Nestled in the quiet village of Reinland, just 15 minutes south of Winkler, Heritage Blooms Flower Farm is more than a garden – it’s a heartfelt tribute to generations past. Mother-daughter duo Lydia and Tina Penner co-own the vibrant, half-acre flower farm, offering a unique U-pick experience that invites visitors to wander through rows of zinnias, lisianthus, and strawflowers, hand-selecting blooms for their own custom bouquets.
The farm's name pays homage to their roots. "We both would help our grandmas in the garden every summer," says Lydia. "Gardening just felt like part of our family heritage. So, we named it Heritage Blooms, after our grandmas."
From backyard blooms to community joy The idea started modestly, with Tina sneaking flower rows into her vegetable garden. "My husband wasn’t too thrilled at first," she laughs, "but when we had this old pasture no one wanted to graze on, he suggested we turn it into a flower garden."
That suggestion bloomed into something much bigger. With hard work, the forgotten land was transformed into a floral haven. As they shared bouquets on Instagram, their following quickly grew. "We realized there was a real demand for this in our area," says Lydia.
The U-pick experience Opening mid-July each year, Heritage Blooms offers pre-booked visits where guests can explore, cut, and create their own bouquets. The farm provides cutters and canisters, and visitors are encouraged to walk the full garden before snipping. "Take two of everything you like and cut stems as long as possible," advises Lydia. "It helps the plant grow back and gives you more options when arranging."
"Watching people pick flowers is one of my favourite parts," Tina adds. "You see ten different people walk away with ten completely different bouquets. It’s inspiring."
Creative, calming, and deeply personal For the Penners, farming flowers is equal parts labour and art. Seeds are started indoors in February, transferred to a greenhouse in April, and planted out mid-May. From then on, it’s a cycle of weeding, watering, and waiting – with the biggest challenge being timely irrigation.
Despite the hard work, they both find the process soothing. "Picking flowers is so calming. You can listen to music or a podcast, and just create," says Lydia. "I didn’t think I was creative until I started making bouquets."
More than flowers Heritage Blooms also offers bulk flower packages for weddings and events, private group bookings, and even seasonal pumpkins grown at Tina’s son's property. And while they don’t host weddings on-site, they welcome groups for evening gatherings, complete with a firepit and serene prairie backdrop. To plan your visit or learn more, visit heritagebloomsflowerfarm.com or follow them on Instagram. The 2025 U-pick season opens July 15.
