Flowers are forever – Geraldine Hore

While we navigate the ‘new normal’ in the wake of COVID-19, florist Geraldine Hore reminds us that flowers have always stood the test of time. 

Geraldine is the owner and creative director at Bouquet Boutique in New Farm, Brisbane. She brings a unique perspective to her floristry work, combining a background in farming, passion for horticulture and natural creative flair. Geraldine can channel emotion into a single bouquet, transform spaces with eye-catching designs and inspire awe with floral masterpieces. With her floristry experience spanning 16 years, Geraldine has seen how flowers can weather the hardest times – and importantly bring joy when needed most.

How has your business adapted to our increasingly online world?

The online world provides us with an opportunity to share our floral creations with even more people. In recent years, we’ve developed our online shopping experience. Now, with the click of a button, customers are able to order seasonal arrangements, cute potted plants and even candles. Ordering online can make the process a lot simpler for customers, as well as more streamlined for our staff working in-store. We still take orders over the phone, or you can walk in and be greeted by a friendly face! 

No matter how a customer places their order, we always aim to maintain a high level of flower quality and design. We also like to enrich the customer’s experience by supplying beautifully crafted bouquets and arrangements with striking wraps and embellishments. Sadly, there are pop-up online retailers out there that distribute underwhelming and poorly assembled flowers. We always make sure our products stand out from the pack, by showing that extra care and attention to detail.

From your experience, what role have flowers played during COVID-19?

With so many people unable to visit friends and loved ones during this time, flowers have been in demand. We were sending flowers for many occasions, such as celebrations like birthdays and sadly even for funerals. People were also placing orders to uplift friends and family, with lots of positive messages of love and support through such an unprecedented time.

Flowers have always stood the test of time. They are an intrinsic part of all major life events – births, deaths, marriages, milestones and most of all love. I have managed my business through the Global Financial Crisis and now a worldwide pandemic. So far I’ve survived! As life returns to normal, flowers will continue to play an important role in our special moments.

What message would you like to give to florists and flower lovers? 

I would love to send a huge thank you to all of our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic! I’d also like to congratulate the Australian flower industry for working together to get through the past few months – including farmers, transporters, wholesalers, and all other florists. Those in the industry know the long hours and hard work it takes to put together a beautiful bunch for a customer. And we do it for the love of flowers!

Geraldine’s pick of the bunch

Favourite pick-me-up flower? Poppies! They are a sheer delight to watch as they pop, unfurl and display their vibrant, delicate, paper-like blooms.

Best flower for relaxation? A few stems of the fabulous Phalaenopsis orchid, or Anthurium stems. Both are synonyms with beauty, healing and well-being.

Flower with the ‘wow’ factor? The bearded iris. With its colours, textures and overall shape – this divine bloom is a magnificent example of Mother Nature.

Interview by Elly Begley