[.ca] The Art of Floral Design (ISBN 0827386273)

Lacks good design, but great practical knowledge.:
Norah Hunter was my floral design instructor, so of course, we used her book. Coming from a strong design background, I think that the arrangements are at best mediocre and lacking creativity. Some of the design theories seem over simplified to me as well. However, although the design instruction falls short in my opinion, the practical knowledge she teaches about flower names, running a floral business, care and handling, etc. are invaluable to anyone working in the floral industry. The book also contains an excellent appendix of flower and foliage names with illustrations.

Textbook Style Book:
This is a great book. It is a textbook style book, so it is a little on the technical side. If you are interested in retail floristry then you will find it to be a great book. But if you are a hobbyist or are looking for a book to give you ideas for arrangements to place around the house/office this book maybe more technical than you want.

Excellent Textbook of the Basics of Floral Design:
We used this textbook in our 'intro to floral design' course at Texas A & M University. I thought it did an excellent job of teaching all of the basic design principles, and it also had very good pictures and diagrams to aide in the learning. Unfortunately, I sold this book at the end of the semester, and I wish that I had kept it. I have been looking for a more economically priced floral design book, as complete as this one, and have not been able to find it. I you are a beginning designer, or need the ultimate floral design reference, this is the book for you!

A Student's Review:
A comprehensive guide to floral care and designing. The author has complete instructions with illustrations which are very helpful. The author also teaches concepts through repetition and ties the chapters together by reviewing past concepts.