SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
On this Valentine’s Day, three flower artists tell us why flowers remain the most eloquent love language
Who doesn’t love a bunch of flowers?
Though fleeting and ephemeral, flowers bring happiness, colour and even a sense of self-love into our spaces if we buy them for ourselves.
Traditionally seen as a symbol of love, the many varieties and endless possibilities for combination in posies, bouquets and arrangements make our talented florists the finest purveyors of admiration and devotion.
On this Valentine’s Day, three flower artists tell us why flowers remain the most eloquent love language.
MR MUNRO, Cape Town FLORIST: Cameron Munro, owner
My style is “left of centre“, with a contemporary approach. I’m attracted to the texture and structure of flowers. The weird and wonderful always catch my eye.
I generally use locally grown flowers. We’re blessed with an abundance of interesting varieties only found here.
There’s been significant growth in the number of smallscale local farmers growing world-class flowers. It’s important to support this industry as much as possible. Sometimes I’ll get client briefs that require me to import varieties.
My favourite flowers are tuberoses (the small tuberose is insane — should be bottled), amaranths (I love the structure and colour varieties this “flower” gives to an arrangement), and echinops (these little spiky blue/purple orbs are out of this world).
I love a room filled with flowers. The confluence of manmade and nature is special. Flowers add a sense of intentionality to a space, infusing life, colour and exuberance.
For the man in your life, cymbidium orchids.
For getting out of trouble, I’d choose the bigger the better.
For showing love, a combination of roses, ranunculus and orchid varieties.
For a tribute to friendship, buy peonies and tulips.
Best to say thank you? Hydrangeas.
I keep flowers fresh by cutting the bottom of stems at a 45° angle and placing in fresh, clean water. This allows the plants or flowers to suck up more water and supply the blossoming part of the plant, which should extend its vase life.
There are great flower food products available at gardening shops — a couple of scoops added to vase water can extend their life. Avoid placing them in areas with direct sunlight.
When spending a lot on a bouquet, it’s important for the consumer to understand that they’re not just paying for the stems, they’re paying for the time taken to source, collect and process the flowers and for the artistic hand of the florist. The cost is affected by the choice of flower varieties, size of arrangement, logistics and installation.
I love flowers because they enhance our moods in a positive way — it’s a scientific fact.
Fragrances and colours do this subconsciously, stimulating nerve cells and creating positive vibrations. This is why we use them to convey emotions: happiness, love, sincerity, gratitude, sadness, empathy and loss.
I became a florist because I love being surrounded by plants and flowers.
Growing up in Zimbabwe in nature is the likely catalyst. Plants give off energy that makes spaces feel positive. I’m fascinated that such beauty can stem from a tiny seed in the soil that, with care, love and the right conditions, sprouts life that gives us joy. I find it satisfying to work with beauty. Instagram: mr.munroflowers
GLOSS, Johannesburg FLORIST: Katja Kellhofer, owner
My arrangement style is romantic-contemporary. It’ sa mix of what clients want and my own creative influence.
I use mostly local, as imported flowers are expensive, but I also love an imported selection of flowers.
I’m known as the “Queen of Green” as I’ll use green foliage for an long-lasting, clean and contemporary look in classic glass containers.
My favourite flowers are orchids for their exotic opulence, anthuriums for longevity and shape, and hydrangeas for their size.
I love arrangements in the home to bring a focal point to a room and give off positive energy. How would your heart feel about seeing a vase of colourful tulips against an empty table? Flowers are a “spirit lifter.”
For a more masculine arrangement, choose beautiful textures of wooden elements such as bark, green foliage and anthuriums, but pink roses also work like a charm — depending on the man, of course.
If you’re in trouble, spend money supporting your local florist to make a bespoke arrangement with your signicant other’s favourite blooms, with a personal note of apology. They will appreciate the time you’ve taken to apologise.
To express love, use pink, red and white flowers and lilacs.
For showing friendship, use yellow, orange, white and lilac blooms.
To say thank you, choose any colour — find out what your Good Samaritan’s favourite flowers are.
I keep flowers fresh by cutting stems at an angle for maximum intake of water, and I add a capful of Jik (or any bleach) and a spoonful of sugar. I change the water often.
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BOTANICUS, Johannesburg FLORIST: Johannes van Greunen, owner and creative director
The signature Botanicus approach to floral design is focused on out-of-the-ordinary luxury.
We carefully curate floral selections to create luxuriously sculptural pieces for discerning individuals, homes, brands and events.
We select flowers based on what’s most beautiful and exceptional. We support a variety of local farmers in and around Joburg but also have a selection of unusual specimens imported from across the globe.
My favourite flowers change daily, but a few favourites include hydrangeas, hellebores and clematis. I revel in creating unusually contemporary floral compositions with what some deem to be classic flowers.
Flowers, like art, should be seen as adornment in any space, carefully considered so as not to overwhelm but rather complement the interiors. There’s nothing like a big bunch of one type of flower in a beautiful vase to add calm or intrigue.
For the man if your life? We don’t differentiate at Botanicus — anyone can appreciate the delicate beauty that is a flower. We prefer to work in colour palettes, so perhaps ask your floral designer for their signature work in the recipient’s favourite colours. They should be so lucky.
For getting out of trouble, simply go big.
To show love, pay attention to detail. What are the floral notes in the fragrance they wear? What’s their favourite colour? It’s about being considered and showing them you care about the things they care about.
For friendship, give vibrancy and exuberance! A big bundle of yellow ‘Dancing Lady’ orchids or a single allium stem. Choose something with character that reminds you of them and let them know.
To say thank you, keep it neutral and include a handwritten card.
For keeping flowers fresh, keep them in cool areas, give the stems regular cuts and change the water often. Heat is not a cut flower’s friend.
Spending a lot on a luxury item, carefully designed and styled by skilled artisans, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re buying size or scale. For the same amount you could get a large floral design filled with foliage and few luxurious flowers or a smaller but luxuriously flower-heavy design. Both are beautiful. Choose your florist for their style and approach to floral design to align with your budget and expectations.
Flowers are harbingers of seasons changing; they convey emotion, evoke nostalgia or simply add colour.
They’re fragile marvels of nature that we get to enjoy fleetingly, reminding us that we need to appreciate the smaller things in life. To share that with those near and dear brings purpose and connection.
My love of flower design started when I crumpled a white linen napkin in my three-year old hand and said, “Look Granny, a flower!”
Now we regard ourselves as designers (all florists should). Creating and sharing the beauty of flowers with those who appreciate it keeps our secateurs sharp and our hands itching to keep delivering out-of-the-ordinary luxury. Instagram: