A grand two dozen of roses with red soft velvety petals. A petite posy with Australian natives, like kangaroo paw and desert flame. A powder-pink orchard, breathtakingly beautiful and simply stunning.
By her own admission, Julie Betland, the owner of Boydita Flowers Delivered in Erina, is unlike so many modern-day florists. She has avoided creating a signature Boydita style. In fact, if you lined up a single day’s bouquets, they would all look completely unique.
“I suppose my style is customisation,” says Julie. “Every one of our customers is different. They are unique. And I love creating something special that is just for them. That’s what’s different about Boydita. The customer is truly at the heart of the business.”
Combined with an unrivalled eye for good quality flowers, Julie’s approach appears to be one that works. To date, Julie has created almost half a million bouquets for those on the Central Coast. For everything from weddings to ‘just because’ posies.
Award winning, she is undoubtedly the longest running and most favoured florists in the region. “I’ve been a florist since I was 18 years old. Since I finished high school,” explains Julie. “I’ve been doing it now for almost 20 years, and I still love it.”
An unwavering adoration for her profession helps fuel those 3am dashes to the Sydney Flower Market three times a week. A job that she could now give to someone else within her six-person team. “But I am very particular in what I want,” laughs Julie. “It’s hard work but I know what I am looking for.”
In season, unique and a flower with a bit of a story is what catches Julie’s eye. It’s more than creating a bouquet, it’s knowing the journey from flower farm to posy. “Quality is absolutely paramount,” Julie explains. “We want to create designs that last.”
The award-winning florist started at Boydita in 2004. Her first job as a florist after training. In 2018, the then-owners asked if she would be interested in taking over. “I said ‘no’ to begin with,” she tells. “I’ve two kids, and I enjoyed turning up, doing what I loved doing, and then going home.”
The allure of owning her own florist soon won her over though. Almost four years ago, she and husband Tim, a fireman and plumber, took over the leading Coast florist. And now the business is at the core of the family, admits Julie.
Her 11-year-old daughter Ruby spends the school holidays creating bouquets, and Tim is hands on with the business side of things. “My son Charlie who is eight is perhaps not that into it,” says Julie with a smile. “He is sporty and likes to be outdoors. But Ruby will often come and do the Sydney flower run with me. She is very creative.”
In the past three years, Julie has started to put her own stamp on the business. For one, the interiors of Boydita, found in the entrance of Fountain Plaza in Erina, have had a facelift. When you step inside, there’s a treasure chest feel. Flowers upon flowers, but also incredible gifts, fine wines, and artisan chocolates.
“I think what always really strikes be about Boydita is the customers,” says Julie. “We have such loyal customers. Most have been coming her for years and years. There’s one gentleman in particular who always buys a bouquet for us. He gifts it to us. That always really reminds me of what we’ve created here.”
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So, the ultimate question to ask any florist: What is your favourite flower? “For me, a phalaenopsis orchid,” says Julie. “Completely timeless and beautiful. That would be my top pick.
“But really, when it comes to creating the perfect design, it is listening to the customer. It’s trying to read between the lines – is it bold or subtle, they are looking for? The colour palette. Unique flowers, or traditional? That’s the secret recipe of creating a bouquet that creates that emotional connection. That’s what you get at Boydita.”
The Details
Boydita Flowers Delivered
Shop 2 148 Central Coast Highway, Fountain Plaza, Erina
(02) 4367 7496
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