Florists Training

Design Skills

• Many florists already possess a natural sense of creativity or artistic ability; these qualities are valuable, but florists must also obtain fundamental design skills, which will enable them to assemble appealing floral arrangements. Florists are trained to understand color theory; this means that they learn about complementary colors, which are opposite each other on the color wheel, as well as harmonious colors, which are next to each other on the color wheel. Florists are also trained to have a grasp of geometry as it relates to creating floral arrangements with graceful shapes and dimensions.

Communication Skills

• A florist must possess strong communication skills in order to both understand the needs of clientele and express ideas. Florists are trained to greet customers in a pleasant manner, to offer them assistance, and to listen carefully when customers express their needs. Florists must also learn how to make suggestions for floral arrangements to customers, how to transcribe information that has been communicated to them verbally into the form of a written order, and how to communicate effectively via the phone and email, which are other avenues through which customers place orders for flowers.

Work Safety

• Maintaining work safety is an important element of all florists' training. Florists work with sharp knives, scissors and shears every day. They are taught to handle this equipment carefully to avoid cutting themselves or others. Florists also work with water every day, which can result in slippery floors, so they learn to avoid spills and to clean them up to prevent falls. Florists are trained to care for their bodies while they work; they tend to be on their feet all day, so they are taught to stand on rubber mats to relieve foot, leg, and back pain.

Types of Floral Design

• Florists are trained to understand the various types of floral design, including design for weddings, holidays, large-scale events, funerals, school dances requiring corsages and boutonnieres, birthdays, new babies, and various other contexts. Florists must be flexible, and able to design for all occasions, and make everything from bridal bouquets to casket sprays. Thorough training requires them to create every type of floral design they would need to produce while employed in a flower shop.

Knowledge of Flower Types and Care

• Florists are trained to be familiar with a broad spectrum of flowers and, in many cases, plants. Florists must learn the names of at least several dozen types of flowers, know what these flowers look and smell like, when they are in season, how much they cost, and how to best care for them. Florists' knowledge of flower types and care generally expands over time, as new varieties of flowers are always emerging.