Vonda LaFever AIFD PFCI and Tom Bowling AIFD PFCI talk upcoming permanent botanical trends for 2020 in a recent episode of The Business & Pleasure of Flowers, a fun informational podcast that helps floral industry professionals stay up to date with useful tips and insider knowledge. This episode covers everything from color trends to texture innovations sure to play a role in the upcoming year. 

The interview begins with predictions and trendspotting for 2020. It wraps up with a personal question-and-answer session regarding Tom's own preferences and experiences, developed over a floral design career that has spanned 41 years – from small time floral shops all the way to the Oscars and beyond. 

Permanent Botanical Color Trends for 2020 

Vonda begins the interview by asking Tom which permanent botanical color trends can be expected for the upcoming summer, fall, and winter. He responds with enthusiasm, citing that color is such a personal feature for everyone, with customers sometimes reacting to the color before they react to the design or style of any specific silk flower. This holds especially true when buying for somebody else, where decisions often place emphasis on the favored colors of the recipient.

Tom mentions his recent work with the Pioneer Imports & Wholesale team, working through the permanent botanical trends coming up to suit the warmer months ahead. He notes that you must think globally, looking at what might be happening across the world and the influences that are playing a role. 

With this, Tom places a special emphasis on the color blue. People want to feel safe in turbulent times, so they tend to gravitate toward colors that make them feel good. Blue certainly fits the bill. Vonda adds that Classic Blue was even chosen as the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year, always a serious signpost for upcoming trends. You can see this theory in practice when it comes to fashion, and anywhere else that the outside world tends to influence functional color palette choices.   

Blue also tends to pair well with other colors – whether you want to go dynamic with the vibrant blue and orange Birds of Paradise silk flowers, or a sophisticated combination of blues and yellows. Blue also works well with harmonies like reds, dark reds, and maroons. 

Fall is always a time of those super-saturated colors, the golds and yellows with russets and oranges. Vonda predicts that those blue undertones will continue into the fall season like they did in the previous year.  

Some of the permanent botanical color trends for 2020 are more subtle. Tom notes that the sand colors are almost omnipresent, along with some of the muddier colors where there is a combination of color and texture. In fact, color won't always be the strongest element when it comes to on-trend looks for the upcoming year. This brings Tom to the conversation about texture.

Permanent Botanical Texture and Composition Trends for 2020

Vonda notes that there is a lot more texture coming forward now more than ever, and Tom agrees. He states that textural consideration is on the uptick – people are recognizing it and embracing it in every element of design, from the fringe on a pillow to the accessories on a purse. Tom says that texture is right there at the top of the trend list. 

Vonda points out that organic textures, specifically, are finding prominence in the world of fresh floral design. She asks whether that trend is extending into the world of permanent botanicals as well. Tom tends to think so. 

Fantasy silk flowers, those that utilize creative colors and forms that may not align with naturally occurring botanicals, often use visual texture to fantastic effect. And even the more realistic botanical silk flowers are more commonly moving away from smooth materials, instead incorporating actual physical texture into the design.

Tom and Vonda also take a moment to discuss composition. Throughout 2020, Tom expects a lot of continued attention toward organic forms, especially in event work and design executions. He's seeing bouquets and table stylings with a more gathered and unstructured feeling. People are striving for an approachable "I want people to think I made that" type of look. 

Vonda contrasts this loosely structured aesthetic with approaches that consider the Principles and Elements of Design, noting that a lot of on-trend looks sometimes eschew them. Tom agrees, saying that sometimes those elements are there but not in the expected way, often less clean and definable. And sometimes those principles and elements are not there at all. Tom says that, for architectural designers like himself, this can present a bit of a challenge – but has also helped him expand his horizons.

But not every permanent botanical trend is new. Tom and Vonda also took some time to discuss old-school favorites that are already resurfacing and will continue to play a role in the 2020 permanent botanical landscape.  

The Cyclical Nature of Permanent Botanical Design Trends 

These past few seasons have already seen the resurgence of royal colors and jewel tones, but these are only one trend from the past making a bit of a comeback. Tom describes how those trend cycles seem to be happening even quicker and more often now – rather than a trend coming back around after thirty years, it may happen within fifteen or even just ten years. He talks about seeing the tie-dye look come back around three or so times already. Each time, these reoccurring trends enchant a new audience that never got to experience it before.

Another throwback trend is the terrarium look that Tom notes is becoming more popular with a younger audience now. He points out that macrame is having another moment in the spotlight as well. To some, macrame may give off a 70s-era impression, but to others the look is fresh and new. 

One thing that helps to explain the fast-paced trend cycle is the speed of the production pipeline. Tom and Vonda discuss this trend-to-table timeline in detail. That turnaround time between conception and delivery is growing remarkably shorter all the time. Tom says the window used to be a year and a half, or even two years. Now, that timeline can be closer to 120 days. All parts of the process have been compressed – from inception, to execution, to import, to distribution to wholesale houses, and then finally landing permanent botanical products into retail. 

Keeping Up with Permanent Botanical Trends in 2020 and Beyond

Because new floral industry trends do move so quickly, Tom and Vonda offer a few useful ways to keep an eye on the freshest trends right as they emerge. 

Exploring retail outlets can often provide a clear look. Go through the aisles of outlets that have their fingers on the pulse. The more mainstream outlets have the budget not only to embrace the latest trends, but also to set trends as well. Use these excursions to find inspiration for those colors, trends, and patterns as they appear throughout the store. 

Both Vonda and Tom warn against complacency. Client bases change over time. Even in small towns with consistent customer bases, it can be a mistake to think "oh my customer always likes this". Tom and Vonda suggest inviting customer feedback for insights you can implement immediately. Invite a group of customers. Look for your corporate clients, residential clients, special event planners. Get each type of customer involved to learn new ways to move your shop forward. What other services can you provide? What styles are you lacking? Which products are missing from your stock? This can be a huge opportunity for growth. 

Tom also talks about the importance of getting fresh trends in front of customers through websites and social media. "This is new" or "I just got back from market" or "I just got back from a seminar" – it's important to let customers know that you're on top of emerging developments. Vonda suggests using this as another opportunity to receive direct feedback about your own individual customer base. Even asking, "Here are the new colors, would you want this in your home?" can generate useful information you can put to work right away, all while making customers feel like they are contributing as well. 

When Vonda asks Tom about his favorite part of the flower business, Tom talks about how his experience working at several levels of the industry has informed his growth. He knows that whether you do product development or work in a shop, there are always new insights to be learned from business partners and team members. He uses these opportunities as a building tool, strengthening his ability to pivot and remain receptive to change. 

Tom Talks Video Production for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale

One way to keep up with emerging permanent botanical trends for 2020 is watching the video demonstrations that Tom creates for Pioneer Imports & Wholesale. Vonda asks him about his experience building this powerful resource.

As a former schoolteacher, Tom has a lot to say on the importance of education. Moving forward is always crucial – whether through podcasts like The Business & Pleasure of Flowers, hands-on classes, wire service presentations, or the video demonstrations Tom has led for Pioneer. 

He likens his process to cooking shows you may watch on television. He synthesizes the material down, breaks it into parts and pieces. After watching cooking shows, Tom feels more confident in his cooking abilities. That positive experience makes him want to try it again. 

At the same time, he also knows that duplication isn't always the answer. He wants to give viewers the ability to internalize the demonstrations and later personalize them, knowing exactly why they're adding a specific silk flower or accessory. Harnessing that strong core of knowledge makes it possible to get the most out of any upcoming permanent botanical trend. 

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