If learning how to make beautiful floral arrangements is on your bucket-list, or you just want to learn the tricks of the trade for creating the most beautiful bouquets out of corner-store blooms, it’s time to sign up for a flower arranging class.
Often taught by professional florists, cut flower workshops for hobbyists — which can range from under an hour to several sessions over a few weeks — can have a high materials cost, but the upside is that you’ll leave with fresh blooms every time. No matter the class duration, you can expect to learn about different flowers and their qualities, where to source the best blooms in your area, simple tricks to keeping buds vibrant and in good form longer, and the essential components of any hand-tied bouquet or simple arrangement. More intensive workshops might focus on working with a single type of flora, incorporating materials like florist’ foam and wire into your designs, or in-depth learning about specific styles of flower arranging, such as Ikebana.
Fresh flowers are having a cultural renaissance, and instead of passively admiring the gorgeous blooms you keep seeing online and at chic boutiques and restaurants downtown, get creative by making your own compositions at home. Here are just a few of the of-the-moment florists offering lessons across Canada, and examples of their stunning work.
Floralia, Montreal @floraliamtl
These themed classes (think: wild wreaths or fall dahlias) focus on working with organic, local, in-season flowers, and you’ll get to keep the vase as well, which will make practicing at home so much easier.
Pistil Flowers, Toronto @pistilflowers
This modern florist offers a number of specialized workshops teaching small groups how to build a succulent garden, or make a hand-tied bouquet or holiday centrepiece.
Fleurs, Edmonton @fleurs.flowers
Nevermind the basics. The classes at Fleurs will have you placing orchids in hat boxes and painting watercolours of your arrangements.
The Wild Bunch, Vancouver @the_wildbunch
There’s a reason this talented shop’s themed workshops often sell out. Learn to create a facsimile of The Wild Bunch’s “freestyle” centerpieces and foliage-heavy vase arrangements.
Coriander Girl, Prince Edward County @coriandergirl
Starting this summer, you can take group workshops at Coriander Girl’s county outpost, which will be held on a farm and include refreshments and edible treats.
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Pollen Nation, Ottawa @wearepollennation
Get a bunch of friends together, and you can have the team from Pollen Nation teach a custom workshop right in your home!
Small Flower Flower Studio, Calgary @smallflowerfloralstudio
This unique Calgary florist offers courses in everything from compote arrangement design to floral fascinators to DIY wedding bouquets.
Bloom School, Toronto @bloomschooltoronto
Bloom School offers courses and workshops for both professionals and enthusiasts; you can learn about Dutch tablescapes, decorate cakes with fresh flowers, or get creative with classic tabletop arrangements.
Celsia Floral, Vancouver @celsiafloral
Celsia Floral has a popular 3-part flower arranging series, but you can take the classes individually as well.
Truc Nguyen
Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based freelance writer, fashion stylist, and creative director. When she’s not covering fashion week or working on shoots, Truc is an amateur mycologist and enjoys world travels with her family.
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