If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you already know I’m a sucker for a good local business – the kind of place with a story, a family behind the counter, and just enough dirt under someone’s fingernails to prove they love what they do. Petals off the Pike is exactly that kind of place, and it’s been one of my favorites since I moved back to Batavia/Amelia (where I grew up).
I recently sat down with the owner Olivia Heil to talk gardens, growth, and everything blooming this fall, and I walked away more in love with this little garden center than ever. Here’s why I think it deserves a spot on your must visit list.
A Story Rooted in Community
Petals off the Pike opened its doors in 2025, but if you’ve lived around here a while, you probably remember the space as The Flower Bed – a beloved fixture in the community since the early 1990s. What most people don’t know is just how personal that history is for the current owner: The Flower Bed was actually her very first job. She spent her early spring seasons there learning the ropes of gardening from the women who worked the shop, and it planted a seed (pun very much intended) that grew into a lifelong love of flowers and gardening.
More than a decade later, she and her husband, Jeron, had the chance to purchase the business themselves. As she put it, it felt like everything had come full circle. They wanted to honor the legacy of The Flower Bed while still making the space their own and that’s exactly how Petals off the Pike came to life two years ago.
One fun fact that surprises almost every first-time visitor: the store is huge. She told me the reaction is basically the same every single time – “I had no idea it went back this far!” So if you’ve only peeked in the front, do yourself a favor and go explore the whole space.
Small Business, Big Heart
For the owner, being locally owned isn’t just a label – it’s the whole philosophy behind the shop. She wants Petals off the Pike to feel like the kind of place she’d want to shop herself, and that means partnering with nearby growers, farmers, artists, and makers whenever possible. There’s a passion and personal connection in a small business, she told me, that you simply can’t replicate at a big-box store.
Fall is when those partnerships really shine. You’ll find family-grown pumpkins, locally grown mums and annuals, farm-fresh eggs and produce, corn stalks and straw bales from area farmers, and fall décor made by local artists – all under one roof. It’s a beautiful way to support several small businesses in a single trip.
Her Must-Haves (She Says It’s Impossible to Pick Just Three)
When I asked what she can’t live without in her own garden, she laughed and said, “Do I only get three?!” Here’s what made the cut:
- Sunsugar tomatoes – a non-negotiable for a steady summer harvest
- Proven Winners Bordeaux Supertunias – her favorite petunia variety season after season (her tip: pair them with Jack’s Petunia Feed for the best blooms)
- Kimberly Queen Ferns – because nothing gives a porch that perfect, lush vibe like an oversized Boston or Kimberly Queen fern
What’s Coming This Fall
She’s especially excited about the one-of-a-kind pumpkins and unique fall annuals headed to the shop this season. Rather than sticking to the traditional fall lineup, Petals off the Pike likes to give customers something different to work with. This year that means leaning into moody, spooky vibes with dark-colored pumpkins, black pansies, and playful skeleton décor – alongside softer options like pink mums, pink pumpkins, cool whites, and all the classic fall tones for those who prefer a more traditional look.
She also mentioned a trend she’s loving right now: the resurgence of vegetable gardening. More people are growing their own food, and beyond the fresh, healthy produce, there’s a deeper appreciation that comes from tending something yourself. As she said, there’s nothing quite like picking your very first tomato or pepper after weeks of care.
Gardening Wisdom, From One Grower to Another
My favorite part of our conversation was her perspective on gardening itself. No one is perfect at it, and no one knows it all – and that’s exactly what makes it enjoyable. Every yard is different: soil, sunlight, watering habits, even the weather all vary from one space to the next, so what works for one gardener might not work for another. Gardening is trial and error, and every mistake teaches you something new.
A Few Fun Ones
Because I couldn’t resist asking the fun questions too:
- Coffee before watering, or while watering? While watering — she loves a morning walk through the garden, coffee in hand, just to see what’s going on.
- Annuals or perennials? A tough call, but with a smaller yard right now, she’s leaning into annuals — pots, window boxes, and hanging plants make the most of a small space.
- Shade garden or sunny garden? Sun, all the way.
- Vegetable garden or flower garden? Flowers win, but she admits she can’t live without her veggie and herb gardens either.
Come Say Hello
More than anything, the owner told me she wants every person who walks through the doors at Petals off the Pike to feel like they’re visiting a friend’s garden – full of beautiful plants, helpful advice, and genuine connection. It’s her happy place, and she hopes it becomes yours too.
If you’re local, this is a must-visit. And if you’re new to the area or thinking about making a move here, this is the kind of neighborhood gem that makes a place feel like home. I hope you’ll stop in, say hi, and pick up something beautiful for your own porch this fall.
Where to Find Them
Address: 976 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245 | Phone: (513)764-1405
Instagram: @petalsoffthepike
Photos courtesy of Petals off the Pike Facebook
Looking for more local attractions across the region? Check out this list.
