floristry

Timeline of the Development of Floral Design

In the last article, we learned about the history of flower arrangements. We looked at the stories behind the names of flowers.

We also found out how communities used flowers in their daily lives. From there, we learned how floristry developed into the high-profit industry that it is now.

Here, we’ll explain how floral design evolved from ancient to modern styles. We’ll go through each significant period in history. We’ll trace changes in floristry from Ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages.

Then, we’ll cover art movements in France to the Victorian Period in Europe and America. Finally, we get to its latest forms today.

Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as a flower expert? Look into organizations offering classes in floristry, like:

American Institute of Floral Designers (www.aifd.org).

Society of American Florists (www.safnow.org).

American Floral Endowment (www.endowment.org).

Floral Design around the Globe.

We set out to create a timeline of the changes in floral designs. Here, you’ll find a short yet in-depth account of how floral design developed throughout history.

Let’s see how designs transformed from rigid to innovative styles!

Egyptian Period (2800 – 28 BC).

Ancient Egyptians used flowers for temple offerings. They also set them in centerpieces for banquet tables.

They were also partial to showing off their wealth. One way to do that was weaving blooms like jasmine and violets into wreaths.

These consisted of a single flower with a couple of leaves on both sides. This basic repeating pattern created an elegant design for their ceremonies.

Greek Period (600 – 150 BC).

Much like the Egyptians, the Greeks used flowers in religious customs. They crafted blooms into garlands, wreaths, and laurels.

Cornucopias also became a staple in festive activities. The Greeks often used triangular designs for their creations. They included white blossoms as a symbol of purity.

Roman Period (28 BC – 325 AD).

Romans carried on with the Greeks’ use of flowers in their customs and traditions. In fact, they created much more elaborate designs of wreaths and ceremonial crowns.

It was also during this time that people started to take note of different floral scents. This then became an essential factor in building flower arrangements.

Byzantine Period (320-600 AD).

People in the Byzantine Era adopted from Greek and Roman styles. But they were the first to mix fruits with flowers in garlands.

They also placed greens in vases to create harmony. For charming color palettes, they accented warm tones with cool hues.

Middle Ages (476-1400 AD).

The presence of florals in art waned during this era. They only cropped up in tapestries. This resulted in the creation of a line of cloths called millefleur. This translated to “thousand flowers”.

Monks all around Europe kept floral design alive. They tended to their gardens to grow varieties of flowers and foliage. These would act as the subject of many art forms later in history.

Renaissance Period (1400-1600).

Oriental styles and the stress on balance influenced many Renaissance artists. They featured fruits and foliage in creating harmonious floral designs.

This led to the creation of now beloved Christmas wreaths. Renaissance artists were also keen on using flowers en masse in their floral arrangements.

Baroque (Flemish) Period (1600-1775).

Baroque painters were the ones who set trends in floral designs. (At least, the ones we continue to see today). Floristry then was not yet viewed as an art form.

As a result, flowers of various colors and sizes were often combined together. This was a way for the artist to express themselves. They also favored tall flowers and oval shapes in arrangements.

Artists from the Flemish period also started leaning more towards uneven designs. They used wild accessories like birds’ nests and eggs in their works.

French Period (1600-1814).

This period saw a distinct divide in the styles of floral arrangement.

Elegant, arc-shaped designs dominated the Baroque period and Rococo. Simple, triangular shapes were the styles of periods under King Louis XVI.

Early American Period (1620-1720).

Early American florists copied French Empire and English Georgian style. They set flowers en masse with different colors to spruce up their homes.

English Georgian Period (1714-1760).

Floral design during this era usually consisted of a basic bundle of flowers in a vase.

Later on, they engaged in more elaborate designs. They even built vases for keeping flowers at certain angles.

Colonial Williamsburg Period (1740-1780).

This era gave room for creativity and the arts, including floral arrangements. Artists put together foliage with fine feathers and grasses into fan-like shapes. They finished it off with bold blooms at the center.

Victorian Period (1837-1901).

During this time, floral design became far more lavish. It often comprised of overflowing flowers and foliage.

Round shapes became the standard. They also hailed roses as Europe’s favorite. Lilies, tulips, and other popular garden flowers complemented the center roses.

American Victorian Period (1820-1920).

America’s Victorian period leaned towards deep colors. Colors like royal purple, ocean blue, and magenta were among their favorites. They often used white blossoms to lighten the look. They also carried on with creating vases for holding flowers.

Modern/ Contemporary Period (1890-Present).

Modern floral design started out as a shift from Victorian design. It borrows from the Oriental focus on lines. But it also combines this with en masse arrangements from Western styles.

Photo by Tavin Dotson

History of Flowers

In this article, we will be learning about the origins of flowers and their presence in human history. We’ll examine the records of human interaction with these exquisite blooms. These span all the way back from the Paleolithic era to modern times.

The next section of this article probes into flowers as art subjects in ancient history. We also tackle the influence they had as muses for artists of all kinds.

