By Sally Sola, Founder, Cheltenham Flower School
Just like fashion and food, the world of flowers has its own trends, and while some come and go others bloom into timeless favourites. Whether you’re planning a wedding, sending a bouquet, or simply treating yourself to some kitchen table beauty, I believe that it’s always best to stick with your own personal style even if it is combined with other floral trends.
Flowers as Wellness
In a post-pandemic world, flowers aren’t just decoration; they’re self-care. More people are buying blooms just because they make them feel good. Arranging flowers at home has become a mindful, mood-boosting ritual and this is where Cheltenham Flower School really comes into play. I pride my workshops as being a mindful and creative space, allowing people to just be with nature. “Floral workshops inspired by nature” is more than just a tag line; for me it’s the backbone of my business and something I set all my workshops by.
Wild, Wispy & Wonderfully Natural
A popular trend is a looser, more organic arrangement that look like they’ve just been gathered from a garden or meadow (even if they haven’t). Think flowing foliage, asymmetrical shapes, and movement, like the flowers are mid-dance. Over my years as a florist this has always been a popular choice, but in recent years it has evolved into much bigger designs that are more “undone” in style. This is also a trend that has developed further with the growth of the British grown flower market. Why is this look so popular? It’s romantic, relaxed, and celebrates nature’s natural charm, imperfections and all.
Unexpected Colour Combinations
Beautiful pastels and matched tones are always a staple choice. But bold, clashing colours like mustard with mauve, coral with crimson, even lilac with burnt orange can make a real impact. These statement palettes feel joyful, modern, and refreshingly unfiltered. Would you believe me if I said that daring colour combinations can work just as well with a romantic wispy look as they do with a more modern design? These more unexpected colour combinations can be very beautiful and striking, especially used in more unexpected ways.
Sustainability Matters - More Than Ever
One of the most meaningful shifts in flower trends is a growing awareness of sustainability. People are asking questions like:
Where were these flowers grown? Were they flown in from far away? Can we go foam-free?
Local, seasonal blooms and eco-conscious methods are no longer niche; they’re becoming the norm, and that’s something to celebrate.
As with the floral wellness element of Cheltenham Flower School, this is another key element of my company. Each workshop is put together and taught with sustainability at its centre. Nature and sustainability come hand in hand for me and this is something I champion. If you would like to read more about what sustainability means for me, I have written another blog post “What Does Sustainability Look Like to Cheltenham Flower School”. However, in short being sustainable within floristry can lead to much more natural and beautiful designs because we are forced to look at things differently. Conversation and awareness are what’s most important here.
Storytelling Bouquets
This one’s close to my heart. People do look for flowers that mean something, whether it’s the blooms from their Grandma’s garden, a nod to cultural roots, or colours that tell a personal story. It’s not just about what looks pretty, it’s about what feels right. I have spoken about this more at length in a previous blog post “The language of Flowers”. In this I write about what flowers can mean or represent and how I chose certain flowers to be in my bridal bouquet. Equally certain flowers represent things to each of us personally but may mean something different to other people. For example, Sweet Peas remind me of my Grandad’s Garden and how we were allowed to pick them to encourage more to grow. Iris was my Gran’s favourite; and Sweet William is my Mum’s favourite. My Dad wasn’t one for cut flowers but Marigolds and Pansies in the garden remind me of him. Equally he hated Eucalyptus and Lilies, so they hold a memory too. (For the record I love eucalyptus, so this hasn’t put me off!)
Final Thoughts
Trends come and go, but one thing remains: flowers will always have the power to lift a room, transform a space and create a mood. Whether you’re drawn to dried grasses, bold colour explosions, or just a quiet posy in a jar, the best trend is the one that speaks to you. Flowers are a personal thing and maybe you are creating your own memories and key moments with them too.
So next time you’re choosing flowers, take a moment to think about how they make you feel. What speaks to you? If you have a favourite way of doing something which brings you joy, don’t worry if it is on trend or not. Do what makes you happy! And, if you want to immerse yourself in the world of flowers and learn new ways to bring the joy of flowers into your life then please do feel free to come along to one of my workshops or even organise a private workshop for you and some family and friends and create some of those key memories.
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