Northern Blossom Flower Farm, Atok

Where flowers bloom, so does hope.

Fancy having a staycation amidst sea of flowers? I’m highly recommending Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet, just an hour and half away from Baguio City. Famed for its pretty, larger-than-your-head cabbage roses, this more than two-hectare mountainside flower farm is certainly one of the biggest and most beautiful multi-coloured flower fields in the Philippines.

I was actually hesitant at first to stay overnight, but Lany Ganayan (the owner and one of pioneering flower farmers in Atok) said that it is best to visit their farm very early in the morning as it usually rains in the afternoon. I’m glad I listened because I got to commune more with nature, and simply fell in love with the place and the flowers.

Northern Blossom was established more than a decade ago by the family of Lany, who capitalized on the town’s near freezing temperature, which is ideal to grow certain flowers, some they’ve even imported from Japan. It was initially meant as a cut flower farm with most of their flowers right after harvest, end up in their eponymous flower shop in Santa Cruz, Manila, near Dangwa Flower Market. They were popular among event organizers and florists, with their cabbage roses often used as ornaments in parties, including high-end celebrity weddings and state banquets in Malacañang.

Because of their growing clients, Lany built a guest house beside her Atok home, just to accommodate those who wish to personally pick-up the flowers or visit the flower farm. Soon after, unexpected guests would sometimes pass by and ask permission to view and take picture of the flowers. She just let them; but she wasn’t invested in the idea of opening her place to the public. Until one day, two mothers with their young children, who travelled for hours to her farm, arrived. The mothers wanted their children to see and experience a flower farm for real. After the guests were finished touring, the youngest child told her "It’s so nice. When I grow old and I have kids, I will bring them here." Somehow those words struck a chord in her heart. That night, she had a heart-to-heart talk with her husband Leo, and eventually they mutually decided to open Northern Blossom to the public in 2018.

Many tourists usually say that Northern Blossom is a good sidetrip for Baguio adventure. Well, this time, I skipped Baguio and went straight to the farm. It was my main destination (not just sidetrip). I took a Buguias-bound van in La Trinidad and arrived at the farm around 7 am.

They allowed me for a very early check in. I was actually surprised to find their homestay modern in structure. Rooms have TV with cable and private bathroom. Beddings has floral design. Glass window overlooks surrounding mountains. I felt at home.

The farm is open everyday (except Monday) as early as 6 am for those who want to catch the sunrise, and closes at 5 pm.  I was assigned a tour guide, who showed me around and patiently waited for me while I take photos of the flowers.

Different months yield different flowers, depending on the season and the time of planting. They have more than a dozen of flower varieties distinct from other flowers commonly grown by cut flower farmers in La Trinidad, Tublay, and Atok.

Purple, pink and blue hydrangeas were in full bloom during my stay. They enhance the beauty of the mountain, making it more vibrant and gorgeous.

White and purple rose cabbages, which are the farm’s main attraction, were also ready for harvesting. These ornamental flowers, which are also edible vegetables, were brought to public attention a few years back, when it landed on the front page of a national broadsheet, during the time when the temperature in Atok fell below zero degrees and farms in Benguet were covered in frost.

An open field of white marigold flowers, succulents and cacti (landscaped as ying and yang) also makes for a good photo backdrop.

There are also several green houses with colourful snapdragons, roses, dahlias, daisies, Peruvian lilies, calla lilies, and rice flowers. I enjoyed posing with the flowers, pretending to be a farmer.

After the tour, I was brought to their in-house café, where guests are offered complimentary bread and unlimited brewed coffee. They also provide light snacks. How I wish they also offer pasta and fresh fruit shakes.

The perks of staying overnight is priceless rather than just paying a day visit, as it gave me the chance to witness sunrise and experience the fog and sea of clouds with Mt. Pulag and Mt. Timbak as backdrops, as well as the constant changing of weather in a day.

Just living is not enough, one must have sunshine, freedom and more cabbage roses.

From Manila, take Baguio-bound bus (Victory Liner bus station in Cubao). In Baguio, take Bontoc Besao or Sagada-bound bus at Dangwa Terminal or Slaughterhouse and get off at Northern Blossom in Atok. Another alternative is to take Buguias-bound van at Shell Gas Station in Km. 5, La Trinidad as it also passes by Northern Blossom. Vans are usually faster than buses. There are restaurants along the highway, near the flower farm.     

Northern Blossom Flower Farm

Sayangan, Paoay, Atok, Benguet

Tel. No.: 0908-1513368