Ten students spent the better part of an hour creating a rose from heart-shaped galax leaves, a common type of foliage used in floral arrangements, and they did this all for a grade.
For students who need a break from the conventional lab and lecture, associate professor of plant and soil sciences James DelPrince said he has the solution: floral design.
DelPrince said the purpose of the class, PSS 2343 in the course catalog, is to introduce floral design, which basically means designing with plants.
“We don’t expect stellar designers but people with an appreciation for plants and interior spaces,” DelPrince said.
The class utilizes a lecture to deal with floral design theory and the process of arranging. The lab focuses on practical usage of what the students learn in lecture.
Senior interdisciplinary studies major Jordan Price said she enjoys the class because it gives her experience she can use in the future.
“I want to be a wedding planner, and this class really helps me prepare for that,” Price said. “Dr. DelPrince tries to make it fun; he tells jokes in class a lot.”
The lab, located adjacent to the University Florist, provides a calming environment and an intimate classroom setting, complete with easy listening music from a nearby boom box.
Sophomore secondary education major Amanda Pinion agreed but said the class is not for everyone. “It’s a fun hobby, but I couldn’t do this for the rest of my life,” she said.
On a typical day in the lab, students create an arrangement or design discussed in the previous lecture; on this occasion, the objective was to create an arrangement with a rose as the centerpiece.
“We encourage the students to use the arrangement as if it would be represented in nature,” DelPrince said. “Permanent plants are used; we generally avoid highly manipulated or unnatural plants.”
DelPrince said the introductory class is open to all students.
“We also have two other classes, advanced floral design I and II, that need the introductory course as a prerequisite,” DelPrince said.
DelPrince added his class appeals to students of all majors, but for students in a few majors, such as interior design, fashion and architecture, floral design is especially beneficial.