Florist Runnemede NJ

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Short History of Floral Arrangements and Design

With changing times, styles and trends have come and gone.

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

Each vivid creation is a work of art! It creates a bright, refreshing ambience anywhere it's placed.

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

How did fashions in floral design advance with time? What brought about these changes?

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

Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as an expert on everything on flowers? We recommend looking into organizations that offer programs in floristry, such as:

American Institute of Floral Designers
Society of American Florists
American Floral Endowment

Ancient Times

The earliest records of floral design go back to 2500-2600 BCE in Ancient Egypt. Historical experts uncovered that Egyptians were the first to artfully set flowers in a vase.

They were often used for feasts and religious rituals. Ancient Egyptians also used them to revere the dead in burials and processions.

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

The same attitudes towards the religious meanings of flowers were discovered in Ancient China. Confucians, Buddhists, and Taoists set 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 set together based on what meanings they held. Peonies signified wealth and good luck. This is why they are famously known and honored as the 'king of flowers'.

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

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

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

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

They also enjoyed flair and creativity 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 refined looks.

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

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

After the Roman empire fell, there was an artistic downturn 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 set their flowers in Chinese vases.

Renaissance

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

Full, intricate flower arrangements were featured in feasts. Others began to include them as decor for homes and churches.

Renaissance floral design was often concerned with pure beauty and symmetry. Bright and bold color triads were in style, crafted 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 vessels, from bowls to baskets to vases. But they were all designed to conceal the stems and only emphasize the blooms.

People of this era also added special meanings to flowers, such as love, purity, and virtue. Among the most popular flowers then were carnations, daisies, irises, lilies, marigolds, and violets.

Victorian Era

Affluence, luxury, courtesy-- these were the distinct traits of the Victorian Era.

Flower arrangements became a way to display wealth and good breeding. This is why they became exceedingly lavish and elaborate. Luxurious homes had ornate vases teeming with gorgeous masses of flowers.

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

Floral designs in the Victorian era set itself apart from other periods. People then weren't all that interested in symmetry, consistency, or color palettes.

They were more occupied with how many flowers were in a vase, rather than with how they appeared. Bouquets were often 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 placed in for more scent and texture.

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

20th Century

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

Traditional designs were involved with designing clean, balanced arrangements. They offered texture and depth but only followed a certain design pattern.

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

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

Today, trends in floral designs continue to evolve! Now, there are countless choices for floral design that welcome everyone's standout tastes and style!