Business of Design BY JULIANA BUSTILLO


DIANTHUS, REIMAGINED > When florists think of dianthus, we often think of tradition — familiar forms, classic uses and reliable performance. But dianthus can take on an entirely new identity with the right design. These compositions invite us to see the flower not as we’ve always known it but as something evolving — expressive, sculptural and modern. These medium- to large-scale designs appear abundant and lush, yet


they rely on surprisingly few stems. Dianthus offers designers the ability to create impact without excess, making it both visually compelling and cost efficient. With just a handful of bunches, the flower becomes a building block for bold compositions that feel intentional rather than overworked.


Dianthus offers designers the ability to create impact without excess, making it both visually compelling and cost efficient.


Color plays a central role in that transformation. By leaning into


color blocking — pairing a soft, minty green with a saturated pink, for example — the designs feel graphic and fresh. The contrast highlights the flower’s texture and form, and dianthus’s expansive color range makes this approach especially powerful. Beyond color, a sense of movement gives these designs energy. Some


forms move vertically, others horizontally, creating an organic rhythm that feels alive rather than static. The result is asymmetry with purpose. Texture deepens that experience. When single-stem dianthus are


grouped together, they take on the appearance of entirely different flowers, mimicking the fullness of peonies or the fluttering delicacy of butterflies. Layered thoughtfully, the blooms interact with one another, creating depth and a sense of motion. The effect offers designers a way to challenge expectations while staying grounded in strong mechanics and structure. By embracing scale, color and form, these designs showcase the


dianthus’s versatility and prove that with creativity and intention, even the most familiar materials can feel entirely new.


Juliana Bustillo is the founder and creative director of ORA the Floral Agency, a floral design and event production studio based in Bogotá, Colombia.


BUTTERFLY WHISPER


Wholesale cost: $22–$23. Suggested retail: $100. Recipe: 15 green barbatus ‘Kiwi Green’, 5 single-flowered dianthus ‘Solandis Misteryfly’, 5 single-flowered dianthus ‘Solomio Bern’.


44 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | May/June 2026 | WWW.SAFNOW.ORG


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