About Us

In the rich historical town of Wardell, nestled in the lush sub-tropical landscapes of northern New South Wales, lives an old bloke named Bernie Delaney. Known to friends and family as Oldboy, he is a 94-year-old pensioner with a heart of gold and a green thumb to match. Though he never set out to create a business, his love for gardening—and the joy of watching plants grow—became a lifelong passion. More than anything, Oldboy found fulfillment in cross-pollinating flowers, creating new breeds of plants, and sharing their beauty with others.

For over 30 years, Oldboy has dedicated himself to tending and cultivating a vast collection of hippeastrums—fondly referred to as 'hippies.' His passion and patience have resulted in an ever-growing display of vibrant blooms that have captured the admiration of visitors from all over Australia and beyond. Enthusiasts from Holland, Canada, and the US have marveled at the spectacular colours and variations he has helped create. Yet, for Oldboy, the greatest reward has always been seeing the joy that flowers bring to others, especially the local seniors from the nearby nursing home who regularly visit to admire the breathtaking floral display.

His love for plants started early, helping his mother grow tomatoes in Queensland. "I've loved gardening—always have," he often says. That passion followed him into his years in the navy, where he cultivated ornamental flowers at the base in Nowra. "Everyone loved them, and I’d win the gardening prize every time," he recalls with a grin. His life among plants has been long and rich, and a black-and-white photo from 1973 captures him in his element—stringing gladioli with the same patience and care that he would later pour into his beloved hippeastrums.

While Oldboy never intended to turn his passion into a business, his dedication to plants and his knowledge of cultivation became an inspiration—especially to his grandson, Kieren Delaney. After serving in the Australian Army for 14 years, Kieren transitioned from military life to the world of plants, founding Oldboy’s Flowers to carry forward his grandfather’s legacy. But Kieren’s vision didn’t stop at preserving Oldboy’s love for plants—he set out to build upon it, aiming to make Oldboy’s Flowers the largest plant and bulb supplier in Australia.

From a small idea rooted in family history, Oldboy’s Flowers has grown into a business dedicated to bringing the very best plants, bulbs, and gardening essentials to passionate gardeners across the country. But we’re still a small business, and that’s what makes us special. We’re not a faceless corporation—we’re a team that genuinely cares about what we do, and we put our heart and soul into every plant we grow and every order we pack.

Giving Back to Our Community

We believe in more than just selling plants—we believe in strengthening the community that has supported us. That’s why we proudly back local and national causes that make a real difference. We support community resilience groups, charities like the Red Cross, and Wardell CORE, an organisation dedicated to helping those in need, providing disaster relief, and fostering local resilience. We also love getting involved in community events, including sponsoring the annual Australia Day cricket match, bringing people together for fun and connection.

Our support extends beyond the garden. We proudly stand behind Soldier On, an organisation that assists Australian veterans and their families in transitioning to civilian life, as well as Paramedics Australia and Volunteers Australia, supporting the incredible first responders and volunteers who dedicate their time to strengthening communities and helping the community through tough times. Through these partnerships, including contributions to their magazines, we aim to give back to those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Respecting the Environment

Caring for the environment is just as important to us as caring for our customers. We are always looking for ways to reduce waste and operate sustainably, from recycling cardboard and boxes to using biodegradable bubble wrap in our packaging. Gardening is about giving back to the earth, and we want to do our part to keep it thriving for generations to come.

A Business Built on Passion and People

What truly makes Oldboy’s Flowers thrive is our incredible community—the passionate, loyal customers who share our love for gardening. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener with decades of experience or just starting out with your first pot of flowers, we are honoured to be part of your journey. Your enthusiasm, feedback, and support inspire us every day to keep growing, learning, and improving.

As another spring approaches, Oldboy still eagerly anticipates the arrival of fresh blooms. "I’m still cross-pollinating plants and bulbs, so I want to be around to see them flower," he says with a twinkle in his eye. His passion for plants has never faded, and through Oldboy’s Flowers, his influence continues to grow.

And so, the story of Oldboy lives on—not just through the flowers he nurtured, but through the legacy carried forward by Kieren, who is taking a lifetime of knowledge and turning it into something even greater. With each plant that blooms and every bulb that finds a home in a new garden, Oldboy’s Flowers continues to flourish. We’re proud of where we’ve come from, excited for where we’re headed, and grateful for each and every gardener who chooses to grow with us.

Founder - Kieren Delaney

New Hybrid Hippeastrums Growing Nicely

Oldboy and wife with a simple stringing machine. This throws a thread around each bunch of six Gladiola spikes. This goes on seven days a week for nine months of the year. Newrybar 1973