Garden paradise at Florvalentin
Flor Valentin is a small flowering oasis which lies on the road between Fuengirola and Mijas. Behind the Scandinavian shopping centre Centro Idea, in the parking space, you will find a small garden centre with everything from seedlings to big, old olive trees, various fruit trees and palm trees. Pots and planters in all sizes, colours and shapes. Sphagnum, fertilizers, wood shavings. Fountains, interior plants, cut flowers, bouquets, decorations, candles, lanterns and much, much more……
Apart from a personal service, Florvalentin also offer garden and terrace designs.
Janne Valentin Lassen, owner of the shop, is Danish and has lived in Spain for 15 years. Until November 2006, she worked with her Danish husband at a big flower horticultural centre in Coín, where they were responsible for the daily running.
It was during an Interrail trip in 1992 that Janne Valentin Lassen and her boyfriend Benny Hansen were presented with the idea of moving to Spain. During a stop off on the Costa del Sol, they visited a Norwegian-owned horticultural centre in Coín which Benny, who is a horticulturist, had heard about in Denmark, and here the owners offered them a job. During the train trip back up through Spain, they discussed their future and when they reached Nice in France, they sent a “yes we are interested” postcard to the horticultural centre. Eight months later they were unpacking their suitcases in Coín, ready to give their new life a go for a year. One year followed the other, and today – 15 years later – they are part of the locals of Coín. They have also had two children, both born and brought up in Spain. The children go to an international school, and are trilingual. Benny still works at the horticultural centre, but after 14 years in the flower business, Janne felt that she was ready to make her dream come true and, on the 24th of March 2007, she opened her own small garden centre. Here she thrives with all “her” flowers on weekdays from 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Apart from Janne, you may also be assisted by Anna, who is Swedish and has lived in Spain for 12 years together with her Finnish husband and their two children. Anna has an eye for flowers and decoration, and with her good taste and style, the shop is always beautiful and inspiring. Anna will always give you excellent advice on flowers, plants and decoration.
The style in Flor Valentin is rustic, with a twist of French bohemia. Everything is presented in a cosy and homely atmosphere, with personal advice and service. For weekdays and special holidays, there is always a large selection of pot plants, flowers and decorative arrangements. Gift wrapping is a special art at Flor Valentin. Beautiful bags, cellophane and tissue paper as well as tasteful ribbons, make the experience extra unique when you want to give a nice present or just spoil yourself.
They fetch inspiration at trade fairs in England, Denmark, Germany and Holland, and most of their products are imported from these countries.
Janne has just returned from Germany, where she visited a large flower trade fair, where all the newest within flowers and pot plants was represented. She also stopped over in Denmark, where she bought home design articles for the spring and summer.
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