Local designers ditch the traditional romantic dozen to spotlight the seasonal soul and technical complexity of non-rose arrangements

By Riddhi Dhingra

As Valentine’s Day passed by this year, a tide of crimson red roses began to swell across floral shops.

It’s a timeless choice, which is why local experts suggest that for the modern artist, bouquets are far from being a romantic cliche — it is a temporary sculpture and a study in biology.

Professionals are increasingly advocating for a “rose-free” philosophy, that help spotlight floral arranging as a complex art form. Florists hope that prospective buyers move away from tradition to find a deeper meaning within seasonal variations.

Modern florists end up finding a deeper romantic personality within the momentary.

Chelsea Payongayong, owner of Gifted by Aiko, finds romance within the seasons rather than within a standard bouquet of roses. “I think it is romantic for people to buy local peonies because their season is so short,” Payongayong explains. “Occasionally, my local flower market sells unusual orchids that aren’t commonly available. There are over 28,000 species of orchids. It really excites me.”

For these artists, the goal is to shift the consumer’s focus from the quantity of stems to prioritizing artistic expression and composition.

Bushra Khan, owner of Florals by Bushra, discusses the way her flowers connect to her. They’re more than just something she sells to others. “Garden roses, ranunculus, anemones, sweet peas — flowers that feel emotional and slightly imperfect tend to feel more romantic to me,” Khan said.

When asked to design a masterpiece that uses only three types of flowers, she ended up selecting a specific trio for their texture. “I’d choose garden roses, ranunculus and hellebore. They are soft, layered and deeply expressive together.”

Floral arrangements are a delicate balance of both philosophy and physics. Designers point towards the mathematical golden ratio as an invisible hand for guiding organic harmony.

Payongayong defines this concept as a bridge between both science and art. “I define the golden ratio as a design concept based on biology. It guides organic design and helps create something with natural harmony and flow,” she said.

“I wish people noticed the restraint. Knowing when to stop is often what makes the design truly special.”

However, the transition from gift to sculpture requires a shift in perspective. “As a sculpture, the bouquet is driven by expression and visual impact,” Payongayong noted. “As a gift, the bouquet must also account for longevity and the recipient’s experience.”

Khan added that when it comes to sculptural work, the artist must consider every single vantage point. “When it’s a sculpture, I think in all directions. I care about shadows, angles and how it looks from every side — not just the front.”

To achieve this goal, florists look for architectural flowers, which provide structure to arrangements. For a more avant-garde, edgy look, Payongayong suggests tropicals as architectural flowers. “I look to tropicals like bird of paradise, monstera leaves, calla lilies and kangaroo paws.” 

Khan echoes this sentiment and seeks stems that command attention. “I look for anything with strong lines and attitude — protea, anthuriums and banksia are great examples.”

The most surprising element when it comes to professional floral design is not what’s added, but instead what’s left out.

“I wish people noticed the restraint. Knowing when to stop is often what makes the design truly special.” Khan said. The restraint is usually to introduce negative space, which ensures flowers have room within the vase to breathe. “Letting each stem speak on its own makes the arrangement feel calmer and more intentional.”

This art form is a blend of both gut feeling and rigorous training. Payongayong cites her experience at the Canadian Institute of Floral Design and McQueen’s Flower School in the United Kingdom for her skill, though she admits that her daily practice is much more fluid.

“My process seems 100 per cent intuitive,” she said. “You can use floriography — leaning on the symbolic meaning of different flowers — to send a message without defaulting to roses.”

When looking at a professionally crafted arrangement this Spring, try taking a moment to look past the price tag and look deeper into the “sculpture” within.

Payongayong suggested that the most important part is the emotional connection. “I just want people to simply appreciate the colours — that alone could convey joy.”