Wildflower Cowgirls

Dear Molalla,

Last weekend was the Spring Shop Hop in town. If you didn’t make it out, you’ll have to catch the next one—Stephanie at Back to the Racks Boutique puts on a fun event that many of us small shops take part in to give you a day full of local shopping.

Throughout the day, customers wandered in, visited for a bit, and got their passports stamped. But there was one group of shoppers that stood out above the rest.

Through the front windows, I saw a big truck pull up and park. A moment later, three of my favorite little local cowgirls hopped out and strutted into the shop.

Only these girls came bearing gifts.

A small fistful of wildflowers—soft purples and the prettiest little blooms—was stretched out across the counter.

“Are these for me?” I asked, my heart about bursting.

You see, it’s a rare thing for the florist to receive flowers.

They nodded proudly and told me they had even found some wild iris. Girls after my own heart.

I quickly placed them in a bud vase on the counter, right where I could see them.

And as I stood there looking at them, I found myself thinking about my own childhood—and how Wild Iris came to be.

When I purchased the shop in the spring of 2025, I knew I was going to keep the name. But I also knew I needed to make it mine…to bring it to life in a way that felt real.

That’s when the idea started to take shape—a brand built around a character. A wild cowgirl named Iris, who loves flowers.

But the question became…what does she look like?

And then it hit me.

As a young girl, my family vacations were spent on horseback, deep in the Oregon wilderness. We’d pack into remote areas, set up camp, and ride trails all day long. In the evenings, while my mom cooked dinner, I’d wander off in search of wildflowers.

I’d pick them as I went, gathering little treasures along the trail, and bring them back to camp.

There were no vases out there—so I’d grab whatever I could find. Usually one of my dad’s empty beer bottles. I’d rinse it in the stream, fill it with water, and arrange my flowers like they were something truly special.

Those moments stuck with me.

Somewhere along the way, those wildflower days, my love for design, and a little bit of my own wild spirit all came together—and Wild Iris was born.

She’s spirited, a little untamed, and full of heart.

She believes in quality, in beauty, in doing things with intention. She notices the small details. She values connection. She tells a story.

And sometimes…she’s just a little girl, standing in the woods with a handful of wildflowers, proud of what she found.

So when those three little cowgirls placed that bouquet on my counter, it felt like something had come full circle.

A small reminder that maybe the best things—the most meaningful things—are still the simplest ones.

And that flowers, no matter where they come from, still have a way of making someone feel special.

—Wild Iris