Strelitzia Software shows the Flower Council of Holland's new trends for 2016

We've had an exciting couple of weeks here at Strelitzia Software with FleurEx here in the UK and IFTF / Flora Holland in the Netherlands keeping us very busy! Each trade show showcased the Flower Council of Holland's 2016 trends that you should be taking note of. I was so inspired and think you will be to!

Whether you’re thinking of re-vamping your shop in the New Year or are looking for new and exciting styles and designs to sell to your customers, pick one of these fabulous trends and run with it.

More is More

More is quite literally more with this first palette. Channel rich colours, tactile fabrics and vivid patters that spill out of your shop; an Aladdin’s Cave full of flowers that emulate energy, stimulus and clash.

Your colours should fight to be centre of attention, and this should translate to your flower stand. Use varieties such as gerberas, shamrocks, celosia, and bright stargazer lilies and mix them, don’t colour co-ordinate. Everything should be loud, and everything should dominate.

Connect the Story

In this second trend, green botanicals are key. Fill your shop with tall, leafy plants and trees that have unusual shapes. Notice the way surfaces are created – it’s a very easy way of updating the look of your shop without significant costs. Chipboard/wood has been cut to create a shelf or table. Circles have then been cut out of that to allow a plant to grow through with stacks of terracotta plant pots acting as legs. Quirky and interesting, it’s an idea that I love.

Peace lilies, jasmines, orchids and bonsai trees should line your shelves to create dominating greens and whites, punctuated by cheery, natural colours. Lisianthus, gladioli, freesia and bouvardia are flowers that should star in your pick-up and go bouquets, along with lots of greenery.

Reconsider Space

Reconsider space mirrors pop art – black, white and primary colours in bold and graphic designs. Living walls are proving to be stylish and popular; why not paper one side of your shop in a geometric pattern and create your own living wall on top? It would be well worth the effort.

When thinking about the flowers and plants to use, go for strong singular shapes in bright (preferably primary) colours. Anthuriums, zantedeschia, sunflowers, proteas, celosia and craspedia are fantastic choices. Create bold and geometric arrangements in contrasting and softening containers in natural materials. Go wild!

The World Beyond

Last, but certainly not least (this one’s my favourite), The World Beyond. Luxurious and otherworldly, deep purple, pink and green hues are contrasted with pops of metallic bronze and gold.

For a quick fix, invest in some metallic chairs for your wedding area or for display purposes, and give the walls a lick of plum or violet paint. To inject light, hang mirrors with a gold/bronze edge, and fill your stands with roses, alstro, orchids, hydrangeas, lisianthus and shed loads of eucalyptus.

Succulents and cacti are perfect for this trend. Inject new life into old containers by spraying them metallic. Think avatar and you can’t go wrong!