Spring is the season of rebirth, when the world comes back alive after the dead and dark of winter. It is a time of healing, a time where we reconnect with nature and with ourselves. That connection is exactly what Nourish Botanica seeks to foster.
Nourish Botanica is a green space that seeks to provide healing through flowers and plants. Not only does the garden serve as a physical space for connection, with events and workshops surrounding plants, but it also seeks to harness the healing power of the Earth itself through apothecary. Founder Quianah Upton was inspired by her upbringing in the Virgin Islands, where she said her family would often turn to natural remedies like aloe, lemongrass, and black castor oil. Bringing this practice to Nourish Botanica keeps her connected with her ancestry, which she said is spiritually healing.
Along with apothecary offerings, Nourish Botanica also sells dried flower bouquets from flowers grown in its garden, hosts monthly floral arrangement and plant repotting workshops, and serves as a stunning venue for organizations looking to book the backyard. It has also hosted garden dinner parties, with natural food prepared by local chefs, and various food pop-ups. All of this is open to everyone, but the space was specifically created with Black people in mind.
“I want to create spaces for Black people, but I’m in a space where I want all of us to get healing,” Upton told Georgia Voice. “I just also have to remember why I started this.”
With this mission in mind, Nourish Botanica will be hosting Black Girl Plant Fest on April 20 and 21. The weekend will include events, parties, and workshops to engage Black women with plants.
“BGPF is an homage to girls who want to rest, girls who love art, girls who love sanctuary,” Upton said. “I had a lot of girls coming to me looking for advice about getting into the business themselves. So, I really wanted to create a space for budding entrepreneurs in plants and in flowers. I want us to have conversations around growing them … BGPF is a bridge to connect Black women creatives, entrepreneurs, and artists into a healing space full of sanctuary, art, and joy.”
Attendees of BGPF can expect workshops covering growing your own oasis, indoor plant care, and eco-painting; yoga, a farm stand and market; a dance party with sounds by DJ Mami Wata; and more.
BGPF also marks the beginning of two new, recurring events. Nourish Botanica will host the Wild Practice Garden and Farm Stand every third Sunday starting April 21 from 11am to 3pm, and the weekend closes with Sessions, an open mic inviting Atlanta artists and musicians to perform in the backyard oasis every third Sunday at 5pm starting April 21. Everyone is welcome, and performers can sign up on the spot in person.
These events are only the beginning of Nourish Botanica’s growth; a greenhouse café is also in the works. Nourish Botanica raised around $80,000 in funding toward a space, but that was “not a lot of money in Atlanta real estate,” according to Upton, so the money was funneled into building out the plant shop and backyard. While she doesn’t know where the new café will be, Upton says it’s “definitely coming” and will probably be brought to life thanks to some kind of community partnership.
Until then, Nourish Botanica will continue healing Atlanta through art, food, nature, and community.
To stay up to date with everything happening at Nourish Botanica, visit nourishbotanica.cafe and sign up for the email newsletter, or follow on Instagram @nourishbotanica.