Have you ever thought about the journey a flower takes before it blooms? From the moment a seed is planted, it begins a quiet, powerful struggle. The root forms, exerting force to break through its shell, and deep within the darkness of the soil, the stem reaches up, pushing through the earth, always in search of light.
As it breaks through the surface, new buds and leaves form, while the roots continue to anchor it, steadying it through the challenges that will come. After all of that, the flower finally blooms, an elegant result of quiet persistence.
This process—of overcoming struggle to emerge into the light—applies to both plants and people. It’s the dance between light and darkness that brings perspective, and beauty often grows where there is depth.
Petunia, the flower and the brand, is a reflection of that resilience. Founder Cayla Jones knows first hand what it means to grow through struggle. As an only child with a hearing disability and an alcoholic parent, Cayla learned early on that resilience could carry her through life’s hardships. She faced more than her share of loss—beginning with the loss of her mother to stage IV lung cancer, who was not only her best friend but also the guiding light that helped her navigate life, at just 21. This was followed by the loss of both of her grandmothers, a strained relationship with her father, a miscarriage, and, just a few years later, her father’s passing. In the midst of her grief, the pressures of a creative career and the demands of motherhood during a time of uncertainty and isolation left her feeling completely burnt out.
Gardening became her light, offering a sense of community and purpose. It was there that Cayla discovered not only a passion for flowers but a way to heal. Through this journey, she found a renewed sense of self, helping her become the best version of herself for the family she loves—the wife David and the mom Lincoln and Madelyn need. What began as an invitation to join a local garden club and a small porch stand to share flowers with others quickly grew into something more meaningful. What started as a personal healing journey bloomed into Petunia, a way to spread hope, joy, and resilience to others who needed it most. There’s something truly magical about gifting a bouquet and witnessing the happiness it brings to someone.
The name "Petunia" holds even deeper meaning, as it was a childhood nickname given to Cayla by her mother. Little did she know, those sweet, tender words would come to embody a journey of profound growth and strength. Petunias themselves are symbolic of both dark and light—their meaning shifting from anger and resentment to perseverance, positivity, and optimism. It’s this contrast, this balance of light and shadow, that mirrors Cayla’s own path of growth—a reminder that beauty, strength, and hope are often born from the deepest struggles.
If you’ve made it this far, from the bottom of my heart—thank you. Thank you for being here, for believing in this little dream of mine, and for allowing me to share a piece of my journey with you. Petunia is so much more than flowers; it’s a love letter to resilience, to finding light in the darkness, and to the quiet strength that carries us through.
For so many years, I searched for hope—something to remind me that even after loss, after heartbreak, after the hardest days, there is still beauty waiting to bloom. I never imagined I would find that in a garden, in the simple act of growing and giving. And yet, here we are.
Whether you’re here because flowers bring you joy, because you’ve walked through your own seasons of struggle, or simply because you believe in the power of small, beautiful things—I’m so grateful for you. You are part of this story now, and I hope that, in some way, Petunia brings you the same light it has given me.
