Etymology of “Florist”
The word “florist” has its roots in Latin, traveling through French before entering English. It derives from the Latin word flora, meaning “flower” or referring to Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. The term moved into French as fleuriste in the 17th century, referring to someone who cultivated or sold flowers.
English adopted “florist” in the late 17th century, initially with a somewhat different meaning than today. The earliest English usage around the 1620s-1650s referred to a cultivator of flowers, particularly someone who grew flowers for their beauty rather than utility. These early florists were often gentlemen gardeners or botanical enthusiasts who specialized in ornamental horticulture, especially the cultivation of prized specimens like tulips, auriculas, and carnations.
By the 18th century, the meaning expanded to include those who professionally sold flowers, though the association with refined cultivation remained strong. The modern commercial sense of florist as primarily a flower seller and arranger became standard in the 19th century.
Ancient and Medieval Roots of Flower Commerce
While the specific profession we recognize today developed relatively recently, the commercial trade in flowers has ancient origins. In ancient Egypt, flowers held symbolic and religious significance, with lotus blossoms, papyrus, and other flowers used in temple offerings, funerary rites, and personal adornment. There’s evidence of specialized flower cultivation and likely some form of flower trade, though whether this constituted a distinct profession remains unclear.
The ancient Greeks and Romans used flowers extensively for garlands, wreaths, and religious ceremonies. Rome, in particular, had a sophisticated flower market. Wealthy Romans imported roses from Egypt during winter months, and flower sellers operated in Roman markets. Pliny the Elder wrote about the rose trade and flower cultivation in his Natural History. However, these vendors were likely general merchants rather than specialized florists in our modern sense.
During the medieval period in Europe, flowers were grown primarily in monastery gardens for medicinal purposes and church decoration. The commercial flower trade was minimal, with most flowers being grown for practical herbal use rather than pure ornament. Any sale of flowers would have been incidental to other agricultural commerce.
The Rise of Professional Floristry
The profession of floristry as we know it emerged during several key historical developments:
The Dutch Golden Age (17th Century)
The Netherlands became central to floriculture development, particularly during the famous “Tulip Mania” of the 1630s. This period saw the emergence of specialized flower growers and traders. Dutch expertise in horticulture, combined with their global trading networks, established the foundations for a commercial flower industry. The Dutch developed advanced techniques for cultivating exotic flowers and created the first true flower markets.
The Florist’s Societies (18th Century)
In Britain, “florist’s societies” or “florist’s clubs” appeared in the early 18th century, particularly among working-class artisans and tradesmen. These weren’t commercial associations but rather competitive groups devoted to cultivating specific “florist’s flowers” to perfection—particularly auriculas, carnations, pinks, polyanthus, ranunculus, tulips, hyacinths, and anemones. Members would compete to produce the finest specimens according to strict aesthetic standards. While not commercial florists, these societies elevated the status of flower cultivation as a serious pursuit.
Victorian England (19th Century)
The Victorian era witnessed the true professionalization of commercial floristry. Several factors contributed to this development. The expanding middle class had disposable income and embraced elaborate flower arrangements as status symbols and social necessities. The Victorians developed an intricate “language of flowers” (floriography), where different blooms conveyed specific sentiments, creating demand for varied and specific flowers. Improved transportation, particularly railways, allowed fresh flowers to reach urban markets quickly from rural growing areas. Advances in greenhouse technology extended growing seasons and enabled year-round availability of flowers.
Victorian florists became skilled artisans who created elaborate bouquets, funeral wreaths, wedding decorations, and corsages. The profession required knowledge of symbolism, design aesthetics, and the care and conditioning of cut flowers. Shop fronts dedicated exclusively to flowers became common in cities by the mid-19th century.
The 20th Century to Present
The floristry profession continued evolving with technological advances. Refrigeration extended flower longevity and enabled global trade. Air freight made it possible to source flowers from anywhere in the world, fundamentally transforming the industry. The Netherlands remained central, with Dutch flower auctions becoming the world’s largest wholesale flower markets. Professional associations and training programs formalized floristry as a skilled trade requiring artistic ability, botanical knowledge, and business acumen.
Today’s florists combine traditional craftsmanship with modern logistics, sourcing flowers globally while often emphasizing local and sustainable practices. The profession has expanded to include event design, wedding specialization, and artistic floral installations, while the basic human desire to give and display flowers continues to sustain this ancient-yet-modern trade.
The journey from the Roman goddess Flora to your neighborhood flower shop reflects both continuity and change—flowers have always held meaning for humans, but the specialized profession dedicated to their arrangement and sale is a surprisingly recent development, shaped by commerce, culture, and technology.