About Little Lapin Garden
Meet the Grower
Kaeli Barrett
Little Lapin Garden began in 2023, though its roots go back much further to years spent as a houseplant enthusiast, rare cactus collector, and container gardener always seeking the next creative challenge.
After purchasing a 1959 Mid-Century Modern fixer-upper with a large, untamed lot, the vision became clear: transforming the water-hungry lawn into something with purpose. What started as a practical project — native plantings, a few raised beds — became a sanctuary during an overwhelming season of family stress, and coping with both chronic illness and mental health struggles.
The garden became a place of healing. Every hour spent outside, hands in soil, was an hour of relief. Progress was visible, tangible, and rewarding. As native plants took root and blooms appeared, so did wildlife — pollinators, birds, and butterflies. The transformation wasn't just aesthetic, it was restorative.
That process led to a deeper discovery: the Slow Flowers movement — a community of growers dedicated to making the floral industry more sustainable through domestic, seasonal growing and ethical practices. It gave new purpose to the work already underway: to grow beautiful, seasonal cut flowers using mindful, regenerative methods and share them with neighbors and the broader community.
Today, Little Lapin Garden is a creative outlet and a constant experiment. Whether arranging florals, designing native gardens, or simply sharing what's blooming each week, the work is guided by curiosity, a love of learning, and a belief that gardening — especially native plant gardening — can help heal both people and place.
The hope is to inspire others to reconnect with nature, follow their creative passions, and discover how gardening can restore both land and spirit.
While Kaeli does not have a formal, academic background in floristry, farming, or ecology (her credentials include health science, project management, and studio art), her approach is rooted in observation, research, and a commitment to continuous learning as the business and practice evolves.
Meet the Namesake
Dee
Little Lapin Garden is named after Dee — a curious, sweet rescue rabbit and the heart behind the name (‘lapin’ is French for rabbit). House rabbits have been part of my home for over a decade, and Dee has been a precocious companion for 4+ years. She lives indoors as a completely free-range, litter box–trained bunny who loves hiding in unexpected places and lending a paw or nibble whenever garden work calls.
Her inquisitive nature is a daily reminder of why this garden exists: to create a space that nurtures life, invites wonder, and celebrates the small joys that make every day feel brighter.
Values & Mission
Values / Commitments
Little Lapin Garden believes in growing flowers that do good for people, pollinators, and the planet.
Sustainability: No pesticides or herbicides, ever. Every bloom is grown using organic practices that prioritize soil health, water conservation, and regenerative methods. The focus is on planting native species that support local ecosystems, provide habitat, and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs and excessive plastic in floral design.
Community: Flowers are meant to be shared. Through local events, garden swaps, workshops, and connections with neighbors and flower lovers, Little Lapin Garden aims to brighten celebrations, educate aspiring growers, and inspire others to fill their own yards with blooms and native plants.
Quality: From healthy, viable dahlia tubers to abundant, long-lasting bouquets and floral arrangements that become lasting wedding memories, every detail exudes the care and craft put into the process.
Whimsy: Gardening is serious, sometimes difficult physical work—but it should also be joyful, playful, and full of wonder.
Mission Statement
Little Lapin Garden exists to grow beauty with purpose by connecting people, pollinators, and place through sustainable gardening, education, and community. What began as a backyard experiment in Littleton, Colorado has evolved into a space for creativity, learning, and reconnecting with nature.
This garden is rooted in respect for the land and the life it supports. Little Lapin Garden acknowledges that we grow on the traditional lands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute peoples, who have cared for this region long before it was called Colorado. Honoring their enduring relationship to this land and striving to garden in ways that restore — through native planting, mindful water use, and community sharing.
The mission is simple: to grow flowers that do more than look beautiful. Flowers build connection, spark curiosity, and remind us of the shared responsibility to care for the earth beneath our feet.
