Teresa Sabankaya

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Teresa Sabankaya Teresa Sabankaya is the author of The Posy Book, and the upcoming book, Modern Floriography

Teresa Sabankaya is the founder and owner of Bonny Doon Garden Company since 1999- a full service floral design studio, florist and botanical gift shop. Teresa holds a greatly influential position as one of the most innovative florists in the San Francisco Bay Area. Teresa has exhibited her floral art annually at the ‘Bouquets to Art’ exhibition at the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, the Nati

onal Trust Filoli’s Estate in Woodside, and various other floral design and garden shows. Teresa’s floral designs have become highly desirable due to their unique style of arranging and elegant garden appeal. Teresa’s designs carry a chic and nostalgic feel, like a just gathered from the garden bouquet of exquisite high-end blooms. Because of their garden origin, her designs emit a familiarity to people while calibrating the soul. Her wedding floral styles have been featured in numerous wedding blogs and magazines including Smitten, Sweet Violet Bride, Ruffled Blog and Green Wedding Shoes. Teresa has been featured in Amy Stewart’s Flower Confidential book as well as her blog, and was featured ‘Like a Florist from 100 years ago’ in the PBS Documentary Botany of Desire based on Michael Pollen’s best seller Botany of Desire. Teresa’s trademarked creation- Bonny Doon Posies© have been a core part of her retail business from the beginning, and have been featured in such media as CBSSunday Morning, Romantic Homes Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Santa Cruz Sentinel and The New York Times. Bonny Doon Posies are created by using the historic Language of Flowers constructed into circular nosegays that portray a variety of sentiments such as happy birthday, get well, happy anniversary, or simply you are a wonderful friend. Teresa is a Certified Green Gardener, and obtained her Advanced Certification in the fall of 2009. Teresa is a member of Slowflowers.com, an online directory of florists who source their materials locally, and Greatgardenspeakers.com. We are an amazing and meticulously devoted design team who are all committed to celebrating our region’s native flora. Along with our own cutting gardens, we are proud to partner with local farms to bring seasonal flowers to our clients during the growing season. We also work with other American and European growers to source ethically and sustainable grown blooms throughout the year.

Just think...Peony season is just around the corner!📸by the incomparable for
03/02/2025

Just think...

Peony season is just around the corner!

📸by the incomparable for

Me lately…Happy Monday!
27/01/2025

Me lately…

Happy Monday!

If I could just keep my walkways and paths cleaned up and w**d free this winter, I'll be so happy. All the rest can wait...
08/01/2025

If I could just keep my walkways and paths cleaned up and w**d free this winter, I'll be so happy. All the rest can wait, because w**ding beds and all that during winter--with high winds and branches flying, saturating rain, muddy earth, etc. is nonsense. Besides, it goes along with my new-year-new motto, "let's not make it too tidy".

I plan to just let all that be not too tidy, but the paths and walkways, they need to stay prim and proper as possible. It keeps me sane 🙃

This week the makes a historical move from their 6th & Brannon St location--where they have been since 1912-- over to P...
31/12/2024

This week the makes a historical move from their 6th & Brannon St location--where they have been since 1912-- over to Potrero Hill. This is all bittersweet for me, but so much more so for the amazing vendors and staff I'm sure. I've made some incredible long-lasting friends there through the years, and I am hoping they'll still be around at the new location too. I look forward to seeing more of them this year in that new spot!

I have purchased COPIUS amounts of incredibly beautiful flowers from the market for many years, but the one purchase that always stands out and holds a special place in my heart are Don Garibaldi's violets. 35 precious blooms and 15 leaves in each sweet bunch, and for me, the most beautiful little bouquet in the world.

In the language of flowers, the violet conveys the messages of modesty, faithfulness, sweet beauty, I return your love, simplicity, and love. The Victorians had a deep love for violets, and violet scents were popular in Victorian toiletries. They candied violets for use in cakes and pastries, and violets were at the heart of the cut flower boom, where violet-sellers would stand on street corners, selling nosegays and bunches which women pinned to their dresses, or men tucked in their hat brims or wore on their lapels.
And I've heard stories of this in San Francisco too, when Garibaldi's violets, which came from Italy by way of his grandfather, where sold from carts on the street corners in the city. Aaaah. Those were the days! Ode to this little flower in which I love so dearly!

Merry Christmas to you all ✨May you be blessed with the peace of the season.
24/12/2024

Merry Christmas to you all ✨
May you be blessed with the peace of the season.

The Grace Posy is a gorgeous and delightful break-away from the traditional colors of the season. It’s wintery, with a t...
11/12/2024

The Grace Posy is a gorgeous and delightful break-away from the traditional colors of the season. It’s wintery, with a touch of classical seasonal blooms. And with the sentiments that would warm any heart 🤍

Really, it’s a perfect posy for almost any time of year or occasion!

When you need some fortitude, turn to flowers 💞In the language of flowers, and nature in general, one can always find a ...
01/12/2024

When you need some fortitude, turn to flowers 💞

In the language of flowers, and nature in general, one can always find a little walkway to our inner soul, and especially guides us to our strengths and understanding.

As a winter atmospheric river closes in on us for the next few days, I find my mind and heart wondering to the summer ga...
24/11/2024

As a winter atmospheric river closes in on us for the next few days, I find my mind and heart wondering to the summer garden. Letting go of the warm days, prolific blossoms, and bright summer sun is sometimes difficult for me.
But then I remember and respect that just as the garden needs a rest, so do we. I'm planning to take some time this winter to do just that. Rest, restructure, and rejuvenate.

The Being Thankful Posy is a posy meant to remind one of how meaningful life can be if we stopped just a moment, daily, ...
22/11/2024

The Being Thankful Posy is a posy meant to remind one of how meaningful life can be if we stopped just a moment, daily, and reminded ourselves of the lovely things in life to be grateful for. I know...we've all heard it, 'just be thankful this or that..', and that's true. And when we put our minds to it, and by looking at the flowers in this posy and the messages that they convey, it is assuring happiness, haven, gentleness, tolerance and so much
more. Don't we all need that? Don't we need to send all that good out to others too?

This posy is a gift--to you, or to someone else that serves as a powerful reminder of truly how much we can be thankful for.

You can order this online, and I've got it marked automatically at check out 20% off now through next Tuesday.
We can deliver this posy locally in the greater Santa Cruz area, or, it can shipped nationwide.

Before spiced pumpkin everything takes over our lives (as if it hasn't already) I'm reflecting on summer days filled wit...
26/10/2024

Before spiced pumpkin everything takes over our lives (as if it hasn't already) I'm reflecting on summer days filled with loads of flowers and clipped hedges 💚

Autumn always brings me into a state of sentimentalism, and sometimes it's hard to shake. I've been writing and working on the book a lot these last few weeks, so my garden has been neglected. But one of the things I'm talking about in is how a garden--and the whole of nature--always reminds us of time and it's passing. The rhythm in nature is unerring and never stops, reminding us of time and it's passing. Especially true in the autumn garden, where leaves are falling, roses are hipping, and grapevines are loaded down. I do love the autumn season in the garden, with it's shifting of light to a soft glow, for certain. But, my heart just doesn't want to let go of the summer garden in all it's glory.

If there's one plant in my garden that never ceases, and I do mean that I have had this very plant and her many, many da...
25/10/2024

If there's one plant in my garden that never ceases, and I do mean that I have had this very plant and her many, many daughters in various growth and bloom stages for over 20 years now, it would be this one--Dianthus barbatus ‘Sooty’, commonly known as Sweet William. This plant grows as a self-seeding biannual in my garden, and I love it's cottage garden charm, it's saturated deep hued color, and really, now that I'm thinking of it, what I love most is it's vigor under any circumstances. There she is, every. year, just like clockwork!

