The perfect antidote to your daily doomscroll might be Zhanerke Kuiganbayeva's Instagram account, Blossmcart, which is filled with floral arrangements that look like they were plucked right from the British countryside. And luckily for us locals, she delivers them all over Sarasota-Manatee.

At just 23, the Sarasota-based florist has grown a local fan base thanks to her whimsical, garden-inspired style. Before moving to Sarasota, Kuiganbayeva worked at a local flower shop in New York, where she "fell in love with flowers," she says. "I became passionate about learning more and started taking classes, learning in the shop and looking at the work of popular florists." 

That was in 2019. Two years later, in December 2021, Kuiganbayeva was living in Sarasota—like so many of us, she moved here for the weather—and decided to launch Blossmcart. 

"I wanted to bring my own style to Sarasota," she says. "I didn't feel like there was a market for people who love the same look I do—natural, garden-style and a little tropical."

Favorite blooms include orchids, roses and magnolias, but Kuiganbayeva she's also especially drawn to flowers that are in season. "In the spring, I love tulips, hyacinths and daffodils," she says. She also loves using branches—cherry blossoms are a favorite—and greenery like eucalyptus to add height and texture. 

For those who want to emulate Kuiganbayeva's creations at home using flowers from the grocery store or blossoms from their yard, she offers a few helpful tips. "Don't be afraid to experiment with color palettes and textures," she says. "I love a lot of greenery to fill a vase. Chicken wire is great for holding flowers in place, especially in a ceramic vase."

As for the arrangement itself, "start with greenery for the base, then add your bigger flowers and finally your smaller, more delicate ones," she advises. "Vary the height of your stems to make the arrangement more interesting visually. And don't be afraid to touch the flowers!"

If you have something you love growing in your yard, like roses, bougainvillea or magnolias, add those in, too, Kuiganbayeva says. "Go outside with your scissors and pop it in a vase. That will make your arrangement unique. Those little touches really matter." 

 

 

 

 

 

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For those eyeing a Blossmcart bouquet for Mother's Day, Kuiganbayeva plans on offering a large selection of flowers for Mother's Day, including arrangements that will be available for same-day delivery. She'll also offer plants for those who prefer those to an arrangement. And, thanks to the addition of two part-time employees, she's started accepting wedding and event work.

But her favorite part of owning a floral business, she says, is "the emotion it brings to others. You see people's eyes light up. That's the most rewarding thing."