Floral Design Classes

The New York Botanical Garden is home to New York City's oldest and most prestigious Floral Design Program, and for over four decades has sent hundreds of graduates on to enjoy rewarding careers. With hands-on practice and with personal attention from NYBG's rigorous yet nurturing instructors, you'll develop the mastery and confidence to express yourself through flowers. Choose an individual course for fun, or pursue a Certificate in Floral Design.

Click here for an overview of the Certificate Program.


May

Learn the keys to successful floral design and master the mechanics needed to create round, triangular, parallel, and crescent arrangements. Experiment with shape, line, and symmetry while composing beautiful, balanced creations.
254FDN300A 05/01 Th 10:00am-2:30pm Elfe
NYBG

Discover the modern floral styling techniques of a classic white monochromatic design using ranunculus and roses. Through demonstration and step-by-step instruction, you'll learn the complementary use of white flowers and other botanical materials as you create a charming centerpiece arrangement. more...
254FDN381O 05/04 Su 10:00am-12:00pm O'Sullivan
ONLINE

Colors—like flowers themselves—evoke feeling and sentiment, and set the mood. Explore the role of color in floral design using a spectrum of flowers. This course gives you a solid grounding in color theory, while highlighting the latest hues and color more...
254FDN306AO 05/06 Tu 10:00am-12:00pm Woodson
ONLINE

Celebrate your loved ones (and yourself!) during a fun and informative floral workshop. You'll learn how to compose your own unique bouquet using simple design principles and a lush variety of economical, store-bought blooms. Your final floral arrangement can be more...
254FDN257 05/09 Fr 11:00am-1:00pm Duever
NYBG

Design and create arrangements appropriate for the ceremony, season, and setting, including aisle and altar designs, pew arrangements, and banquet table centerpieces. Work with a remarkable array of flowers, foliage, and fabrics to create captivating garlands and columns. Discussions include more...
254FDN305 05/13 Tu 10:00am-2:30pm Cawley
NYBG

Make use of spring's gorgeous bounty as you style a cheerful centerpiece bursting with tulips, hyacinths, fritillaria, calla lilies, daffodils, and more. Explore the qualities and characteristics of spring-flowering bulbs as you learn how to manipulate them to create a more...
254FDN396 05/17 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm Mele
NYBG

Learn to navigate the bustling New York flower district! Discover where to get the best flowers and hard goods from the pros. Your confirmation letter will include where we will meet in the flower district. Lunch is not included. Dress more...
254FDN400A 05/21 We 9:00am-12:30pm Woodson
OFS

Late spring ushers in a bounty of blooms. Use the abundance of the season to create a lush, verdant arrangement that includes flowering branches, an array of perennial flowers, and late-flowering bulbs. $170 materials fee.
254FDN309 05/28 We 5:00pm-8:00pm Werber
NYBG

Spend an inspiring two days honing your floral design, photography and social media marketing skills! Each day, students will delve into the works of Van Gogh and fellow Impressionist painters for inspiration. Floral designer & instructor Barbara Mele will show more...
254FDN485A 05/29 Th 10:00am-5:00pm Mele
Jamison
NYBG

Unleash your inner artist as you spend the day styling and photographing floral arrangements. Using select flowers and color palettes inspired by NYBG's latest exhibition, Van Gogh's Flowers, you'll create a stunning floral arrangement under the guidance of designer & more...
254FDN233A 05/31 Sa 10:00am-5:00pm Mele
Jamison
NYBG

June

Flowers play a crucial role in creating a memorable wedding. Learn the elements of successful floral wedding design, including the art of fine wiring and taping to create corsages and boutonnieres with fresh flowers, ribbons, and bows. Advance to the more...
254FDN304B 06/04 We 10:00am-2:30pm Mele
NYBG

Create your own professional-looking arrangements with economical, store-bought bouquets. Using simple design principles and fresh flowers from your local grocery store or farmers market, learn how to design and create your own elegant arrangements.
254FDN210B 06/05 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Elfe
NYBG

