Inside the Sustainable Floristry Career Course March 2025
- daysofdahlia
- 14 hours ago
- 7 min read
Gathering for the First Time
In March 2025, at 10am on the dot (some earlier!), ten women arrived at Days of Dahlia. None of them knew one another yet. Some had travelled just a short distance, others from opposite ends of the UK, from Orkney to London, and many other places in between. They all came with the same desire: to build floral businesses and to create a life around flowers that feels creative and meaningful and possible.
We were meeting them for the first time too. In the weeks beforehand, we had exchanged emails as I always ask where everyone is coming from, what their objective is for the week, why they have decided to start a career in floristry, or develop an existing one. It helps to map out the pace of the week and sketch out a picture of the group before they arrive.
Immediately, there are introductions, we are comparing snips, admiring flowers, soaking in the space. Once everyone arrives, the email conversations suddenly spill into the studio. Some spoke of trying to work out what to do with their life, but always coming back to flowers. Others were juggling multiple jobs while dreaming of a creative career, or in a career that is draining, stressful, uninspiring, "not very me". Some had a strong sense of their aesthetic, “I know the style I love but I just don't have the technical skills", there are shared frustrations and aspirations. Lots of "oh my god, me too!". Many shared environmental concerns about imported flowers, and uncertainty about how to source locally, especially in winter. There were aspirations of growing their own flowers, starting plots, mini flower farms, cutting gardens at home, with family, with friends. Lots of dreams. There was imposter syndrome too. “If I’m self-taught, do I deserve to be here?” “I just want to know I’m doing things properly.”
Almost everyone spoke about confidence, or their lack of it. Some had studied floristry at college but felt they needed to unlearn what they had been taught. Others had never picked up a flower before. And I rubbed my hands together, excited by that prospect! And then, almost instinctively, bags were set down, jackets shrugged off, snips out, sleeves rolled up. The studio filled with voices and stories and the excitement of beginning. When a new group steps through the door, we love these first moments but there is also a worry - is this going to be as good as the last one? But all doubt disappears, something shifts and suddenly everything feels possible in the presence of flowers. And it is always as good as the last course.
Flowers of the Season
We had cut 100s of narcissi in every buttery shade from soft white to bright yellow and all the tones in between. Late March to early April being their moment, and narcissi must have their moment. There was early blossom and red currant, branches just beginning to leaf. Muscari, anemones, ranunculus, tulips, and the last remaining hellebores of the season. Spring is such a hopeful time. Everything felt fresh and full of promise, perfect for the dawn of something new for each member of the group. We supplemented our own farm-grown flowers with a few stems from the British market, stocks and sweet william, demonstrating how you can pair local Scottish growing (or your own plot) with flowers from southern England, where spring arrives earlier and the growing season stretches longer. This demonstrates sustainability in practice which is so important for everyone to experience and learn.
The Studio Rhythm
When I say this course is fast paced and intensive, nothing quite demonstrates that point more than the amount of beautiful arrangements that start filling the studio from day 1. From the first day of bouquets and accessories, we moved step by step through our methods, the core pillars of naturalistic floral design, its principles, philosophies, and our way of working. We made bouquets, tiny accessories, bowls, table centrepieces, little vases, large-scale installations, and impactful statement pieces, supporting one another constantly. Alongside design, we covered colour theory and composition, sourcing, pricing and profitability, marketing and sales, sustainability and seasonality, branding. By the end of the week, everyone had a business name, a mission statement, a roadmap, a plan. It felt as though we had been working together for five months, not five days. But something deeper always happens during this course.
At the beginning of the week, many students second-guess themselves: “Is this good enough?” "Am I going to be good at this?" By the final day, they are creating beautiful things that they had only ever dreamed of. They see for themselves what can happen when you become attuned to your materials, use the best, most beautiful materials you can find and grow, trust your eye, troubleshoot, let go, make choices. The transformation in confidence is one of the most powerful parts of the course and I attribute it to the flowers, always. The environment plays a role too, and what Days of Dahlia is; a sanctuary and a destination for learning, feeling inspired, finding your own way with flowers.
This is a working floristry studio. Many conversations have happened here, flowers grown, wedding flowers created, large-scale events built, workshops taught. The flowers are real, the tools are used, there are buckets everywhere, music playing, coffee brewing. We have imbued the experience and the rhythm of real floristry life here. What is possible, what isn't possible. There is laughter. Honest conversations about money and self-doubt. Breakthrough moments when something finally clicks. And community. Without any prompting from me, the group create their own WhatsApp group around day 3. An End to A Beginning
When we hold our discussions, admire the arrangements, review the week, give feedback, and exchange ideas, something shifts again. For many, it is the first time they truly see themselves as professional florists. It's so nice to see that happen; learning skills, feeling ready, and then being able to say, “This is what I do.” Flowers were my beautiful hobby but now they can also be my beautiful career.
