Pick-your-own peony farm blooming as agritourism grows in Chatham-Kent

A 10-year commercial peony farm opens to the public for the first time. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has the details.

A 10-acre sea of pastel petals is drawing visitors from across southern Ontario to a rural corner of Chatham-Kent — and it’s part of a growing trend turning local farms into tourist destinations.

Fleur de Roy, a peony farm in Dover Centre, officially opened to the public for the first time Friday with a pick-your-own experience that owners say is unlike anything else in the province.

“This is our opening day and it’s the first year that we are opening the field up to our clients and customers for pick your own,” said co-owner Valerie Chort.

The farm, co-owned by Chort and nephew Charles Rougeau, was previously focused on wholesale production for florists. But a business pivot last year planted the seeds for something new.

“Historically, we had set this up as a business model that provided peonies for the cut flower market, and we sold to wholesalers and florists,” said Chort. “Then we changed up the business model and said, perhaps this year we will do something that’s unique.”

She said the decision to welcome the public was inspired in part by the farm’s size and potential community impact, noting there were likely more than 150,000 peony stems to see.

“Because we’re the only pick-your-own flower farm in all of Ontario that’s this large, we said, ‘Why not do this and bring the community together of Dover Centre, Mitchell’s Bay, and offer this to our clients,’” she said.

The result is a three-hour “Peony Bloom Experience,” where guests can wander the blooming rows and cut their own flowers to take home.

Visitors on opening day came from Windsor, Toronto, Kingsville, Oakville, Hamilton and Guelph, according to Chort.

“This is where you see how much people love peonies and are interested in peony flowers,” she said.

Rougeau said seeing guests engage with the blooms has been rewarding.

“I really like it because I can finally see the joy that flowers bring to people,” he said.

The short season and nostalgia associated with the fragrant flower are a big part of the draw, Chort explained.

“It brings back a lot of memories. It’s generational. A peony plant will last between 50 to 100 years,” she said. “It’s only available for, you know, two weeks out of June. So people need to rush and enjoy it that way.”

Chatham-Kent Tourism’s Shannon Paiva said the opening is part of a larger trend in the municipality, following popular outdoor experiences like Hat Trick Farms’ tulip displays and sunflower walks at Puddleford Tree Farm.

“I would say it’s a growing trend, for sure,” said Paiva. “What I love is that this is another opportunity where we’re opening and welcoming that world of peonies — 10 acres of peonies — to you in a responsible, ethical way.”

For Chort and Rougeau, seeing the fields in full bloom — something they used to avoid in commercial production — has taken on new meaning.

“It’s a nightmare when you’re doing it for commercial,” said Chort. “You do not want to see a field this way because a plant that’s opened is not sellable to a florist or a wholesaler… We never thought that we could actually see it this way, but here we are.”

She said they hope the experience becomes an annual draw for the region.

“We’re really excited to be able to make this area a real hub for the community,” said Chort. “And I think that’s going to grow year over year.”

For guests concerned about ants — a common sight on blooming peonies — Chort had a simple tip.

“They don’t harm the peonies. They’re attracted by the sugar,” she said. “If you’re worried about bringing ants in the house, all you need to do is dunk your peony in water and the ants will float away.”

The pick-your-own experience at Fleur de Roy runs until mid-June, weather permitting and booking online in advance is recommended.