Cottagecore—an aesthetic that celebrates simple living, inspired by the countryside—comes to life in this fun floral workshop. Using a soft defused color palette, you'll practice the simple styling of peonies in a mason jar or other repurposed container. Learn how more...
254FDN332O 06/08 Su 10:00am-12:00pm O'Sullivan
ONLINE

The ability to command a broad vocabulary of styles defines the professional floral designer. From Neo-Classical and Victorian to English garden and Flemish, understanding floral styles expands your design options, evokes specific moods, and helps create the perfect setting. $290 more...
254FDN302B 06/09 Mo 11:00am-3:30pm Elfe
NYBG

Known for her stunning ceramics, flower arrangements and photography, Frances Palmer brings her artistic approach to growing, sourcing, and arranging flowers. Under her guidance, you'll learn how to artfully combine a variety of seasonal blooms and branches to create your more...
254FDN622 06/12 Th 2:00pm-3:30pm Palmer
NYBG

Celebrated artist, potter, and gardener Frances Palmer encourages the idea of planning and planting a flower garden in waves—ensuring that there is always an abundance of blooms and a continual flow of colors, heights, and shapes that provides endless inspiration more...
254GAR834 06/12 Th 10:30am-11:30am Palmer
MERTZLIBRARY

Learn to navigate the bustling New York flower district! Discover where to get the best flowers and hard goods from the pros. Your confirmation letter will include where we will meet in the flower district. Lunch is not included. Dress more...
254FDN400B 06/23 Mo 9:00am-12:30pm Woodson
OFS

Learn the techniques and secrets for creating chic, vintage-inspired arrangements in a trendy footed container. Walk through the step-by-step process of crafting a lush, romantic centerpiece. more...
254FDN349 06/24 Tu 10:30am-3:00pm Woodson
NYBG

Full, lavish arrangements to enhance entrance halls, ballrooms, parties, and hotels are always in demand. Learn the mechanics behind how these dramatic arrangements are designed and constructed. $240 materials fee.
254FDN502 06/26 Th 10:00am-2:00pm Woodson
NYBG

July

Learn the keys to successful floral design and master the mechanics needed to create round, triangular, parallel, and crescent arrangements. Experiment with shape, line, and symmetry while composing beautiful, balanced creations.
261FDN300C 07/07 Mo 2:00pm-5:00pm Woodson
NYBG

In just five weeks, you can complete all classroom credits toward the NYBG Floral Design Certificate, so you can get started on your internship requirement ASAP. Working one-on-one with floral design professionals, you'll create dozens of arrangements in diverse styles more...
261FDN950 07/07 Mo 10:00am-5:00pm Cawley
Woodson
Mele
Elfe
Miura
Braverman
Norman
Raimondi, CLP
NYBG

There are many types of flowers available for floral designers, from exotic imports to locally grown. Learn to identify new varieties of old favorites, seasonal flowers, and various foliages. Topics include the special handling needs of many flower types. more...
261FDN308B 07/10 Th 10:00am-5:00pm Mele
NYBG

Colors—like flowers themselves—evoke feeling and sentiment, and set the mood. Explore the role of color in floral design using a spectrum of flowers. This course gives you a solid grounding in color theory, while highlighting the latest hues and color more...
261FDN306B 07/11 Fr 10:00am-5:00pm Elfe
NYBG

Professional prop stylist Robin Zachary shares creative ways to style and photograph your finished floral arrangements for use on your website, portfolio, and/or social media accounts. Learn how to design a set with a variety of backdrops and props in more...
261FDN312O 07/12 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Zachary
ONLINE

The ability to command a broad vocabulary of styles defines the professional floral designer. From Neo-Classical and Victorian to English garden and Flemish, understanding floral styles expands your design options, evokes specific moods, and helps create the perfect setting. $290 more...
261FDN302C 07/14 Mo 10:00am-5:00pm Mele
NYBG

More than merely arranging flowers, Ikebana seeks to create a living sculpture that transcends the beauty of nature by focusing on the shape, line, harmony, and balance of the plants. Instructor Junko Miura, one of New York's most acclaimed floral more...
261FDN327 07/17 Th 10:00am-5:00pm Miura
NYBG

