'Spring lets floral arrangements shine'

Florist Bente van Meurs is a young floral talent from Brunssum, the south of South Limburg. During her training in Flower, Greenery and Styling, she participated in the Skills competitions. 'That participation was a very rich experience for me. By training hard and competing with several florists - including Hanneke Frankema - I even became Dutch Champion. This allowed me to represent the Netherlands at the EuroSkills Gdansk in Poland; a mega great experience!'

'Besides my studies, teaching visual art and design at the Art Academy in Maastricht, I also have my own company 'Unique by Bente.' I give workshops, give guest lectures, do freelance work and create content for the 'Florist colors your life', an initiative of the VBW in which young florists show how to add color to life through flowers and plants.'

For the Spring special, Bente created a number of colorful arrangements. 'In spring, the days get longer and the sun shows itself a bit longer and more often. Everything comes into bloom. Spring flowers and green materials regain color and make floral arrangements shine.'

Pink, I am here for you

Pink Day (April 9) is all about love and caring. Salix branches are intertwined into a heart like people in a community, symbolizing resilience and connection. The pink Tulipa 'Double Future' represent tenderness, compassion and hope. The arrangement reminds us how important it is to be there for each other. The whole arrangement forms a powerful symbol of love and support, fitting the message of Pink Day: no one is alone.

Purple Freedom

On Liberation Day (May 5), we celebrate freedom and commemorate the power of hope and resilience. In this arrangement, green-yellow dogwood branches, Cornus 'Flaviramea', are bunched vertically in a vase. A powerful symbol of stability and growth. From the branches blooms the purple Scabiosa 'Dark Cherry,' as a sign of freedom and the awakening of new possibilities. Together, they tell the story of a future built on strength, connection and hope.

Soft yellow softness

World Bee Day (May 20) celebrates the importance of bees to our natural environment and food supply. By encouraging organic flowers and reducing the use of pesticides, we create a safe and healthy environment for these indispensable pollinators - and for ourselves. Vases made from beeswax, filled with soft pastel-colored flowers, are a lasting tribute to the bees themselves. Narcissus 'Bridal Crown', Ranunculus 'Hanoi', Scabiosa 'Vanilla', accentuate the fragility and beauty of nature.

Green reflection

In the language of flowers and forms, the spiral depicts growth, infinity and the cyclical nature of life. The green Ilex tendrils, stripped of leaves, are arranged in a spiral form - a path inward and outward, just as thoughts and actions affect each other.

Within this movement are white Tulipa 'Maureen' that open to the light, a sign of purity, forgiveness and new beginnings. They symbolize respect and hope, a gentle reminder of the power of giving. On the Day of Good Deeds (April 14), this arrangement speaks in silence and invites reflection. "How a small act expands like circles in water, how goodness continues through time.

Radiant happiness

Blue radiates tranquility, confidence and infinity. In flowers, blue symbolizes harmony and the desire for peace and connection. The deep blue hues of Anemone 'Galil Blue' and Muscari 'Carola' bring a sense of hope and comfort. In relation to the International Day of Happiness (March 20), blue symbolizes inner contentment and a calm heart. Happiness is often found in moments of stillness and serenity.

Tendrils of Hedera and twisting willow branches are woven together to form a round base. Round and braided, because happiness always goes together with connection with the other.