Floriculture is the term used for flower farming, a type of horticulture that involves the cultivation of flowers and plants for Toronto florists, supermarkets and garden centres specifically. Products include cut flowers, container-grown perennials, and annual spring/bedding plants. Flowers and plants for florists are used purely for decorative purposes, and should not be used as food or for medicinal purposes unless otherwise stated.

It is believed that floriculture dates back to the late 1880s, originating in England. Large numbers of flowers were grown on larger private estates for commercial use, usually outdoors in gardens. At the time, the custom of giving flowers was as important culturally as it is today.

Ontario Floriculture
In Ontario, flower cultivation usually takes place in greenhouses, where consistency in temperature and environment provides more stability.  In Ontario, the greenhouse flower industry has become one of the largest subsector in agriculture, growing annually. The majority of the industry is located in the southern portion of the province, where popular domestically grown flowers such as gerbera daisies and snapdragons grow abundantly. Other flowers, particularly roses and chrysanthemums, are grown in fewer amounts since local growers find it difficult to compete with imports that tend to be priced at a fraction of the price.

Don’t know what a “pedestal arrangement” is? Well, if you’ve ever seen a flower bouquet set in a vase that’s perched on top of a pedestal of any size, then you’ve seen one. Although any bouquet in a vase can be presented this way, pedestal arrangements tend to be showy and more elaborate.

These rather ostentatious flower arrangements aren’t for the dinner table or narrow mantle – they are designed to be attention grabbing and should be placed in a location that is stable because of their height (which is usually taller than other bouquets), such as the floor. They may also be placed on a sturdy table, however because of their height, they are inappropriate for intimate

dinner tables. Ranging from subtle to dramatic, common places for pedestal arrangements include on either side of a doorway, in the corner of a room, or at the foot of a stairway. The flowers of these arrangements often soar upwards (and in other directions) a great deal, so they’re best placed in an area with plenty of space to keep them out of the way, but still in plain sight.

Pedestal arrangements are ideal for parties, since they add a festive flair due to their grand appearance. Simpler arrangements can instantly transform a neglected corner of the room into a space that is inviting. They are also frequently used as  funeral flowers.