IT ALL began with a wedding gift of flowers, igniting a spark of curiosity in Janae and Chris Paquin-Bowden.
That simple gesture became the seed for a life-changing journey, as the couple discovered their passion for flower farming and embraced a new path in the heart of Central Victoria.
Naming their venture Fleurs de Lyonville, they transformed their farm into a flourishing showcase of sustainable flower farming—a beloved source of beauty for local florists, markets, residents, and a growing online community.
For Janae and her husband Chris, Fleurs de Lyonville is a dream cultivated with dedication and a deep respect for nature.
A stone’s throw from Hepburn Springs, in the hamlet of Lyonville, the couple’s eight-acre property bursts with seasonal flowers that celebrate the diversity and resilience of the local habitat.
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“The seed was planted in my mind to create something beautiful and seasonal, a true cottage garden.
"I made Chris carry around about six flower farming books on our honeymoon,” said an ebullient Janae.
Both were teachers at the time, imparting their knowledge of the French language and combining flowers with outdoor learning.
They built the farm around the play area of their eldest child Gigi and it took little convincing for Chris to transition from deputy principal into full time farming.
Chris hails from Edmonton in Canada, while Janae lived in France – a willing Bendigo girl with French connections.
“We wanted to create something that connects people with nature,” said Janae.
“Flowers are not just beautiful; they bring joy, reduce stress, and make people happy.”
The pair embarked on their farming journey with a shared commitment to sustainability and community, growing flowers without harmful chemicals and focusing on regenerative farming practices.
“Every year there is some kind of challenge that makes us think twice about what we are doing.
"The weather is getting hard to work with, and new pests can be a problem, so we use different areas of the land to isolate our plants from any viruses.
"We’ve learnt a lot, but we try to grow in rows like in a garden, and we diversify the size of the flowers, their shapes, and how they grow.
"When they are flowering, the birds and the pollinators, have a pig-out,” Janae said.
One of the hallmarks of Fleurs de Lyonville is its commitment to seasonal blooms: from the pastel hues of springtime ranunculus and sweet peas to the vibrant dahlias and zinnias of summer, each bouquet tells the story of the season.
Fleurs de Lyonville is a hub of creativity, often collaborating with local florists, wedding planners, and artists to showcase the farm’s unique blooms.
“We are growing dahlias, bringing them on a bit earlier with new methods we’ve introduced.
"We grow about 50 cottage varieties with dahlias as a specialty flower, alongside recycling and avoiding harmful sprays, and rejuvenating throughout the farm.”
Natives are more difficult to grow according to Janae but they haven’t given up hope to one day combine these with the cottage flowers.
They have experimented to minimise soil usage using little moulds to grow the seeds, negating the need to use pots and other plastic containers, while some flowers thrive and others need extra care.
“We love this lifestyle and we make an income.
"After ten years we’re happy with what we are doing.
"Both of us grew up on rural properties and I was influenced by my dad, who grew natives in Bendigo.
"He helps graft new flowers for us, so the future might be brighter to grow more of the natives.
“We dreamt of having a small holding and had discussed growing vegetables, but there are many already growing vegies, so we decided on the flowers.
"I believe we have the smallest agricultural farms in all of Australia because the soil here is red and black volcanic rich soil, with plentiful rainfall.
"There’s a lot of micro farmers that have developed in the area and we lean on each other.
“We have no plans to expand and the size is manageable.
"I also work as a ceramicist from home, so I get to have a break from both.
"We’ll continue what we are doing, and having a good relationship with whom we supply.”
Janae is a creative individual and loves working with nature and she’s even brought back the blue birds to her farm.
She is impulsive, sometimes demanding, but strives for her best.
"I know what I want," she said.
"I don’t sit still and I think this is a skill."
She is proud of her husband who she describes as a beautiful, kind man.
With so much going for them, their futures look bright together, knowing that a flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and a man cannot live without love.
Fleurs de Lyonville regularly hosts workshops and school groups, teaching everything from bouquet-making to sustainable gardening practices.
These events engender a deeper bond between the community and the art of flower farming, and are a real boon to youngsters for getting their hands dirty.
Fleurs de Lyonville is a shining example of how passion, sustainability, and community can come together to create something truly extraordinary.
For Janae and Chris Paquin-Bowden, their farm is more than a business; it’s a way of life, rooted in beauty and shared with love.
