What is floristry ?

Floristry or flower arranging is the art of creating flower arrangements in vases, bowls or making bouquets and compositions from cut flowers, foliages, herbs, ornamental grasses and other botanical materials into floral designs; often the terms "floral design" and "floristry" are considered synonymous. A person who designs flower arrangements is known as a florist in Europe, Australia, New Zealand but in the US they are knows as floral designers. The term is not to be confused with floristics.

Many nations have their own distinctive traditions of flower arrangement. A notable example is ikebana, an Oriental style of floral design, noted for its simplicity and purity of lines and colors.

Floristry is most often understood as referring to the cultivation of flowers as well as their arrangement, rather than to the business of selling them. However, the floral industry is the basic drive behind floristry. Florists are people who work with flowers, and on the Continent with plants, generally at the retail level. Florist shops, along with telephone sales and online stores, are the main flower-only outlets, but supermarkets, garden supply stores and many filling stations also sell flowers.

The World Wide Web has had a significant impact on traditional florists, with the North American market experiencing a more than 20% decline in traditional, independently owned flower shops since 1998. Purchases from shops are slowly being overtaken by online flower delivery ordering and floral wire services.

Generally, a florist's shop will contain a large array of flowers, often spilling out into the street, or will have a large plate glass window to display the flowers. To keep them fresh, the flowers will likely be kept in water, generally in plastic bulbs, sleeves, or other containers.

The craft of floristry involves various skills. These include selecting flowers that will look good together (based on principles of design or general instinct), knowing how to cut, treat, and arrange flowers and other stock plants so they will remain fresh as long as possible, and (as explained above) selling them, which involves knowledge of customer requirements and expectations. Knowing how to form wreaths, bouquets, and other more complicated arrangements is also important. Wreaths can be made out of many different types of flowers and plants.
A name tribute ("MUM") at a funeral in England
Enlarge
A name tribute ("MUM") at a funeral in England

Another basic requirement of florist shops is the purchasing of flowers to replenish their stock. The flower market, like other agriculture markets, is subject to many fluctuations due to natural factors, supply and demand, and fashion. Learning how to buy in such a way as to continue to make a profit is not a simple skill.

The flowers sold in florist shops typically represent the varieties abundantly available in the season but also include blossoms flown in from around the world. Basic varieties include roses, tulips, irises, and lilies. Fashion plays a very major role in floristry; what is considered the flower that everyone needs to have today can change very quickly.

Typically, a florist will organize flowers by season and holiday. Most shops also stock gift baskets, fruit, and chocolates as well as flowers and wreaths.

The floral market is seasonal and is heavily influenced by the following holidays and events: Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mothers' Day, All Souls Day, Advent, Easter, weddings and funerals. These occasions make up the largest part of the business, with the sale of house plants and home decor being a much smaller, but more constant, part. Flowers for personal enjoyment as well as those selected to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, thank-you's and to send get well wishes are also a significant portion of a florist's business.