Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Imagine enjoying breakfast or afternoon tea overlooking an endless field of flowers, all in bloom, gently swaying in the winter breeze. Welcome to The Flower Farm – not in Europe, but right here in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Tucked away in the tranquil Muwaileh farms of Al Ajban, this hidden gem has blossomed into one of Abu Dhabi’s most notable success stories. And at its heart is an Emirati family who shared a love for flowers.
Ahmed Al Mazroui, a recipient of the prestigious Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence, said The Flower Farm began as a simple family pastime.
“My family and I brought some seeds and bulbs from the Netherlands and Ireland as an experiment,” Al Mazroui told Aletihad. “We did not expect them to succeed.”
But succeed they did. As the plants took root and flowers began to bloom, the farm started drawing attention. Relatives came first, followed by friends and neighbours. Before long, what began as a private floral sanctuary was becoming a must-visit spot, encouraging the family to open its gates to the public.
Bringing together flowers from different parts of the world was no walk in the park, Al Mazroui said. It required teamwork and careful planning, he said. Best agricultural practices had to be followed meticulously.
He also highlighted the vital role played by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, noting that collaboration with them ensured the farm met strict sustainability and quality standards.
A major turning point came in 2024, when The Flower Farm received recognition through the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence.
“We are honoured to get this award. It expanded our horizons, inspired us to grow our farm, and taught us from the experiences of Dutch flower farms,” he said. “We are currently working to implement new ideas that were inspired by these experiences.”
Today, the farm nurtures a wide variety of flowers, from sunflowers and salvias to snapdragons. New varieties are introduced every year, offering visitors what Al Mazroui describes as “a unique and constantly evolving experience.”
“We import new flower varieties annually from the Netherlands and the United States.” The idea is to make visitors feel as though they are walking through the European countryside.
Despite its growing popularity, The Flower Farm has preserved its atmosphere as a quiet, almost secret garden, with thoughtfully placed spots for reading, reflection, or gentle family moments.
Plans are underway to expand the farm and welcome more visitors, but its purpose remains unchanged: to create a space where people can slow down, stop to smell the roses, and perhaps even take home a bouquet or two.
