You may think of nurseries as a summer business when wildflowers are blooming and the weather is warm for outdoor browsing. But locally owned Park City Gardens is a year-round destination for any winter floral or decor needs.

In January of 2020, an expansion added the Flower Barn, giving co-owner Sophy Kohler more space to create evergreen wreaths and centerpieces, and creating a space for private events, baby showers, flower arrangement classes, and more.

“We opened the space just in time for Sundance,” says Kohler. “We were humming along and trying to let people know we were doing this.”

Private events quickly booked up in this unique space. “Before coronavirus, we held arranging workshops and planting workshops, we do baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays,” says Kohler. “They’re private so people can have champagne, it’s super fun.”

When the COVID pandemic hit in March, Park City Gardens canceled Flower Barn classes and briefly closed to navigate the changes, pivoting to front door and curbside deliveries. Due to the pandemic, indoor Park City Gardens’ Flower Barn functions remain canceled. But reach out to Kohler and make an appointment to discuss private events in the Flower Barn space. Whether it’s a bridal shower or private terrarium workshop, every event shines in this beautiful garden building.

“The goal [of the Flower Barn] is to have a classic flower shop where people can always get fresh stems.”

More than anything, Kohler wants customers past and present to come and experience the Flower Barn in real life. “You can put something together yourself, shop flowers, shop vases, and get loose stems to go,” she says. “We’ll make something for you, or you can make something for yourself. That’s the goal of the space.”

Beyond the Barn

Park City Gardens is your all-in-one garden stop and has been in business since 1983. “We are a nursery, garden boutique, retail shop, and do the service of arrangements for guests in their homes,” says Kohler. 

If you’re not comfortable shopping in person, Park City Gardens offers in-town delivery of flower arrangements and seasonal wreaths. Shop small at Park City Gardens to find florals fit for any occasion. While tourists often pop by the gardens, Kohler says it’s Parkites who keep her in business. “We are primarily a local’s business. We don’t see much of the traffic that comes with tourists.”

Coffee and tea lovers will love that the gardens is also launching a new coffee shop called Park City Garden Cafe that’s currently under construction on the property. This new cafe will be housed in an 1890s-era structure originally home to the Pace-Archibald general store, which is currently undergoing extensive restoration plans to open in March. Visitors will find limited indoor seating, but the beautiful outdoor area along the stream behind the cafe will be a perfect spot to enjoy a coffee or herbal tea surrounded by live plants. 

In addition, a new greenhouse is currently under construction at Park City Gardens, which will provide a space for plants and flowers to thrive all year long.

Shop at the Garden Boutique

If you’re seeking unique gifts, don your most festive mask and step into the Garden Boutique. This Victorian house is a historical landmark home to one of the town’s earliest settlers and is today a beautifully decorated shop.

Here you’ll find curated gift baskets packed with local goods and live plants, plus hand-crafted bath and body products, books, nature-inspired apparel and accessories, gardening supplies, and home goods. Buy for your favorite local, or ship to faraway family and friends.

If you buy an arrangement from this botanical heaven, remember that you can bring it to the boutique whenever it needs refreshing or replanting. Pay a small fee for new planting materials and labor, and your old plant will look brand new again.

Subscribe & Save

Love flowers? Sign up for weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly deliveries from Park City Gardens to have a steady stream of fresh blooms for your home.

“Subscriptions are awesome because we spoil our subscription customers,” says Kohler. “If you’re going to get a bouquet weekly or bi-monthly, we take out delivery fees and swap out your vases. So you just pay for more flowers, and you get a discount on those too.”

With subscriptions, the staff gets to know your style and caters to you. The subscription delivery minimum is monthly and the subscription range is within the city limits of Park City.

Story by Jenny Willden for The Scout Guide Park City