“Delmar’s Handbook of Flowers, Foliage, and Creative Design” by Norah T. Hunter, published by Delmar/Thomson Learning

Whether you’re a novice or experienced floral designer, you’ll find this book to be very useful.

This practical, lushly illustrated guide provides easy, illustrated, step-by-step instructions for floral design. The author begins with the basic styles of floral arrangements, and how they are created. There are also tips on choosing the right shape of arrangements for different situations. It features all kinds of styles from triangles, cones, circular, vertical, and horizontal ones. Among the designs is a topiary ball.

She even includes a chapter on different personal arrangements that people wear, such as corsages, boutonnieres, and flowers for the hair. This section begins with the basic principles of design, such as balance, scale, and focal point. With all the easy-to-follow directions, even novices can create stunning personal decorations to wear.

The final section deals with contemporary design styles and advanced floral techniques. In this part of the book, she features information on naturalistic designs inspired by nature as well as details for linear, modernistic, and classic styles.

The appendix contains lots of useful information. There is an extensive plant ID guide with full-color photos. Since the list is organized alphabetically, it takes no time to locate the flower or floral material you have in mind. A description of each plant is provided along with details on how it is used in floral design, its vase-life, and the specific methods of caring and handling the stems. There is also a glossary of the different terms used in floral design.


The author is a freelance designer with over fifteen years experiences. She operates Norah’s Wildflowers in Utah.

For twenty years she has taught floral design at Brigham Young University. She is a member of the American Academy of Floriculture.