History of Floral DesignHistory of Floral Design

Why should we know history?

Why should we know history?

Understand traditions What has happened in the past

always reoccurs To understand the design styles

that also affect fashion, home décor and art.

To understand the basis of current trends

Understand traditions What has happened in the past

always reoccurs To understand the design styles

that also affect fashion, home décor and art.

To understand the basis of current trends

The Major periodsThe Major periods

Are broken down into 3 major categories with individual times falling within each of these. 1. Early Floral Design periods 2. European Periods 3. American Periods

Are broken down into 3 major categories with individual times falling within each of these. 1. Early Floral Design periods 2. European Periods 3. American Periods

Early Design PeriodsEarly Design Periods

This includes the following timesEgyptian periodGreek and Roman periodJapanese period

This includes the following timesEgyptian periodGreek and Roman periodJapanese period

Egyptian periodEgyptian period

First in recorded history to use flowers for decoration

Valued simplicity and highly stylized repetition (orderly sequence)

Cut flower were placed in bowls, vases or jars and used in religious ceremonies and festivals.

First in recorded history to use flowers for decoration

Valued simplicity and highly stylized repetition (orderly sequence)

Cut flower were placed in bowls, vases or jars and used in religious ceremonies and festivals.

Greek and Roman PeriodGreek and Roman Period

Influenced by Egyptian period Garlands, wreaths and chaplets

were main floral designs. Flowers were given to honor

heroes and gods. Strewing of flowers and loose

petals is a trademark of the period.

Influenced by Egyptian period Garlands, wreaths and chaplets

were main floral designs. Flowers were given to honor

heroes and gods. Strewing of flowers and loose

petals is a trademark of the period.

Influence on TodayInfluence on Today

Wreaths and garlands still popular.

The strewing of flowers is very popular at weddings.

Wreaths and garlands still popular.

The strewing of flowers is very popular at weddings.

Japanese InfluenceJapanese Influence

Ikebana - Japanese type of design Design of this era emphasized

careful and significant placement of every flower, leaf and branch.

The placement of 3 main flower or branches signifies heaven (shin), man (soe) and Earth (tai)

Ikebana - Japanese type of design Design of this era emphasized

careful and significant placement of every flower, leaf and branch.

The placement of 3 main flower or branches signifies heaven (shin), man (soe) and Earth (tai)

European PeriodsEuropean Periods

Middle Ages Italian Renaissance Dutch Flemish Period French Period English Period Early English Victorian Era

Middle Ages Italian Renaissance Dutch Flemish Period French Period English Period Early English Victorian Era

Middle AgesMiddle Ages

Design continued in Greek/Roman tradition.

Very little is known about the uses except for their use in food, beverages and medicine

Design continued in Greek/Roman tradition.

Very little is known about the uses except for their use in food, beverages and medicine

Italian RenaissanceItalian Renaissance

A time of greater interest in the arts. Is considered the beginning of flower

arranging as it is know today. Gave flowers their “meanings” Designs were colorful, large, full and

symmetrical with no stems showing. Fruits and vegetables were mixed

with the flowers

A time of greater interest in the arts. Is considered the beginning of flower

arranging as it is know today. Gave flowers their “meanings” Designs were colorful, large, full and

symmetrical with no stems showing. Fruits and vegetables were mixed

with the flowers

Influence on TodayInfluence on Today

Italian period was one of the greatest influence on todays design.

The incorporating of fruits and vegetables is still used today

Flowers still have meanings today.

Italian period was one of the greatest influence on todays design.

The incorporating of fruits and vegetables is still used today

Flowers still have meanings today.

Dutch Flemish PeriodDutch Flemish Period

Flowers from all over the world were used.

Styles very flamboyant and first time all around

Fruit, shells, bird nests or birdcages or nature objects were popular

Flowers not just for the wealthy

Flowers from all over the world were used.

Styles very flamboyant and first time all around

Fruit, shells, bird nests or birdcages or nature objects were popular

Flowers not just for the wealthy

Influence on todayInfluence on today

Use of accessories The large arrangements in hotel

lobbies is influenced by this period.

Use of accessories The large arrangements in hotel

lobbies is influenced by this period.

French PeriodFrench Period

Emphasis on classic forms Designs were refined and elegant Fan shaped, round and crescent

shape were popular. Very tall arrangements. Roses very popular and lilies too Containers were very ornate.

Emphasis on classic forms Designs were refined and elegant Fan shaped, round and crescent

shape were popular. Very tall arrangements. Roses very popular and lilies too Containers were very ornate.

English TraditionEnglish Tradition

Picked flowers for casual bouquets to bring into the home

Major concern is scent Fashionable English ladies carried

nosegays (hand held bouquets) or tussie mussie

Topiary form was developed

Picked flowers for casual bouquets to bring into the home

Major concern is scent Fashionable English ladies carried

nosegays (hand held bouquets) or tussie mussie

Topiary form was developed

Influence on todayInfluence on today

Centerpieces Nosegays (forerunner of the

wedding bouquet) Topiary Bud vases All of these items are still used

today.

Centerpieces Nosegays (forerunner of the

wedding bouquet) Topiary Bud vases All of these items are still used

today.

Later English PeriodLater English Period

Also called the Victorian Era after Queen Victoria

This era contributed the most to establish floral design as an art.

The art of design was covered in books and magazines of that time.

This is when many rules and techniques were established.

Also called the Victorian Era after Queen Victoria

This era contributed the most to establish floral design as an art.

The art of design was covered in books and magazines of that time.

This is when many rules and techniques were established.

Two popular styles of the time

Two popular styles of the time

1. Large, abundant masses of flowers Usually round or oval with trailing

material to give a romantic look No center of interest New and unusual flowers favored Foliage was used for the first time

1. Large, abundant masses of flowers Usually round or oval with trailing

material to give a romantic look No center of interest New and unusual flowers favored Foliage was used for the first time

2. Small mixed informal bouquets Used for a romantic feel throughout

the home Usually were picked from the garden

2. Small mixed informal bouquets Used for a romantic feel throughout

the home Usually were picked from the garden

Other Victorian itemsOther Victorian items

Language of flowers was studied and used to convey messages especially during courtship.

Sending flowers to ladies before social events was begun.

Loved accessories such as fans, figurines, shells and knickknacks.

Language of flowers was studied and used to convey messages especially during courtship.

Sending flowers to ladies before social events was begun.

Loved accessories such as fans, figurines, shells and knickknacks.

Influence on TodayInfluence on Today

Romantic look is still popular Draping or trailing material is still

used for romantic look Adding of greens/foliages Emphasis on the art is a necessity

of training for the modern day floral designer

Romantic look is still popular Draping or trailing material is still

used for romantic look Adding of greens/foliages Emphasis on the art is a necessity

of training for the modern day floral designer

American StylesAmerican Styles

Colonial Period Greatly influenced by the Europeans Styles were simple and used native flowers Grains, grasses and dried flowers used that

were native Filler flowers like babies breath used Fans and triangular arrangements popular. Flowers were placed in pots and jars

Colonial Period Greatly influenced by the Europeans Styles were simple and used native flowers Grains, grasses and dried flowers used that

were native Filler flowers like babies breath used Fans and triangular arrangements popular. Flowers were placed in pots and jars

20th century America20th century America

Enjoy the simplicity of Ikebana and modify it to call it line arrangements

The large colorful arrangements of the Europeans were simplified and called mass arrangements and are based on geometric shapes.

Enjoy the simplicity of Ikebana and modify it to call it line arrangements

The large colorful arrangements of the Europeans were simplified and called mass arrangements and are based on geometric shapes.

More American StylesMore American Styles

The line mass style was created to combine the best of the Japanese and the Europeans

Free form styles were developed in the 1960’s. The forgetting of the rules allowed for creativeness.

All designs of today are based upon what has occurred in the past.

The line mass style was created to combine the best of the Japanese and the Europeans

Free form styles were developed in the 1960’s. The forgetting of the rules allowed for creativeness.

All designs of today are based upon what has occurred in the past.