At first glance he looks like a typical farmer’s boy. But this farmer is actually a florist. Don’t let his appearance fool you … Stefan Smuts whips up some of the most gorgeous flower arrangements you’ve ever seen!
Stefan Smuts’ lifelong fascination with anything green and growing was sparked at a very young age in his gran’s garden. She used to compose floral arrangements for various functions, and quickly picked up on her grandson’s curiosity when it came to selecting the flowers and foliage. She taught him countless tips and tricks around the garden, how to fold and bend leaves in interesting ways, and how to combine textures and colours for the most exquisite floral arrangements.
Fast forward a couple of years, and at just 16, Stefan did his first wedding flowers. After school, he was eager to pursue his dreams and became a fully qualified wedding planner and flower and decor specialist. And so Black Tulip Floral & Décor Styling was born, a business which specialises in flower arranging, decor rentals, candles and, of course, styling.
After having seen the first season of kykNET’s The Greenest Fingers – a competition show where amateur gardeners, flower arrangers and enthusiasts compete against each other to be crowned as The Greenest Fingers winner – Stefan’s friends and family knew it was something right up his alley. With some motivation and encouragement, the humble flower fundi was persuaded to take a leap of faith and enter the second season.
After surprising the judges week after week with his well-planned arrangements and creativity, Stefan was eventually crowned the winner. Giving credit where credit is due, he dedicated his well-deserved win to no one else but his beloved gran.
Passionate about showcasing the magic of flowers, Stefan tells us more about what it entails…
Your floral arrangement style? I would simply describe it as fine art. Sophisticated, with the finest detail in simplicity, and a touch of drama. I also love accents of black, which I believe is one of my most evident trademarks.
Fave part of the job? Weddings! Just because I have such a big love for the beauty and creative side of it. I really enjoy working on bridal bouquets… and with that, the table decorations.
Most important elements of a good bouquet? A good balance of different colour combinations, textures, sizes and shapes. While the bouquet has to be loose and flowing, it’s still important for the focal point to pop. If it’s a bridal bouquet, it has to compliment the bride’s look and dress. One also has to be very careful for it not to overwhelm her overall look.
Your secret to the perfect flower arrangement? I usually start off with some good music. Then, I identify my focal point, and work my way around. I make sure to spread everything in a way that creates the perfect balance and rhythm. I then work in different levels and layers for some depth, and finish off by cutting the stems at a 45 deg angle. I frequently stand back and look at my arrangement through a mirror, to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
In a field of flowers, which one would you pick? I have not just one favourite flower, but four. I absolutely love a dahlia, old fashioned garden roses, ranunculus (the buttercup) and agrostemma (better known as the ocean pearl). These are by far my top four flowers. I think each one is very strong in its simplicity, offering such a beautiful focal and texture.
Which flower will always be in fashion? For me, an old-fashioned garden rose is the definition of timeless. For so long it’s been a favourite for many, and probably the most used and best-known flower at weddings.
If not in the garden, where can you be found? I really like spending time in the bushveld with my camera, photographing African wildlife. There is no better way for me to just relax. Even just visiting the farm in the heart of the bushveld and smelling the boma fire does it for me. Sometimes I might just sketch the African wildlife scenery and do artwork with dry, natural materials – hence my side business, Stofpad Fine Arts. Lastly, I really like to play piano when I get the opportunity.
What’s your gran like? My grandmother, Esme Claassens, is an ordinary, humble ‘boere tannie’ who doesn’t stand back for anything. She is an incredibly artistic person and can make anything creative with just her hands. She is obsessed with flowers and plants and so it goes without saying that she’s had a beautiful garden all these years. It was always so impressive to me as a little boy, always thinking ‘how can she be so good at what she does?’. It was magic to me! In my eyes, no one could ever compete with my gran – she’s just the very best.
What inspires you? I am certainly inspired by our exquisite African bushveld, and incredibly fond of our continent’s landscapes, shapes, colours and textures.
Competition highlights? My favourite part was the team challenge, which was actually something I was not looking forward to. I am not a person who likes to work in teams. I prefer to work alone because I have a very strong personality in the sense that I know exactly what I want something to look like. It can be difficult for me to make someone else’s visions a part of mine. Ironically enough, I can say with 100 per cent certainty that the team challenge was the most enjoyable one. It definitely changed my misperception of team work.
What did you learn from The Greenest Fingers? The biggest lesson I took home is the fact that I should not underestimate myself and my work. I need to believe in myself and my talents. I also shouldn’t be afraid to work under pressure because that’s exactly where, I realised, I excel. It’s important to hold on, push through, give your best and never give up. Oh, and have fun! The rest will take care of itself.
Details: Follow Black Tulip Floral & Décor Styling on Facebook and black_tulip_styling on Insta.
Must-know floral arranging tips:
- Always cut your solid, woody flower stems – such as roses at a 45 deg angle.
- Cut your pipe shaped stems (such as daffodils) with a straight angle.
- Choose flower colours that harmonise and complement each other.
- Put flowers in fresh cold tap water. No ice.
- Make use of repetition, rhythm, shapes and textures to keep it interesting.
- Do not shift flowers too much from cool to hot areas, as they will start getting droopy and damaged.
- If your hydrangeas gets droopy, cut the stems at a 45 deg angle and submerge them completely in water for two to three hours. They will be as good as new.
How to make your bouquet last longer:
- Remove any excess leaves.
- Refill with fresh water every two to three days.
- Cut stem at a 45 deg angle every two to three days.
- Woody stemmed flowers such as roses prefer a deep drink. Fill the vase with up to two thirds of water.
- Softer stems such as tulips and Ranunculus are happier with a shallow drink, so fill the vase just under halfway.
- Always put flowers in a cool area. No direct sunlight!
How to choose flowers for your next occasion:
- Once you know the type of occasion it will be, determine the colour pallet and style of the event.
- Choose flowers in different sizes and textures within your colour pallet.
- Local seasonal flowers are much cheaper than imported flowers.
- Choose the correct colour flowers with the correct meanings for the occasion (red = love, yellow = happiness, pink = romantic, white = purity, etc.)
