Every Interflora bouquet has a story behind it.
Before the flowers arrive at someone’s door there’s a florist choosing the blooms considering the colours working with the seasons and bringing it all together by hand.
For Iona Van Der Pasch of Moss & Co that love of flowers has shaped almost three decades of her life.
From training as a young florist in 1998 to running her own floral studio and small flower farm today Iona has spent 28 years doing what she loves most “flowering people’s worlds.“
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Iona began her floristry career in 1998 when she trained at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic earning her Certificate in Floristry and a Diploma of Interflora Procedures with Distinction.
It was also the beginning of a relationship with Interflora that has continued throughout her career.
Iona worked in Interflora studios as she developed her craft learning from florists she still describes as world class. When she opened her own business in 2019 continuing that connection felt natural.
“I’ve always held Interflora in the highest regard. I loved the design work over the years and always viewed Interflora florists as having the highest standard of work. My mentors as a junior florist were world-class Interflora florists.”
For her that’s part of the magic.
MORE THAN MAKING SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL
Ask Iona what she loves most about being a florist and her answer isn’t simply the flowers.
It’s the people. Working within a small rural community means a florist becomes part of many of life’s moments. Over the years those moments have allowed Iona to build meaningful relationships with the people around her.
“In a small rural town you build such wonderful relationships with the community and being able to flower their world is an absolute honour.”
When flowers are being sent for an important moment there’s a real person behind them who understands what that gesture can mean.
SO WHAT IS A FLORIST’S FAVOURITE FLOWER?
“Yikes! I can’t answer that question haha.”
Her favourites are constantly changing.
Rather than having one flower she always returns to Iona loves discovering something unexpected, whether that’s an unusual bloom an interesting piece of foliage a beautiful colour or a new texture.
Her tastes can stretch from the humble daisy to the exotic waterlily.
And we think that’s a pretty good answer.
INSPIRED BY NATURE
Iona’s relationship with flowers began long before she became a florist.
Growing up surrounded by keen gardeners gave her an early appreciation for nature and for getting her hands dirty. Iona also has a small flower farm of her own where her love of flowers and plants gets to extend from arranging them to growing them.
“I have worked for and alongside some beautiful souls in my floristry journey and learnt so much from each and every one of them. And I’m still learning! It’s important to still do that regardless of how long you have been in the industry.”
And when it comes to what keeps her motivated?
That answer is much easier.
Her family.
BRINGING BLOOMS AND BOTANICALS TOGETHER
There’s a line Iona uses to describe Moss & Co that captures her approach beautifully:
“Bringing blooms and botanicals together in perfect harmony.”
Her work combines years of technical experience with curiosity and a love of the natural world.
Rather than simply following a formula Iona continues to search for interesting combinations of flowers foliage colour and texture.
That creative approach has also earned recognition over the years.
Iona was named Outstanding Florist at the Wedding Industry Awards NZ in 2016.
WHEN YOUR JOB DOESN’T FEEL LIKE A JOB
Perhaps the best way to understand Iona as a florist is simply to let her explain it.
“I love my job because for me it’s not a job. It’s living my passion and being able to share my flower passion with others is magical in itself.”
Twenty-eight years after beginning her training that passion is still there.
It’s in her floral studio. Her flower farm. The unusual bloom she discovers. The relationships she’s built within her community. And every arrangement she creates for the people who trust her to help mark an important moment.
MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE FLOWERS
Iona is one of the talented local florists who make up the Interflora network across New Zealand.
When you order through Interflora your bouquet is handcrafted by a local florist using their experience creativity and knowledge of flowers to create something beautiful for the person receiving it.
Because flowers mean more when there’s a real person behind them.
MADE LOCAL. MADE TO MEAN MORE.