The Best of Blooms

Brief History of Floral Arrangements and Design

With changing times, fashions and fads have come and gone.

But flower arrangements have continually expressed our love for nature. They've played a huge part in our appreciation of life's beauty!

Each dazzling creation is a work of art! It brings about a bright, pleasant ambience anywhere it's placed.

But where did flower arrangements begin? Whose idea was it to place flowers with each other and for what purpose? What did flowers mean to people in the olden days?

How did fashions in floral design develop as time went on? What brought about these changes?

Today, we'll address all these questions. We'll get a quick but exciting peek into the history of flower arrangements!

Interested in a formal course? Want to get accredited as an expert on everything on flowers? We encourage checking out organizations that offer programs in floristry, such as:

• American Institute of Floral Designers

• Society of American Florists

• American Floral Endowment

Ancient Times

The very first records of floral design go back to 2500-2600 BCE in Ancient Egypt. Historical experts found that Egyptians were the first to artistically place flowers in a vase.

They were often used for feasts and religious ceremonials. Ancient Egyptians also used them to revere the dead in last rites and processions.

Lotus flowers are frequently recognized as the most important flowers of that era. Egyptians believed they were sacred to the goddess Isis. In Egyptian art, men and women were often exhibited holding lotus flowers in their hands.

Identical attitudes towards the religious values of flowers were discovered in Ancient China. Confucians, Buddhists, and Taoists rested cut flowers on altars.

Florists were held in high regard and given great respect. Ancient Chinese art also painted florals on vases, scrolls, and carvings.

Flowers and leaves were also often placed together based on what meanings they had. Peonies symbolized wealth and good luck. This is why they are known and celebrated as the 'king of flowers'.

Tiger lilies and orchids represented fertility. Pear and peach trees represented long and bountiful lives.

In Ancient Greece and Rome, flowers were mostly used for grand decor in a show of wealth. They weaved flowers and foliage into wreaths for joyful festivities.

Their love of flowers is notable. Blooms were often shown in art and written into myths.

Wreaths also marked the celebration of victories. In Ancient Greece, they rewarded wreaths to champions of the early Olympic games. This custom continues to this day.

They also enjoyed flair and ingenuity with flowers. Historians claim that the first mixed flower arrangement was from the Romans.

Middle Ages

The Byzantines carried on with the floral designs of the Roman empire. They placed more emphasis on perfect symmetry and polished looks.

They adopted garland-making at the same time. But they created their own twist on it by bringing in fruit and foliage, crafting tree-like designs.

Gold and jewel tones were widespread during this era. Popular flowers included carnations, cypress, daisies, and lilies.

After the Roman empire fell, there was an artistic decline in the Middle Ages. Sadly, this included floral design.

Monks were the only ones to carry on with the art of floristry, using florals in monasteries. Inspired by Oriental fashions, they often put their flowers in Chinese vases.

Renaissance

The Renaissance era saw a zealous revival of art and culture. This meant people found a new admiration for beauty and life in all forms. Italians were the first to express their new zest for creativity in floristry.

Full, elaborate flower arrangements were displayed in feasts. Others started to add them as decor for homes and churches.

Renaissance floral design was often interested in pure beauty and symmetry. Bright and bold color triads were in fashion, created with arc, curved, and triangle shapes. Flowers were also often paired with different kinds of fruits and vegetables.

These were placed in a wide array of containers, from bowls to baskets to vases. But they were all designed to hide the stems and only emphasize the blooms.

People of this era also added special meanings to flowers, like love, purity, and virtue. Among the most sought-after flowers then were carnations, daisies, irises, lilies, marigolds, and violets.

Victorian Era

Opulence, luxury, propriety-- these were the defining traits of the Victorian Era.

Flower bouquets became a means to display wealth and good breeding. This is why they became exceptionally lavish and extravagant. Luxurious homes had ornate vases teeming with gorgeous masses of flowers.

Ladies were trained on the art of floral design as a part of their upbringing. It was also during this time that floral design was formally taught and studied as a form of art.

Floral fashions in the Victorian era set itself apart from other periods. People then weren't all that concerned with symmetry, consistency, or color schemes.

They were more occupied with how many flowers were in a vase, rather than with how they looked. Bouquets were compact and overflowing.

Rich, heavy colors like purples, blues, reds, and browns were in style for floral design. Flowers were often arranged in a round shape. Foliage and herbs were put in for more aroma and texture.

Roses, tulips, carnations, baby's breath, and lilacs were among the most sought-after flowers.

20th Century

Attention to floral design piqued in the USA in the 1930s. It was then determined to have its own set of rules by the Women's Garden Club.

Traditional designs were involved with creating clean, harmonious arrangements. They offered texture and depth but only stuck to a certain design pattern.

Later on, free style became more in demand. With no fixed patterns, there was more freedom to explore various color schemes, rhythms, sizes, and plant materials.

There were more natural styles that consisted of rocks, branches, and foliage. Japanese styles were also headlined, marked by simplicity and openness.

Today, styles in floral designs continue to progress! Now, there are limitless choices for floral design that welcome everyone's distinct tastes and style!

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