| One man’s weed patch, may be another man’s garden. The world of flowers, foliage, and fauna has a language of its own. Here’s some key words to help you understand the seeds of the floral business. |
| Asymmetrical Balance: |
informal, natural design, somewhat abstract design |
| Bouquet: |
flowers selected and fastened together in a bunch. |
| Bushes: |
silk flowers sold with several stems gathered at base. |
| Composition: |
the grouping of the various parts that make up the floral arrangement. All parts become part of the whole (arrangement.) |
| Containers: |
natural, wood, metal, glass, plastic, pottery, ceramic vases, bowls, boxes, pots, and any other holder for arrangements. |
| Dried Flowers: |
through the process of air hanging, desiccants, pressing, or heat flowers and leaves have all moisture removed, preserving as much color, texture, and shape as possible. |
| Dried Look: |
silk flowers made to look like dried flowers. |
| Fillers: |
smaller and more neutral colored flowers and greenery that serve as background to more showy pieces in design, used to “fill in” between main accent flowers. |
| Focal Point: |
the main area of arrangement that the eye will go to, usually a single element. This spot dominates the design. In a symmetrical design the focal point is at center, in a asymmetrical design the focal point is placed toward the high side of arrangement. |
| Foliage: |
leaves collectively, artistic grouping of leaves, twigs, flowers, branches, etc. |
| Free Form: |
there is no focal point of the arrangement. |
| Frog: |
a flower stem holder, any object that is used to hold stems securely in position. |
| Foundations: |
natural bare ropes, garland, wreathes, topiary trees, baskets, etc. |
| Garland: |
a wreath or rope of flowers and leaves |
| Greenery: |
vines, ivies, ferns, or plants. |
| Handwraps: |
flower, leaves, and stem of silk flower have been hand wrapped with floral tape. |
| Harmony: |
parts of floral arrangement do not conflict with each other, but flow and compliment the design. |
| Nosegay: |
a small bunch or grouping of flowers, also called a posy |
| Oil Dyes: |
dying process that allows for more realistic coloring and overall effect of silk flowers |
| Polystem: |
Flower with solid stem versus a flower with a hand wrapped stem with floral tape. |
| Potpourri: |
a collection of flowers, leaves, seeds, spices, oils, and other natural ingredients used for scent and color. |
| Proportion: |
the relationship between elements of the arrangement in size, color, quantity, and setting. |
| Silica gel crystals: |
crystals used to dry flowers and foliage quickly, a desiccant used to remove moisture. Flowers and crystals are placed in an air tight container and flowers are dried in 3-4 days. |
| Stem: |
single flower or foliage. |
| Symmetrical Balance: |
formal design, perfect equality, all sides of arrangement match the other sides. |
| Swag: |
literally sinks or hangs down by its own weight, a rope or intertwined floral arrangement that hangs down at center. |
| Texture: |
refers to the physical surface qualities of the plant or flowers in an arrangement. Smooth, glossy, rough, soft. It can also refer to the size of leaves, twigs, or branches in an arrangement. |
| Wreath: |
flowers, twigs, grasses, and/or vines intertwined in a circular or continuous shape. |