Andrea Peaslee is an avid gardener, but in her new role as a florist, even she is perplexed by the number of various plants. "Even though my home is full of hanging plants, I'm still learning names of so many new flowers. Many, I can't pronounce," she said.  Peaslee and her husband, Tom, opened Harbor Blooms florist shop on March 1. The shop is in the Meadow Mall.

Tom is from Boothbay and graduated from Boothbay Region High School. The couple lives in Jefferson with their five children. Both work for Hannaford's. For seven years, Tom has worked part-time as a Boothbay Harbor Hannaford flower arranger. He is also self-employed as garden caretaker for several peninsula businesses and civic organizations. Andrea works part-time at the Damariscotta Hannaford.

Both are avid plantsmen and considered opening a floral business for over a year. They decided this spring was the right time. So the Peaslees opened Harbor Blooms. "Several people began asking me for special orders which really led us to believe now was the right time," Tom said. "The community has been extremely cooperative and encouraged us to open the shop. And our neighbors here at the small mall have also been encouraging."

Sue Burge remembers Tom and his siblings visiting her home as children. When she learned who opened the new florist shop, Burge offered to help. "They are both wonderful people, and I want to do whatever I can to help them," Burge said. "I've known him since he was a child and he is a hard worker so I wish them the best."

Burge has provided a list of local churches and civic organizations to the business. "I'm helping them with networking. I want to get the word out that we (the region) have a florist shop," she said.  

In March, Harbor Blooms began selling flowers grown in Florida. The shop has an assortment of tulips, carnations, daffodils, ranunculus, agapanthus and dianthus, among others available in stock. Each sale includes free greens. Harbor Blooms will also have plenty of lilies in time for Easter, the couple said. 

This spring, the Peaslees expect light-colored plants like tulips, daffodils and ranunculus as customer favorites. Andrea is especially partial to ranunculus. "They are so beautiful and look like they are made from tissue paper. I just love them," she said.

In summer and fall, the couple expect sunflowers and lilacs as customer favorites. For winter, the Peaslees have made wreaths for  years and will sell them in their shop. 

Despite being a new business, word of their operation has reached across the border. "We are receiving regular orders including one from Canada. We deliver throughout Lincoln County along with free delivery within the peninsula," Andrea said.  

"Customers should look for our flyers which will be available on our Facebook page, Harbor Blooms Flower Shop." The shop is at 185 Townsend Ave. in Boothbay Harbor. 

The shop is open six days a week. Mondays through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop also has Sunday delivery.