Where there was uncertainty, there are now camera rolls full of professional floral arrangements, mood boards, notebooks full of ideas, business names and logos, a first Instagram post, a first funeral flowers order booked, a wedding enquiry, the beginnings of a flower farm, a plan. By the final afternoon, the studio is full of proud, slightly tired, but deeply inspired, new sustainable florists. My mum and I always say the world needs more sustainable florists and we mean that wholeheartedly.
Meet the March 2025 Alumni
We are very proud to introduce the Days of Dahlia Sustainable Florists of March 2025!
Winner of The World Cook Season 2, Betsy is keen to combine food and flowers and is growing her own garden flowers and in the throws of setting up a business with her new found skills. Based in Edinburgh.
"It was fabulous, literally fabulous, the joy of working with these adorable flowers picked from round here, and working with Lauren and Louisina, they just know so much and just give off such joy, it has just made so happy. It has been fabulous."
Claire ~ The Wee Flower Farm Growing flowers in a home garden and creating honest, sustainable, and seasonal garden storytelling. Based in Bonnybridge.
"I actually am a florist. I have a skillset that has been teased out of me, I am a skilful business woman and the future is bright and the future is very floral!"
Elizabeth - Rosalux Creating a new business with a focus on sustainable, commemorative, funeral flowers and how to support loved ones to become part of the funeral flowers process through coming together and locally grown flowers. Based in Glasgow.
"I am a florist, I knew what I need to do, I didnt dream that there was a course that could help me with the next steps beyond the actual skill of basic floristry but I found it here. Not only that but it is the most beautiful and extraordinary environment with the most beautiful and extraordinary women and I have really enjoyed every second of it."
Frankie Working on a flower farm to learn more about growing flowers. Finding her feet in the floristry side of things after setting up a private limited company for her new business. Based in Perth.
"I've learned that I am able to do this. Prior to coming into the course I thought there is no way I can start my own business, theres no way that I can do this, zero confidence in myself to be successful. But after doing this course I feel I can achieve it, I can do it and it has given me to the confidence to do it, to just go for it."
A flower studio and cut flower plot growing and arranging flowers for weddings, events, and workshops. Also specialising in floral preservation for pressed bridal bouquets and artworks. Based in the Scottish Borders.
"Literally everything I could ever wish to learn about wedding flowers. And I have very much healed my imposter syndrome when it comes to the wedding industry. I feel way more confident going into it, and yeah just learned to be very excited about the whole process."
Artisan flower farm and botanical dyer exploring the medicinal and herbal properties of plants. Based in Somerset.
"I am glad that we unravelled all the secrets behind sustainable floristry, which at first you can't really see, all the flowers are really beautiful but behind that there is a big secret we just discovered, and I am really glad."
4th generation plantsperson, sustainable floral artist and grower. Based in Ochill.
"Natural beauty is all around us and that for arranged flowers what we can grow here is so underrated"
(Apologies for the wind distortion to Jude's audio! I have tried to transcribe it as best I can.)
Luxury floral design for events and weddings. Based in Orkney.
"Loved all of it. Lauren and Louisina have been amazing. My favourite part has been the tablescaping, and all the stuff that we have used has just been delicious!"
Patricia Botanical dyer.
"The key thing I have learned this week is that I who has never done floristry in my life can make beautiful handtied bouquets and gorgeous tabletop presentations. I have also learned that I don't need to drive for miles to the nearest town to buy flowers because they are all around me."
Rhona Cultivating her own garden and growing cut flowers for the first time, preparing to create a garden studio and undertake more learning in floristry and growing for the future. Based in Glasgow.
"The highlight has been the font of knowledge from Lauren and Louisina. The absolute 45 years of experience condensed into one week is amazing. The stuff I have learned is just incredible. The teamwork part has been amazing, the collaboration that has been such a highlight, getting everyone's feedback on things, and I love your saying trust the flowers, and probably trust yourself. Be confident, you can do it, you have opened it up for everyone and that's amazing."
If you would like to join us to start a floristry career that is rooted in sustainability, collaboration, community, seasonality, and naturalistic floral design, click the link below to get started.
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