ADULT COMMUNITY EDUCATION | WORKSHOP | 3 HOURS
Join Katherine Olmstead, Canadian International Master Florist, for a hands-on floral design class where you will create your own spring basket arrangement, blending plants, fresh-cut flowers, and foraged natural materials into a one-of-a-kind seasonal piece that you can carry around like a real woodland fairy.
You will be guided through selecting materials, building a natural basket armature to carry flowers, and composing your overall design with sustainability and seasonality in mind. You will gain practical floral design skills rooted in European technique and botanical storytelling, with a focus on texture, form, balance, and the interplay between living and freshly cut elements. The class will include both indoor class time and time spent outdoors exploring the gardens.
With inspiration from the gardens and step-by-step instruction in a relaxed, fun setting, you will leave with a deeper connection to your creativity and your natural surroundings.
- All materials are provided. Feel free to bring small decorations to personalize your basket.
- Suitable for professional florists, floral hobbyists, and creatives of all kinds.
- Take home your finished floral basket and a beautiful introduction to Vegetative floral design.
Your registration includes all-day admission to the Gardens at HCP (9:00-3:30 last entry)
Date & Location
Saturday May 24, 2025 - 1:00-4:00 pm
The Classroom at the Gardens at HCP, 505 Quayle Road, Saanich
Fees & Registration
$95.00 HCP Members
$110.00 Non-Members Interested in Membership?
REGISTER ONLINE or call 250 479 6162
Instructor Bio: Katherine Olmstead IMF
Katherine Olmstead is a floral designer, horticulturist, and marketing strategist based in Victoria, British Columbia. In 2023, she became the first Canadian to earn the title of International Master Florist, graduating from the Boerma Institute in the Netherlands under the mentorship of Gregor Lersch, a globally celebrated floral artist.
Originally from Toronto, Katherine draws inspiration from her diverse travels and the natural beauty of her home on Vancouver Island. She is passionate about blending her botanical knowledge with artistic creativity to design sustainable and innovative floral pieces for events, creative projects, wearable fresh floral fashion, and installations.
Katherine is enthusiastic about promoting sustainability and sharing her expertise through teaching and mentorship. Her workshops offer participants a chance to connect with local nature, develop artistic skills, and explore their creativity in a welcoming, hands-on environment. When she’s not designing in a studio or working in a local flower shop, Katherine enjoys experimenting with other artforms and types of expression to add on to her floral toolbelt.
