Hortus et Flora began with a simple longing—for the rambling beauty of an English border, the quiet order of a French potager, and the feeling of home that only a garden can give.

It’s a longing I know well. I’m Cleo, a Belgian living in New York, and though I’ve only had a garden of my own since 2021, I’ve been growing things all my life—on windowsills, balconies, and wherever there was a bit of sun and soil. My greatest inspiration is my grandmother, Brigitte, who had the greenest thumb I’ve ever known. Though she never had a garden of her own, she tended her balcony and others’ gardens with deep joy and devotion. She taught me that beauty can bloom anywhere.

We believe that gardens are more than ornamental. They nourish, they enchant, and they tether us to the seasons. Drawing from the traditions of Europe’s most storied gardens, we create timeless outdoor spaces designed for beauty, bounty, and everyday life. Alongside this, we gather and share antique treasures and thoughtful homewares that celebrate craftsmanship and the natural world.

What began as a personal project has grown into a full design studio and shop. Whether we’re designing a kitchen garden, sourcing 19th-century cocktail glasses, or arranging an antique stand at a local market, our work is rooted in a single idea: to bring romance back to the garden—and to daily life.