Sustainable floral design

A fascinating project

Max van de Sluis and Per Benjamin are releasing a new book: 'Sustainable Floristry. The sustainable future found in our history'. The project began several years ago as a detailed study of the history of floral design, but in the meantime, sustainability became an increasingly urgent topic. Consequently, Max van de Sluis and Per Benjamin decided to approach the book with a fresh perspective. As times change, so do insights. This raised the question: “What has happened in the history of our profession, and what lessons can we learn from it for a sustainable future?” This intriguing question forms the foundation of this book.

And now, the time has come! The beautifully bound book, published by Stichting Kunstboek, has recently become available. We spoke to Max van de Sluis during the busy pre-Christmas period about 'The sustainable future found in our history'.

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What has happened in the history of our profession, and what lessons can we learn from it for a sustainable future?

About the authors

Max van de Sluis and Per Benjamin have been working together for years under the name Life2. Together, they have already written 14 books on floral design and contributed to a multitude of publications. They also give training courses and shows worldwide. The collaboration works very well, says Max: “We are critical of each other and complement each other well. This pushes us both forward. It is also beneficial to have a sounding board along the way.”

The long and rich history of floral design

The history of floral design goes much further back than often assumed, even to the Stone Age, Max explains. Murals have been discovered depicting flowers. Evidence has also been found from the Egyptian and Roman eras highlighting the significant role of botanical and floral materials. For example, floral garlands were discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun, ingeniously sewn together. In Roman times, rose petals were scattered in celebration of victories – the predecessor of today’s red carpet. "There are so many things we have today, that originate from something else. It’s fascinating to see!" says Max. Over the centuries, various techniques developed: from binding, knotting, and sewing flowers to the emergence of flowers bound with straw. The evolution of floral design is reflected throughout the book.

Where sustainability and history intersect

'The sustainable future found in our history' demonstrates how old techniques can provide solutions to modern sustainability challenges. "What can we learn from the past? What happened then, and how can we apply that knowledge today?" The book is intended for everyone involved with flowers: designers, hobbyists, enthusiasts, and even producers. The goal of the book is to encourage collective progress. Max explains: "With this book, we want to encourage everyone to contribute their part to sustainability so that, ultimately, the entire field becomes much more sustainable and future-proof."

This is not just a coffee table book for admiration. Max and Per deliberately use the term floral design instead of floral art because the book is meant for everyday work. As Max puts it: "There is beautiful work in it, but the book is really meant to convey a message and provide information that can be immediately applied. It is actually the first book to address this topic in this manner."

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With this book, we want to encourage everyone to contribute their part to sustainability so that, ultimately, the entire field becomes much more sustainable and future-proof.

Working with a Kenzan

One technique that can be used for sustainable design is the Kenzan. "Essentially, a Kenzan is a medium that holds flowers in place while still allowing them to absorb water," Max explains. They are less suitable for very large and heavy constructions but work well for smaller applications like table decorations. However, they are still very versatile: "If you insert sturdy stems, you can weave in or attach thinner stems, allowing for many possibilities. The more you use it, the more applications you will discover." A major advantage of Kenzans is that they can be reused indefinitely. This is a crucial aspect of sustainability. "Even if the material itself is not sustainable, frequent use makes it less environmentally harmful," Max says.

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You discover new solutions and applications, leading to innovative designs. Personally, I see sustainable techniques as an added value.

Botanical materials

Another sustainable technique is creating your own flower holders from botanical materials. This can include leaves, branches, raffia, bamboo, or bark. Max explains: "I can also fill a bowl with hollow bamboo tubes and insert flowers into them. It’s not a Kenzan, but it serves the same function." Floral holders are reusable as well, allowing for different looks with new flowers each time. 

However, not all botanical materials are necessarily sustainable. "In the past, a lot of sphagnum moss was used to hold flowers. While biodegradable, it's not the most ecologically responsible material if harvested from nature. So, some solutions create new challenges, which is why this collective journey towards sustainability is so important," Max explains.

Tips for florists

Many florists are already taking steps towards sustainability, such as making more conscious purchasing decisions and sorting waste. Max advises looking critically at all aspects of your work: "Ask yourself: What am I doing? Is it right? How can I work more sustainably?" Sustainability is very important to consumers as well. "Flowers can be bought anywhere, but a good story is not something everyone has. A good story combined with beautiful work is a strong combination," Max concludes.

Sustainable techniques may sometimes require more technical knowledge, but Max believes this ultimately enriches the field. It demands a different way of thinking – a shift in perspective – making the work more challenging yet rewarding. "You discover new solutions and applications, leading to innovative designs. Personally, I see sustainable techniques as an added value. It makes everything more interesting," Max says.

Floral design: Max van de Sluis, Per Benjamin
Photography: Pim van der Maden