History of Floral Design Timeline

Includes simplicity and patterns and primary colors. They rarely showed the flower stem. Containers or bowls held the flowers or fruit.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used flowers and floral design more freely than the Egyptians. A display of flowers was used as an expression of conviviality and generosity. Women wore flowers in their hair, wreaths were exchanged and garlands of flowers were worn by everyone for occasions.

Garlands were twisted and narrow bands of fruit, flowers, and foliage. Symmetrical compositions and coloring schemes with complementary accents were introduced.

Flowers were arranged in vases, Chinese influence was shown on symmetrical groups from some of these vases. During this time, mainly Monks were practicing floristry. Flowers were mostly used primarely in churches and monasteries. Little is known about floral design in this time period.

Arrangements were large and pyramidal balanced, the flowers were not crowded. Renaissance style gave way to the Baroque style, which then spread to Holland and Belgium. During this period the Hogarthian or S-curve developed in designs and arrangements.

Chinese used arrangements were used for Buddhist temples. They mainly had bright colors with a mixture of flower types. Japanese adopted Chinese designs and created their own forms, which now are open paces and linear forms.

Early colonists had little time for flower arranging, but the containers/vases used for the flowers were household items- kettles, pans, pitchers. Flower arrangements were wildflowers and grasses and designs were not formal.

Influenced by European floral design, tapestries, and prints. Open massed bouquets were common. Styles consisted of fan-shapes, rectangles or round.

Influenced by French Styles and had breaks from English styles. The flower heights were greater than width of the whole arrangement.

Victorian Styled with a Modern-day twist. Arrangements and designs are inspired by actual art pieces and modern-day fashions. Designs are now more complex, some pieces can be see with props to make a perfect design.