Our Story - Umberwood.
Hi, I'm Jess!
I have a theory; Dahlias are gateway flowers.
When I planted my very first dahlia - a Café au Lait - I was completely captivated. One plant was all it took, and now I happily describe myself as a millennial dahlia addict.
Although I come from generations of farming, I'm the first in my family to venture into flower farming. Today, Umberwood is dedicated to growing quality dahlia tubers for New Zealand gardeners, flower farmers, and fellow dahlia addicts, so more people can experience the same joy these remarkable flowers brought me.
Umberwood has never been a one-person journey. My family have generously shared their knowledge, practical skills, and encouragement along the way. My husband Ryan is my creative sounding board, and our resident morale officer, Umber Dog Co, is never far from the garden.
One of my greatest joys is watching life return to the Christchurch red zone. Every season brings healthier soil, more worms, more insects, and bumble bees disappearing head-first into blooms with only their fuzzy little bottoms sticking out. Growing flowers is wonderful, but helping restore the land they grow in feels just as meaningful.
Outside the garden, I'm also a preschool teacher. I believe deeply that tamariki deserve muddy boots, curious hands, and a genuine connection with nature. Every bloom deserves to be loved, even those that aren't perfect enough for the vase. Those flowers find a second life at Bush Kindy and preschool, becoming fairy soup, pressed into artwork, carefully dissected by tiny scientists, or simply admired for their beauty.
For me, dahlias have become much more than flowers. They have taught me patience, curiosity, and the joy of growing something worth sharing. What began as a personal obsession has become a way to connect with others through gardens, blooms, and tubers.
If you're already a dahlia addict, welcome - you've found your people.
And if you're planting your very first one, I hope it's the beginning of a lifelong love affair.
Thank you for visiting Umberwood.
Jess
