Flowerona readers often send me emails asking for advice on floristry courses in the UK.
So, today I thought I’d write a blog post featuring my reply, as it’s such a popular enquiry.
1. Blog Posts on Flowerona
First of all, take a look at the blog posts filed in the Floristry Courses category on Flowerona.
2. Blog Posts on the Laura Ashley blog
Have a look at these blog posts which I wrote for the Laura Ashley blog:
3. Search for Floristry Courses online
Hot Courses and Floodlight are great online directories to use to find courses. And there’s also The Florist Guide.
Or alternatively, search for ‘floristry’ or ‘flower arranging’ plus the area you live in on Google.
So, I hope you’ve found this blog post useful if you’re thinking of learning about floristry…whether you’re looking for a new hobby, thinking of setting up your own business, looking to upskill or you’re a florist from abroad visiting the UK.
Good luck in finding the floristry course for you!
And if you’ve attended a floristry course which you’d like to recommend to Flowerona readers, please do leave a comment below in the ‘Leave a Reply’ box.
(Image : Rona Wheeldon for Flowerona)
Thank you so much for your helpful blog post on courses!
As I am wanting to start in the floristry industry it is hard to know what course to begin at! Would you recommend to start on a course or try to go directly to florists to gain experience as in my case it is looking tricky!
Isabelle xxx
You’re very welcome Isabelle!
I personally feel it would be better if you did a beginner’s course in floristry, to learn the basics initially. There’s quite a bit of floristry terminology and techniques which you’ll learn on such a course. E.g. how to condition flowers and foliage, how to soak floral foam effectively, how to wire, etc.
Then when you’re ready to look for work experience, you’ll be more valuable to a potential florist as you’ll have a basic grounding.
I wondered if any florists would like to comment here about what sort of skills they’re looking for when taking on someone in a work experience role?
Wishing you lots of luck with your floral journey.
Best wishes
Rona
Hello Rhona,
I agree with you that someone who has a little bit of knowledge is useful for helping with conditioning, buttonholes etc however, more important for us is someone who is generally artistic and interested in design rather than any formal traditional training. I was a textile designer so used to creating things and I did the career course with Jane Packer about 10 years ago which was great and inspiring.
If planning on doing one of the intensive month long courses I would try out a day class first to get a feel for the style and teaching etc.
Hope that is useful. All the best, Lynn
Hi Lynn
Thank you so much for your comment. That’s so interesting and heartening to hear…that you look for people who are artistic.
And what a great idea to do a day class first to find out about a flower school’s style and teaching!
Best wishes
Rona
P.S. No problem at all re the spelling. 🙂
Apologies for spelling your name incorrectly Rona!
Hi Rona,
Having basic skills is not enough, if you are looking to work within the fast changing world of wedding floristry then some experience with someone whose work is current would useful and may open some doors for future employment. Qualifications are great but they don’t tell a prospective employer whether you have any sense of style/ colour etc and a nice portfolio doesn’t mean that you are able to work efficiently and quickly (essential in our business ! Choose a course that will give you the essentials but that also teaches a floristry style that you like. As an employer I take the view that basic skills ie wiring etc can be taught but style, coloursense and creativity have to be there in the first place.
Hi Sabine
I hope you are well and thank you so much for your comment and advice for florists-to-be.
We seem to be having a common thread…the importance of creativity, which is so refreshing!
Best wishes
Rona
Could you provide the same information for the U.S.? It seems like there are so many more creative and innovative floristry schools and events in the U.K. than there are here. I live on the middle of the country, Saint Louis, Missouri, and the few that I’ve found here are on either coast. Thanks so much for your help and thanks for,sharing your lovely blog.
Hi Elizabeth
Thank you very much for your comment.
I’ll put it on my ‘To Do’ list…may take a little while though :-).
Best wishes
Rona
I agree with you Elizabeth, it’s discouraging that the few “reputable” floral schools here in US are so few and far between, and, from what I’ve heard of some industry floral designers, unfortunately outdated in what they’re teaching. I’m considering taking some courses in UK but they sure do cost a pretty penny so may take a while. Something else you may consider is an internship with a designer in your area; that’s what I’m doing currently and they took me with little to no experience. Good luck!