By Ritah Mukasa
Betty Ssonko Katono is a farmer with a large farm in Mukono district. Aside from growing food crops and rearing animals, she also collects ornamental plants in her home.
Ssonko passed on this passion to her children. One of them, Florence Katono is a writer, poet and plants’ enthusiast.
She owns Florivation, a plants and garden décor business. Florence has also inspired her daughter Kolaiah Kirabo Kemirembe a student at Kabojja International School.
Kirabo loves plants. Whenever Florence goes out to sell plants, Kirabo tags along and helps to engage clients.
It thrills Ssonko that her daughter and granddaughter enjoy gardening while conserving the environment.
She says, plants more so, flowers are aesthetic, therapeutic and financially rewarding.
“I enjoy the beauty and therapy. Plants are stress relievers. I also like the way they filter the air, making our environment conducive,” she says.
There is more; plants are medicine and entertainers according to Ssonko. Some plants dance whenever the wind blows the branches, something refreshing.
On the other hand, Florence got hooked to flowers during her childhood while at her parent’s farmhouse. Fast forward to 2012, she fell sick for three months and during recovery, she decided to engage in container gardening.
She potted plants and when she was returning to work, she went with them to her office.
“Colleagues wanted to buy them but I just donated because I feared to ask for money,” she recalls.
Florence kept growing more plants until 2023 when she decided to start selling them.
She also ventured in garden ornaments, thanks to her love for art. She mostly sells at flower exhibitions.
“I urge people to embrace plants. Most of us are living in small spaces but we can fill them with nature and enjoy a good environment,” she says.
Being a writer, Florence says, gardening helps her to meditate and reflect on things, making her work better.
She also involves her children and advises other parents to teach their kids to care for plants.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Kirabo (standing) with her mother and grandmother at the show.
