Florists design, create and sell flower arrangements, bouquets and wreaths. They may also sell cut and pressed flowers, pot plants and artificial flowers. A number of florists have also branched out into gifts and balloons, as well as decorations.

As a florist, your roles and duties would include:

• Creating designs for bouquets, wreaths and displays
• Working to customers requests and suggestions
• Caring for flowers to keep them in the best condition, and to prolong their life
• Dealing with customers over the phone and in person
• Helping customers choose suitable plants and flowers
• Advising customers how to look after the flowers or plants they have just bought.

If you opt to run your own floristry business, you will also need to budget and keep accounts, as well as negotiate with suppliers over orders.

Florists generally work shop hours, with possible weekend work. They may also need to work particularly early or late hours to buy stock or ensure orders are completed on time. However, a large number of florists in the UK only work part time.

The majority of florists work in shops, however in some towns and cities they may instead work at a stall. In either case, florists will spend most of their time on their feet, either at a counter with customers, or at a workbench where flower arrangements are made.

As a florist, you may also need to travel to wholesalers and nurseries, and possibly also customers if you offer a delivery service. A driving licence could therefore be useful.

To be a florist, you should be:

• Creative and artistic
• Understanding of the different needs of plants and flowers
• Good at sharing and communicating your ideas with customers
• Good at working with your hands, and willing to get them dirty
• Able to work as part of a team and with other staff
• Good at communicating and working with customers
• Able to work with money and work out prices and costs
• Able to work under pressure during busy periods such as Valentines Day.

Once you have become sufficiently experienced, you may wish to open your own shop. This is becoming increasingly difficult due to increased competition from chain's and e-businesses. However, many florists are now diversifying into teaching and freelance floral decoration with further training, allowing their businesses to remain successful.

As a trainee or beginner, working for another florist, your earnings will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the shop, your roles and responsibilities, and location.

As a new florist, your wages are likely to be in line with the national minimum wage. However, once you become experienced, your earning potential increases.

Earnings for self employed florists vary wildly, depending on the success of the business.