WOMEN IN BUSINESS
MARY-FRANCES LANNIGAN w INDULGE IN THE ESSENCE OF FLORALS AT PRETTY PETALS AND POSIES IN MONTAGUE By Brianne Hogan Photos Jacqui Chaisson
P retty Petals and Posies owner Mary-Frances Lannigan has always had a love of flowers. She feels privileged to live in Prince Edward Island where she has for many years been able to pursue her passion and love of flowers through gardening. Mary has extensive gardens in Eastern Kings, where she loves spending time designing the perfect spaces. So, “opening a floral boutique was an easy transition for me,” she says. Opening a floral shop had been a long- held dream of Mary’s. Years ago, when she was in her twenties, she’d traveled and lived in France for a year. She couldn’t help but notice how much the French loved and appreciated flowers. “The floral shops were magnificent, elegant and it was all about the presentation,” Mary recalls. “At that time, it was customary to always bring flowers if you were visiting someone. Here at home, we didn’t put much thought into the presentation. Our flowers typically were hidden behind floral patterned paper, instead of being able to see the actual star of the show, and it made a great impression on me.”
Mary wanted to come back to Canada and open a floral shop, but, as she puts it, “Life took over however, and my plans were delayed.” During the Covid pandemic, Mary studied floristry at an online university. Two years later, she opened Pretty Petals and Posies, which is located in the Down East Mall in Montague. “The support from our community has been wonderful,” Mary says. “My desire is that my love of flowers is apparent and infused into each floral design and I hope my customers can sense the creativity and passion behind each arrangement.” Most of the flowers come from Ontario, Florida, California, and South America during the colder months, but Mary says she strives to incorporate sustainable design practices in herboutique. “I use seasonal flowers where and when I can from my own garden and from local flower farms.” She also likes to add natural botanicals and organic fresh herbs in her arrangements, which adds a personal
touch and offers visual interest and a natural familiar scent. In addition, the store offers an assortment of plants, faux flowers, woodwick candles, greeting cards, glass and ceramic vases, and a scented line from Ireland called Inis. “It’s a dream to work with beautiful flowers every day,” Mary says. “It took me 34 years to get here from when I first dreamt of opening a floral shop, and although I am in my twilight years now, I hope that I can inspire others that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.”
PRETTY PETALS AND POSIES
Down East Mall, 500 Main St, Montague 902.838.3246 prettypetalsandposies.com
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www.pei-living.ca SPRING24
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