Welcome to flower school!
Floristry courses for the everyday enthusiast to the budding florist, we do it all. Whether it’s one day of flower fun or a certified four-day course, you can find it here.
We offer private courses for you and your loved ones or your corporate team building functions. These can take place at my studio in the scenic Umdloti, KZN or in the comfort of your own home. We offer bespoke flower arranging, technique and gift wrapping courses that will elevate your functions.
Floristry Courses
The Coralee’s floral design school is a school teaching in the art of floristry as a practical skill for those wishing to pursue a career in floristry or simply to improve your skills as a home enthusiast or hobbyist. For those who wish to enter the industry and make a career from this art form, these courses are designed for you.
A certificate of completion is awarded after each of these courses. These courses cater for all levels of experience with classes ranging from beginner to intermediate, wedding and wedding event floral décor courses. Courses run in Durban and Johannesburg.
Beginner Floristry Courses
Three Days | R8,500.00 | Max 5 Pax | Certificate
This amazing and intense floral course will give you a good head start in the floristry world as well as a certificate.
This workshop is aimed at flower enthusiasts with no experience and who want to venture into the florist industry. Our floristry courses include a certificate at the end.
In this course we cover all styles of floral design from country to cottage, modern, and modern
contemporary to minimal contemporary. After completing this stimulating course, you will have
learned all the relevant techniques, principles, and elements of floral design.
Key take-aways:
- How to make tied bunches.
- How to create glass vase designs.
- How to create low arrangements.
- How to work with floral foam.
- How to design arrangements in unusually shaped containers.
- Different wiring Techniques.
Let’s look now in detail at what you can expect to master in the Beginner Course.
Foundation Principles, Elements & Tied Bunches
- Introduction to the world of flowers & floral design.
- Brief overview of the names of flowers and genres, families, and classes
- Floral seasons & availability.
- Overview of the floral market & its processes.
- Tips & tricks for buying flowers for personal & business use.
- Care & control of cut stems, preparation of stems & protection of flowers.
- Flower grades & what to look for in longevity of flowers when buying.
- Floral elements of form, colour & texture.
- Principles of design: harmony & balance.
- Techniques for creating a hand tied bouquet.
Arranging Flowers into a Vase + Expansion on Design Principles & Elements
- Vase arrangements: what’s the right amount of flowers to create a decent design and
shape? - Which flowers can go together & why?
- What is a floral style? And how do form, texture & colour play a part in creating flowers in each style category (from country to modern minimal)?
- Creating & recognising space (an invaluable tool in floral design).
- Preparation of stems & containers for the above design principle.
- Greenery foundation (rules for working with greenery in conjunction with flowers & fillers).
- Complex floral elements of texture & colour.
- Fundamental principles of design: scale & proportion.
- Techniques for creating a symmetrical arrangement in a vase.
Modern Design Elements & Principals
- Work with interesting & uniquely shaped containers using oasis (floral foam) to create
modern floral designs. - Art of using oasis & other accessories in contemporary designs.
- Asymmetrical design principles of grouping of flowers & forms for modern effects.
- How to waterproof containers & objects for fresh flower use.
- Complex floral elements of harmony & balance, scale & proportion, and dominance & contrast.
Fundamental principle of design: grouping. - Techniques for creating a conceptual arrangement in oasis.
Contemporary & minimal Design Elements & Principals
- Exploration of minimal, ethnic, and modern contemporary ideas to produce elegant &
sophisticated designs. - Assessing virtual and non-virtual space (knowing when to work in each based on the
contemporary principle of designing using minimal floral forms & containers). - Identifying the flowers & greenery suited for the above.
- Tricks & tips for use of floral accessories to maximise minimal effects.
- Complex floral techniques: massing, blocking, bundling & layering.
- Parallel design.
- Introduction to the fundamental principles of contemporary minimal work.
Wiring Techniques
- Create & Design Head wreaths.
- Corsages & buttonholes
- Wrist Corsage
- Learn different techniques of wiring & using floral tape.
- Using Floral Glue wisely.
- Individuals wishing to enter the industry of floristry as a career
- Home flower arranging enthusiasts that wish to improve their skill set for more serious decorating and creation of floral designs at home.
- Individuals currently working in the field of décor and events wanting to expand their basic floral skill set by learning new techniques, cutting-edge design ideas and ways to make flowers for all occasions.
