An Introduction to Professional Floristry
Discover your flower design talent and develop your business skills
This course provides all the knowledge elements to start your own floristry business – enabling you to both develop your floristry skills and business acumen. It is ideal both for learners wanting to change career and those already working in the industry who want to set up on their own or develop their knowledge. The course includes fundamentals like flower and plant processes and care, and basic floristry tasks. You will explore a variety of designs, from hand-tied, wired and presentation techniques to advanced work for special celebrations, weddings, funerals and competitions. Importantly, you will also learn the retail and business skills to be a successful florist, such as sourcing supplies, costing designs, presentation and handling contracts. Coupled with further hands-on experience at a working florist shop this should provide a fast track route to enjoying a career in floristry.
- A theory course that equips you with the floristry knowledge and business skills needed to start your own florist shop
- Flexible home-study learning so you can fit your learning around your work and life
- Quality course material and excellent tutor support – to help you achieve your goals
- On successful completion you will receive an HCC Certificate
- Suitable for professionals and amateurs
- No previous experience needed
How the course works
How the courses work
Your first set of course materials will be sent to you when you enrol. You can start as soon as you want and progress through the course at your own pace, studying when and where you choose.
This flexibility makes it easy to fit learning around work and family commitments.
The course materials have been developed by floristry experts and are clear and straightforward, so your studying is easy and enjoyable. As you complete each lesson, your tutor will promptly return your marked assignment with constructive feedback and guidance. (You can also contact your tutor or the support team for help at any point during your studies.)
The extensive course includes all the required study materials. These include supportive images which demonstrate floristry processes and floral material. You will need to provide your own flowers, floristry tools and a camera to photograph design work – your tutor can advise what is needed. A sketch book is also recommended.
There is no formal examination. On successful completion you will be awarded an HCC Certificate. You have 2 years to complete the course.
Support
We are proud of our friendly, caring ethos and aim to do all we can to help you succeed.
Our tutors are all experienced, highly qualified and passionate about sharing their love of their subject. You can phone or email your tutor throughout the course – to ask questions, for advice, encouragement or to draw on their wealth of knowledge.
You can also contact the support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
What you will learn
Lesson 1 – The Florist Shop – setting the scene; prices; staff duties and presentation.
Lesson 2 – From the grower to the shop; stem types; special treatments; special needs.
Lesson 3 – Introduction to learning the nature of the trade. Bouquets; hand tieds.
Lesson 4 – Developing the basics. Costing a design. Shapes, styles, design and balance.
Lesson 5 – Taking a funeral order. Funeral flowers. Wiring. Types of moss. Foliages.
Lesson 6 – Special occasions: wedding anniversaries; birthdays; birth celebrations.
Lesson 7 – Wedding flowers. Preparation and starting from scratch. Designs. Posies.
Lesson 8 – ‘Silks’ and ‘drieds’. Dried grasses. Ribbons and bases. Spices, fruit and herb.
Lesson 9 – Contracts and working outside the shop. Working from a brief. Fresh flowers.
Lesson 10 – Continental influences. Preparing to enter a competition. Cascade/waterfall.
Study length
If needed you have 2 years to complete the course. Many students are able to complete this course in approximately 6-12 months*.
*Timescales are approximate and depend upon application and motivation.
Qualifications
There are no exams. On successful completion of this course you will receive an HCC Certificate*, graded to show the standard you have reached. The HCC’s reputation means this can be highly regarded on a CV and, combined with your portfolio of coursework, is evidence of your achievements (whether you are applying for a job or a more advanced study course).
* The HCC Certificate will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.
Career opportunities/progression
- With further practical experience (eg gained in a local florist shop) once you have successfully completed this course you could:
- Start your own florist shop or work in a florist shop
- Be a venue florist, decorating places such as hotels or conference centres for occasions like weddings, PR events, parties and corporate functions
- Work in floristry teaching/demonstration
- Become a buyer, working for either wholesalers or retailers
- Offer a floristry design service
- If you already have some experience working as a florist, this course would demonstrate your understanding to prospective employers. It would also equip you with the knowledge to set up your own florist business.
Entry requirements
You do not need previous floristry knowledge or experience to enrol on this course.
Enrol now
There are 2 ways you can enrol
- Pay the total course fee of £345 in one sum and receive a voucher towards the cost of your next course
- or
- Pay a deposit of just £95, followed by 5 instalments of £50
