Floristry
A Third Age Small Business Opportunities feature
by our Small Business Editor

Floristry is a generic term for the floral trade which includes Floral Design, Flower Arranging and the retailing of Flowers by Flower retailers.

For anyone interested in Floristry as a Small Business Opportunity, The Beginner’s Guide to Floristry by Rosemary Batho, Judi Kay and Bernice Waugh provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to floristry which includes step- by-step instructions for a wide range of basic floristry skills, from wiring and taping through to making a bridal bouquet. Inspirational pages feature a range of finished designs, both traditional and modern. It also provides advice for running a smooth business.

The authors, all of whom lecture on Floristry at the Welsh College of Horticulture, renowned as the leading British college in this field, take readers through a basic Floristry course, starting with the care and aftercare of cut materials, taking modern research developments into account, and continuing with equipment, techniques and the design principles of colour, proportion, scale, harmony and texture which form the secrets of Floristy success.

Different types of arrangements are considered including handtieds, rings, posies, pedestals, symmetrical and asymmetrical arrangements and the modern European styles. These are following by sections filled with inspiring ideas for the special occasions which form part of the busy florist’s year.

Each technique, whether it be internal wiring or constructing a based funeral tribute, is clearly illustrated with step-by-step photographs. The text is full of invaluable practical tips. In addition there are inspirational pages at regular intervals throughout the book, that show a range of completed designs.

The result is a book covering all the basic Floristry techniques – traditional and modern – and is both a practical guide and a source of inspiration.

Reader Reviews:
Readers who have bought this book have commented:
“This book is wonderful. I will use it whilst at college in the evening and after the course is finished. Easy to understand. You could make anything even if you didn’t attend a class! Would reccomend to anyone. Most wonderful displays, colours and pictures. A Great buy and worth the money…..Will be invaluable for my coursework and classmates.”

“This book is very good if you want to start in Floristry, it’s very easy to understand and work from and to learn in your own house, before you go to college. I followed this book when I did my sister’s wedding which turned out excellent. Enjoy reading and learning.”

“I was really pleased with this book. I am currently doing a beginners Floristry course at college and I know that this book will become my “bible”. It has information on how to care for cut flowers and make them last longer, info on all the tools you need, and the basics in funeral flowers, wedding flowers as well as other chapters on seasonal arrangements etc. I highly recommend this book. The pictures were also of a very high standard.”

Further Reading:
Floristry Courses.
Other Third Age Small Business Opportunities.