A Place to Blossom

The Houston School of Floral Design was founded in 1980, and is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Division of Career Schools and Colleges Austin, Texas. The school is located at 2000 North Loop West at East T.C. Jester, Suite 130, in the office park complex of "The Preserve". The design studio faces the natural setting of a wooded ravine, and consists of a demonstration area, flower preparation area, individual student design tables, and floral refrigeration equipment.

The school operates year-round and offers new classes beginning monthly. The school's office hours coincide with current class schedules. All nationally recognized holidays are observed. Students are requested to attend all classes as scheduled, and on time, as there are no makeup classes offered. Reasonable class decorum is requested of each student. Excessive absences, tardies, or unreasonable class decorum my result in a student being asked to withdraw from class and refunded according to the cancellation and refund policies. There are no written or oral examinations, and no grades are issued. Video cameras are not allowed during classroom instruction.

Angela Henry has been appointed the new Director for the Houston School of Floral Design.   

The bouquet she is holding is part of the Weddings Plus course that she recently developed.

Jim Lerdal, owner of the Houston School of Floral Design has announced the appointment of Angela Henry, TMF (Texas Master Florist), as the School’s new Director.   The appointment became effective May 13th, 2010.  Lerdal says, “"I am excited to have Angie take on this full time position with the school.  Her breadth of design experience and love of teaching will make her the perfect Director for the school."

In her new role, Henry will be researching new floral styles and trends.  She will also be teaching full-time – Introduction to Floral Design, Floral Arrangement, Advanced Floral Arrangement, Weddings, Weddings Plus and Sympathy.      Angie has also created a new monthly course called Angela’s Favorites.  In this class the students come every month and learn something new to expand their knowledge of flowers (and have some fun along the way).  Of course in May she had the students create Mother’s Day Arrangements to take home and share or keep for themselves.

Henry says that she will be focusing on the mechanics of traditional and up-scale floral design and on the quality of flowers.    “I want students to learn how to take an arrangement from pretty to fantastic.    I am always thrilled when students show their excitement about new products and techniques.”

“Flowers are the physical manifestation of emotions,” Henry says.   “I love to welcome students into the world of floral design."

Angela’s career in the floral industry began in 1991 in San Diego, California, when she took a temporary assignment as receptionist in a flower shop to help with the Valentine’s crush.    She had the opportunity to try some arranging in the back room, and her work was so well-liked she was taken on full-time by the shop.    She worked her way up to a point where she was teaching design to four in-shop designers.

In 1992, she moved back to Houston, and she worked as a free-lance floral designer.    The next year she settled into the shop of g. johnson’s Floral Images.   She worked there for four years, during which time she joined Allied Florists of Houston and the Texas State Florists’ Association.    In 1997, she gained her TMF certification.

Henry then became a free-lance floral designer for three years.    “I was able to work in the finest shops in Houston,” she says.

In 2003, Henry joined the wholesale firm of Pikes Peak in Houston, Texas and has continued there for the last seven years.   “I got to see all the hard work it takes to bring flowers from the farm to the customer,” she says. 

Henry first became involved with the Houston School of Floral Design when she enrolled in a Tropical Floral Design class.     Over the past two years she has also served as an instructor and helped develop the new Weddings Plus! Class to give the students additional training in wedding work.

Henry enjoys the textures and tints of flowers.     Commenting on the current floral trends, she says “Everything is more natural-looking now.     Raffia, birch and moss are in great demand. “    She also notes the exciting new use of colorful wire in corsages and boutonnieres.

As for a favorite flower, Henry responds, “Everything is my favorite!”     Then she admits a special fondness for orchids, roses and lilies – and for decorative butterflies.    “I’ve always loved flowers,” she says.   “In high school, I used to always wear flowers in my hair – such as small roses or clovers – held in place with a bobby pin.”

Reflecting on her new role in the educational side of the floral industry, Henry says she loves to see students leaving her classes happy, knowing that she’s left them smiling.    “I feel honored and blessed to have been selected to fill this position at the Houston School of Floral Design.”

About the Houston School of Floral Design

The Houston School of Floral Design was established in 1980 and is dedicated to teaching floral design to both professional florists and the amateur who has a passion for flowers.  Over the past 30 years we have trained thousands of students in the art of floral design.  Our love of flowers is only surpassed by our love of teaching.

For more information on courses offered at the school visit www.floristschool.com or call 713-977-4364.