Adorn yourself in flowers as you explore the art of crafting exquisite accessories using a variety of botanicals. Using deconstructed flowers and other plant materials for added texture such as eucalyptus seeds, hypericum berries, and more, you'll design a necklace more...
261FDN317 07/18 Fr 10:00am-5:00pm Elfe
NYBG

What is the line between art and decoration? Think beyond the confines of "pretty" and consider flowers in terms of line, gesture, texture, and form. We will examine the colors and patterns of masterworks from NYBG's latest exhibition, then create more...
261FDN323 07/19 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm Werber
NYBG

Flowers play a crucial role in creating a memorable wedding. Learn the elements of successful floral wedding design, including the art of fine wiring and taping to create corsages and boutonnieres with fresh flowers, ribbons, and bows. Advance to the more...
261FDN304D 07/21 Mo 10:00am-5:00pm Woodson
NYBG

Create a variety of arrangements—from tabletop centerpieces to large-scale installations—using reusable mechanics and materials. In this class, you'll explore working with kenzan frogs, curly willow, Agrawool, and chicken wire as you create a centerpiece, focal (entry or bar), and large-scale more...
261FDN365 07/24 Th 10:00am-5:00pm Braverman
NYBG

Learn to navigate the bustling New York flower district! Discover where to get the best flowers and hard goods from the pros. Your confirmation letter will include where we will meet in the flower district. Lunch is not included. Dress more...
261FDN400D 07/25 Fr 10:00am-5:00pm Woodson
OFS

Sympathy arrangements, properly composed, pay tribute to a departed loved one and offer solace to the grieving. There are details to be discussed with a bereaved family, special etiquette to be observed, and a wide choice of designs that make more...
261FDN382B 07/28 Mo 10:00am-5:00pm Norman
NYBG

Design and create arrangements appropriate for the ceremony, season, and setting, including aisle and altar designs, pew arrangements, and banquet table centerpieces. Work with a remarkable array of flowers, foliage, and fabrics to create captivating garlands and columns. Discussions include more...
261FDN305C 07/29 Tu 10:00am-5:00pm Cawley
NYBG

August

Florists and floral designers who want long-lasting, gorgeous interior plantings won't want to miss this unique class from florist, horticulturist, and indoor plant expert Chris Raimondi. In this class, Chris shares essential horticulture practices for proper selection and maintenance of more...
261FDN310 08/01 Fr 10:00am-5:00pm Raimondi, CLP
NYBG

In addition to exquisite design, a successful event requires a well-conceived plan. Learn how to write a sales proposal based on cost analysis, finalize the terms of the design contract, and order and organize materials, personnel, and deliveries, all within more...
261FDN504D 08/04 Mo 10:00am-5:00pm Cawley
NYBG

Full, lavish arrangements to enhance entrance halls, ballrooms, parties, and hotels are always in demand. Learn the mechanics behind how these dramatic arrangements are designed and constructed. $240 materials fee.
261FDN502 08/06 We 10:00am-5:00pm Woodson
NYBG

Create your own professional-looking arrangements with economical, store-bought bouquets. Using simple design principles and fresh flowers from your local grocery store or farmers market, learn how to design and create your own elegant arrangements.
261FDN210D 08/10 Su 11:00am-1:00pm Elfe
NYBG

From the moody color palettes, intricate detailing, and rich textures, Dutch Masters paintings are timeless works of art that continue to inspire contemporary floral artists. Using these paintings as inspiration, learn how to create your own magnificent, Flemish style composition more...
261FDN314O 08/10 Su 10:00am-12:00pm O'Sullivan
ONLINE

Learn to navigate the bustling New York flower district! Discover where to get the best flowers and hard goods from the pros. Your confirmation letter will include where we will meet in the flower district. Lunch is not included. Dress more...
261FDN400C 08/11 Mo 9:00am-12:30pm Woodson
OFS

There are many types of flowers available for floral designers, from exotic imports to locally grown. Learn to identify new varieties of old favorites, seasonal flowers, and various foliages. Topics include the special handling needs of many flower types. more...
261FDN308O 08/12 Tu 10:30am-12:30pm Elfe
ONLINE

