About Us

Botanica Florals is owned and operated by sisters Sonja Grahn and Sarah McAllister, native Vermonters from Chittenden County.

They partnered in the summer of 2011 when they were both ready for a career change. Once the store was established, the best and furriest part-time employee joined them: Ferdinand, aka, Ferdie, Montpelier’s most popular four-legged friend. Read more about Sonja, Sarah, and Ferdie below.

SONJA GRAHN

Sonja always enjoyed arranging flowers and enrolled in the Vermont Academy of Floral Design in Waterbury. In 2001, she experienced a medical scare. During that time, her thoughtful husband Doug brought her fresh flowers every week. Sonja took the time to arrange the flowers each week and found it very soothing. When her medical issues were resolved, she decided the time was right to design flowers for others. At the same time, her sister Sarah was ready to make a career change, and Botanica Florals became a reality.

SARAH McALLISTER

Sarah brings multiple years of retail and display management to her work at Botanica Florals. Sarah worked in downtown Burlington until she became a Military spouse and was thrilled to get back to her retail roots with Botanica Florals in 2011. One of Sarah’s talents is setting up spaces and creating them into something people love. If you want to get a sense of Sarah’s inviting space designs, just head to the store and look around.

FERDINAND

“Ferdie” (February 10, 2011 – November 24, 2021)

Our beloved Golden Retriever friend Ferdie passed over the rainbow bridge on November 24, 2021, after working with us for almost 10 years. Everyone who met Ferdie loved him. He was a comfort to grief-stricken or those suffering with depression. He offered a brief reprieve to exhausted parents and was the calm in the COVID storm for others. Children and adults with a fear of dogs slowly embraced him, and some who had difficulty communicating with fellow humans began to open up after hanging out with him. He was always willing to lend a soft, satiny, golden ear, a friendly face and a wagging tail, asking nothing in return. He will remain in our hearts forever. Thank you Ferdie for giving us 10 wonderful years with you.

Check out the clip when Ferdie made the news.

All of us at Botanical Florals are ready to provide you with the personal experience you deserve, whether you need a lovely house-warming plant or are planning an event with over two hundred people.

Call us, come into the store, or send us an email to start the conversation.

Thank you so much for the gorgeous bouquet!
The receiver of these flowers is out of her mind with joy and can’t stop admiring them. Thank you!

— Paul M.