Last, we’ll look into a list of the most popular flowers and identify the stories behind their names!

Interested in a formal course? Want to get certified as an expert florist? We encourage you to look into organizations that offer programs in floristry, such as:

American Institute of Floral Designers (www.aifd.org).

Society of American Florists (www.safnow.org).

American Floral Endowment (www.endowment.org).

Flowers through Human History.

How far back are flowers documented in human history? Have they always been diverse? How diverse? How did humans identify and use them in early history?

These are a few of the things people wonder about flowers. Here is a list of answers to some of the most pressing inquiries about flowers as recorded in history!

Have flowers always existed? Since when?

Yes, they have. Archaeologists have dug deep to find out when flowers first emerged. Using modern-day technology over time, they uncovered flower fossils. With these, they established that flowers have been around since the prehistoric period. Their earliest estimate is around the Paleolithic age, about 93 million years ago.

Were flowers always as diverse as they are now? Or did that develop over time with human mediation?

Today, there are around 270,000 species of flowers! This number continues to grow with time and scientific progress.

As for the evolution of their diversity, records only go back to about 150 years. History shows only 125,000 species already existed.

Are there flowers that have been here through early history?

Plants like magnolias and herbs go back to 120 million years old. This time allowed them to grow into their forms today.

Experts presume that flowering plants have been around for around 146 million years.

How did humans find them? Did they make use of them in their day-to-day lives and routine?

There is no precise record of how humans identified flowers and plants. But there’s proof on the part of flowers in the day-to-day life of humans in early history!

For example, setting flowers on graves has been a ritual long before current times.

Various forms of art have also used florals both as main subjects and backdrop details. From music, literature, and sculpture, people have used flowers to express themselves. Now we see how blooms have always lightened lives and made occasions more special.

We’ll explore more on flowers in art below, so keep reading!

Flowers as Art Subjects in Ancient History.

From Ancient Egypt to contemporary pop art, flowers have given rise to masterpieces throughout history. Notable works with flowers vary from clay pots to still-life paintings. Its portrayal has been vital in developing several art forms and mediums.

In fact, flowers as artists’ muse in history is a course in arts studies programs. This only affirms how important blossoms are in art!

Here, we’ll look at the impression that flowers have on various periods in art history. We’ll learn what makes them so appealing to artists and audiences alike.

The lotus flower is one of the most prominent subjects in Ancient Egyptian art. This is due to its symbolic significance in their religious myths. It was often represented in paintings, amulets, ceramics, and other artworks.. Evidence also indicates the use of florals as jewelry for the royal court.

In medieval times, tapestries became popular as art works. This gave way to the use of flowers as backdrops for different types of scenery.

It later birthed the form of millefleur, or a “thousand flowers”. These tapestries had duplicating patterns of fantastic blossoms stitched on it.

Artists from the Renaissance also used blossoms in their myth-inspired paintings. Other artists took flowers as a focal point in their work. They created still-life paintings of fresh blooms and fancy bouquets.

The Impressionist and Fauvism movements also involved the use of flowers in art. Flowers often acted as the subject of an indoor scene with a person or two beside it. Fauvism emphasized this using lively colors. Other times, flowers were either the focus of the artwork or the backdrop of the scene.

Today, flowers remain as a celebrated muse among artists through pop art and contemporary 3D art.

Pop art imagines simple common objects in a different light and color. 3D artists often use flowers to construct a sculpture of another figure. They also pay homage to art from the Renaissance and Ancient Egypt.

Flower Names and their Origins.

Have you ever wondered where roses and calla lilies got their names from? Look no further! Here is a short list of beloved flowers and the history behind their names.

Carnation.

Believed to come from the Greek word carnis (” flesh”), describing its original color. Also considered to come from corone (” flower garlands”). This is because they were first used in ceremonial crowns.

Dandelion.

First called “lion’s tooth” thanks to the petals’ likeness to a lion’s sharp teeth. The French translation “dent-de-lion” later changed into the English dandelion.

Daffodil.

In Greek mythology, flowers called “asphedelos” carpeted Elysian fields. Adapting the first d in the name in the future, it translated to the modern daffodil.

Daisy.

Born from Old English poetics, daisies are an evolved variation of the phrase “day’s eye”.

Holly.

Called the “Holly Tree”. Later known as “holly.” Medieval monks thought it would protect them from evil and lightning.

Lily.

From Latin word lilium, from “lily of the valley”. This is because it was often seen in valleys.

Orchid.

From Greek word orchis, “testicle”. Greeks believed if pregnant women ate these, their unborn child would end up being a boy.

Rose.

Coming from the Spanish and Italian rosa. Used to name red flowers.

Photo by Ray Hennessy

The Best of Blooms

Through changing times, styles and trends have come and gone.

But flower arrangements have continuously conveyed our love for nature. They’ve played a huge part in our admiration of life’s beauty!