In addition to exquisite design, a successful event requires a well-conceived plan. Learn how to write a sales proposal based on cost analysis, finalize the terms of the design contract, and order and organize materials, personnel, and deliveries, all within more...
261FDN504B 08/15 Fr 10:00am-2:00pm Cawley
NYBG

Create a linear, Ikebana-inspired design using locally sourced flowers, foliage, and herbs-such as lace-cap hydrangea, cosmos, nandina, miscanthus grass, thyme, and purple basil. Valerie Braverman of Brave Floral will share insights and guidance on how best to identify and ethically more...
261FDN340 08/16 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm Braverman
NYBG

Sympathy arrangements, properly composed, pay tribute to a departed loved one and offer solace to the grieving. There are details to be discussed with a bereaved family, special etiquette to be observed, and a wide choice of designs that make more...
261FDN382 08/23 Sa 10:00am-4:30pm Cawley
NYBG

Design and create arrangements appropriate for the ceremony, season, and setting, including aisle and altar designs, pew arrangements, and banquet table centerpieces. Work with a remarkable array of flowers, foliage, and fabrics to create captivating garlands and columns. Discussions include more...
261FDN305B 08/27 We 10:00am-2:30pm Mele
NYBG

September

In addition to exquisite design, a successful event requires a well-conceived plan. Learn how to write a sales proposal based on cost analysis, finalize the terms of the design contract, and order and organize materials, personnel, and deliveries, all within more...
261FDN504C 09/03 We 10:00am-2:00pm Cawley
NYBG

Learn the keys to successful floral design and master the mechanics needed to create round, triangular, parallel, and crescent arrangements. Experiment with shape, line, and symmetry while composing beautiful, balanced creations.
261FDN300B 09/09 Tu 10:30am-3:00pm Woodson
NYBG

Create your own professional-looking arrangements with economical, store-bought bouquets. Using simple design principles and fresh flowers from your local grocery store or farmers market, learn how to design and create your own elegant arrangements.
261FDN210C 09/11 Th 11:00am-1:00pm Duever
NYBG

Take inspiration from the color palette and textures of Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers paintings to create a masterful floral arrangement. Through expert demonstration of sustainable floral design techniques, you'll learn how to use complementary colors to craft depth, composition, movement, more...
261FDN370O 09/14 Su 10:00am-12:00pm O'Sullivan
ONLINE

Spend an inspiring two days honing your floral design, photography and social media marketing skills! Each day, students will delve into the works of Van Gogh and fellow Impressionist painters for inspiration. Floral designer & instructor Barbara Mele will show more...
261FDN485B 09/18 Th 10:00am-5:00pm Mele
Jamison
NYBG

Unleash your inner artist as you spend the day styling and photographing floral arrangements. Using select flowers and color palettes inspired by NYBG's latest exhibition, Van Gogh's Flowers, you'll create a stunning floral arrangement under the guidance of designer & more...
261FDN233B 09/20 Sa 10:00am-5:00pm Mele
Jamison
NYBG

Take inspiration from wildflowers appearing roadside or in surrounding meadows to create your own fresh, airy, prairie-style tabletop floral arrangement. In this class, you'll craft a curated tabletop floral design with an artful blend of wildflowers, grasses, wheat stalks, and more...
261FDN361O 09/21 Su 10:00am-12:00pm O'Sullivan
ONLINE

Flowers play a crucial role in creating a memorable wedding. Learn the elements of successful floral wedding design, including the art of fine wiring and taping to create corsages and boutonnieres with fresh flowers, ribbons, and bows. Advance to the more...
261FDN304C 09/24 We 10:00am-2:30pm Mele
NYBG

Vibrant, locally sourced dahlias make for simple yet spectacular arrangements that are perfect for a mantel, entry table, or dining centerpiece. Take a page from trend-setting farm-to-table designers, and fashion a playful, free-flowing creation that showcases the exuberance of these more...
261FDN398 09/25 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Woodson
NYBG