In Bloom

Listing Spotlight: Chatham Flower Farm

July 3, 2025

At Bloomvy, we love celebrating outdoor spaces that connect people to nature, creativity, and history and Chatham Flower Farm in Painter, VA does all three beautifully.

Owned and nurtured by John and Kate Fitzpatrick, this extraordinary 4-acre flower farm on Virginia’s Eastern Shore is more than a pretty place - it's a living, blooming timeline. The land traces its roots back to the 17th century, originally part of a larger estate established by Rowland Savage and held in the Milby family for generations. The farmhouse itself dates back to 1690, with additions in 1820 and 1850, making it a rare and remarkable example of traditional Eastern Shore telescoping architecture.

A Working Farm Full of Life

During the growing season, Chatham Flower Farm explodes with color. Guests are treated to rows of dahlias (350+ varieties!), oriental lilies, zinnias, peonies, gladiolus, and more. Over 30 species and hundreds of varieties fill the fields. Even more impressive? The Fitzpatricks grow everything without synthetic chemicals. As a Certified Naturally Grown® and no-till farm, they care deeply about sustainability, soil health, and supporting pollinators.

Tour Some of the Country's Earliest History in Person

Step inside the historic farmhouse and experience life across centuries. The oldest section from 1690 offers a glimpse into early colonial living, while the 1820 and 1850 wings reflect changing times and architectural styles. Just next door stands the 1801 barn, once known as Milby Place, now transformed into the heart of the farm’s operations.

Wander the grounds and you’ll find a rich mix of historic outbuildings, including a tobacco drying shed from 1645 that is still used today to dry herbs, flowers, and bridal bouquets. Other structures include a dollhouse, working chicken coops, and original enslaved quarters, respectfully preserved to honor the full, complex history of this land.

Art Meets Earth: The Kate W. Fitzpatrick Studio

Upstairs in the barn, you’ll find a sanctuary of creativity - Kate W. Fitzpatrick’s art studio and gallery. Kate’s contemporary abstract paintings, in oil and watercolor, are inspired by the moods, light, and land of the Eastern Shore. Her work evokes remembered moments, and visitors are invited to engage with it on a deeply personal level.

Perfect for Photos

Planning a photo shoot? Chatham Flower Farm offers a dream-worthy backdrop of flower fields, historic barns, heritage trees, a vintage truck, and more. Whether you’re a pro photographer or capturing your own special moments, the setting is yours to explore—no extra fee for professional equipment or photographers.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re a gardener, history buff, artist, or someone simply looking for a peaceful, beautiful place to recharge, Chatham Flower Farm offers a rare blend of natural beauty and meaningful history. With a variety of guided tours and self-guided experiences, there’s something here for everyone.

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What Is a Wellness Garden? Why These Peaceful Spaces Matter More Than Ever

June 20, 2025

As more people seek calm in a chaotic world, a quiet movement is taking root right in our backyards.

Wellness gardens are thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces that support relaxation, reflection, and gentle restoration. More than just beautiful, these gardens are intentional. They're crafted to help people slow down, breathe deeply, and feel better, in body and in mind.

At Bloomvy, we believe wellness isn’t limited to spas or studios. Sometimes, it’s found under a tree, beside a lavender bed, or in the rhythm of birdsong at dusk.

What Makes a Garden a “Wellness” Garden?

A wellness garden isn’t about perfection or fancy landscaping. It’s about how the space makes you feel. These spaces often include:

• Natural textures – stone paths, wooden benches, soil beneath your hands
• Scented plants – lavender, mint, jasmine, rosemary
• Soft, layered planting – grasses that sway, flowers that invite butterflies
• Shade and dappled light – to rest, breathe, and cool the mind
• Water elements – fountains, birdbaths, or even just the sound of dripping rain

Wellness gardens are designed to invite you in - not to do anything, but simply to be.

