For floral designers, summer is one of the most bountiful seasons of the year. From the first peonies in late spring to dahlias that herald the arrival of fall, the selection is wide, colorful, and full of character. Yet this period calls for creativity. Due to vacations, hot weather, and shifting consumer behavior, summer is not the easiest sales season.
The most beautiful day of your life calls for floral arrangements that go beyond mere decoration: it calls for a piece that tells a story and enhances the wearer’s personality. In this in-depth special from DPK Floral Magazine
we DPK Floral Magazine how the boundaries of the
traditional bridal bouquet are blurring, giving way to floral art.
This issue of Floral Fundamentals focuses on experimentation. International floral designers demonstrate how materials, structure, and technique come together in a variety of summer designs—from open table arrangements and circular compositions to sophisticated bridal arrangements and wearable creations. Each design starts with a clear concept and shows how you can create a strong, distinctive look using seemingly simple elements.
It used to be quite something to have a Phalaenopsis plant or stem in a store: they were exclusive and expensive. That has changed drastically since then. The Phalaenopsis has become a mass-market item and can even be found at Ikea and home improvement stores. The floristic approach has changed as well.
Leading florists Max van de Sluis and Per Benjamin often collaborate on major international projects. Recently, they held their fourth masterclass at the ICEhotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland. Over the course of the event, thirty participants created decorations using snow, ice, and fresh flowers.
With three decades of experience in the floral industry, Krisztián Kövér is a well-established name in Hungarian and international floral art. As a master florist, floral designer, and instructor, he has practiced many different aspects of the craft, from floristry and event decoration to international demonstrations and teaching. Through his brand, Botanic Art, he brings together creative work, professional collaboration, and education into a single cohesive vision. His work is characterized by tranquility, natural proportions, and the belief that flowers should be given the space to be themselves.
Tiffany van Lenten’s career began as it does for many florists: with a part-time job at a flower shop. As a teenager, she got her start in the business through her stepfather’s nursery. She accompanied him to events, helped out wherever she could, and soon discovered that she loved working with her hands. “I’ve always been creative. In school, I was still torn between working with children, animals, or flowers, but flowers won out pretty quickly.”
The 2026 Dutch Floral Art Championship took place on March 9 and 10 during the Floreda trade fair at Plantion in Ede. Eight professionals and seven young talents competed against each other in a two-day competition featuring five assignments. In the Professionals category, the title went to Joyce Brueren. Gerrit van Aalst won in the Young Talents category. They will represent the Netherlands at the European Floral Art Championship in 2027.
