Mention the practice of flower arranging to most people and the likelihood is that their thoughts will immediately turn to weddings, table dressing and the Women’s Institute. But since long before the ladies from the WI started strategically hiding their bits behind bouquets, flower arrangements have held meaning and artistic purpose for cultures all over the world.

Use of floral displays in our own society has become so frequent that to some they have almost become background noise; most conspicuous when absent. So what’s the reason for this ubiquity? Why do flowers take pride of place in our homes, workplaces and at special occasions?

It seems that a love of flowers is deep-seated in humanity, that we’re hard-wired to appreciate their beauty, colour and scents. There is even evidence of our connection with cut flowers dating back to before recorded history; traces of pollen from ancient grave sites some 60,000 years old confirms burials with bouquets including hollyhocks, cornflowers and hyacinths.

The precise origins of flower arrangement might be unclear, but we do know of its importance to many cultures and civilisations, past and present. (more…)