A studio masterclass in seasonal, foam-free floristry from Scotland's leading floral designers
 
Join Lauren and Louisina on their working flower farm and floristry studio for a full day of demonstrations, discussion, and insight into their unique approach to foam-free, sustainable floristry.
 
Rather than a practical workshop, this is an opportunity to spend time watching Days of Dahlia in action. We will create three very different, large-scale, foam-free floral designs from start to finish, sharing the thinking, techniques, materials, and mechanics behind each one.
 
Working exclusively with our farm-grown, seasonal flowers and foam-free mechanics, we will explore how to create beautiful, naturalistic designs without relying on floral foam or single-use plastic. Experience how we approach everything from the choice of flowers and materials, to scale, colour, movement and structure, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions throughout the day.
 
You will leave with new ideas to explore in your own floristry practice, a deeper understanding of sustainable mechanics, and a beautiful printed guide "The Foam-Free Mechanics Map" to refer back to.
 
Three Demonstrations
Throughout the day, we will create three very different designs, each exploring a different aspect of sustainable floral design.

A tabletop wildflower meadow
Discover how to create an abundant, naturalistic floral landscape without floral foam. We will explore scale, height, movement, density and placement, and demonstrate how shallow water vessels and reusable mechanics can be used to create a design that feels as though it has grown naturally from the table.
 
A suspended floral installation
Experience how we approach a larger-scale floral design without floral foam or single-use plastic. We will demonstrate the mechanics behind a suspended installation, exploring how structure, weight, balance and placement come together to support flowers while allowing them to retain their natural movement. Learn how to hydrate flowers at height, including those that are suspended upside down. 
 
A wild, garden-style urn
We will finish with one of our favourite ways to work with tall, gestural stems and seasonal flowers: the loose, naturalistic, garden-style urn. Watch how we select and condition flowers, build shape and movement, combine colour and texture, and create a large-scale arrangement that feels abundant, seasonal and effortless rather than overly constructed.

Alongside the demonstrations, we will share the practical knowledge that sits behind our design work, giving you full access to our toolkit, introducing you to our favourite sustainable tools and materials, and explaining how and when we use them.

We will explore:
Working with seasonal and locally grown flowers
Choosing materials with sustainability in mind
Floral foam-free mechanics
Concealed water sources and reusable vessels
Natural and reusable structural materials
Creating designs without single-use plastic with a zero-waste focus
How to support flowers in foam-free designs
Designing with movement, scale, and proportion
Colour and texture in naturalistic arrangements
How to make flowers appear as though they are growing naturally from where they have been placed
Ways to adapt sustainable techniques to your own floristry practice
 
We will also discuss the flowers we grow at Days of Dahlia and why working seasonally changes the way we design.
 
This is a unique opportunity to watch the complete design process live; concentrating on observing the techniques, asking questions as we work, and leaving with an understanding of how a design is constructed.

We will share the decisions we make along the way; why we have chosen particular flowers, how we are solving a mechanical problem, what we are changing as the design develops, and how we create a sense of movement and natural abundance.
There will be plenty of time for conversation and questions.
 
The Foam-Free Mechanics Map
After the masterclass, you will receive our beautifully illustrated printed guide to foam-free floristry created as a reference to return to after the day. The guide will bring together the principles, materials, and techniques we've shared during the demonstrations. The guide is designed to help you take what you have seen during the masterclass and continue exploring it in your own work.
 
Who is this for?
This masterclass is for anyone who wants to look more closely at the craft and thinking behind sustainable floral design.
It will be particularly useful for:
Florists looking to move towards foam-free floristry
Aspiring florists developing their practice
Flower growers and creatives interested in working with flowers differently
Experienced florists looking for new approaches to mechanics and naturalistic design
Serious flower enthusiasts who want to deepen their understanding of floral design
 
If you are already working with flowers, you will have the opportunity to consider how these ideas could be incorporated into your own practice. If you're newer to floristry, you'll gain an insight into the decisions and techniques that sit behind professional floral design.

Our approach
At Days of Dahlia, we believe that beautiful floristry doesn't need to come at the expense of the natural world. We grow flowers on our own farm and work closely with the seasons, allowing what is available at different times of year to influence the way we design. We don't use floral foam in our work or teaching. Instead, we have developed and refined a collection of practical, reusable, and foam-free techniques that allow us to create everything from intimate accessories to larger-scale floral installations without foam or plastic. For us, sustainable floristry isn't simply about replacing one material with another. It is about changing the way we think about flowers, materials, and design, and allowing flowers to look like their natural selves.
 
A note for Seasonal Pursuits members:
Members of Seasonal Pursuits receive 10% off all in-person workshops and events, including The Art of Sustainable Floristry. Your member discount code can be applied at the checkout.
Not yet a member? Discover Seasonal Pursuits →
 
Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.