Intermediate Floristry Course
Four Days | R14,500.00 | Max 5 Pax | Certificate
*Completion of the Beginner Course is required to register for this course.
This course is designed to further your theoretical and practical knowledge. It will also expand your creativity as you discover tools and design criteria to further your understanding of how to:
- Create shape
- Expand the capacity of your design eye
- Utilise the three-dimensional space better when making your own flower arrangements.
Building on the foundation created for you by the Beginner Course, you will practice and implement all the principles and elements of design learned at that time. Then we will expand upon that knowledge by learning intermediate techniques and rules.
During this training, you will explore your own instincts, creativity, and perspectives on floral design with my assistance and guidance. It is a fun-filled, challenging week.
You will be given flowers and containers to plan and execute six of your own designs under my supervision. Such designs may include:
- Container work for occasion flowers such as get well soon, happy birthday, new baby,
etc. - Table centrepiece designs.
- Conceptual/out-of-the-box ideas
Through the development and creation of your six unique designs, you will acquire this practical and theoretical essential skills and knowledge:
- Symmetrical & asymmetrical designs. Re-visit ways in which these can be created using the varying techniques associated with both.
- Perspective & viewing aspect. Explore all-around design as well as flat backed designs.
- Geometric design styles. This includes:
Circle (round & oval designs).
Triangle (right angle, isosceles, scalene & cascade/waterfall).
Square (cubed & rectangular designs).
All versions of floral design styles will be seen and made in this course from traditional right through to more modern and contemporary styles.
The intermediate floristry course is perfect training for:
- Those who have completed beginner’s floristry training.
- Owners and managers of events companies (who can then skill-share with their staff).
- Staff of existing event and décor companies wishing to expand and advance their existing skills and techniques.
- Individuals wanting to expand their basic floral skill set by learning new techniques, cutting-edge design ideas and ways to make flowers for all occasions.
Advanced floristry Course
Seven days | R18,750.00 | Max 3 Pax | Certificate
*This course will run over a two-week period (4 days in each week) – Completion of both the Beginner and Intermediate Courses is required to register for this course.
This course is designed to take your floral design skills to the expert level and will cover advanced floral styling techniques.
You will practice the principles and elements of design learned in both the Beginner and Intermediate courses. Then you will be taught how to apply these to new and higher skill level
design concepts.
Apply these techniques on various applications including:
- Stage features & podiums.
- Floral architecture & art (conversational pieces for event décor).
- Art concepts & styles for designing high-end, upscale floral arrangements that meet international standards.
- Lobby features/ideas for hotels & other large venues.
You will create five of your own designs over the week. In doing so, gain theoretical and practical knowledge to advance your skills to a much higher level. At the end of this Advanced Course, you will know how to implement the following advanced rules, principles, and techniques:
- Positive & negative space including the impact of both in creating interest.
- Line design styles (vertical, horizontal, diagonal, radial, dynamic & spreading).
- Secondary principles of dominance & contrast (accent, emphasis, focal area & focal point).
- Design styles & terminology (basing, abstracting, terracing & framing).
- Glue gun work.
This training is perfect for:
- Owners and managers of events companies (who can then skill-share with their staff).
- Staff of existing event & décor companies wishing to expand & advance their existing skills and techniques.
- Individuals wanting to expand their basic floral skill set by learning new techniques, cutting-edge design ideas and ways to make flowers for all occasions.
Arrangement Workshops
one day wiring technique
One Day | R1,650.0 | Max 5 Pax
This FUN & adventurous workshop is aimed at flower enthusiasts at all levels of experience who want to venture into the wedding industry.
You will learn how to:
- Tape & wire flowers that require strength in the stem.
- Tools & Accessories needed.
Store and care for your flowers. - Learn different techniques of wiring & using floral tape.
- Using Floral Glue wisely.
After a step by step demonstration of each of the below categories, I will guide you as you create your own masterpiece, which you get to take home with you.
- Learn how to make a Corsage/Buttonhole.
- Learn how to make a Wrist Corsages.
- Learn how to make a Flower Crown.
Classes commence at 9am and finish at approximately 4pm, with a short break for lunch.
A light lunch is available at R150 per head – booking is essential.
Morning refreshments, as well as tea and coffee, will be available during the course of the day.
One Day Arrangement Workshops
One Day | R1,500 – 1,700 | Min 4 Pax – Max 6 Pax
These hands-on workshops are aimed at flower enthusiasts at all levels of experience. Set in a relaxed and inspiring environment where dialogue is encouraged and fun is guaranteed!
