For our February Details University Live session, we had the pleasure of welcoming Kelly Shore, a passionate advocate for American-grown flowers and the creative force behind Petals by the Shore and The Floral Source. Throughout the session, Kelly shared insights into her journey, the importance of domestic floral sourcing, and how florists can build stronger connections with flower farmers. Here’s the official recap:
Kelly Shore has been the owner and lead designer of Petals by the Shore, a wedding and event floral design business serving the Washington, D.C., area since 2011. Her love for flowers extends beyond design—she is deeply committed to supporting America’s flower farmers by sourcing blooms and foliage exclusively from the United States 365 days a year. In 2019, she took this mission further by launching The Floral Source, a platform dedicated to fostering community, connection, and confidence in U.S. floral sourcing.
Kelly firmly believes that the origin of flowers matters, and she works closely with local farmers to bridge the gap between florists and growers. Her favorite moments? Being on flower farms—learning how blooms are grown, meeting the people behind them, and sharing their stories through her work.
Kelly’s lush, colorful designs have been featured in Florists’ Review, Martha Stewart Weddings, and other national publications. One of her most impactful projects, "A Year of American Grown Bouquets," highlighted what’s blooming across the U.S. throughout the year and was featured in Slow Flowers Journal with Debra Prinzing in January 2017.
All images above from Petals By The Shore: A Year of American Grown Bouquets.
Her dedication to showcasing American-grown flowers has also led her to take on prestigious roles, including:
Beyond her design work, Kelly is a fierce advocate for the floral industry. Every February, she joins American flower farmers on Capitol Hill to meet with policymakers, discuss industry challenges, and push for greater support for domestic floriculture.
Kelly’s work bringing visibility to local and American-grown flowers led to the creation of The Floral Source—a farm-direct drop-ship wholesaler connecting florists with 28+ partnering American-grown flower and greens farms.
The Floral Source is more than just a sourcing platform; it also provides:
Through these initiatives, Kelly is helping floral designers source with confidence, embrace seasonality, and build meaningful connections with flower growers. If you’re looking to connect with local farmers and expand your access to American-grown flowers, Kelly is always happy to introduce you to growers within her network.
With the rise of social media, locally grown flowers are gaining popularity, making staying informed more important than ever. By researching and understanding American-grown flowers, you can educate your clients on their benefits—helping them appreciate the beauty of blooms and the stories, sustainability, and support for local farmers behind them.
Our conversation with Kelly was inspiring and insightful. It shed light on the impact of mindful sourcing and the incredible work being done to uplift American flower farms. Her journey—from advertising and education to becoming a floral industry leader—is a testament to passion, advocacy, and community building. A huge thank you to Kelly for sharing her expertise during our February Details University Live. Watch the video below for the full recap of the session!