Floral Design Basics

What is a floral arrangement?

A floral arrangement can be a lot of different things, but the typical one that you would go to a shop and buy is something that's usually in a vase or a basket. A floral arrangement is a collection of flowers arranged in a certain style in a vase or a basket.

What is a bouquet?

A bouquet is a hand-tied collection of flowers arranged in various styles. There are French bouquets, English bouquets, garden bouquets, clean Martha Stewart-type bouquets - a million kinds. Generally, a bouquet is a collection of flowers gathered together with a ribbon either in cellophane or tissue.

What is a centerpiece?

A floral centerpiece is usually twelve to thirteen inches high, held in a container. A centerpiece is something that you would have at a dining experience.

What is a corsage?

A corsage is a flower that's wired and it can either go on your wrist, your lapel or your dress strap. A corsage is a collection of flowers tied together with a ribbon. That's basically the standard format.

What is a boutonniere?

A boutonniere is a flower that you would put on a man's lapel for a fancy social event. It's usually just one rose or one calla, but boutonnieres can get super exotic. I have done succulent boutonnieres; boutonnieres made out of velvet flowers or glass flowers.

What flowers are most commonly used in floral arrangements?

The most commonly used flowers in the high end of the floral industry are probably lilies, roses, curly willow, etc. Low end flowers are mums, carnations, baby's breath, and occasionally roses.

What are the most inexpensive flowers?

Inexpensive flowers is a hard term, because inexpensive to some people is long lasting, a flower that will last three weeks - it still costs a little bit more than a daisy but it lasts three weeks so it is the best value. Margarita daisies are probably the most inexpensive flowers; they are a $1.50 at the market for 10 stems, so 15 cents a stem. Many Carnations are cheap; they range from $3 to $10 a bunch, depending on how many stems you have. That's very inexpensive for flowers. People don't realize how much flowers cost, you know, so even inexpensive flowers do cost you money.

What are the most costly flowers?

The most costly flowers are orchids; a Lady Slipper orchid or a Catalan orchid would be $4.50 a stem at the market, which would retail about $12-$15. In New York, orchids are $20 a stem. There are also Vanda orchids. Sometimes it depends on the rarity of the flower. Something will come on the market that you've never seen before and it will have a high market price: it's just economics. For a brand new flower, they'll retail that flower for $20 for one blossom, which is insane.

What is a 'flower market'?

Most big cities have a flower market. LA has several. There are flower markets in Paris and in Holland. Every major city has a flower market. It is where vendors sell their flowers to florists.