The Flower Shop's pop-up has landed in Portland, and it's stopping people in their tracks. From a distance it looks like a real florist, but every stem is soft, handmade plush designed by Australian artist Cj Hendry. I visited with my mom and my nearly three-year-old just before dark, right as the crowd surged. Afterward, I caught up with Monica Gibson, who manages the business side of the brand, to talk daily drops, the cult-favorite Japanese barberry, and how to build the perfect plush bouquet.

***Click this photo to view our Reel from our visit***

Ashley Gifford: For anyone who hasn't seen it yet, what is The Flower Shop?

Monica Gibson: It's plush flowers with a refined sense of childlike whimsy, something comforting that works for any age. CJ wanted to make art that's accessible, so collectors who don't have big budgets can still own an original design. Our New York store just celebrated its first anniversary.

AG: There are cheap plush flowers out there. What makes these different?

MG: Everything is handmade by a small, women-run manufacturer. We use premium fabrics like chenille, velour, and velvet, so it feels luxurious. CJ designs every flower, mostly based on real plants, and stays closely involved in how each one is made.

AG: Why Portland?

MG: CJ wanted to explore the Pacific Northwest art scene and see how different cities respond before the holidays. We're also popping up in Los Angeles and Miami, along with Melbourne internationally and a flagship store in Hong Kong.

AG: Let's talk about the Japanese barberry. People are obsessed.

MG: It's been wild. There are fan pages, and people have even hired TaskRabbits to pick them up and ship them. It's my personal favorite too. I have six stems in a planter at home.

AG: And the secret daily drops?

MG: Every day through November 18, each pop-up releases special flowers we don't post on social media. It's an "if you know, you know" thing, so you have to ask the staff. What drops depends on what's selling and what sells out.

AG: What are the bestsellers?

MG:The classics: rosebuds, sunflowers, and red poppies, which come from CJ's Australian roots. The lupine, a pink fuzzy one, started as a limited drop in New York and took off because it looks like a vintage 1950s Christmas tree.

AG: Any bouquet-building advice?

MG: Don't be afraid of repeats. I used to make daily arrangements for Instagram at the Soho shop, and going all in on one flower type creates real harmony. For display, I keep mine in a white planter from Home Depot. That was CJ's idea.

AG: Any favorite customer stories?

MG: One customer who had just had a fight with their partner thought we were a real florist and came in for an apology bouquet. It ended up helping them make up. We've also had people buy them for relatives with dementia, because they're a safe, thorn-free option.

Plan Your Visit

Where: 914 NW Everett St., Portland, OR 97209 (Pearl District)

When: Through Wednesday, November 18

Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily

Price: $10 per flower, free to browse, no reservation needed

Visiting Tips

Go on a weekday afternoon. Mornings and weekends draw the biggest crowds.

Ask about the daily drop. It won't be on Instagram.

Daily drops end when the pop-up closes on November 18, so don't wait.

Plush flowers make sense in the Pacific Northwest, where the winter blooms die off. These ones won't, and they're a clever, accessible way to bring original art home.

The Flower Shop gifted me a few stems; all opinions are my own.

Pretty in Plush: A Few Minutes with The Flower Shop