Allison Hood Flower School

Every stem in this floral cloak has a story — and every flower was grown close to home.

Created for the Floral Fashion competition at Bloom, this piece was inspired by the beauty of locally grown seasonal flowers and foliage.

The challenge was simple: create a wearable floral design using botanical materials and let creativity lead the way.

Hosted by the Institute of Flowers, the professional voice of Irish floristry, the competition celebrated the incredible talent, skill and innovation within our industry.

For me, wearable floristry is where floral design, craftsmanship and storytelling meet. Every detail of this cloak was carefully considered - from the mechanics and movement to the textures and materials used throughout.

The materials were gathered from a number of special places and people - Foxgloves from a family garden in the Mourne Mountains, Alliums, Geums and Sweet William from Ann , runner beans, grasses and Heuchera flowers from Antonia , and roses, quaking grass, antirrhinums, honesty, jasmine foliage and chive flowers from my own garden.

I love that this cloak represents not just one garden or place, but many - each contributing colour, texture and character to the final design.

It was a pleasure to showcase the piece at Bloom and to see so many people stopping to ask questions about the design and construction process.

The results are still to come, but for now I’m simply grateful for the flowers, the gardens and the people who helped bring this piece to life.

Which flower or detail catches your eye first?

Join Ann of Mrs Bloom and Allison Hood of Allison Hood Flower School on Saturday 13th June for a relaxed and inspiring morning in the beautiful walled garden at Hidden Huntley.

Together, we’ll explore how to grow, harvest and arrange seasonal flowers, giving you the knowledge and confidence to create your own thriving cutting garden at home.

You’ll also take home:
~ A selection of plants to help start your cutting garden
~ Biennial seeds to sow and grow on at home
~ A beautiful seasonal vase arrangement you’ve created yourself
~ Practical growing and floristry skills you’ll use for years to come
~ Light refreshments and a morning spent immersed in flowers and plants.

Whether you’re dreaming of cutting flowers from your own garden or simply looking for a creative and inspiring experience, we’d love you to join us.

Only 3 places still available!

Booking link in bio or send me a message for more information.

I’ve been quietly working on a brand new masterclass and I’d love to know what you think...

Imagine spending a day immersed in wearable floristry, learning contemporary and traditional wiring techniques, and creating beautiful botanical adornments designed to be worn.

Think floral jewellery, modern buttonholes, botanical headpieces and statement wearable designs.

This would be a small-group masterclass with just six places available, allowing plenty of time for technical tuition, creativity and experimentation.

Before I finalise the details, I’d love to know if this is something you’d be interested in.

Comment WEARABLE below or send me a message and I’ll make sure you’re the first to hear when booking opens.

Allison x

Summer Meadow Floristry Class

Thursday 18th June 10am - 1pm The Studio

Inspired by the beauty of wild summer meadows.

Join me for a relaxed and inspiring floristry class celebrating the softness, movement, and natural beauty of early summer flowers.

Together, we’ll create romantic meadow-style arrangements filled with delicate textures, airy stems, and gentle wild details inspired by nature at its most effortless.

Working with a seasonal selection of flowers you’ll learn how to create loose, natural designs full of movement and softness. We’ll explore sustainable floristry techniques using natural mechanics such as sand and wire mesh, allowing your arrangements to feel organic, abundant, and beautifully untamed.

Throughout the workshop, I’ll share my favourite techniques, to help you create arrangements that feel natural, balanced, and full of character.

Who Is It For?
This workshop is perfect for all skill levels – from complete beginners to experienced florists wishing to explore sustainable, seasonal techniques.

What’s included:
•All materials to create your arrangement
•A gentle foraging walk in the garden at Hidden Huntley 
•Expert tuition and guidance
•Your finished meadow arrangement to take home
•Tea, coffee, and cake

Date: Thursday 18th June 2026

Time: 10am – 1pm

Cost: £75 includes all materials and refreshments

Location: The Studio at Hidden Huntley, 88 Dunmurry Lane, Dunmurry, Belfast BT17 9JS

Book via www.allisonhoodflowerschool.com

Link in bio or send me a message to reserve your place.

