Meet florist Marilyn Barr. Can you guess her 3 favorite flowers?

Marilyn Barr owns and designs at The English Garden florist in Canton. She graduated from Lehman High School in Canton and lives in the city with her husband Jeff.

The couple have three children, Trevor, Rachelle and Natalie; two grandchildren, Xavier and Julian; a dog named Daisy; and two shop cats, Floyd and his brother Fritz.

Barr started working with flowers and plants right out of high school and she also worked for the Canton Parks Department at Mother Gooseland .

“I started working right out of high school at a shop here in Canton doing a little bit of everything: watering plants, waiting on customers, cleaning, etc.," she said. "When things got busy, they started throwing me extra things to do, so I guess they maybe knew before I did that I could do the work.

“About a year later, I moved to California where I was always able to find a position in the floral industry. I liked it and wanted to learn as much as I could. I took every workshop available and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for many courses."

After living in California for 18 years, she and her family moved back to Ohio. Her shop is located at 7376 Middlebranch Ave. NE.

“I have enjoyed my relationships with the community and have made some long-lasting friendships along the way," Barr said. "It has been a privilege to help my customers, family and friends celebrate life events by providing flowers for the occasions.”

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How did you get into floral design and arrangements?

I became a florist purely by accident.

I was at a crossroads in my life, looking for a temporary job and trying to decide what I wanted to do. A friend of mine was working in a local floral shop and they were complaining that they needed help. She told them she knew the perfect person. I went in the next day, they hired me and the rest is history.

I have had my shop for 35 years and I’ve worked in the industry for an additional 18.

Why did you decide to open your own shop?

Upon returning to the area after living in California for 18 years I was very excited to introduce my point of view with flowers.

There were no shops in the area at the time that focused on the garden and a more natural look.

Why do you think floral arrangements remain such a staple in people's lives?

Florals are always a welcome addition to any home or occasion.

Flowers can make a home more inviting and warm. They make you feel better!

Sometimes when you don't have the words, they can speak for you.

What are your top three favorite flowers and why?

I love most flowers, so it is really hard for me to pick three favorites.

I love a big bowl of hydrangeas; they are so elegant. I absolutely love Lily of the Valley because the fragrance is wonderful, and they remind me that spring is here. Peonies are also a favorite, as there are so many beautiful colors and they smell delicious but not overwhelming.

How do you stay up-to-date with current trends in floral arrangements?

I still love the creative part of my business. I design more organically and am inspired a lot by nature.

Sometimes you need a little boost. I do a lot of reading, subscribe to many home and design magazines and research online sites as well.

When I travel, I often check out local florists and farmers markets to see what is trending elsewhere. The floral business has evolved amazingly since I began working. There are many more choices available from our local wholesalers, local flower growers and globally.

I try to attend flower and design shows whenever possible. Even after all these years I am still learning. There is always something you can take back to your shop and try to incorporate.

I have enjoyed my career in flowers and would highly recommend it to someone who has a lot of energy is creative, likes people and loves trying new things.

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Meet florist Marilyn Barr. Can you guess her 3 favorite flowers?