The gentle art of flower arranging can seem to many people to be one of the most creative and purely aesthetic forms of expression. Flowers have such a position of prominence in so many different aspects of our society that it is a little bit strange that we do not think of florists more often. Like many other service professionals, we tend to remember that they exist only when we have need of their skills.
Think about all the different events and happenings in our lives that feature flower arrangements as decorative touches. Weddings, funerals, and other ceremonial gatherings are obviously high on that list. So too are holidays like Easter, Christmas, and Mother's Day. There are plenty of institutional celebrations throughout the year where bouquets are considered appropriate, and everyone has their own personal celebrations as well.
It is easy to imagine that a flower shop really only enjoys a huge amount of business at certain times of the year. The reality is much different, however. The calendar holidays do not change from year to year, but the number of funerals and weddings alone keep most flower sellers busy year round.
Working with flowers is more involved that most people might think. It really is not simply a case of choosing pretty flowers that look good together and pushing them all into a jar. These professionals have a very detailed understanding of the traditional cultural meanings of various flowers and their combinations, and they are well versed in many traditional arrangements.
There are three main styles of flower arranging, and many professionals specialize in one or more of them. Ikebana, a traditional Japanese art of arrangement, is quite popular when you want something that manages to combine simplicity and elegance. This approach differs from the more usual Western aesthetics in that it frequently chooses to emphasize parts of the plant that are not the blossoms. Stems, leaves, and even the general shape of the cutting all come into play.
English Garden style is a very traditional approach to flower arrangement that comes, unsurprisingly, from England. These are full displays, usually done as tall, tufted, three hundred and sixty degree settings. Much of the time the arrangements focus on seasonal garden flowers like peonies and delphiniums. Carnations and baby's breath are often eschewed.
Most of the rest of the craft of flower arranging falls into the third category. High Style frequently uses exotic and unusual flora in its presentations, and it is not unusual to find orchids, lilies, and anthuriums. This can be a very exciting and modern style, and many of its practitioners enjoy pushing the envelope of traditional design.
Many shops will employ several florists, and it is possible to find a flower arranging service that is well versed in all three of these broad styles. The individual craft and artistry of the person doing the arrangement will also add to the final display's uniqueness and beauty. The next time you are thinking about getting flowers for someone, remember the three main styles.
