A Florist’s Guide to the Tools of the Trade
A freelance florist I know once likened floristry to magic.This sentiment is playfully characterized by Japanese writer, scholar, and art critic Okakura Kakuzō’s in his book, Book of Tea published in 1919. In his writings, Kakuzō’ advocates for Japanese customs and aesthetics. In the chapter titled, “Flowers” Kakuzō writes:
Flowers, if you were in the land of the Mikado, you might some time meet a dread personage armed with scissors and a tiny saw. He would call himself a Master of Flowers. He would claim the rights of a doctor and you would instinctively hate him, for you know a doctor always seeks to prolong the troubles of his victims. He would cut, bend, and twist you into those impossible positions which he thinks it proper that you should assume. He would contort your muscles and dislocate your bones like any osteopath. He would burn you with red-hot coals to stop your bleeding, and thrust wires into you to assist your circulation. He would diet you with salt, vinegar, alum, and sometimes, vitriol. Boiling water would be poured on your feet when you seemed ready to faint. It would be his boast that he could keep life within you for two or more weeks longer than would have been possible without his treatment.
Florists, like magicians, are showmen. To maximize the beauty of our product, we employ a variety of techniques and tricks for extending the life of a flower as well as identifying it’s optimal placement for the recipient. While magicians never explain their tricks, florists aren’t held to the same ethical standards. As such, I thought it would be fun to write an exposé on the tools used to create those show-stopping arrangements.
What’s In the Kit?
Band Aids
For when your enthusuiasm gets the best of you!
Chenille Stems
Have you ever noticed a bit of orange dust after receiving or buying a bouquet of fresh lilies? That’s pollen…and it can be really tough to remove from clothing and household linens. A chenille stem – also known as a fancy pipe cleaner — delicately removes the pollen before it stains Yiayia’s heirloom tablecloth.
Floral Scissors
Clippers, Secateurs, Snips…whatever you want to call ‘em, this tool is arguably one of the most important for a florist. With such a wide range of types and styles available for purchase, finding a pair that suits you can feel a bit like a trip to Ollivander’s Wand Shop. While Fiskers and Oasis brand clippers are quite common and affordable options, I am partial to Okatsune, a Japanese brand and maker of a 7-inch Bypass Pruner. Made of alloy steel, these pruners are worth the extra expense for their durability and longevity. To avoid international shipping fees, these clippers are also available via Amazon.
Gloves
Protect your hands from thorns, slime and pesticides with a solid pair of gloves. After going through many pairs of cheap gloves, I purchased the Women's Perennial Work Gloves at the Carhartt flagship store in Detroit. These gloves continue to hold up beautifully. Plus, I can toss them in the wash when the funk becomes too much! (Note: my particular style has been discontinued, but can be found on other websites.)
Glue
Hot glue is always an option for corsage work, but few products meet the convenience and hold of Oasis Floral Adhesive.
Hammer
To ensure flowering branches remain well-hydrated, I sometimes use a Japanese technique of smashing the ends with a mallet or hammer. This allows increased absorption and it’s also really fun! Having a hammer in your tool kit can also come in handy when you have permission to adhere a floral installation directly to a surface. Be sure to keep a few middle-of-the-road nails on hand for this particular scenario.
Hip Holster
For tools on the move and more specifically — florists on the move, a leather holster is great a option for keeping clippers within arms reach. It also makes you the quicker draw during bar fights with fellow florists! There are many types of holsters available, some of which resemble a carpentry tool belt or apron.
The Kit
Everyone has their preference for the container that holds their tools. Sometimes this looks like a plastic shower tote, a tackle box, or a canvas bag. I once caught myself eyeing another florist’s vintage lunch pail and lo & behold, I found one of my own at a local flea market. Staying organized is the first step in keeping cool while slinging stems.
Knife
When I first started working in a flower shop, I’d often stare in amazement at the senior designers. Knives, I learned, were an important part of improving efficiency while cranking out mass orders. It’s also the more ergonomic option as opposed to clippers which can cause wrist strain. I’d try off and on for years and take various peoples’ advice and then finally - I got it. Now I comfortably slice stems like Edward Scissorshands and make a mean charcuterie board.
While there are many types of florist knives on the market, I alternate between using the Victorinox’s Classic Swiss Paring Knife and the Clauss Stainless Steel Straight Knife. Both knives are considered straight-fixed blades (as opposed to hooked and/or collapsible blades). For me, the straight blade is preferred because it’s precise and easy to re-sharpen.
Lighter
To prevent cloudy water in a vase and extend the life of milky flowers such as tweedia or Icelandic poppies, I simply cauterize the ends with a hot flame.