Each vivid creation is a work of art! It gives rise to a bright, pleasant ambience anywhere it’s placed.

But where did flower arrangements emerge? Whose idea was it to place flowers with each other and for what purpose? What did flowers mean to people in the ancient days?

How did styles in floral design evolve as time went on? What brought about these changes?

Today, we’ll answer all these questions. We’ll get a short but exciting peek into the history of flower arrangements!

Interested in a formal course? Want to get licensed as an expert on everything on flowers? We encourage checking out organizations that offer programs in floristry, such as:

American Institute of Floral Designers
Society of American Florists
American Floral Endowment

Ancient Times

The very first records of floral design go back to 2500-2600 BCE in Ancient Egypt. Historical experts discovered that Egyptians were the first to artistically put flowers in a vase.

They were often used for feasts and religious ceremonials. Ancient Egyptians also used them to honor the dead in burials and processions.

Lotus flowers are frequently hailed as the most valuable flowers of that era. Egyptians believed they were sacred to the goddess Isis. In Egyptian art, men and women were often exhibited holding lotus flowers in their hands.

Similar attitudes towards the religious values of flowers were discovered in Ancient China. Confucians, Buddhists, and Taoists set cut blossoms on altars.

Florists were held in high regard and given immense respect. Ancient Chinese art also painted florals on vases, scrolls, and carvings.

Flowers and leaves were also often placed together based on what meanings they kept. Peonies represented wealth and good luck. This is why they are known and celebrated as the ‘king of flowers’.

Tiger lilies and orchids signified fertility. Pear and peach trees embodied long and happy lives.

In Ancient Greece and Rome, flowers were mainly used for lavish decor in a show of wealth. They weaved flowers and foliage into wreaths for joyful festivals.

Their love of flowers is widely-known. Blooms were often depicted in art and written into myths.

Wreaths also marked the celebration of victories. In Ancient Greece, they bestowed wreaths to champions of the early Olympic games. This custom continues to this day.

They also enjoyed flair and ingenuity with flowers. Historians assert that the very first mixed flower arrangement was from the Romans.

Middle Ages

The Byzantines pursued the floral designs of the Roman empire. They placed more importance on perfect balance and polished looks.

They took on garland-making too. But they put their own twist on it by adding in fruit and foliage, building tree-like designs.

Gold and jewel tones were prevailing during this era. Popular flowers included carnations, cypress, daisies, and lilies.

After the Roman empire fell, there was an artistic downturn in the Middle Ages. Sadly, this extended to floral design.

Monks were the only ones to keep the art of floristry, using florals in monasteries. Inspired by Oriental fashions, they often placed their flowers in Chinese vases.

Renaissance

The Renaissance era saw a spirited resurgence of art and culture. This meant people found a new admiration for beauty and life in all forms. Italians were the first to convey their new zest for creativity in floristry.

Full, lavish flower arrangements were displayed in feasts. Others began to add them as decor for homes and churches.

Renaissance floral design was often interested in pure beauty and symmetry. Bright and bold color triads were in vogue, created with arc, ellipse, and triangle shapes. Flowers were also often coupled with different types of fruits and vegetables.

These were placed in a wide array of containers, from bowls to baskets to vases. But they were all designed to hide the stems and only emphasize the blooms.

People of this era also added special meanings to flowers, such as love, purity, and goodness. Among the most sought-after flowers then were carnations, daisies, irises, lilies, marigolds, and violets.

Victorian Era

Affluence, luxury, propriety– these were the defining traits of the Victorian Era.

Flower arrangements became a way to display wealth and good breeding. This is why they became exceedingly lavish and elaborate. Luxurious homes had ornate vases teeming with gorgeous masses of flowers.

Ladies were educated on the art of floral design as part of their upbringing. It was also amid this time that floral design was formally taught and studied as a form of art.

Floral fashions in the Victorian era set itself apart from other periods. People then weren’t all that concerned with symmetry, cohesion, or color palettes.

They were more involved with how many flowers were in a vase, rather than with how they looked. Bouquets were often compact and cascading.

Rich, heavy colors like purples, blues, reds, and browns were in fashion for floral design. Flowers were usually arranged in a round shape. Foliage and herbs were placed in for more aroma and texture.

Roses, tulips, carnations, baby’s breath, and lilacs were among the most popular flowers.

20th Century

Interest in floral design piqued in the USA during the 1930s. It was then determined to have its own rules by the Women’s Garden Club.

Traditional designs were involved with designing clean, harmonious arrangements. They gave texture and depth but only followed a specific design pattern.

Later on, free style became more popular. With no strict patterns, there was more leeway to explore several color palettes, rhythms, sizes, and plant materials.

There were more natural styles that integrated rocks, branches, and foliage. Japanese styles were also featured, marked by simplicity and openness.

Today, trends in floral designs continue to evolve! Now, there are countless options for floral design that take in everyone’s unique tastes and style!

Photo by Iman soleimany zadeh