Flower Arranging

History

Flower arranging is not only as old as civilization, but it is worldwide in scope. The ancient Egyptians offered bouquets of flowers as gifts to the gods. Flower arrangements, especially of water lilies and papyrus, were in every ancient Egyptian home, and the vases and bowls which held the flowers were often crafted in the shape of plants. Garlands and bowls of flowers decorated banqueting tables, and flowers were used in cosmetics. Archaeology has also revealed gifts of flower garlands in tombs.

In addition to bowls and baskets of floral arrangements, classical Greeks and Romans wore headdresses of roses, jasmine, rosemary and ivy. Laurel crowns were used to honor Olympic athletes and Roman statesmen. Petals and leaves were strewn on floors for special occasions, and guests arrived at parties bearing bouquets. Garlands decorated altars.

The Islamic Middle East was known for its enclosed flower gardens, and huge, formal public arrangements were even floated in the canals. In India, the Mughals delighted in ceramic vases filled with fragrant flowers.

The ancient Chinese were the first to create wicker baskets designed specifically for flowers. Themes were seasonal, and each arrangement was unique, but the flowers and leaves were never allowed to cover the rim of the container.

The Japanese adapted sixth-century Chinese flower arrangement into the ikebana, or living plant material, style, which emphasizes the sacredness of plants. Strict rules, or tatebana, govern both the container and the shape of the arrangement. The goal is to emphasize balance. Ikebana has since evolved into a less rigid form.

Early Western tradition also emphasized the sacredness of flowers. Monks recorded flower arrangements in manuscript illustrations, and worshipers hung wreaths of flowers at shrines. During the Renaissance, flower arrangements often had sacred meanings: the Madonna lily represented the Virgin Mary, the white rose stood for purity, etc. During the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries in Europe, flowers were seen as a symbol of life's transitory nature.

In the Americas, the Aztecs had a flower goddess, a month named for flowers and songs and poems that speak of necklaces and garlands of flowers. The Aztecs grew flowers on the famed "floating gardens" in the swamps around Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City.

By the early nineteenth century, Europeans had abandoned symbolism, and flower arrangements were appreciated simply for their beauty. New varieties of flowers from all over the world became available. On both sides of the Atlantic, flowers became an essential part of social occasions, and new containers were created to display them. Women carried small bunches of flowers to parties, and flower arrangements, both lavish and simple, abounded in the home.

The beginning of the twentieth century saw a new informality in flower arranging. Since then, arrangements have reflected all the previous styles, both formal and informal, with a wealth of new flower varieties and additional plant material.

Basic materials:

• Flowers
• A container
• Preservative/plant food

Advanced/optional materials:

• Floral foam
• Plastic dish for foam
• Florist's tape
• Moss

• Liner for container
• Floral wires
• Cutters and/or scissors
• Florist's spike
• String

• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Butler's hooks
• Pointed candle holder
• Pebbles or glass marbles
• Chicken wire
• Knife

• Garden twine
• Boutonniere pins

Techniques

Basic arrangement:

• Choose flowers that are just beginning to bloom
• Remove all leaves that will be below the surface of the water
• Form a small bunch in your hand until it looks good to you
• Cut the bottoms of the stems in a long slant so they will absorb more water
• Place in the container you have chosen
• Add water and plant food

Advanced and special arrangements (as needed):

• Cut floral foam with knife and place in plastic dish
• Insert stem ends into foam
• Use liner for containers that are not waterproof
• Use wire, tape, chicken wire, hot glue, etc., as needed to hold flowers in place
• Tie bouquets with garden twine and/or tape
• Wrap boutonnieres with tape and insert pin
• Moss can be used as a decorative liner

Trends

There has been a resurgence of interest in traditional Chinese and Japanese styles of flower arranging. Side-by-side with this traditionalism are innovative trends such as creating edible centerpieces of flowers combined with fruit, cheese, candy or other foods.

Many experimental trends come from Holland. These include putting all the flowers down below the rim of a clear vase so they can be viewed "under glass," or adding other materials, such as sticks, leaves, berries and even stones to arrangements for additional interest. Elegant arrangements of silk flowers and of dried flowers are also popular. Both fresh and dried flowers can also be dyed to create a particular aesthetic in an arrangement.

Flower Arranging for Fun vs. Profit

The best way to make money arranging flowers is probably to get a job at a flower shop or gift shop. Some crafters also offer arrangements for sale at farmers markets and craft fairs, or open their own flower shop. Others make money by arranging flowers—including bouquets and corsages—for weddings and other special occasions.

Courses in flower arranging for fun and profit are available from educational institutions, educational extension services, florists, and garden organizations. Many of these organizations offer a certificate in commercial flower arranging.

Learning More

Organizations

National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) <http://www.nafas.org.uk/>

San Diego Floral Association <http://www.sdfloral.org>

Bromsgrove Flower Club <http://www.bromsgroveflowerclub.org.uk/>

American Institute of Floral Designers <http://www.aifd.org/>

Books

Hillier, Malcolm. Flowers. Dorling Kindersley, 2000.

Hurst, Marcia. The Encyclopedia of Flower Arranging Techniques. Running Press, 1996.

Newdick, Jane. The Five-Minute Flower Arranger. Crown, 1989.