Petal Pushers in Southport

Wild by Nature Florist in Southport blooms with the joy of nature and creativity.

Wild by Nature, the picturesque floral shop on Howe Street in Southport, is inspired by nature and built on charm. The building’s bright yellow siding and grass-green trim, the striped yellow awnings and hand-painted floral wall invite a peek inside. A seemingly unending array of flowers bursting with color and plants with a flair for tropical drama create a welcome sense of tranquility inspired by Mother Nature herself.

Tammy Seaman, naturally creative even as a child, is the owner of Wild by Nature. Drawing, painting and making things were a regular part of her life. Both of her parents were artistic and encouraged her to express herself through the exploration of many forms of art. When she was 19, Seaman stepped into the world of floral design by taking an adult education class, where she learned the basics.

“That one small step sparked a lifelong passion,” Seaman says.

Flowers quickly became another medium of creativity that she added to her long list that already included needle felting, crocheting, painting and designing greeting cards, sewing teddy bears and creating with all things vintage.

Last November Seaman and her husband, Brian, jumped at the chance to purchase Wild by Nature when the former owner decided to retire.

“After working for a Wilmington florist and then at Wild by Nature for seven years, I realized just how much I missed running my own shop like I had in Ohio,” says Seaman, who has a total of 40 years of experience in the floral industry.

Wild by Nature’s arrangements are everything but ordinary. Seaman brings a passion for flowers that is beyond routine.

“I especially love creating arrangements that feel natural and wild, like the flowers are growing in their own little setting,” Seaman says. “I use a mix of different greens and foliage because, to me, the leaves and textures are just as beautiful and important as the blooms. It’s all about capturing that effortless beauty you find in nature.”

Seaman curates every piece with care and intention, blending natural textures with timeless style. She is passionate about helping customers find beauty and inspiration in everyday surroundings. She chooses the color palette and style for her designs based on who is receiving the arrangement. After creating a foundation with a variety of greens to set the mood — muted tones, soft greens, whites and gentle shades that offer a quiet sense of peace and comfort for sympathy arrangements and bright, joyful colors that feel celebratory for birthdays and anniversaries — she carefully adds flowers, building the arrangement layer by layer.

Over the years, Seaman has continued to grow and refine her floral skills through on-the-job training and industry seminars. She stays current with the latest products, techniques and trends and by wandering through magazines, Pinterest and YouTube videos.

“Creating makes me happy,” she says. “It’s when I feel most like myself. Each piece is a reflection of my love for detail, nostalgia and the joy of crafting something by hand.”

Inspiration for Seaman’s arrangements often come from the beach and the tropics.

“The tropics bring a sense of adventure and vibrant life to my creations,” she says.

Seaman uses lotus pods, sticks and curly willow, tropical plants, green orchids, white bird of paradise and split-leaf philodendron — her personal favorite — to capture the lush feel of the tropics.

“My love for plants is unmatched, and my team is always sourcing unique and rare varieties you won’t find anywhere else,” she says.

Elaborating on her team, Seaman proudly says, “The best thing about my team of four is that we love each other like family. We work incredibly well together, and we truly love this place and what we do. Countless customers tell us that it shows in our work.”

Ruby Cline is Wild by Nature’s wedding specialist and social media manager. With a background in journalism, she brings a creative mind and a keen eye for storytelling to everything she does.

“Brides absolutely love Ruby, and she loves making their flowers as special and unique as they are,” Seaman says. “Ruby is obsessed with every detail, ensuring each arrangement is perfect down to the last petal.”

Linda Szakelyhidi, designer and versatile member of Wild by Nature’s creative family, has a background in customer service. She brings her friendly, helpful attitude to both the team and the customers every day.

“She’s an amazing worker and a valuable part of our creative family,” Seaman says.

Linda Sullivan orders supplies, handles payroll and ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

“With many years of experience in retail management, she’s amazing with customers and a true pillar of our team. She is the one who keeps us all on track,” Seaman says.

Anne Korsen is the newest member of Wild by Nature. Korsen says she has the best job of all delivering flowers because she gets to see the smiles on the faces of the recipients when they open the front door. Seaman says, “Anne is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.”

Seaman is excited to continue the legacy of the previous owner of Wild by Nature yet make the shop her own.

“There’s always something new to explore,” she says. “I believe people need a connection to nature to feel truly content. Being surrounded by plants and flowers brings me peace and inspiration and makes me feel grounded and joyful. Nature has a quiet magic, and I try to bring a little of that into everything we create.”

Where the Wild Things Are:
Wild by Nature Florist
411 N. Howe St, Southport
(910) 363-5032
Wildbynatureflorist.com