1. The History of Floral Design European Periods
Introduction to Floral Design
Mrs. Rojas

2. Middle Ages
Flowers (both wild and cultivated) were an important part of everyday life
Used in food, drink, and medicine
Fragrant flowers were favored for the ground, freshening the air, and making wreaths and garlands for personal adornment and decoration

3. Middle Ages

4. Renaissance
Art represented religious history – flowers in vases were shown in paintings for symbolism
A rose represented sacred or profane love
A white lily was the symbol for chastity and fertility
Single stems of white lilies in a humble jug was popular
Flowers were arranged in vases so only the blossoms were visible and the stems were covered, creating massed, symmetrically stiff, conical arrangements
Varieties of bright colors and forms were used

5. Renaissance Wreaths & garlands were still common
Containers were pattered after Greek and Roman periods, using elaborate metal containers with well-formed bases, stems, necks, and handles
Many containers had removable lids with holes in them to hold stems

6. Renaissance

7. Baroque & Dutch-Flemish Styles
Art became accessible to middle class instead of just church and nobility
Flower arrangements were sent in everyday situations
Elaborate ornamentation and curved lines were used
Oval shape, asymmetrical balance, and S-curve designs were all used in arrangements
Over-decoration and gaudy interiors were common
Flower paintings showed creative expression in large, flamboyant arrangements
Containers included glassware, terra cotta, and porcelain

8. Baroque & Dutch-Flemish Styles

9. French Period Emphasis was on classic form, refinement, and elegance
Arrangements were commonly fan-shaped or triangle and massed, used as decorative accents in interiors
Vases were highly ornate (decorated), portraying elegance, and tasteful extravagance

10. French Period

11. English – Georgian Period
Fragrance was the most important part of a bouquet, believing that perfume would rid the air of contagious and infectious diseases
Nosegays were created to keep flowers close by and relieve the smells of unsanitary surroundings
Cleanliness was not a high standard in their living
Flowers were worn in hair and around necks or on gowns, either at waist or the shoulder

12. English – Georgian Period
Arrangements were formal and symmetrical, arranged with a variety of flowers
Flower–filled containers were set by fireplaces when heat wasn’t necessary
called a bough-pot
Wedgwood and fine ceramic containers were used for expensive arrangements
Miniature arrangements in bud vases were introduced

13. English – Georgian Period

14. Victorian Era Flower arranging was taught and recognized as an art
Girls were taught to arrange, grow, preserve, press, draw, and paint flowers, including making artificial flowers
Arrangements grouped large masses of flowers, foliage, and grasses together for compact designs without voids
Design shapes were oval or round
Nosegays and hand bouquets were popular, conveying special sentiments with specific flowers

15. Victorian Era
Containers were highly ornate and showy, using all materials and shapes for holding abundant masses of flowers
Posy holders were invented using various materials
Formal (concentric rings of flowers with a symbolic flower in the center) and informal (casual mixing of fragrant blossoms) nosegay designs were used
Bosom bottles (aqua-picks) were formed to keep flowers fresh and from withering, when they were worn

16. Victorian Era

17. Victorian Era