Course: Horticulture

Unit: Floral Arrangments

Lesson: Principles of Floral Design
Lesson Type: Problem Solving
Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Analyze the principles of floral design

Examine the concept of proportion
Explain how the concept of balance is related to floral design
Describe how rhythm is applied in floral work
Explain how the principles of dominance and focal point are used in floral design

Illinois State Learning Standards:

11-12.RST.-.2
Next Generation Science Standards:
AFNR Career Cluster Content Standards:
PS.04.01.02b
Materials and Technology:
Lesson Plan: Principles of Floral Design
PPT: Ag Ed drive Floral Design
Floral Design Packet
Computer
Projector

Markers
Whiteboard
Name Tags: Colored paper & markers
2 floral arrangement photos

Vocabulary:
Asymmetrical balance: when a design has material placements and weight that are not equal on
both sides of its central axis
Balance: refers to the arrangements equilibrium and equality in weight (physical and visual)
Centering: technique of placing dominant plant material along a designs central vertical axis
Contrast: describes objects that have striking differences beyond mere variety or diversity
Counterbalancing: practice of balancing plant materials on one side of a design with visually
equal materials on the opposite side
Dominance: one element is more prevalent or noticeable (captures the viewers interest)
Floral Design: art of organizing the design elements
Focal Point: center of interest
Free, variable rhythm: unstructured style
Physical balance: actual stability of plant materials within a container
Principles of design: rules and guidelines used by a floral designer
Proportion: pleasing relationship between size and shape among objects
Radiation: characterized by stems that radiate naturally from the container
Regular, repeated rhythm: materials are repeated at regular intervals
Repetition: accomplished by repeating design elements throughout an arrangement to create
unity in the work
Rhythm: orderly organization of design elements to create a visual pathway
Symmetrical balance: when a design has equal material placements and weight on both sides of
its central axis
Transition: change from one material to another
Variety: created by using a diverse assortment and different components in a design
Visual balance: perception of an arrangement being balanced
Visual weight: flowers perceived lightness or heaviness based on its color, shape, or pattern
Situation:
There are 13 students in the Horticulture classroom at West Prairie Junior High School
with no known IEP students. These students have already begun the floral design unit in this
class, so this lesson would take place in the middle. In this lesson, the students will be learning
about the principles of floral design and how to use rhythm, balance, and proportion when
making a floral arrangement.
Review: (5 minutes)
Instead of a review, we will use this class time to create name plates so that I can learn
student names.
Prior to the interest approach, I will pass around paper and markers for students to create
their own nameplates for their desks. Students will be asked to keep these with them in class
through the month of November.
Interest Approach: (5 minutes)

After students have completed this task, I will pass around photos of floral arrangements
and as a class, we will discuss how each arrangement looks (what we like and dislike). Photos
are also in PPT!
Ask the class why the designs look good and how they could be improved.
Procedure: (45 minutes)
Read through learning objectives! Write them on the board prior to class starting. This
lesson will primarily focus on learning vocabulary. If technology is not available, use MyCAERT
packet to write definitions on the board. Encourage students to take notes! Relate each topic back
to photos so that students have a visual.
1. Slide #7: Floral Design
a. It really is an art & requires a bit of creativity!
2. Slide #8: Principles of Design
a. Proportion = relationship between size and shape
3. Slide #9: Balance, Rhythm, and Dominance
a. Balance = equilibrium
b. Rhythm = organization
c. Dominance = captures the viewers interest (noticeable aspects)
4. Slide #10: Radiation & Repetition
a. Minor principles of design (less important, but still play a role)
b. Radiation = everything stems from the center of the piece
c. Repetition = creates unity
5. Slide #11: Transition & Variety
a. More minor principles
b. Transition = changes in materials (needs to flow well)
c. Variety = diversity by using different components
6. Slide #12: Contrast & Focal Point
a. More minor principles
b. Contrast = striking differences (brings out that pop)
c. Focal Point = center of interest (everything else should complement it)
7. Slide #13: breakdown of floral design definitions
a. Draw this diagram on the board!!!

8. Slide #14-19: Achieve proportion?

a. *Have to consider the whole room where arrangements will be displayed
b. Draw diagrams from page 13 of packet!!
c. 4 aspects that need to be considered are the containers dimensions, color,
material and texture, and shape.
i. Dimensions = height and width of container
ii. Color = want flowers to match
iii. Material and texture = everything needs to flow and match
iv. Shape = tall & skinny vase, short and fat container, etc
9. Slide #20: Physical balance
a. Actual stability
b. Cant have a really tall skinny vase holding a huge amount of heavy flowers
(wont stand!)
10. Slide #21: Visual Balance
a. Pass out page 15 from packet, so that students can see visual balance
b. If its off, it will bother the viewer (like a crooked painting hanging on a wall)
c. Two types: symmetrical & Asymmetrical
11. Slide #22: Symmetrical Balance
a. Equal material placements and weight on each side
12. Slide #23: Asymmetrical Balance
a. Material placements and weight are NOT equal on each side
13. Slide #24: Visual weight
a. Technique to achieve balance
b. Based on color, shape, and pattern
14. Slide #25: Centering
a. Technique to achieve balance
b. Dominant plant material should be centered
15. Slide #26: Counterbalancing
a. Technique to achieve balance
b. Used in asymmetrical work (avoids mirror imaging)

c. Balance of materials on each side

16. Slide #27: Regular, repeated rhythm & Free, variable rhythm
a. Regular = repeated materials at regular intervals
b. Free = unstructured and flowing
17. Slide #28-29: Creating Rhythm?
a. 5 techniques
i. Radiation
ii. Repetition
iii. Transition
iv. Variety
v. Contrast
18. Slide #30-32: Creating Dominance?
a. Suggests what is important!
i. Use dominant plant material
ii. Use emphasized design element
iii. Use distinct style of design
iv. Use a theme
v. Use a focal point
b. Focal Point = center of interest
i. Doesnt always have to be present
ii. Several methods to create one:
1. Use large flowers
2. Use special-form flowers (like orchids)
3. Use of dark shades
4. Variation of plant material
5. Use framing materials
6. Strong color contrast
7. Radiation of plant materials
8. Use accessories
Closure: (5 minutes)
For closure of this lesson, we will review some of the main points made in this lesson.
1. What are the principles of floral design?
a. Major - proportion, balance, rhythm, dominance
b. Minor - radiation, repetition, transition, variety, contrast, and focal point
2. How is proportion achieved in floral design?
a. Determine display area
b. Select a container
c. Select plant material in proportion to display area and container
d. Establish a height
e. Establish a width
f. Note changes in proportion as you work
g. Make necessary adjustments in proportion as you work
3. What is balance and how is it achieved?
a. Equilibrium
b. 3 main techniques visual weight, centering, and counterbalancing

4. How is rhythm created in a floral design?

a. Regular or free
b. 5 techniques radiation, repetition, transition, variety, and contrast
5. What is dominance and how is a focal point used to create it?
a. Dominance what is important in a design
b. Use dominant plant material, use emphasized design element, use distinct style of
design, use a theme, and use a focal point.
If there is enough time at the end of class, pass out WSs for students to work on!
Assessment:
The students assessment will be the review questions at the end of the lesson. Students will also
be asked questions throughout the lesson. The students will not be formally assessed over this
information, unless the classroom teacher decides to do so.