Our one-day arrangement workshops include
- Hand-tied floral arrangement course R1,250.00
- Asymmetrical arrangement workshop R1,650.00
- Vase arrangement workshop R1,550.00
- Basket arrangement workshop R1,550.00
- Hatbox arrangement workshop R1650.00
- Table arrangement workshop R1,650.00
After a step by step demonstration, I will guide you as you create your own arrangement to take home at the end of the day.
After a short lunch break, we will work on creating a gorgeous pieces suitable for both home entertainment and events of every kind. I will demonstrate how to work with floral foam and how to set the tone and shape of your arrangement.
You will learn the importance of balance, texture, scale and proportion and the wonder of foliage as a filler. Again, for you to take home and enjoy.
All classes commence at 9 am and finish at approximately 4 pm, with a short break for lunch.
A light lunch is available at R150 per head – booking is essential.
Morning refreshments, as well as tea and coffee, will be available during the course of the day.
Church/ Funeral Arrangements
One Day | R2,200.0 – R2,750 | Max 6 Pax
Funeral flower arrangements are a delicate art. Master the skill of casket and church arrangements in our funeral technique courses.
Classes commence at 9 am and finish at approximately 4 pm, with a short break for lunch. Maximum 6 people/ booking
A light lunch is available at R150 per head – booking is essential.
Morning refreshments, as well as tea and coffee, will be available during the course of the day.
The cost of this course includes:
- All tools
- Flowers
- Light refreshments
This training is perfect for:
- Owners and managers of events companies (who can then skill-share with their staff).
- The staff of existing event & décor companies wishing to expand & advance their existing skills and techniques.
- Individuals who want to expand their basic floral skill set by learning new techniques, cutting-edge design ideas and ways to make flowers for all occasions.
Wedding floristry
Bridal Bouquets & Wiring Technique
Two Day | R3,600.0 | Max 5 Pax
You will be learning different techniques for making bridal bouquets on the first day & then on the second day, you will be learning wiring techniques for making buttonholes, wrist corsages and a flower crowns
(You would have needed to have some floral experience to do this course.)
You will learn how to:
- Tape & wire flowers that require strength in the stem.
- Tools & Accessories needed.
Store and care for your flowers. - Learn different techniques of wiring & using floral tape.
- Using Floral Glue wisely.
After a step by step demonstration of each of the below categories, I will guide you as you create your own masterpiece, which you get to take home with you.
- Learn how to make a Corsage/Buttonhole.
- Learn how to make a Wrist Corsages.
- Learn how to make a Flower Crown.
Classes commence at 9am and finish at approximately 4pm, with a short break for lunch.
A light lunch is available at R150 per head – booking is essential.
Morning refreshments, as well as tea and coffee, will be available during the course of the day.
Bridal Table Arrangements
Two Days | R4,600.00 | Maximum 3 Pax
You would have needed to have some floral experience to do this wedding floristry course as we will be diving right in. You will be learning different techniques for table arrangements, including table garland.s
Day 1: Floristry Basics & Table Arrangement.
- A visit to the largest Flower Market In Durban (You would need to get there in your own vehicle. Then the rest of your day will be at my workshop.)
- How to condition your flowers to ensure they last longer.
- How to purchase flowers.
- Working with floral foam.
- Flower preparation.
- Tools & floral products available.
- You will create a table centerpiece and learn how to arrange flowers in a vessel.
Day 2: Hand-Tied Bouquet & Vase Arrangement.
- Learn the most important bouquet technique in floristry – the hand-tied bouquet.
- Learn how to combine different textures and colours.
- Wrapping techniques including the aqua pack & tissue wrapping.
Short Lunch break.
- Prepare flowers for a vase arrangement.
- Learn how to arrange flowers directly into a vase.
- Learn important techniques on how to prepare your flowers for a vase.
Day 3 – Basket & Asymetrical Arrangements.
- Learn how to prepare a country style arrangement in a basket.
- Working with Oasis.
- Using different methods for preparing for your basket arrangement.
- Working your own style & shape from what you previously learnt in Days 1 & 2.
Short Lunch break.
- Prepare flowers for an Asymetrical arrangement.
- Learn how to arrange flowers in a structural formation.
- Learn the different shapes & structures for different containers.
