection of floristry and fine art. Casey described how her artistic background influences every design she creates, from color palettes and texture to storytelling and mechanics.
At Rose Hill Flowers, creativity is deeply embedded in the business's culture. Casey shared how the shop has become known for pushing beyond traditional floral arrangements and embracing more artistic, immersive floral work.
That artistic philosophy also plays a major role in competitions like Stem Wars and Fleur de Villes, another prestigious floral showcase Casey participated in this year.
In addition to winning Stem Wars, Casey and the team at Rose Hill also received Best in Show and Fan Favorite honors during the 2025 Fleur de Villes event in Nashville.
The large-scale floral couture exhibition challenged designers to create floral mannequins inspired by art, fashion, and storytelling.
Casey’s winning piece, Lady in White, became one of the standout installations of the event.
She explained how her background in art history helped shape the concept and the design details.
“I knew the story of the painting, the era, and the details. That’s what really inspired the piece.”
The recognition not only elevated her visibility as a designer but also brought national attention to Rose Hill Flowers, leading to new opportunities and event inquiries from across the country.
One of the most inspiring parts of the conversation was hearing Casey describe the supportive culture among Nashville florists.
Despite working in a highly creative and competitive city, she emphasized how designers frequently collaborate, freelance for one another, and support each other’s success.
Corrine echoed the importance of community in the floral industry and how events, competitions, and educational gatherings create opportunities for designers to connect, learn, and grow together.
The two also discussed upcoming floral events, such as SAF’s Next Gen LIVE! and the AIFD Symposium, where designers can continue building relationships and expanding their skills.
For Casey, entering floral competitions isn’t about trophies or titles — it’s about growth.
She shared that challenging herself creatively helps her evolve as an artist and encourages her to step outside of her comfort zone.
“Putting yourself in uncomfortable positions makes you grow.”
That mindset has shaped much of her journey, from moving to a completely new city to entering high-profile competitions and taking on ambitious floral installations.
Corrine noted that one of the most rewarding parts of Stem Wars has been giving designers a platform to showcase their artistry while also inspiring newer florists to pursue bigger opportunities.
Throughout the conversation, one thing became abundantly clear: Casey genuinely loves what she does.
Whether designing weddings, mentoring younger designers, creating large-scale installations, or helping families celebrate life’s biggest milestones, she approaches every project with passion and gratitude.
“I’ve been part of the beginning of people’s lives and the end of their lives and every stage in between.”
From engagements and weddings to sympathy work and celebrations, Casey reflected on how meaningful it is to create flowers for moments that matter deeply to people.
That emotional connection, combined with artistry and community, is what continues to make floristry such a powerful and rewarding career.
As the conversation wrapped up, Corrine congratulated Casey once again on her Stem Wars victory and welcomed her further into the Details Flowers Software community.
With upcoming events, future competitions, and exciting floral projects ahead, it’s clear that Casey Sims is only continuing to grow as a designer and artist.
And if this conversation proved anything, it’s that when creativity, courage, and passion come together, incredible things can bloom!