“ I’ ve always done my own landscaping, and I’ ve always loved plants and flowers.”
Kelly and Matt Dundulis come from a financial background, and Kelly still works as a CPA. Despite their left-brained talent for facts and figures, they also have a gift for creativity, and a penchant for nature.
Matt farms the 1.5 acres and Kelly is the face of Bella’ s Blooms, meeting customers and designing flower arrangements.
Kelly grew up on the 40-acre farm. They make their home in the 1830s farmhouse, and the horizon is punctuated by a beautiful barn from the same period. Kelly’ s parents help on the farm as well, but most of the work is accomplished by the couple.
“ I’ ve always done my own landscaping,” says Kelly,“ and I’ ve always loved plants and flowers.”
In 2020, she grew vegetables in raised beds on the farm. During this time, she was inspired by a family operating a small flower farm in Washington state, Floret Farm.
“ About 80 % of the flowers sold in the U. S. are actually grown in other countries,” explains Kelly. Fortunately that’ s rapidly changing, and Erie County is the setting of a burgeoning flower cultivation industry.
This is Kelly and Matt’ s fourth year on the farm, and they have doubled their production each year. Their spring, summer / fall, and monthly flower subscriptions sold out fairly early this year.
The subscription service enables customers to get fresh, locally grown flowers delivered on a regular basis during growing season, or the customer can pick them up if preferred. Bella’ s Blooms will begin accepting subscriptions for the 2026 year around Thanksgiving.
The spring season brings ranunculus, peonies and tulips, as well as other flower varieties. The tulips are especially popular and grow well in the cool climate of Erie, since they need a 16-week period of cool weather to flower properly.
In summer, zinnias, sunflowers, snapdragons and dahlias are some of the most plentiful and popular flowers at the farm. It is also a busy time for weddings. Kelly creates beautiful arrangements for tables and bridal bouquets. But some brides prefer to create their own flower
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