Brightening November: Floral Design Ideas, Seasonal Flowers and Marketing Tips for Florists
When the bright colours of Summer have faded and Autumn is moving towards Winter, the days are noticeably shorter and the weather can be decidedly grey, we all find we are thinking about Christmas. For florists, usually from September onwards, we can start preparing for the big seasonal Christmas peak and November can feel like a little bit of a lull between the seasons.
Of course, November doesn't have to be all about waiting for Christmas. It can be about bringing colour, warmth and nature indoors. November is a great month for experimenting with colour. Even a small bunch of bright flowers on a kitchen table can make a difference.
Using Seasonal Foliage, Berries and Natural Materials in November Floral Designs
As we know, by November, most of our gardens are beginning to look very different. Foliage, berries, seed heads, branches and dried materials can all bring the feeling of the garden indoors. Rosehips, cotoneaster, ivy, eucalyptus, berried stems, autumn leaves, grasses and interesting branches can all add texture and movement. These materials don't have to be used simply as fillers. They can become the main feature of a bouquet or arrangement in fact any type of floral design.
I particularly love using beautiful branches and foliage in November. They create height and structure, while flowers bring those pops of colour that stop an arrangement feeling too wintery.
Bold November Colour Schemes That Brighten Dark Days
We, as florists are in the perfect position to encourage customers to enjoy flowers throughout the year rather than only buying them for birthdays, anniversaries or special occasions. November is a great month to remind customers that they don't need a special reason to buy flowers. Instead, promote flowers simply as something to enjoy at home:
A small seasonal bouquet for the kitchen.
A bright arrangement for the hallway.
A vase of flowers for the dining table.
A little posy beside the bed.
These don't need to be expensive arrangements. In fact, offering smaller, accessible designs can encourage customers to buy flowers for themselves on a regular basis.
November Plant Displays: Houseplants and Seasonal Flowering Plants
Let’s not forget plants. They can brighten November too. Consider creating planted arrangements using a combination of houseplants with different leaf shapes and textures. Cyclamen, orchids, kalanchoe, azaleas and seasonal flowering plants can all provide wonderful colour, while foliage plants provide longer-lasting interest. I absolutely love making planted designs, always have done and always will do.
Visual Merchandising Ideas to Make Your Flower Shop Shine in November
November may be dark outside, so make sure your shop doesn't feel dark inside. Lighting is so important and makes an enormous difference. Warm, inviting lighting, colourful displays of flowers and plants at the front of the shop can help create a welcoming environment.
The Emotional Benefits of Flowers During Autumn and Winter
We all know that flowers make people smile, but it is worth remembering that customers may be looking for more than just something pretty. November can be a difficult month for some people. The shorter days, darker evenings and colder weather can affect how we feel about our surroundings.
Flowers can bring a sense of colour, life and nature into our homes. As florists, we simply need to remind people of something we already know from experience; receiving or buying beautiful flowers can make us feel good. Sometimes the smallest gesture can make a difference, and these are the moments that make flowers so special.
November Florist Marketing Ideas for Social Media and Websites
November is also a great opportunity to show customers what happens behind the scenes in your flower shop on social media and on your website. Ideas such as:
Share photographs of your flower deliveries.
Show your flower and plant deliveries arriving into your business.
Create reels of you conditioning flowers.
Talk about your favourite November flowers.
Share ideas for displaying flowers at home.
People love seeing the florist behind the flowers. And when customers understand the work, skill and creativity involved, they are more likely to appreciate the value of what you do.
Why Florists Should Give November Its Own Seasonal Identity
Perhaps the biggest message I would give florists is this: don't let Christmas completely take over November. Christmas will come soon enough! There is a real opportunity to enjoy November and give it its own personality.
As florists, we are lucky, every day we work with something that has the ability to make people smile. So, when November arrives and the skies are grey, let's make our shops colourful. Let's create bouquets that feel like sunshine. Let's remind customers that they don't need a birthday, anniversary or special occasion to enjoy flowers. Sometimes the best reason to buy flowers is simply because it's November, the weather is miserable and you want something beautiful to look at.
But they can certainly change how a room feel and sometimes, on a dark November day, that's exactly what we need.
With over 35 years’ experience, Karen Barnes is one of the UK’s leading consultants to the floral industry and an expert in product development, future trends & colours, and floral photography design & planning. She’s an interior floral designer, high profile wedding and event floral planner, and prominent international competition judge.
From teaching on a one-to-one basis to coaching small, intimate classes and larger teams, Karen can encourage, motivate and mentor your next step in the florist industry. Sharing her vast experience, Karen can help you expand your knowledge and creativity.
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