'Ranunculus really gives the feeling of spring'

Floral designer Marcel van der Haar likes to work with parrot and French tulips in spring. "I also find ranunculus really gives the feeling of spring.

'What I like to show in my arrangements is the changing of seasons. I then incorporate dead winter materials such as dried grasses. These are then slowly displaced in my arrangements, as it were, by the colorful spring flowers that herald the next season.'

Apart from the fact that I enjoy working stylistically, my preference in my arrangements is to put down products as naturally as possible. Nature is my biggest source of inspiration. Even at trade fairs I see that slowly many honest materials in natural colors are being used again - although there are always colorful counterparts to be found as well'.

'Also, as a car enthusiast, I can become very inspired by a beautifully designed car, piece of furniture or building. The important thing is to take a good look around you, wherever you are - then inspiration comes naturally.'

'The ideal client gives me all the freedom'

Florist Églantine Blanckaert loves to decorate weddings with flowers and create bridal bouquets. Her company Xanadu Flowers is not only a flower store (in Floreffe in Belgium), but also a total concept with its own flower garden and event flower arrangements.

'For me, the ideal client is the one who has confidence in my ability and gives me all the freedom to be creative. I try to work as ecologically and sustainably as possible. Reason I love field bouquets and also the loose character of the 'bohemian' style, both also look very lively and natural. I therefore find my inspiration mostly in nature and in everything that surrounds it.'

'As a young florist, I am not only targeting a younger audience but more importantly those who share my values, ideology and taste. Every florist dreams of customers who love beautiful things without immediately looking at the price.'

'The mission to translate emotions into flowers'

The combination of creativity, technical knowledge and organizational skills makes floral designer Chantal Post an ideal partner to dress weddings and grand events. Chantal is always looking for creative challenges and new knowledge, which she also likes to share. In 2020, she won silver at the Belgian championships.

'As a floral artist, I am constantly looking for elements that can form a new source of inspiration and this can be very diverse: an individual, painting, place, building, plant, flower, emotion or an event. Piece by piece, these are seeds about to germinate.'

Chantal is a master at creating (reusable) structures that she dresses with great precision and respect for flowers and color combinations. 'It is our mission to translate emotions through flowers every day, but especially at important life events. The color, shape and texture of flowers are powerful tools to convey a message.'

'Those who look, see and experience much'

Floral designer Stefan Van Berlo works as a freelancer. 'Always the challenge of bringing a certain project to a successful conclusion does motivate me. Over the years it has become clear to me that I am more of a project florist. You start something, you turn it into something beautiful, the job is done and you can move on to the next thing. I need that challenge.

'Those who look, see and experience a lot. And also music is always an important source of inspiration. Music means expression of feelings. If you don't put your feelings into your work, I find it usually lacks something.'

'Spring, with lighter, longer days, is a season to look forward to. Everything is awakening. It is also the time when flowers can be healing. People can draw strength from flowers and become cheerful from all the spring colors. Also in terms of trends, I notice that customers dare to go for colorful. Also, more special types of flowers are appreciated - I suspect that in the coming years we will gradually grow towards a stylized style.'

'A surprisingly different look every time'

'Of course we all want to sell large and precious bouquets and pieces during the special days. Actually always natural,' posits floral designer Hanneke Frankema. 'But you can also go for selling the larger work as well as the smaller fun giveaway objects, bouquets or single flower arrangements. In the time of the store we always had large groups of smaller take-away gifts on the edge of the counter - by the larger quantity you seduce the customers. It always sold well, and very often along with the larger floral arrangements.'

'Out-of-the-box thinking helps, too. It doesn't always have to be a big bouquet to impress during Valentine's Day. Why not give a pretty wreath? That way, I'm always looking around to see how I can pimp a standard base with simple fun ideas.'

'Buying in bulk can also be very smart if it reduces the cost per item. For example, I once bought a whole load of Styrofoam hearts - they are suitable for many occasions. And with a little tweaking like painting or wrapping them with aluminum wire or wool - they have a surprisingly different look every time.'

A feast to give as a gift

In spring there are many special days when flowers play an important role. Valentine's Day is not yet over and florists are already responding to International Women's Day, Easter and Mother's Day. Also, birthdays, births and weddings require festive floral gifts.