There is something rather lovely about Autumn, such a wonderful season, and particularly in a florist shop. The colours become richer, the textures more interesting and, suddenly, customers are looking for ways to bring that seasonal feeling into their homes. For me, this is exactly why Autumn workshops are such a great opportunity for florists. Why you Should Run an Autumn Workshop A workshop isn't simply about teaching people how to make something. It is about creating an e

Customers are increasingly drawn to designs that feel both stylish and sustainable. Understanding seasonal trends helps florists create relevant work, elevate their brand, inspire customers and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Jump to Layered Greens Jump to Earthy Luxury Karen Barnes is an expert at identifying and interpreting key seasonal trends and translating them into commercial opportunities for florists. From lush Layered Greens to rich Earthy Lux

There is something wonderfully romantic about an Autumn wedding. The light becomes softer; the landscape starts to change and suddenly we have a whole new floral palette to play with. Is Autumn the best season for Wedding Flowers? For florists, Autumn is one of those seasons that lets us be a little more adventurous. We can introduce richer colours, beautiful textures, berries, seed heads, grasses and seasonal foliage’s to create wedding flowers that feel completely different

Get inspired by one of the biggest Christmas and Winter 2026 floristry trends with Karen Barnes. In this video, Karen introduces the luxurious Frosted Berries & Bronze trend, a rich and elegant winter look that combines frosted textures, metallic accents, seasonal foliage and beautiful winter flowers. Featuring bronze, copper and silver highlights alongside traditional festive materials, this design offers a contemporary take on Christmas floristry. The Frosted Berries & Bron

These words are a cliché, but oh so true. “Flowers have a way of marking life’s special moments. They celebrate birthdays and weddings, welcome new babies, comfort us during difficult times, decorate our homes and remind us that someone is thinking of us.” Contents Which are the Best Flowers and Foliage to Dry How do you Dry Flowers and Foliage When to use Dried Foliage Best Tips to Look after Dried Flowers Why Dry Flowers and Foliage? The wonderful thing is that many flowers

If you've been a florist for any length of time, (like me!), you'll know that there are some jobs that simply make you smile. For me, creating planted arrangements is one of them. Of course, I absolutely love working with fresh flowers. There's nothing quite like unpacking the morning delivery, seeing buckets full of beautiful flowers and imagining what they'll become. We all create bouquets for birthdays, wedding flowers full of romance, sympathy tributes that say what words

Who doesn’t love the look of beautiful, colourful wildflowers? They radiate harmony, a sense of calm and offer a natural vibe with their delicate heads and random stem growth. I have found that in the last 5-6 years wildflowers have become even more popular with couples when discussing their wedding flowers. Often asked if I can create a ‘Meadow’ theme for their ceremony, reception and wedding party bouquets and buttonholes, wildflowers are my inspiration when designing and c

There is something magical about the arrival of Summer in Britain. I think it’s because the gardens come to life, we start to see buzzy bees, white butterflies and bursts of colour in the hedgerows. We are so lucky to work with flowers, they are beautiful, they are unpredictable, they bring joy (and lots of hard work) and when the Summer season arrives, British-grown flowers come into their own. Every season has its beauty, but summer belongs to British-grown flowers. Their f

Karen Barnes is an expert at identifying and interpreting key seasonal trends and translating them into commercial opportunities for florists. Jump to: Karen's Hand Tied Summer Design in a Wicker Basket Asymmetrical Tropical Design Monochromatic Pink Design Staying ahead of seasonal trends is essential for any successful florist, and Summer 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. Karen Barnes from the Interflora Floristry Trade Club explores the emerging “Wild

For many of us florists, the floral calendar is built around the familiar occasions and peaks such as: Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Easter, weddings, funerals, Christmas and yet between the Spring season and the Summer wedding season, we have one of the most rewarding opportunities for our businesses: Teacher Thank You Week. This is a chance for us to showcase small, suitable gifts for a pupil to say thank you to their teachers. As florists, we're not simply selling flowers

Father’s Day is a big occasion and although not as big as Mother’s Day for us florists, we should not forget that we can create more business and more awareness of our expertise when creating gifts for loved ones and special occasions. Father’s Day can mean so much to so many of us and when we have an opportunity to say, “I love you”, “Thank you for everything”, “Thank you for always being there”, what could be a better way, than giving flowers or a beautiful plant? There

In an era where convenience often trumps craftsmanship, floristry remains one of the few retail sectors where detail is not just important, it is everything. “Retail is Detail” is more than a catchy phrase; it is a philosophy that separates thriving florists from those merely surviving. From the angle of a bouquet to the scent that greets a customer at the door, every touchpoint contributes to perception, loyalty, and ultimately, profitability. For florists, detail is very im

Summer weddings have a magic all of their own. Long days, golden evenings and gardens in full bloom, create the perfect backdrop for unforgettable celebrations. Flowers can make or break a wedding day because at the heart of a beautiful, emotional and special day are flowers. Flowers soften spaces, tell stories, and bring a couple’s vision to life. But while floral dreams may be limitless, budgets often are not! The good news? With thoughtful planning and a little creativity,

Many florists enter the industry because of a passion for flowers and design. However, creativity alone cannot sustain a business. Every bouquet sold must cover not only the cost of flowers but also labour, packaging, rent, utilities, delivery, and waste. When these elements are overlooked, florists may unknowingly underprice their work. A bouquet priced purely on instinct or competitor comparison can quickly erode profit margins. In contrast, florists who understand their tr

Invaluable advise from floristry industry consultant and wedding expert Karen Barnes.