Floristry Course

Lesson 1 • Essential Tools and Workspace Setup

Covers hand tools, cutting equipment, and workspace organisation. Proper tool use prevents injury and ensures clean cuts that extend flower longevity.

Lesson 2 • The Floral Industry Overview

Introduces the scope of professional floristry, from retail shops to event design. Grounds students in career pathways and industry standards before hands-on work begins.

Lesson 3 • Plant Biology for Florists

Explains stem structure, water uptake, and cellular respiration in cut flowers. This knowledge directly informs conditioning and care decisions throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Floral Preservatives and Solutions

Explains the chemistry of commercial preservatives, sugar solutions, and acidifiers. Students mix and apply solutions correctly to extend bloom life and prevent bacterial growth.

Lesson 2 • Cutting and Hydration Techniques

Teaches angled stem cutting, underwater cutting, and initial hydration methods. These techniques open vascular tissue and maximise water uptake from the first moment.

Lesson 3 • Cold Storage and Temperature Management

Details optimal temperature ranges, humidity levels, and cooler organisation for different flower types. Correct storage prevents premature opening and extends sellable life.

Lesson 4 • Receiving and Inspecting Flowers

Covers grading incoming stock, identifying damage, and documenting quality issues. Proper receiving prevents substandard product from entering the design workflow.

Lesson 1 • Texture, Form, and Line Elements

Examines how flower form, foliage texture, and stem line contribute to visual interest. Combining these elements prevents flat, one-dimensional arrangements.

Lesson 2 • Colour Harmonies and Schemes

Teaches complementary, analogous, triadic, and monochromatic schemes with floral examples. Each scheme produces a distinct emotional effect that guides client consultations.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Floral Design

Covers balance, proportion, rhythm, focal point, and unity as applied to floral work. These principles provide a decision-making framework for every arrangement built in the course.

Lesson 1 • Vase and Container Arrangements

Covers grid taping, frog use, and stem placement for container-based designs. Students learn to create stable, proportional arrangements without floral foam.

Lesson 2 • Proportion and Finishing Details

Focuses on final adjustments, leaf removal, and presentation finishing for retail-ready pieces. Attention to finishing detail distinguishes professional work from amateur output.

Lesson 3 • Wiring and Taping Techniques

Teaches gauge selection, pierce wiring, and floral tape application for delicate stems. Wiring extends design possibilities and is essential for corsage and boutonniere work.

Lesson 4 • Hand-Tied Bouquet Construction

Teaches the spiral stem technique for building a self-supporting, round bouquet. This foundational skill underpins bridal, gift, and market bouquet production.

Lesson 1 • Pricing and Cost of Goods

Introduces markup formulas, labour costing, and material waste factors for retail pricing. Accurate pricing ensures profitability without overcharging clients.

Lesson 2 • Everyday Product Range

Maps the standard retail product mix: wrapped bouquets, bud vases, and gift arrangements. Understanding the full range helps students prioritise skills for commercial settings.

Lesson 3 • Working with Speed and Efficiency

Builds production speed through batching, pre-processing, and workflow sequencing. Efficiency skills are critical for meeting order volume in a retail or studio setting.

Lesson 1 • Client Consultation and Brief Development

Teaches structured questioning, mood board creation, and written brief documentation. A clear brief prevents miscommunication and forms the contract basis for event work.

Lesson 2 • Ceremony and Venue Installations

Addresses altar arrangements, aisle markers, arch florals, and large pedestal designs. Scale, structural support, and transport logistics are central to this section.

Lesson 3 • Reception Table and Centerpiece Design

Teaches low, high, and bud vase centrepiece formats scaled for multiple tables. Consistency across many identical pieces requires efficient batching and quality control.

Lesson 4 • Event Production and Delivery

Covers production scheduling, packing, transport, and on-site setup for event day. Logistics planning is as critical as design skill for successful event execution.

Lesson 1 • Wreath and Spray Construction

Teaches frame preparation, foam attachment, and flower placement for wreaths and flat sprays. Structural integrity ensures tributes remain intact through transport and service.

Lesson 2 • Sympathy Floristry Etiquette

Addresses communication with bereaved clients, appropriate language, and cultural sensitivity. Empathetic client interaction is as important as technical skill in this specialty.

Lesson 3 • Standing Tributes and Letters

Teaches wire frame letter and shape tributes using foam-filled frames and massed flowers. Precision in coverage and letter legibility defines quality in this product category.

Lesson 1 • Professional Development and Certification

Maps continuing education pathways, industry competitions, and professional certification options. Ongoing development sustains career growth and industry credibility.

Lesson 2 • Sustainable Floristry Practices

Covers locally sourced flowers, foam alternatives, compostable packaging, and waste reduction. Sustainable practices meet growing client demand and reduce environmental impact.

Lesson 3 • Running a Floristry Business

Introduces business registration, supplier relationships, invoicing, and basic financial tracking. Operational knowledge enables graduates to launch or manage a floristry enterprise.

Lesson 4 • Portfolio Development

Guides students in photographing work, curating a portfolio, and writing design statements. A strong portfolio is the primary marketing tool for attracting clients and employers.