I can’t wait to welcome you for a beautiful morning surrounded by flowers and creativity.

Are you heading to this weekend?
I’m absolutely delighted to be leading a workshop alongside the wonderful on Monday at 1:15 PM.

If you’re visiting Bloom on Monday, I’d love to see you there and have a chat afterwards!

A huge thank you to the for this fantastic opportunity. Be sure to stop by their stand throughout the weekend to meet some incredibly talented florists and discover an abundance of beautiful floral creations.

See you at Bloom!

Inspired by the Dutch Masters
Floristry Class

One of my absolute favourite classes to teach, the results are always stunning!

•Tuesday 7th July 10am - 1pm •The Studio 
88 Dunmurry Lane, Dunmurry BT17 9JS
•£85 per person

Step into the opulent world of the Dutch Golden Age and create your own floral arrangement inspired by the rich still-life paintings of the 17th century.

Using sustainable techniques, we’ll work with a luxurious palette of seasonal flowers to create loose, natural designs filled with texture, movement and depth. Alongside expert floristry tuition, I’ll also share styling and photography tips to help you capture your work with all the mood and atmosphere of a masterpiece.

Included on the day:
• All flowers & materials
• A light foraging walk in the gardens at Hidden Huntley
• Expert guidance throughout
• Tea, coffee & cake
Spaces are limited.

Full details and booking via the link in bio or at
www.allisonhoodflowerschool.com

You won’t want to miss this one!

Summer floristry classes are launching next week and I can’t wait to share all the details with you.

This new programme is filled with beautiful seasonal flowers, sustainable techniques, and creative designs with that little bit of something different.

Want to be the first to hear what I’ve got planned? Join the mailing list via www.allisonhoodflowerschool.com

Creative floristry classes in Northern Ireland focused on sustainable techniques, seasonal flowers, and nature-led design.

What a special group of students to celebrate as they complete the six-week Introduction to Floristry course.

It has been such fantastic to teach this wonderful group — every class was filled with learning, laughter, creativity, plant chat and beautiful flowers.

We finished on Thursday with a final session creating statement arrangements using sustainable structures, and the results were absolutely stunning. Every piece was a true masterpiece, and of course we couldn’t resist photographing them in the greenhouse.

A heartfelt thank you to my lovely students Hilda, Catherine, Tracy, Sylvia, Oralagh and Nuala — for your enthusiasm, creativity, and talent throughout the course.

And a special thank you to the wonderful Antonia for so warmly welcoming us into your beautiful home and garden.

I can’t wait to see where your floral journeys take you and to support you along the way.

My flowery heart is full,

Allison

As Chelsea week comes around again, I can’t help but look back on the incredible experience that was RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024

Exhibiting in the Great Pavilion and being awarded an RHS Silver-Gilt Medal still feels like such a pinch-me moment and a real career highlight.

A proud moment, and such a wonderful reminder of what an incredible experience it was to showcase my floristry on one of the biggest stages in the world.

After months of planning, sourcing, building, travelling and sleepless nights , finally driving through those gates on Sunday morning to bring “Nature’s Spectrum” to life is a moment I’ll never forget.

The friendships, the early mornings, the coffees and Pimms, the photos and interviews, the excitement and the atmosphere — every part of it was special.

Wishing all of this year’s amazing Chelsea florists the very best of luck!

Week 5 of our Introduction to Floristry Course and what a blooming triumph!

This week’s table arrangement class was a true celebration of seasonal flowers, creativity, and connection. Set within the beautiful dining room at , we explored the art of floral arrangements that bring beauty and atmosphere to the table.
The room was filled with colour, scent, laughter and creativity. Watching everyone’s confidence grow week by week has been such a joy and privilege.

I can hardly believe we only have one week left of this wonderful course… the time has flown by!

Our next Introduction to Floristry courses begin in September, and I would love to welcome you to The Studio