Love flowers? We do too. Our very own Sevda visited The Flower Academy in Iver, Buckingham – just 30 minutes away from London – and had a blooming good time.

Sevda reported back from her afternoon where she learned how to create a stunning bloom.

“As I walked into The Flower Academy (just two minutes from the station), creative directors Karen and Michelle were busy finalising their preparation for the experience. One Saturday class runs each month, exclusively for Red Letter Days, with a full house of ten.

I walked around the shop, it was beautifully laid out with trinkets and gift ideas. The work area was set up with a gorgeous central dressed table, it had a seat with an information pack and tea cup each. More eager flower arrangers arrived and were gathered together for a cuppa and the introduction.

Karen began and talked us through flower care, conditioning, storage and maintenance. She demonstrated how to start the arrangement with foliage, then add the focal flower (usually the bigger flower, in our case the rose) first, followed by the transitional flower, then filler and finally line flowers.

Karen completed a beautiful arrangement, talking us through the whole way, accepting any questions the group had. With her arrangement complete, she discussed the element and principles of arranging including colour, space, texture, rhythm, and proportion.

TIP: The key to starting your arrangement is to shape the foliage first before adding any flowers.

After the demonstration it was time for afternoon tea. A scrumptious looking spread was brought in, complete with a selection of sandwiches, a big stand of homemade scones, a stacked plate of chocolate brownies and a huge Victoria sponge cake – all homemade and so delicious!

This was a great opportunity to chat and to get insight from Karen and Michelle if anyone was considering floristry as a career.

After a short break and a few purchases form the shop, we returned to the workshop. This time, every station had a bucket full of flowers and a vase on a turn table, along with scissors and a knife.

We each began to add and shape our foliage (excitement and a little competitiveness crept in). Some took to it more naturally but one thing was certain, Karen made it look much easier than it was! I soon found out (after breaking the first three stems) that flower arranging definitely requires a certain eye and a delicate hand!

To sum up the day, I think the Flower Academy offers a well-rounded experience. You can learn a lot whilst having fun plus enjoying a fantastic afternoon tea – it doesn’t get better than that!

I will definitely be back, to treat my mum next time! Thank you Karen and Michelle.”