Discover the art and profession of floral design through hands-on learning at Douglas College. Whether you’re preparing to pursue work in a flower shop or floral studio, building skills to offer your own floral services, or exploring floral design as a creative interest, you’ll develop practical, job-relevant skills while working with fresh flowers, professional tools and seasonal materials.
Build your skills from floral fundamentals to advanced design
10 hands-on modules | 5 Saturdays | Flowers and materials included
Progress through five weeks of intensive, hands-on training covering flower preparation and care, vase arrangements, bouquet design, wearable florals, large-scale arrangements and floral arches, creative techniques and seasonal design.
The program is designed to progressively build practical floral skills from little or no previous experience. Rather than relying solely on learning foundational techniques on the job, you’ll have the opportunity to practice core floral design techniques in a structured learning environment before pursuing work in a flower shop, floral studio or related setting.
By the end of the program, you’ll have developed a broad practical foundation that can support entry into the floral industry, independent floral services, entrepreneurship or continued creative practice.
No previous floral design experience required.
All flowers, materials and toolkit included.
10+ floral arrangements to take home!
Flowers change throughout the year, and floral design changes with them. You’ll work with seasonal flowers, colours and materials while developing techniques that can be adapted to different seasons, styles and occasions.
Seasonal projects are incorporated based on the timing of the course, giving you the opportunity to apply your skills to designs relevant throughout the year.
Learn from Ekroop Chera, a local floral designer and entrepreneur with experience through EM Floral Design and the family-run Queen’s Park Florist in New Westminster.
The program brings local industry experience directly into the classroom, connecting your learning with the knowledge and experience of a working floral business in the community. You’ll benefit from Ekroop’s experience creating everyday arrangements, special-occasion florals and larger creative projects.
Her experience combines floral design with the practical side of working in the industry, from creating customized arrangements to seasonal florals and larger creative projects.
Throughout the program, Ekroop will demonstrate techniques, guide you through hands-on projects and share practical knowledge from her experience in floral design.
Floral design can be a creative outlet, a professional skill or the beginning of a new career or business.
For those interested in working in the floral industry, the program provides hands-on training in many of the foundational skills used in flower shops and floral studios. You’ll practice flower preparation and care, vase arrangements, bouquet construction and wrapping, floral mechanics, wearable florals, seasonal designs and larger-scale pieces.
The program can help you:
- Prepare for entry-level opportunities in flower shops and floral studios
- Build practical skills before entering the workplace
- Develop floral pieces for a portfolio
- Create arrangements for clients, events and special occasions
- Build skills for freelance or independent floral services
- Explore starting your own floral business
- Develop floral design as a creative or personal interest
Continue building your experience
After completing the program, graduates may choose to explore volunteer opportunities independently offered by Queen’s Park Florist in New Westminster.
These optional opportunities can provide additional exposure to a working floral shop environment and an opportunity to continue building familiarity with day-to-day floral operations.
Volunteer opportunities are subject to availability and are arranged directly between the graduate and Queen’s Park Florist. They are separate from the Douglas College Floral Design Program and are not required for program completion.
- Course Details
- 5-Week Curriculum (click for more info)
- Your Floral Design Kit
- Individual Course Options
| Instructor: | Ekroop Chera |
|---|---|
| CRN: | 31351 |
| Dates: | 5 Saturdays, November 7 to December 5, 2026 |
| Times: | 10:30 AM to 4 PM |
| Location: | New Westminster Campus (transit accessible via SkyTrain) |
| Fee: | $1,995 (plus tax), including flowers, materials and a take-home toolkit. |
| Register: | Phone 604-527-5472 to register. |
10 modules across five Saturdays
Week 1: Floral Foundations & Vase Design
Flower and greenery theory, floral design rules and colour theory, flower preparation and care, rehydration, wiring, stem cutting, floral preservatives, foliage removal, vase arrangements and gridding techniques.