Pins
Pearl-tipped corsage pins are a must-have for securing satin or grosgrain ribbon on a traditional bridal or bridesmaids bouquet. I’ve also found them uniquely helpful for keeping veils in place, boutonnieres positioned upright, and of course – pin-on corsages.
Ribbon Scissors
Get yourself some extra sharp ribbon scissors and label them thusly. If you’re working in a shop setting, you’ve probably already tied a string or ribbon to the handle and affixed them to a wall.
Rose Stripper
While a sharp knife will certainly do the trick here, a rose stripper will remove pesky thorns and foliage in a jiffy! You’ll need to do a bit of field research for finding the best option for your workstyle, but I like the feel and flow of the Garden Party Rose Stripper. It keeps my hands safe and minimizes any damage to the rose during processing.
Rubber Bands
A simple way to reduce waste is to upcycle rubber bands arriving on wholesale product you’ve ordered. Bands are perfectly suited for tying off hand-tied bouquets without giving the appearance of being death gripped. Let your flowers breath!
Snacks
Contrary to popular belief, floristry is extremely physical work and it’s important to stay ahead of hunger and low blood sugar while you’re slinging stems. To keep me going on heavy event days, I typically reach for whole fruit & nut bars, potassium-rich bananas and a hearty sandwich.
Tape
Floral tape comes in a wide variety including, but not limited to: vase tape, stem tape and waterproof tape. Used strategically, tape can form a structure for an arrangement, bind a bouquet or boutonniere, and can also disguise basic design mechanics like wire.
Water Bottle
When you’re installing a wedding, it’s likely you’ll be working fast and doing lots of heavy lifting in the heat of summer. Stay hydrated so you can give em’ the ol’ razzle dazzle minus the heat stroke.
Watering Can
Topping off centerpieces onsite with cool water is not only good practice, it’s almost always necessary after a long transport. Experience has taught me that watering cans with a gooseneck lead to fewer spills. Having a spray attachment or separate spray bottle is also nice for a quick refresh before the grand unveiling.
Water Tubes
Water tubes can sometimes feel like confetti - they end up in the strangest places, but they are wonderfully useful, reusable, and prolong the life of delicate blooms placed in a variety of installations.
Wire
Wire is one of the most versatile tools in the tool kit. Here are a few types of wire I use in my day-to-day designing:
Paddle Wire - Great for wreaths, stringing garland, making traditional flower crowns and securing small-scale floral installations onsite.
Bind Wire - This type of wire is ideal for tying off market style bouquets, for flower crowns and giving a rustic touch to a boutonniere.
Stem Wire - Traditionally used in corsages, this thicker pre-cut wire will help you defy gravity by poking a bit through the stem of a drooping ranunculus.
Chicken Wire - With more florists looking for alternatives to floral foam, chicken wire has become a popular mechanic for constructing towering floral pillars, pampas grass clouds, and simply securing stems in a decorative vessel. Better yet, chicken wire can be used time and time again, making it a cost-effective and sustainable design tool.
Author’s Note: Be kind to your clippers and only use wire cutters for cutting chicken wire!
Zip Ties
While not my top choice as a single use plastic, zip ties can come in handy for suspending larger than life installations on gazebos and ceremony arches. Bind wire and any thicker gauge wire can also do the trick!
One of the my favorite parts of working in the floral industry is getting to work with a variety of creatives and learning about their particular design methods & tool preferences. The truth is that while florists do conjure a certain magic, what you’re really looking at is a rich tradition of plant science and creative skill-sharing developed by generations of floral designers. When you’re taking something as perfectly imperfect as a flower and then maximizing it’s life and beauty, you find yourself uniquely positioned to employ a bit of magic, science, and folklore. In one of the closing chapters in the Book of Tea, Okakura Kakuzō eloquently reminds us of the essential relationship between humans and flowers.
In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends. We eat, drink, sing, dance, and flirt with them. We wed and christen with flowers. We dare not die without them. We have worshipped with the lily, we have meditated with the lotus, we have charged in battle array with the rose and the chrysanthemum. We have even attempted to speak in the language of flowers. How could we live without them? It frightens one to conceive of a world bereft of their presence. What solace do they not bring to the bedside of the sick, what a light of bliss to the darkness of weary spirits? Their serene tenderness restores to us our waning confidence in the universe even as the intent gaze of a beautiful child recalls our lost hopes. When we are laid low in the dust it is they who linger in sorrow over our graves.
Authors Note: Fresh Cut Design has not received endorsements or compensation of any kind from the brands listed herein.
