Hi, I’m Cate – the hands, gumboots and slightly (very) grubby fingernails behind Pembroke Blooms.

I’m a born-and-bred Wānaka local, and my flower story really started in my grandparents’ immaculate garden on Faulks Terrace in Wanaka. They had this magic mix of rhododendrons, winding paths and little hidden corners – to kid-me it was all just pretty colours and fun shapes, but it clearly planted a seed.

Fast forward a bit and… I was not a natural gardener. I could barely keep a houseplant alive and I’ll happily admit it. The real turning point came when I met my now-husband, who kept showing up with beautiful bouquets for nearly every occasion. I fell completely in love with having colour on my work desk and around our home – it just made everything feel brighter.

In 2021 I bought a few dahlia tubers for the garden at our rental. One season later I’d completely outgrown that space and, with the help of my very supportive late dad, we transformed an old unused horse round pen into my flower haven. Now there are over 200 dahlias out there, plus a growing cast of other seasonal blooms.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing – I’ve had three solid seasons of trial, error, bad ideas, great surprises and a lot of “well, won’t do that again”. But honestly, that’s how I like it. You learn by failing, and this garden has been one of my best teachers.

Like any gardener, I’m terrible at saying no to “just a bit more space”, so in spring 2025 my slightly delusional self decided we should develop a paddock to triple my current garden size, and to grow an even wider range of flowers for Central Otago. If I thought I was time-short now, I sure will be when it’s up and running!

I say ‘we’ in the heading because I would be remiss in claiming that it’s all my hard work that grows these flowers. I am incredibly lucky to have such a supportive Husband in Jamie who chips in and donates (many) labour hours to setting irrigation up, turning beds over, rotary hoeing - the list goes on. Alongside him is my wonderful Mum Fe, who helps with watering, planting, cutting, and is a sucker for a Mitre 10 or Nicholls plant deal and is known to come home with a new addition or two to add.

I absolutely welcome fellow gardeners and flower lovers to visit. I’m not an expert and don’t plan on pretending to be one – if something survives in my garden, it’s officially a tough little legend. Pembroke Blooms is simply my way of sharing those hardworking, joy-giving flowers with you. 🌸🌿

Cate