Floristry

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Floristry includes everything that has to Very often the two terms of floristry
do with flowers, its care, handling, and floral design are used
production, trading and other interchangeable as synonyms of each
commercial activities involving flowers. other.
Florists who are wholesalers deal in - Florists deal with plants and flowers
bulk flower trading. and work with them to create floral
Most of the raw materials that are arrangements of many sorts; they are
supplied to the floristry industry come most often retailers.
from the producers of the cut flower. - Floristry is different from Floristics –
which studies the interrelationship and
distribution of plants of various species
in an area.
- Floristry is different from horticulture,
which is focused on growing plants
and flowers to enhance their lifecycle
and maintain freshness.

Floristry versus
Floristry Floral Design

Flower arranging is said to give one peace Floristry is a creative process where certain
of mind and strength in adversity. It is worth basics are adhered to, yet there is still
the time to select flowers and place them great latitude to be innovative. This is
into a vase for the pleasure and delight of similar to any art form, as it largely boils
those who will look upon them. The simple down to one's personal taste and
fact of dealing with living material, whose preferences. Personal taste will influence
beauty is worthy of respect, and of working our perceptions and appreciation of the
with one's hands on something peaceful and ephemeral art of the arrangement of
creative are all reasons for the widespread flowers. However, there are practical and
appeal of floristry. basic guidelines required for creative
techniques, such as for a larger wedding
display or a single buttonhole. Great cooks
have their basic recipes which are the
foundation of any dish they make, but
without rigidly sticking to the recipe,
spontaneous creativity flourishes and
always produces something a little
different. Floristry is a similar creative
process where certain basics are adhered
to, yet there remains great latitude to be
innovative.

Peace of Mind Floristry Basics

The arranging of flowers is an ancient
form of artistic endeavour dating back to
ancient Egypt. People have always
cherished the natural beauty of fresh
flowers, and floral arrangements have
brought colour and nature to everyday
scenarios and special events. From the
earliest times, it was the gardener who
made all the decorations personally, Egyptians used flowers from 2500 BC in
assisted by an apprentice. The story of religious ceremonies, tomb decorations,
floristry is closely linked to the evolution of and home decoration. Cut flowers were
garden design, to general developments arranged in urns and vases and included
in taste and culture, and most importantly for their religious or symbolic import.
with the decorative function of flowers in Garlands worn by loved ones at funerals
the home throughout history. were left at the burial tombs. Egyptian floral
design was simple and contained elements
of repetition.

Ancient Egypt
A Brief History
(2800-28 BC)

The Greeks used flowers for adornment, Romans and Greeks used garlands, crowns
wreaths and garlands for celebrations, and and wreaths to symbolise military victories.
vases were not used. Laurel wreaths were Foliage used included oak leaves, acorns,
presented to Olympian winners, and the ivy and laurel. Flowers were often arranged
cornucopia was created. Most floral in cornucopias and baskets, with brightly
arrangements were symmetrical, with flower coloured and fragrant arrangements.
colours less important than their fragrance
and symbolism.

Ancient Greece Ancient Rome

(600-150 BC) (28-325 AD)
Greek and Roman styles continued during The Chinese arranged flowers for religious
this period, with fruit added to floral designs. ceremonies, and the emphasis on individual form,
Garlands were assembled differently, with textures and colours was highly inspired by them.
more leaves and tiny flowers giving them a They were among the first people to design
baskets for holding flowers, made from bamboo,
'twisted' appearance. Stylised and
willow, reed or wood. Artificial flowers made from
symmetrical arrangements were placed in
silk were also attributed to the Chinese. The art of
large baskets, goblets or other containers. flower arranging arrived in Europe around 1000
Colour schemes were analogous and colour CE, and was particularly popular in monasteries
neighbours on the colour wheel, but accented and churches where plants and flowers were used
by a complementary colour. for food and decoration. When the Crusaders
returned from the Middle East, they brought back
new and interesting plants, leading European
countries to experiment with plants that had been
previously unknown to them.

Byzantine Period Ancient China

(320-600 AD) (500 BC – 100 AD)

Flower design began in Italy and gained Floral designs in this period were
popularity across Europe, with paintings of symmetrical, formal and tightly arranged
exaggerated floral displays in vases. with a variety of flowers. Towards the end of
Garlands were created with flowers such as the era, informal designs were more
carnations, lilies, daisies, roses and violets, important due to the belief that the flowers'
and Christmas wreaths were introduced fragrance was believed to rid the air of
during the Renaissance. diseases. Small, handheld arrangements
called tussie-mussies or nosegays were
used to carry around sweet perfumes,
helping to conceal the odours of society.

