On a small patch in the Yarra Valley, where season changes are clear and rhythmic, Annie recently showed us around Shortacre Farm. Not just a flower farm and a home to Annie and her family, Shortacre is a reflection of care, restraint and a process of decision making in dialogue with the natural environment. A perfect afternoon to welcome the shorter days and cooler nights and mark the launch of our AW Collection for Brood.
“Shortacre grew out of a love of plants, flowers, and sharing our excess with our community.”
Set on Wurundjeri land in Healesville, Shortacre occupies less than an acre of arable land, yet its impact stretches well beyond its size. Annie describes it as a “very small flower farm and retail floristry business,” but that’s a modest framing that downplays the true impact of what she has created. Annie grows and sells flowers in a way that respects ecological systems while nurturing community connection. In a world that frames high scale, pace and profit as success, Shortacre is a refreshing and gentle resistance to the status quo.
At its core, Shortacre is committed to working with nature, not against it. This means observing, responding, and importantly, knowing when to step back. Rather than forcing productivity through heavy inputs, Annie embraces the natural lifecycle of each crop. When pest pressure signals the end of a plant’s season, it’s accepted rather than resisted. There’s a discipline in that decision, one that prioritises long-term soil and plant health over short-term gains.
“Working in step with nature means paying attention and changing course rather than trying to make it bend to our will.”
The Yarra Valley itself also plays a defining role in shaping Shortacre. Its microclimate with hotter summers, wetter stretches and colder winters demands adaptability. With all of the variables at play, resilience becomes a key measure of success.
These rhythms extend beyond the land, as balancing the farm alongside full-time jobs and family life means working within both environmental and personal limits.
“Part of doing this sustainably is knowing our own limits and when to rein things in.”
Alongside the challenges comes a strong sense of community. Through initiatives like the Yarra Valley Flower Hub, a collective of micro-growers sharing resources and selling together, Annie has found both support and solidarity. It’s a reminder that small-scale operations thrive through connection.
That same ethos carries through to the customer experience. Buying from Shortacre isn’t just a transaction, it’s a choice to support a slower and more considered system. Local flowers, grown without intensive chemical inputs and without the burden of long-distance refrigerated freight, offer a reduced environmental footprint. Just as importantly, they tell a story that is rooted in seasonality, locality, and care.
This perspective has been further shaped by Annie’s involvement with the Sustainable Floristry Network, which encourages a circular approach to floristry. From compostable wrapping to reducing waste after the point of sale, Shortacre continues to evolve its practices with intention.
Looking ahead, the work remains grounded in patience and preparation. Sowing for spring has begun with sweet peas, pansies and perennial foxgloves. Work toward better soil health and resilience is also ongoing.
“I think I grow slow flowers… I’ve been thinking more about the long-term resilience of our patch, building soil health and working to reduce reliance on outside inputs.”
In many ways, Shortacre Farm mirrors a shift we’ve observed across creative and agricultural industries. A move away from excess and a focus on quality, longevity, and connection to place. These are values and practices that feel closely aligned with those shaping the future of responsible design and making.
Whether it is flowers or fibre, what we create, and how we create it, matters.
Learn more about Annie and Shortacre Farm
Photography by Noel Smyth
