Coast River Business Journal
BUSINESS NEWS
May 2021 • 15
ABOVE: Plants as seen inside Malin’s greenhouse. RIGHT: Malin often utilizes locally-foraged
plants when possible. BELOW: Malin points to the pig topiary in a magazine.
From Saint Helens to LA
Originally from Saint Helens, Malin graduated
from the University of Washington before starting
her business in Los Angeles.
“Even though I started the business in LA, I was
from here. I grew up in Saint Helens, but I worked
in advertising in New York, LA and San Fran-
cisco,” Malin said.
“I was working on a business plan for some-
one, who later turned out to be Pampered Chef.
And I saw a topiary and said ‘that’s really cool.’
So I made myself a pig to put in my extensive herb
garden.”
Soon people began to notice the topiary pig in
her home garden, which Malin seemed to be con-
stantly replacing.
“I sold that pig 24 times. Chefs in LA would
come and clip herbs. So I got into topiaries out of
herbal plants. I sold out fast,” she said.
Soon Martha Stewart and Nordstrom came call-
ing as clients.
It was during the Seattle Flower and Garden
Shows where Malin made a more direct impres-
sion while converting 1,000-square-feet spaces into
lush displays.
“Back in the 80s I used to be a major whole-
saler in the gift and garden industry. I had one of the
founding gardens for the Seattle Flower and Gar-
den Show. The shows are always a big undertak-
ing. The last one I did two 25-foot swans that made
a heart shape. Once I did a Noah’s Ark theme with
elephants squirting water, and lions out of grasses
and snakes out of succulents. I always won whimsy
award, they ended up calling it the ‘Nan Cup.’ I
would do large displays and my employees would
kick out kissing dolls and little baby birds with ivy
over them. We sold it all over the U.S. and shipped
frames internationally.”
Customers could order smaller versions of
Malin‘s topiaries from home décor and lifestyle
publications like Country Living and Martha Stew-
art Magazine.
“You could either buy a bunny, goat or duck,
different things. We would drop ship them. I had
reps in all the design centers throughout the coun-
try, this was before internet.”
Demand for the topiaries was seemingly
endless.
“I did designs for Beverly Hills houses and the
Seattle Flower and Garden Show as well as San
Francisco and Rhode Island,” Malin said.
“We would go and create something crazy. I
had one guy call and say he needed 9-foot topiary
angels, so I had to learn how to weld. I went from
herbals to little welded frames. I got so busy that I
had to have onsite employees. I moved the business
(from LA) to Portland and always came back to do
the Seattle show.”
Eventually the travel and the toil took it’s toll,
and Malin “retired” from the wholesale topiary
business.
“Eventually, I burnt out and got out of it.”
Returning to her roots
After raising a family and spending time away
from the floral industry, Malin has since returned,
now operating from her home in Seaview.
“When I moved here I did my daughters’ wed-
dings and soon a lot of local brides started knock-
ing on my door. I started out word of mouth doing
weddings, and pretty soon I got so busy that I got a
(nursery) license about three years ago,” she said.
Malin‘s satisfaction comes from arrangements
that resonate, leaving a lasting impression.
“I do that ‘look’ that all these brides want, that
beautiful, ‘Instagram’ photograph. The photographs
are the magic. When I hand the bride that bouquet
and see her have tears in her eyes, it’s worth every-
thing to me,” she said.
Affordability is another big consideration,
Malin said, adding that she often utilizes local-
ly-foraged plants when possible.
“I’m known for bringing it in on budget. I for-
age as much as possible. I use sustainable and natu-
ral products. I don’t use foams and petroleum-based
things. I have a beach vibe and my arrangements
are English-garden looking. They’re definitely not
a wire-service look. I don’t do roses and baby’s
breath unless you beg me,” she said.
Decades after the topiary craze, Malin has
reconnected with former vendors as her floral busi-
ness continues to flourish.
“As word of mouth grew, I reached out to my
old vendors. They all remember me because I have
a very unique name and did a very unique thing.”
Get to The Point.
Expert Service. Guaranteed.
Trust your vehicle safety
to the professionals at
DEL’S O.K. TIRE
Same owners•Same tires
Same great service
YOUR #1 SOURCE
FOR TIRES
CUSTOM WHEELS
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
503-325-2861
For emergencies
503-325-0233
35359 Business Hwy 101
(Miles Crossing)
Astoria, OR
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6 · Sat- 8-4