Becoming a Florist

Florists, or floral designers, sell flowers and plants to customers. They also design and make up bouquets, sprays, table decorations, commemorative and celebratory wreaths, and other types of floral arrangements as required. Most florists cover both aspects of the work, but it may be possible to specialize. Florists may also visit early-morning flower markets to buy fresh flowers, plants, and stock.

The Job:

Most florists undertake a variety of different tasks. Florists buy floral supplies, check deliveries of supplies and materials to the shop, carry out stock control, fix prices, and send out invoices.

Florists use living, cut, dried, and artificial flowers and foliage in their display work and choose the materials according to the occasion, the customer's preference, and the season. They look after and condition cut flowers by cutting the stems, stripping off some of the leaves, and putting them to rest in deep water. Florists may be commissioned to reproduce set floral arrangements from photographs or plans that illustrate the shape, materials, and flower types to be used. Sometimes, florists will use their imagination, color sense, and design-ability to create their own displays and new floral arrangements.

Florists deal with customers in person and send and receive orders all over the world by telephone and electronic communication. They advise customers on which flowers to choose for different occasions and must show tact and sympathy when dealing with people coping with family illness and bereavement. They arrange for floral arrangements to be delivered to such destinations as homes, hospitals, and funeral homes. They advise customers on plant care and pest control and may sell accessories, such as vases, baskets, and materials for flower arranging.

Most florists work in shops. Some florists also do contract work outside the shop, providing displays for offices, churches, hotels and public buildings and making arrangements for banquets, functions, and receptions.

Early morning starts and Saturday work will usually be required. Some overtime may be necessary at busy periods such as Christmas or Thanksgiving.

Floristry entails a great deal of standing and some lifting in damp, dirty, and possibly cold environments. There may be opportunities to work part-time.

Training Involved:

Florists may learn their craft in commercial floral design schools or at a college.

Most courses require few academic qualifications. Private courses may be very expensive. Courses may last from a few months to a few years, depending on the level of qualification desired.

In some countries, universities and colleges offer degrees or higher diplomas in floriculture and floristry and the course content includes such business aspects as flower marketing and shop management. Study for vocational qualifications awarded by a professional body may also be possible in some countries.

Some courses are full-time but most florists combine on-the-job training in a shop with part-time study at college. Training covers preparing and assembling material for floral designs, producing floral designs using various mediums, such as polystyrene, water-absorbent foam, and wire, care and conditioning of floral products, and gift wrapping.

Trainee florists initially work alongside experienced florists, but gradually, as they gain more experience, they learn how to select flowers for bouquets themselves.

Useful Qualifications to Have:

Useful subjects include: English, craft, arithmetic, and biology.

Salary Expectations:

The base salary range of a Florist ranges from $17,971 to $34,590 annually, while the median salary for most Florists is $25,500 annually. (US Base Pay)

Future Prospects:

The flower industry is expanding as people make more use of flowers in the home and at work. Every town and city is likely to contain at least one florist shop and some will have flower markets as well. However, opportunities for new entrants are likely to be limited, since many flower shops are run as small family businesses.

Most florists are employed in retail shops. Some florists are employed directly by hotels, and larger hotels may have small florists' shops on the premises.

Promotion prospects are limited except in larger shops or where they are part of a chain of shops. Promotion is to senior assistant or manager of a shop. There are some opportunities for florists to set up their own business. Opportunities may be available to work abroad.

For further information, contact a relevant professional body, such as a society of florists, floristry, or floral designers.