Featured, Garden, Interior Design, Shops

Dive “Into the Deep” at the Galleria Floral Experience

by Zoe Baden | Mar 2024

Photo of "Into the Deep" Galleria Floral Experience 2024

Photos: Catherine Brinker Photography

Become immersed in a sea-like experience at this year’s show.

Wade into the depths of an underwater world at this year’s Galleria Floral Experience: Into the Deep. From March 24–April 7, the halls of Galleria Edina will be overflowing with flowers from Bachman’s for this oceanic floral event.

Rachel Oelke, director of marketing at the Galleria, offers us more insight into the event.

Into the Deep Floral Experience Tentacles

Edina Magazine (EM): What is something people don’t usually realize about the Galleria Floral Experience?

Rachel Oelke (RO): The entire process takes almost a year. As soon as we’re done with one year’s Floral Experience, we’re already starting the process to plan the

next. Bachman’s needs ample time to source and plan the growing timeline for the florals for the show.

EM: Approximately how many plants/flowers will be used for the Into the Deep theme?

RO: There are more than 20 blooming displays and vignettes planned throughout the Galleria. More than 100 different types of flowers, trees and plants will be on display, and more than 3,000 bulbs are coaxed into early blooming by the experts at Bachman’s, exclusively for our event. Florals and bulbs come from Florida, California and even Holland [the Netherlands] for the show.

Into the Deep Floral Experience Lobster Claws

EM: What has been the biggest challenge in the design process this year?

RO: Trying to narrow down what special, sea-themed elements to include in the show from a multitude of amazing ideas. With all the fantastic options that were developed for the gardens, it’s always hard to narrow the show elements down to our final favorites.

EM: How many people are a part of the design team? What’s the design process like?

RO: The design process includes a landscape designer, lead carpenter/fabricator, garden operations manager and additional Galleria and Bachman’s staff. Bryan Kramer, our landscape designer, creates the overall vision for the event and guides the process, working closely with both our talented lead fabricator, Marc Scamp, on the props/installations and the Bachman’s team on the floral vision. During the growing and install process, more than 20 garden designers, installers and expert horticulturalists from Bachman’s work on preparing and installing the florals for this project.

Into the Deep Floral Experience School of Fish

EM: What is the most rewarding part of being involved in this event?

RO: All of our stores and restaurants also get excited about this event and many offer specials during the experience. Bringing an event to life that brings friends and family together is the most rewarding. Life gets so busy, so it’s nice to offer our guests a chance to stop and literally smell the flowers.

EM: What do you hope people will take away from this experience?

RO: The feeling of joy is unmatched! I love seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they wander the beautiful gardens and take in the amazing colors and sights. This is truly a show for the entire family to enjoy year after year.

Into the Deep Floral Experience Family

By the Numbers

More than 100 different types of flowers, trees, and plants will be on display.
All flowering bulbs are replaced halfway through the show.
Five semi trucks will transport the Floral Experience elements from Bachman’s indoor growing facilities to the Galleria.
The bulbs travel 4,166 miles for the Floral Experience (from the Netherlands to Minneapolis). Some of the additional plants and blooms are cultivated in Florida, California, Ohio and South America and are imported for this event.
It will take the Floral Experience installation team five overnight shifts to bring the complete experience to life.
All maintenance is done in the overnight hours throughout the 15-day event.