Arranging with the Seasons (Summer)

Our own backyards and local farms abound with flowers, but not always the varieties you’re familiar with using in arrangements. Why not use what’s local and beautiful, and give Mother Nature a break to boot?

Whether you’re a professional designer or a flower enthusiast, we’ll talk our way through locally available flowers and prepare an arrangement from what’s in season. The class is once per month, year-round, and this section will start with spring favorites, and progress through the bounty of summer.

We’ll talk about what to cut from your own garden, how to condition it for the best vase life, and how to use it in an arrangement.

Sign up for the whole course, or just sign up for the dates that work best for your schedule. A la carte pricing: $25 per class for members, $35 per class for non-members.

Knives will be available for purchase at the first class, if you do not own one.

The material fee is per session. It can be automatically billed every week, or paid in advance. Paying in advance results in a 5% discount on the cost of materials.

To register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925 or download our registration form.

This is an elective in the Floral Design certificate program.

Basic Floral Design: Introduction to Western Geometric Arranging

This course provides a solid foundation, focusing on the Western Geometric style, upon which all of the more exotic forms of flower arranging are based. Students in this hands-on course will learn the principles of design, flower conditioning and mechanical techniques.

Please bring a floral knife, wire cutters, and scissors to class with you.  Knives will be available for purchase at the first class, if you do not own one.

The material fee is per session. It can be automatically billed every week, or paid in advance. Paying in advance results in a 5% discount on the cost of materials.
 

To register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925 or download our registration form.

This is a core course in the Floral Design certificate program.

Contemporary European Design

Contemporary European Design stresses the growth habit and individuality of single flowers, and features the new look in flower use and arrangement. Learn techniques for creating floral designs incorporating the European styles of parallelism, landscape vegetative, multi-plane and hand-tied. Students are required to use a floral knife in class. Knives will be available for purchase at the first session.

The material fee is per session. It can be automatically billed every week, or paid in advance. Paying in advance results in a 5% discount on the cost of materials.

To register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925 or download our registration form.

This is a core course in the Floral Design certificate program.

Heirloom Bouquets

Come learn techniques to create a variety of heirloom-quality bouquets in dried/preserved botanicals, silk flowers, paper flowers, fabric flowers and the very popular brooch bouquet. Students should bring wire cutters and pliers to class.

The material fee is per session. It can be automatically billed every week, or paid in advance. Paying in advance results in a 5% discount on the cost of materials.

To register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925 or download our registration form.

This is an elective course in the Floral Design certificate program.

Corsage and Body Flowers

Learn the construction of body flowers, from basic to couturier. Hand-wrapping and gluing techniques will be demonstrated to create corsages, wristlets, boutonnieres and headpieces for special occasions.

Bring a floral knife, wire cutters, and scissors to class with you. Knives will be available for purchase at the first class, if you do not own one.

The material fee is per session. It can be automatically billed every week, or paid in advance. Paying in advance results in a 5% discount on the cost of materials.

To register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925 or download our registration form.

This is a core course in the Floral Design certificate program.

Forest! Barn! And Woodlands! Oh My!

Moss, ferns, burlap, wood – these are some of the trendiest materials in floral design. The popularity of these items is tied to the success of Pinterest and the do-it-yourself look. While many brides want to impress their guests with the crafty, independent feel, they can’t do all the work! That’s where we step in. This is a four part series that will guide you through the concept, terms and execution of a “natural” wedding. We will build ceremony flowers (that involve a live tree), bridal bouquet (keep your eye open for antique lace), table centerpiece and crafty décor items. As always with Jimmy’s classes, the focus will be on having a sustainable footprint and most of the materials will be sourced from within 50 miles of Pittsburgh.

The material fee is per session. It can be automatically billed every week, or paid in advance. Paying in advance results in a 5% discount on the cost of materials.

To register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925 or download our registration form.

This is an elective course in the Floral Design certificate program.

Floral Final Review

Ready for your final review? Please RSVP at least 2 weeks prior to the final.

For more details about the Floral Design certificate final or requirements, please contact Phipps at 412/441-4442 ext. 3925 or email sbertovich@phipps.conservatory.org.

To register, call the Garden Center at (412) 441-4442 ext. 3925 or download our registration form.

The final review is required to complete the Floral Design certificate program.