In the language of flowers, dianthus, or Sweet William represents affection, boldness, childhood, classic love flower, gallantry, love, pure affection...and even more!

to this beautiful day when we shot Kate and Jack Spade with Gal Meets Glam, shot by the amazing Jenna AlcalaCastle Hou...
23/10/2024

to this beautiful day when we shot Kate and Jack Spade with Gal Meets Glam, shot by the amazing Jenna Alcala
Castle House & Garden

Serendipity is setting an autumn garden gather in front of my great-grandmother’s handiwork, and it sort of looks and fe...
23/10/2024

Serendipity is setting an autumn garden gather in front of my great-grandmother’s handiwork, and it sort of looks and feels like they’re the same. Maybe she’s saying hello to me 🥰
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Birthday Queen 👑Is there a better way to celebrate a birthday queen than with flowers? And specifically, the language of...
11/10/2024

Birthday Queen 👑

Is there a better way to celebrate a birthday queen than with flowers? And specifically, the language of flowers? NOPE, there's not!

Order yours today and use the the code AUTUMNFLORALBLISS at checkout for 20% off

**Remember, on the website you can tell me your color and material preferences at checkout in the 'notes' section, and I'll try my best to fit the bill!**

Details....When planning your wedding or other event, don't fret the details. When you hire a pro (hint, hint) there ar...
10/10/2024

Details....

When planning your wedding or other event, don't fret the details. When you hire a pro (hint, hint) there are SO many things to think about.
There are many options when choosing an event florist, BUT, are they working and sourcing sustainably? Locally? I am proud to say that me (and my team) have a long history of sustainable floristry. We did it way back when no one ever really thought about it...except for us.

Keep sustainability AND beauty in the forefront when you're planning your next event. And of course, contact me for all your floral decor needs.

We are in the middle of a severe heat wave here in California, and my garden is NOT happy. But these chrysanthemums! Eve...
07/10/2024

We are in the middle of a severe heat wave here in California, and my garden is NOT happy. But these chrysanthemums! Even in the extreme heat, they are truly work horses in the garden and vase too, where here I've gathered them up (more like rescued! 🥵) from the garden and dropped into a vase.

Chrysanthemums are a perfect en masse gifting flower, because there are a multitude of meanings in the language of flowers, and their primary meanings are enough to bring a smile, uplift spirits, and just make someone's day.

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My Story

Teresa Sabankaya is the founder, owner and creative director of Bonny Doon Garden Company since 1999- a full-service floral design studio, florist and botanical gift shop. Teresa holds a greatly influential position as one of the most innovative florists in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is considered a pioneer in slow flowers and sustainable floristry. With her extensive knowledge regarding the Language of Flowers, it is of no surprise that Teresa has decided to author a book on the subject which will be released in the Spring of 2019.

Teresa has exhibited her floral art annually at the ‘Bouquets to Art’ exhibition at the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, the National Trust Filoli’s Estate in Woodside, and various other floral design and garden shows. Teresa’s floral designs have become highly desirable as a result of their unique style of arranging and elegant garden appeal. Teresa’s designs carry a chic and nostalgic touch, high-end blooms perfectly plucked and placed straight from the garden. Because of their garden origin, her designs emit a familiarity with people while calibrating with the soul. Her wedding floral designs have been featured in numerous wedding blogs and magazines including Smitten, Sweet Violet Bride, Ruffled Blog, and Green Wedding Shoes.

Teresa has been featured in Amy Stewart’s Flower Confidential book, as well as, her blog and was featured on ‘Like a Florist from 100 years ago’ in the PBS Documentary Botany of Desire based on Michael Pollen’s bestseller Botany of Desire. Teresa’s trademarked creation- Bonny Doon Posies© has been a core part of her retail business from the beginning, and have been featured in such media as CBS Sunday Morning, Romantic Homes Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Santa Cruz Sentinel and The New York Times. Bonny Doon Posies are created by using the historic Language of Flowers constructed into circular nosegays that portray a variety of sentiments such as happy birthday, get well, happy anniversary, or simply you are a wonderful friend.

Teresa is a Certified Green Gardener and obtained her Advanced Certification in the fall of 2009. Teresa is a member of Slowflowers.com, an online directory of florists who source their materials locally, and Greatgardenspeakers.com.