Welcome to the world of flower arranging and gifting!
Learn to arrange flowers with
Gerda Tuffin
Upcoming courses 2019
JANUARY
25 & 26 Introductory Course Cape Town (CT)
MARCH
18 & 19 Introductory Course Ladismith (LDS)
21 & 22 Gifting Course LDS
APRIL
3 & 4 Gifting Course CT
5 & 6 Business Course CT
MAY
1 & 2 Introductory Course CT
3 & 4 Bridal Course CT
JUNE
17 & 18 Business Course LDS
20 & 21 Introductory Course LDS
AUGUST
9 & 10 Introductory Course LDS
SEPTEMBER
20 & 21 Gifting Course LDS
23 & 24 Bridal Course LDS
OCTOBER
18 & 19 Introductory Course CT
NOVEMBER
12 & 13 Introductory Course LDS
15 & 16 Business Course LDS
(Dates and courses subject to change)
A passion for flowers is what drives us!
Come and share this love and master the art of arranging flowers under the watchful eye of Gerda in a safe and relaxing atmosphere. Gerda's gentle and nurturing method of teaching has helped hundreds of people from all walks of life learn the various techniques required to make a good arrangement.
You need no experience to come and do any of the courses as you just copy the demonstration. These are all very hands-on workshops and Gerda is there to guide you while you create your masterpieces.
Join Gerda for fun, interactive classes in a relaxed friendly environment.
Sign up today to book your place.
How it all started
The Cape School of Floristry was founded in 2001 by Gerda Tuffin in response to repeated requests for flower arranging tuition. In 1983 Gerda attended the Constantia School of Floristry with Joan Pare and in 1988 she graduated from Stellenbosch University with a B. Sc. Agric. degree in Horticulture. From 1992 until 2014, she and her husband, Bernard, owned Flowercraft Florists in Cape Town. This business expanded over the years into four shops around the Cape Peninsula. This flourishing business was then sold and they moved with their five children to their farm, The Country Garden / Beecatcher Guest Farm in Ladismith, Western Cape, in the Little Karoo. This was the fulfillment of a longstanding desire to move out of the city and raise their children in the countryside.
In November 2000 Gerda completed the International Course in Dutch and European Floral Design at the Boerma Institute, Aalsmeer, Holland. She has won many competitions in flower arranging over the years. Among her achievements are the Teleflorist Western Cape Champion for 2001, and Interflora Western Cape Designer of the Year for 2003 and 2005. She won second place at the National Interflora Designer of the Year 2006 and came 2nd overall winner in the Interflora Western Cape Designer of the Year 2007.
Gerda and her family have renovated a magnificent 100 year old Manor House on the farm which will now be used as the training centre to run workshops on their farm.
We are proud to be associated with the Clover Mama Afrika Trust and Gerda has been one of the trainers of the Mamas for the past few years at their Smarties week yearly event.
The various courses and workshops offered at the school cater for the absolute beginner, the more advanced flower arranger and for those seeking refresher courses.
A nurturing and encouraging environment will enable you to relax and enjoy the experience of spending some hours learning to arrange flowers and decorate gifts.
An added bonus is that one is away from the hustle and bustle of the city and can learn in the beautiful surroundings of Voorbaat Valley in Ladismith.
Accommodation is available in fully equipped self-catering cottages on the farm, (self-catering or Dinner, Bed & Breakfast options) as well as in the Manor House itself.
Customer comments:
I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful three weeks that you have given me. I really enjoyed the flower arranging course and have learnt so much. Thank you to you and your family and may God bless you all. I will definitely be attending more of your courses...
If heaven is going to be anything like the Saturday creative class, I will be happy to go there. Thank you! Every room is radiating harmony and happiness with its beautiful bouquet.
Baie dankie vir die heerlike Saterdae saam met jou, jou gesin, die ander studente en die wonderlike blomme. Ek het dit baie geniet en baie geleer. Ek is seker dat jy baie welverdiende komplimente kry oor jou blomme-kundigheid, die gehalte van jou kursus en die wyse waarop jy dit doen. Vir my voel dit asof jy ook spesiaal geseënd is om liefde en sonskyn uit te straal en so mense se lewens positief aan te raak. Dit is 'n wonderlike gawe...
Many thanks. I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next session (hopefully not too far in the future!)
A belated and quick thank you for the gifting course. I loved it! It was such great fun.
Just wanted to thank you once again for the wonderful time I had at your classes. I think I told everyone I know about them and that they should really go too!
L was verskriklik beïndruk met die kursus en het dit vreeslik geniet.
Dear Gerda, Thank you so much for an excellent course... I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved every minute of it; thanks of course to our excellent 'teacher'. :-)
Just wanted to say thanx for a wonderful course. I cannot wait to start
the next one.
Hi Gerda, I trust God for your family’s health and that you guys will travel safely back and forth as you venture into your new environment and as you continue to be a blessing to other peoples. I just wanted to again express that I had an awesome, an amazing experience with you and the other ladies. I have learned so much in these few days and I am excited to do the other classes starting the basic as soon as they start. I have really enjoyed every moment with you and the ladies.
Thank you for imparting into my life your knowledge of flowers, people, ideas from bows to ribbons, flowers to plants. I was truly blessed.
Dear Gerda, I just wanted to thank you and Dominic for an awesome two days. Everything was well planned and exceeded my expectations. KN
Thanks once again for a thoroughly enjoyed course. CL
Hi, I had a fabulous time at the flower arranging classes. Really love and enjoyed your sense of humour. Looking forward to attending the next class if possible. MM
Dear Gerda, Accept my heartfelt gratitude for your time, support and patience. I learnt so much and had a lot of fun! You are a wonderful teacher. Thank you. Blessings, HP
Hi Gerda, Just got home feeling a bit tired but incredibly energized and eager with so many ideas for the shop. My main aim was to get J educated and with more self confidence to assist in the shop but I walked away with so much too and its all thanks to you. Please do keep in touch and so will I. Please also keep me posted on future courses. CP
The Manor House - the Training Centre for The Cape School of Floristry in Ladismith
Hallo Gerda, Baie baie dankie vir twee onvergeetlike dae, ek bruis behoorlik van opwinding om nog en nog te doen, dit is ‘n fees om met blomme te werk! Dankie vir al jou kennis wat jy so vrylik met ons gedeel het, en die manier waarop jy die klas aangebied het, jy het met soveel entoesiasme gewerk, dit het beslis afgevee op ‘n mens! En die laaste twee rangskikkings, was die hoogtepunt! Dankie vir die liefllike orgidie. Ek het die hele opset baie positief ervaar, dankie vir die koffie en tee en koue water wat altyd beskikbaar was, en die middagete, ons het dit nie verwag nie, dit was meer as net ‘n “snack”! En dit was heerlik om saam met ‘n klomp vreemde mense te werk, en hulle te leer ken, almal sulke aangename mense. Hierdie was die grootste geskenk ooit, van myself aan myself!! CG
Dear Gerda, Landi was so excited when she came home Friday afternoon, (forgive my poor English). She said mom this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. O! Tannie Gerda is Wonderful!!!! Landi went for a interview at Bunches For Africa, she starts Monday in her new job. Because of the course she did with you her salary is slightly higher than the other beginner's. RD
