Floristry
After graduating high school a semester early, I spent the following semester working part-time at a thrift store and my local cheerleading gym. That is, until I was offered a job at Bloomwoods Flowers. In the town of Columbus, Georgia, Bloomwoods is a small, family-owned store I had only visited once. I was offered the position after my sister had booked them for her wedding. Though I was very uneducated in the field of floral design, I quickly accepted the job, as they had a vast selection of indoor plants that needed constant care. After starting, that very plant care was what consumed most of my shifts. After a few months of caring for the plants and tending to customers' plant-y requests and desires, an interest in floral design began to ignite within me. Shortly after, I slowly started making arrangements. Before trying my hand at a design, I was acutely unaware of the work and talent it requires to create such delicately beautiful, yet durable and lasting arrangements. The process was tedious and took a lot of trial and error, but eventually I was able to find my groove and improve my work. After over a year of making arrangements, though I still have a ways to go, I find it to be one of my greatest joys. Creating meticulous and detailed pieces that bring a smile to those that receive them is one of the most evident ways that horticulture has positively impacted my life.
Pictured above are a few floral & plant arrangements I've made!
My time working in floral design has also expanded my agricultural abilities and strengthened my foundation of experience working in horticultural practices. This experience has helped me to understand a small portion of the immense impact that horticulture has on our lives. Impacting peoples lives through design work has allowed me to build a trusting relationship with my skills and proven that I am capable of not only learning, but mastering new practices that involve my field of study. Often florists are undermined for their contributions to agriculture and to society as a whole, though it is hardly insignificant. Working in floristry helped me to discover that it is one of the leading crop demand shifters, as the demand for different flowers and greens changes over time. While working at Bloomwoods, I have experienced first-hand the large-scale nursery and greenhouse environment. It has allowed me to better grasp the methods and routines that greenhouse workers undergo to grow, cut, and ship large quantities of flowers across the country. I have also been familiarized with the international exchanges involved in horticulture. Much of the unique and beautiful flowers we are used to seeing in our vases are sourced from countries like Ecuador and Colombia. Getting to interact and make exchanges with nurseries around the world has opened my eyes to just how vast and expansive the world of horticulture truly is. My time in floristry has been some of the most impactful on my life and my future, and I plan to carry the knowledge and lessons I've learned through all areas of life.
"The care and concern that was given to me today over a small arrangement is above any expectation that I could imagine. Caden was absolutely wonderful! He listened to my objective, offered recommendations, and altered my arrangement when I got the courtesy photo...I felt my small purchase was very important to them.."
Google Review
"...It is always a pleasure to visit the store where delightful gifts and beautiful flowers are a mainstay. The workers are all exceptionally friendly, welcoming and charming.."
Google Review
