JUL 15 · BY CHELSEA DARTEZ

Nearly Six Decades of Flowers, Family and Community at Cookeville’s Abel Gardens

Some businesses are built to last. Abel Gardens is one of them.

Founded in 1968 by Ray and Liz Abel, Abel Gardens has been a cornerstone of Cookeville’s floral and garden community for nearly six decades. What began as a small greenhouse operation has grown into one of the Upper Cumberland’s most trusted and beloved destinations for fresh flowers, custom arrangements, plants, and gifts.

For the Abel family, the business has always been about more than flowers. It has been about the moments those flowers represent. Birthdays and anniversaries. Weddings and graduations. Sympathy arrangements sent in the most difficult of times. For nearly sixty years, Abel Gardens has been part of the most meaningful moments in the lives of Upper Cumberland families.

Today the business is carried on by the next generation of the Abel family, who have remained committed to the same values of quality, craftsmanship, and personal service that Ray and Liz established when they first opened their doors.

“We want every arrangement that leaves this shop to be something someone is truly proud to give,” the owner Carol Bartlett shared. “That standard has never changed.”

That commitment to quality is evident in everything they do, from the carefully sourced flowers to the skilled designers who bring each arrangement to life. Abel Gardens has earned a reputation for going above and beyond, not just meeting expectations but exceeding them in ways that keep customers coming back for every occasion.

The shop has also remained deeply connected to the broader Cookeville community, supporting local events, organizations, and causes that make the Upper Cumberland a better place to live.

As Abel Gardens moves into its sixth decade of service, the family remains focused on what has always driven them: a genuine love for their craft and a deep commitment to the community they have served for generations.

Some things are simply worth preserving. At Abel Gardens, that is the beauty, the craftsmanship, and the personal touch that no online florist can replicate.