Written by Lizzie Macaulay
There’s something truly magical about walking into a room and being greeted by a stunning floral arrangement.
The way it can instantly lift your spirits, add a pop of colour to an otherwise drab space, or simply make you pause for a moment to appreciate nature’s beauty.
For as long as I can remember, Bloomers Florists and Gifts has been my go-to purveyor of these little pockets of joy, delivering high-quality, unique signature blooms that unquestionably brighten up homes all across the Fraser Coast (including mine, of course!).
But what goes on behind the scenes to create these masterpieces?
How do florists transform a jumble of stems and petals into something so… captivating?
This month, I had the absolute privilege of stepping behind the counter at Bloomers to learn the art of flower arranging from the expert herself, owner Leeanne Jasse.
Now, I must confess, while I’ve always loved flowers and admired how they can transform a space, I wouldn’t know the first thing about making a stylish arrangement.
I may be a creative, but that creativity ends at writing – when it comes to design and style, I tend to adopt a ‘more is more’ approach, which inevitably turns out to be complete chaos.
So to learn how to arrange flowers ‘properly’ was not just an honour, but a much-needed lesson in restraint and artistry.
As I arrived at Bloomers’ new location (just down the road from the old store, but oh my, So. Much. Bigger!), I was greeted by the familiar sight of colourful blooms and gentle fragrances.
We started with the basics – preparing the flowers for their new home in the vase.
Next came the foundation of our arrangement – the greenery. Leeanne guided me as we arranged the leaves in a cascading order, tallest at the back and tapering downwards.
We focused on balance and contrast, as well as choosing flowers and greenery that would last as long as possible.
It’s this attention to longevity that sets Bloomers apart – their bunches are renowned for lasting an incredibly long time, a testament to the quality of their blooms and the skill of their arrangement of them.
With our leafy canvas in place, it was time to add some colour. Leeanne presented me with a bunch of disbud chrysanthemums, wrapped protectively in paper. As we carefully removed the wrapping, I was struck by the delicate petals and gentle pink colour. For someone who typically gravitates towards bold, loud colours, I found myself utterly captivated by the subtle beauty of these blooms. It was a moment of revelation – perhaps there was more to this ‘less is more’ approach than I’d given credit for!
As we continued to build our arrangement, adding in some special beehive and torch gingers, I couldn’t help but marvel at the variety of flowers at our disposal.
Leeanne explained that she has the pleasure of sourcing flowers from all over the country to make sure there is always a diverse and high-quality selection on hand.
This also means they can accommodate just about any request for custom arrangements, whether it’s for a specific colour scheme, a particular bloom, or a unique style.
It was at this point disaster struck – in my enthusiasm to place the torch ginger ‘just so’, I managed to destroy one of our precious chrysanthemums.
The shame!
To their credit, Leeanne and her team assured me that this was neither the first nor the last casualty of floristry.
Yet… I remain unconvinced.
Chances are high they were kind enough to simply be sparing my feelings, but hey, I’m choosing to believe ‘it happens to us all’!!
As we added the final pieces of greenery to fill in the gaps, Leeanne stepped back, encouraging me to do the same.
She invited me to take in the full view of our creation.
I was utterly amazed.
What had started as a random assortment of stems and blooms had been transformed into a breathtaking arrangement.
Looking at our creation, several realisations struck me.
Firstly, no two bunches are ever the same, thanks to the unique qualities of each individual leaf, stem and flower.
Secondly, there is a huge amount of artistry and experience involved in this craft.
Watching Leeanne work was like watching a painter at their easel or a sculptor with their clay.
Floristry, I realised, is a little bit like jazz, but for nature – there are rules and structures, but within those, there’s room for improvisation and personal flair.
What impressed me most was the versatility of the arrangement we’d created.
Leeanne explained that this style would be just as suitable in a home entranceway as in a corporate setting.
It’s this adaptability that has made Bloomers such a cornerstone of our community, serving both businesses and individuals with equal poise.
As our session drew to a close, I found myself reluctant to leave.
The energy in the shop, the camaraderie between Leeanne, Nekeeta and the entire Bloomers team, is always infectious.
It’s clear that this fabulous workplace is more than ‘just a business’ – it’s a wonderfully tight-knit unit, a family bound together by their shared satisfaction from bringing beauty into people’s lives.
As I reluctantly bid farewell to Leeanne and her team, knowing with great satisfaction that these spectacular blooms were going to a very deserving home (happy 80th birthday Rosemary!), I couldn’t help but reflect on the role Bloomers plays in our community.
For years, they’ve been there for our celebrations, our condolences, our declarations of love and our expressions of gratitude.
They’ve added colour to our homes and offices, brought smiles to countless faces, and contributed to the vibrant tapestry of our local business community.
In learning to arrange flowers, I gained so much more than a new skill.
I gained a deeper appreciation for the art of floristry, for the dedication and passion that goes into every bunch.
And perhaps most importantly, I gained a reminder of the power of beauty to lift our spirits and connect us to one another.
So, the next time you’re in need of a little pick-me-up, or you want to bring a smile to someone’s face, why not pop into Bloomers?
Who knows, you might just discover your own hidden talent for flower arranging.
And if not, well, you can rest assured that you’re in the very best of hands with Leeanne and her wonderful team.
With deepest thanks and gratitude to Leeanne and her incredible team for welcoming us into their brand new store! You can drop into Bloomers Florists and Gifts at Shop 4 / 59 Torquay Road (Corner Neils Street) Monday to Saturday, or order online at floristherveybay.com any time.