Floral design, flower arrangement, and other floral crafts are the main emphasis of this section of our web guide.
Cultivated floral art dates back more than 5,000 years to Ancient Egypt, where lotus blossoms, palms, papyrus, and garlands adorned temples and funerary offerings. To Ancient Egyptians, flowers like the lotus symbolized rebirth.
The Greeks and Romans expanded floral art into civic life, weaving wreaths and garlands for various religious ceremonies, athletic games, and celebrations. Vase paintings and mosaics from Hadrian's villa at Tivoli reveal the first mixed cut-flower containers dating to the 2nd century AD.
In East Asia, Chinese and Korean arrangements were, and still are, based on the Confucian idea of reflection, Buddhist principles of preservation, and Taoist symbolism. Arrangements often utilize containers of varying heights and shapes, incorporating natural elements such as rocks. Ikebana, the Japanese style of floral design, includes the three prominent line placements that correspond with heaven, humans, and the earth.
Floral arrangements combine three flower roles (line, mass, and filler) to achieve shape, depth, and unity. Line flowers (gladiolus) establish structure, mass flowers (roses) provide volume, and filler blooms (baby's breath) fill gaps for texture and continuity.
In basket arrangements, flowers are set in floral foam inside a woven basket and are often used as gifts or centerpieces. In a bud vase display, a single stem or small bunch is arranged in a narrow vase, perfect for accent pieces and clusters on mantels. In crescent arrangements, blooms form a graceful C-shape, blending asymmetry with movement for weddings and receptions. Tall stems add height and drama in a vertical arrangement, making them suitable for entryways and contemporary interiors. Horizontal arrangements, on the other hand, are low, wide designs across tables, lending balance to banquets and conference settings. In triangular arrangements, flowers are arranged in three unequal sides for a structured, classical silhouette. In compact (dome) arrangements, mass flowers form a tight, rounded dome. These are common in bridal bouquets and spherical centerpieces. Loose (naturalistic) arrangements are relaxed, garden-style displays featuring overflowing branches and a mix of blooms, ideal for informal gatherings.
Creating harmonious arrangements requires mastering design principles, which are rules that govern visual organization, and elements, which are the raw components used in compositions.
The seven principles of floral design are balance, proportion, scale, rhythm, emphasis, harmony, and contrast, while the seven elements are color, line, form, texture, space, scale, and fragrance.
Several non-profits, trade associations, and schools are engaged in various aspects of floral design, including education, research, and community. These include, but are not at all limited to, the Society of American Florists, American Floral Endowment, American Institute of Floral Designers, National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, and Royal Horticultural Society. You may find others listed below.
Beyond tradition and technique, floral design is evolving toward sustainable floristry (sourcing local, seasonal blooms and eco-friendly containers), floral therapy (using arrangements to support mental health and well-being), digital design tools (3D software and virtual workshops expanding global collaboration), and urban flower farming (bringing cultivation into city environments for fresher, traceable materials).
Recommended Resources
AFE is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to funding research, scholarships, internships, and educational programs in floriculture and environmental horticulture. It reinvests contributions from all industry sectors to drive innovation and support the next generation of floral professionals. Its key programs include research grants, internship scholarship programs, academic scholarships, and educational outreach and events. Information on getting involved in its work is detailed.
https://endowment.org/
American Institute of Floral Designers
AIFD is a non-profit organization founded in 1965 to recognize and promote the art of floral design as a professional career. Its mission is to advance the art of professional floral design through education, service, and leadership. AIFD offers two designations: Accredited in Floral Design (AIFD) and Certified Floral Designer (CFD) to professionals who demonstrate advanced artistry. Its education center offers online courses to strengthen professional skills and satisfy CEU requirements.
https://aifd.org/
American School of Flower Design
Also known as Flower School 101, the floral design academy was founded and led by Michael Gaffney. It offers both in-person and online classes, shipping farm-fresh flowers overnight for home study. The website also features Michael's design books, the "QVC Flower Crazy" system, gift certificates, and video subscriptions. Its in-person classes range from one to five days for beginners through professional levels. Its locations, pricing, and discounts are featured.
https://www.flowerschool101.com/
Creative Floral Arrangers of the Americas
CFAA is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing creative floral design across North America. Through education, collaboration, and community, the organization empowers floral artists at all levels to explore innovative techniques, share expertise, and the artistry of flowers. Founded in 1998, membership in the organization grants access to exclusive seminars and workshops, opportunities to showcase designs at regional and national events, and participation in online forums.
https://www.creativefloral.org/
Produced by Florists' Review Media Group, Flora Magazine serves florists, floral designers, and flower-arranging enthusiasts with in-depth news, design inspirations, and industry updates. Offering floral news and event coverage, florist spotlights, design tutorials, trend reports, and seasonal design contests. Subscriptions are available to its quarterly print publications or digital editions, with back issues available for purchase. Newstands carrying its print editions are listed.
https://flora-magazine.com/
This is a state-by-state directory designed to help aspiring florists find hands-on floral design programs across the United States. Users select their state to view local courses, read about career paths, and get essential industry information. The website lists programs in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Articles explain career paths, the pros and cons of being a florist, and industry basics, along with a historical overview of the industry.
https://floraldesignclassesnearme.com/
The FDI is a comprehensive floral design school based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1969, it offers both in-person classes at its campus and a fully online training platform called "My Flower School." A brochure and a schedule of upcoming courses are available from the website. FDI offers a range of learning paths, including basic and advanced floral design certifications, specialty workshops, and short courses. Its teaching approach, delivery modes, and professional pathways are set forth.
https://www.floraldesigninstitute.com/
The floral lifestyle publication is dedicated to inspiring industry professionals and flower enthusiasts to incorporate more botanical elements into everyday life. The magazine is exclusively digital, without a printed version. New feature stories and in-depth articles are released on an ongoing basis, with major features typically appearing every 6-8 weeks. Shorter news items or events are published in between. Its content includes floral design inspirations and profiles of floral designers.
https://flowersgaloremagazine.com/
National Alliance of Floral Associations
NAFA brings together leaders of state and regional floral organizations across the United States to share best practices, collaborate on industry challenges, and strengthen member services. Each year, NAFA hosts an annual conference where nearly fifty association leaders from over twenty states and regional groups convene. Sessions cover membership growth, benefits packages, communications strategies, legislative advocacy, education, and certification. A member directory is available.
https://floralassociations.org/
Organization of Floral Art Designers
OFAD is dedicated to advancing modern floral design across all styles, from Ikebana to large-scale event installations. Open to both beginners and seasoned professionals, the organization promotes education, innovation, and collaboration through its annual seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities. OFAD is overseen by an elected board supported by dedicated volunteers. Membership is required to attend seminars and to unlock various member benefits.
https://ofad.design/
Petal Republic is an online destination dedicated to helping enthusiasts and seasoned growers cultivate a thriving garden and craft stunning floral arrangements. Its mission encompasses practical growing guides, creative floral design tutorials, and curated gifting recommendations for many occasions. Core offerings include flower and plant guides, DIY tutorials, occasion-based gifting guides, in-depth houseplant care advice, reviews, and recommendations of local florists.
https://www.petalrepublic.com/