Why People Are Seeking Wellness Gardens Now

The rise in mindfulness, stress-related illness, and digital burnout has sparked a surge of interest in natural wellness spaces. From hospital healing gardens to backyard sanctuaries, people are turning to outdoor environments to restore balance.

Studies show that even just 15 minutes in a green, calming space can lower cortisol, reduce blood pressure, and elevate mood.

Wellness gardens offer a gentle alternative to more structured wellness activities. No mats. No timers. Just space to breathe, reflect, or move slowly.

How Bloomvy Connects People with Wellness Gardens

Not everyone has access to a quiet outdoor space - but many people have one to share. We make it easy for people to book peaceful, private gardens for things like:

• Meditation or journaling sessions
• Outdoor yoga or tai chi
• Mental health breaks between work meetings
• Wellness-focused gatherings or solo retreats
• Grief processing, emotional rest, or creative flow

If you’re a garden owner, become a Bloomvy Host and turn your outdoor space into a healing resource for your community — a place that helps others reset, recover, and reconnect.

Tips for Hosting a Wellness Garden

If you’re already a host (or thinking of becoming one), consider adding wellness-friendly touches:

• A quiet bench tucked under a tree
• A wind chime or birdbath for gentle background sound
• Aromatic plantings like lavender or sage
• A shaded area for seated reflection or stretching
• A “tech-free” zone to encourage digital rest

A wellness garden doesn’t have to be grand. It just has to be real. When someone steps into a space where nature is alive and welcome, healing can begin.

Whether you’re a guest in search of calm, or a host ready to share your peaceful space, we invite you to explore the power of the wellness garden - with Bloomvy.

Move, Breathe, Bloom: Celebrate National Garden Exercise Day

June 6, 2025

June 6th is National Garden Exercise Day, a unique celebration that invites us to get outside, move our bodies, and reconnect with nature in the most peaceful gym imaginable: the garden.

At Bloomvy, we see gardens not only as beautiful spaces but as places for wellness, reflection, and movement. Whether you're tending to beds of perennials, flowing through yoga poses on a grassy lawn, or simply walking mindfully among blooms, gardens offer a natural sanctuary for both movement and stillness.

Why Garden Exercise Matters

Studies show that time spent in nature boosts mood, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and support your overall well-being. Add in a little movement like weeding, planting, or stretching and you’ve got a recipe for a healthier life.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Low-impact and easy on the body
• Supports mental clarity and emotional balance
• Productive - you’re moving and growing something
• A way to soak in Vitamin D naturally

Ways to Celebrate

Whether you're a guest, a host, or a garden enthusiast, here are a few ways to mark the occasion:

• Take your workout outside. Book a peaceful private garden on Bloomvy for yoga, tai chi, or a light workout.

• Host a garden wellness event. If you're a Bloomvy host, consider offering your space for fitness instructors, meditation groups, or nature walks.

• Get your hands dirty. Gardening itself is exercise! Plant, prune, or weed your way to wellness.

• Go tech-free for an hour. Use today as an excuse to leave your phone behind and let your body and senses lead the way.

Why Gardens Make Great Exercise Spaces

People are seeking calm, beautiful spaces to move and recharge. Not everyone wants to exercise in a loud gym or crowded park. Bloomvy connects guests with private, peaceful gardens that offer room to stretch, reflect, and breathe. These outdoor sanctuaries are perfect for solo workouts, small group wellness events, or simply spending time with nature.

If you have a garden that others might enjoy, you can become a Bloomvy Host and share your space as a place for movement, creativity, and connection. And if you’re someone looking for that perfect garden to unwind in, we make it easy to find one near you.

Let’s Grow Stronger Together

National Garden Exercise Day reminds us that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes all you need is a little fresh air, some movement, and a peaceful garden path. Whether you’re flowing through yoga under the trees or weeding your favorite flower bed, you’re doing something wonderful for both your body and mind.

From all of us at Bloomvy, Happy National Garden Exercise Day!