Renaissance Period Georgian Style

(1400-1600 AD) (1714 -1760 AD)
 Floral decoration has been an important
part of human culture since civilizations’
earliest days. It has been used in folk
festivals, religious ceremonies, public
celebrations, and courtship. Sophisticated
cultures have used flowers carefully in
specific containers, while other cultures
have used them informally. Today, flower
The Victorians embraced floral design, arranging is enjoyed by men and women
using containers like flared vases and all over the world, and can bring joy and
porcelain or silver urns, oval and round beauty to just about any situation.
arrangements, triangular and circular Flowers can be chosen for pure beauty or
arrangements of roses, and other flowers symbolism, and can bring joy and beauty
like lilies, tulips, asters and dahlias. Floral to just about any situation.
design was taught and recognised as art.

Victorian Period Floral Decoration

(1901-1920 AD)

The main responsibilities of a florist include: To become a florist, one must have a keen
- When a shipment arrives, the unpacking of interest in flowers and understand the
new stock. responsibilities of the job. This will ensure that
- Conditioning and maintaining the condition of nothing will make them feel like a job or
plants and flowers. drudgery.
- Watering the plants. - Creating a unique bouquet is key to
- Fixing the price of the stock. distinguishing yourself from other florists.
- Attending to walk-in customers, and those - Customers demand quality and exclusive
contacting via phone or e-mail. designs to feel special.
- Taking down orders and details accurately. - Colour coordination is essential for a creative
- Maintaining a clean and attractive shop. arrangement to be effective.
- Managing the cash flow and daily accounts. - Original design and beautiful colours create
- Creating floral arrangements for display and saleable arrangements.
to sell at the shop. - A florist should have a warm personality and be
- Advising your customers about plant and approachable.
flower aftercare. - A professional florist must be able to read a
customer's mind and offer them the right flowers
for their event.
Finally, a florist needs to understand the urgency
of an order if it is placed at the last minute, as
this will endear customers and make them
return.

Responsibilities Requirements for

as a Florist a Florist
Floral design is now a science, with colour,
form, texture, structure, proportions, groups,
optic influence, optic balance, rhythm and
different'motion' forms. With an ever-increasing
interest in the natural world and flowers, the
floral industry is expanding. Educational
institutes offering education and training in
floristry and floral design have also grown, with
many universities and certified design schools
worldwide. The honour of the most expensive flower or
Disciplines relating to floral design and floristry plant ever goes to the black hyacinth. Three
include: bulbs of this plant went for £150,000 in 1997.
• Botanical Illustration and other art forms
• Landscape Architecture Source: The Telegraph UK
• Flower Preservation
• Flower Gardening
• Floriculture
• Creative Direction
• Botany

Modern Floristry Fun Fact

Science

- Floristry involves the care, handling, production, trading, and display of flowers.
- Floral arts or floral design involves creating arrangements using flowers, foliage and other organic
material, such as herbs, grasses, leaves and twigs.
- Floristry is a subjective industry with no set rules.
- The floral industry is expanding due to an increasing interest in the natural world and flowers, leading to
the growth of educational institutes.
- The black hyacinth is the most expensive flower or plant ever, selling for £150,000 in 1997.
- One must have a keen interest in flowers to be successful as a florist.
- Florists are responsible for unpacking new stock, conditioning and maintaining plants and flowers,
watering them, fixing the price, attending to customers, taking down orders, maintaining a clean shop,
managing cash flow, creating floral arrangements, and advising customers about plant and flower aftercare.
- Egyptians used flowers in religious ceremonies, tomb decorations, and home decoration since 2500 BC.
- The Greeks used flowers for adornment, wreaths and garlands for celebrations, without vases.
- Romans used elaborate garlands, crowns and wreaths to symbolize military victories.
- The Byzantines used more leaves and flowers to create garlands with a 'twisted' appearance.
- The Chinese emphasized individual form, textures and colours in floral arrangements, inspired by their
religious ceremonies.
- The Renaissance saw the introduction of garlands of flowers, fruits, and foliage, including carnations,
lilies, daisies, roses, and violets.
- Georgian floral designs were symmetrical, formal and tightly arranged with flowers, but by the end of the
era, informal designs were more important due to the belief that their fragrance could rid the air of diseases.
- The Victorians embraced extravagant floral design, using containers like flared vases and porcelain or
silver urns.

Lesson Summary