Birthday
HydrangeasA bouquet is a handmade marvel, but not everyone can turn ordinary tulips, daisies and grasses into a work of art. Here are florists who shaped modern floristry — from the Englishwoman who freed flowers from stiff vases to the Japanese artist who sent a bouquet into the stratosphere.
Constance Spry
British florist Constance Spry (1886–1960) is regarded as one of the founders of modern floristry. In an era of rigid, symmetrical arrangements she added wild grasses, branches, leaves, vegetables and even weeds to her bouquets and used unexpected containers. Spry designed flowers for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 and founded a school attended by florists from around the world.
Gregor Lersch
Fifth-generation German florist Gregor Lersch is known for freely combining styles and materials, from classic bouquets to architectural installations. He has taught for decades, gives masterclasses worldwide and has written several books on floral technique and philosophy.
Jane Packer
British florist Jane Packer (1959–2011) wanted flowers to look as though they were still growing. She did the flowers for the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986, opened floristry schools in London, New York and Tokyo and wrote many books. Her work often featured surprising "vases" — baskets, wellington boots and garden containers.
Nico De Swert
Belgian florist Nico De Swert creates conceptual pieces closer to contemporary art than to traditional bouquets. He boldly uses nuts, acorns, fruit, branches and unexpected shapes, and his books have inspired many florists.
Rebecca Cole
American designer Rebecca Cole is known for garden-inspired arrangements in which flowers mix with moss, branches, vintage containers and garden objects. Her books on floral and garden décor are popular with florists and landscape designers.
Hitomi Gilliam
Japanese-born Canadian florist Hitomi Gilliam blends Eastern restraint with Western abundance. She teaches around the world, writes books and is known for her techniques with wire, leaves and complex armatures.
Azuma Makoto
Japanese artist Azuma Makoto turns flowers into art objects: he freezes bouquets in blocks of ice, sinks them in the sea and even sent a bouquet and a bonsai into the stratosphere by balloon in his 2014 project "Exobiotanica".
What we can learn from the masters
- Look to nature: natural shapes and seasonal materials bring a bouquet to life.
- Don't be afraid of unusual containers and materials — branches, fruit, moss.
- Leave "air" in an arrangement: space matters as much as flowers.
FAQ
Who is considered the founder of modern floristry?
Most often the British florist Constance Spry, who popularised a natural style of arranging.
Which florist sent flowers into space?
Japanese artist Azuma Makoto — in his 2014 "Exobiotanica" project a bouquet rose into the stratosphere.
Feeling inspired? UFL florists will create a signature bouquet for you — see our hydrangea bouquets or order flowers with delivery in Kyiv.
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Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