- Flower and greenery theory and colour fundamentals
- Flower preparation, care and rehydration
- Wiring, stem cutting and foliage removal
Vase arrangements and gridding techniques
TAKE HOME: 2 floral arrangements
Week 2: Floral Mechanics & Bouquet Design
Create floral arrangements using floral foam and chicken wire while exploring different techniques for building and supporting floral designs.
- Floral foam techniques
- Chicken wire techniques
Floral arrangement techniques
TAKE HOME: 2 arrangements, one using foam and one using chicken wire
Week 3: Advanced Bouquets & Wrapping
Continue developing rounded mixed-floral bouquets, explore rounded and front-facing rose designs, and learn bouquet wrapping techniques.
- Advanced rounded mixed-floral bouquets
- Rounded and front-facing rose designs
Bouquet wrapping techniques
TAKE HOME: 2 floral bouquets
Week 4: Wearable Florals
Create floral crowns, boutonnieres and corsages for special occasions and events.
- Floral crown design
- Boutonniere design
Corsage design
TAKE HOME: 3 wearable floral creations
Week 5: Large-Scale, Creative & Seasonal Design
Explore floor-piece arrangements and backdrop floral arches, dried florals, flower tinting and painting, then bring your skills together through seasonal and final floral designs.
- Floor-piece arrangements and backdrop floral arches
- Dried floral techniques
Flower tinting and painting
TAKE HOME: 2 creations, one seasonal piece and one arrangement
Everything you need to create is included. Throughout the program, you'll work with fresh flowers and professional floral tools and materials, with your floral design kit yours to keep after the course.
Your take-home toolkit
- Stem cutter and stem stripper
- Floral knives
- Wire cutter and branch cutter
- Wire gloves
- Waterproof floral tape and clear tape
- Waterproof floral glue
Floral design supplies
- Floral wire and chicken wire
- Water picks
- Instant floral foam
- Vases
- Floral paint
- Wrapping paper and ribbon
- Corsage bands
- Seasonal and project-specific supplies
Fresh flowers included, too
Fresh flowers and greenery for all 10 hands-on modules are provided throughout the program, with selections changing based on the project and season.
Create it. Keep it.
Not only will you take home at least two floral creations each Saturday, you'll also leave the program with your floral design tools and kit so you can continue creating at home.
Flowers included · Take-home toolkit · 10+ floral creations · Nothing extra to purchase
Want to attend just one or a few Saturdays?
Choose the floral design courses that interest you most. Register for one, three, or all five Saturdays. Courses can be taken individually and do not need to be taken in order.
ONE SATURDAY · $495
Choose any individual course.
CHOOSE ANY 3 · $1,275
Mix and match any three courses and save $210.
TAKE ALL 5 · $1,995
Get the complete Floral Design & Arrangements experience and save $480 compared with registering individually.
All flowers and materials for your in-class projects are included.
Email vidals3@douglascollege.ca to inquire about individual and group discounts.
Everything you need is included
Your $1,995 tuition includes all flowers and materials required for your in-class projects throughout the five-week program.
Complete 10 hands-on floral design modules over five Saturdays, with materials provided so you can focus on learning, creating and progressively building your skills.
Course at a glance: 5 weeks | 10 modules | Hands-on, job-relevant training | Flowers and materials included | Take-home toolkit | No previous experience required
Continue Building Your Floral Experience
After completing the Douglas College Floral Design Program, graduates may choose to explore volunteer opportunities independently offered by Queen’s Park Florist in New Westminster.
These opportunities are separate from the Douglas College program and may provide additional exposure to a working floral shop environment.
Volunteer opportunities are optional, subject to availability, and arranged directly between the graduate and Queen’s Park Florist. They are not part of the Douglas College program, are not required for completion, and are not assessed or administered by Douglas College.
For questions about the Douglas College Floral Design Program, please reach out to Sultan Vidal at vidals3@douglascollege.ca.