Blooming Through Life’s Seasons

Born and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Coral “Coralee” Carinus spent the first 45 years of her life there. It was a life rich with family: two wonderful children, a 25-year marriage, and a home that held decades of memories. When that marriage ended, it marked one of the most difficult chapters she had ever faced. But endings have a way of clearing ground for something new to grow. In 2007, she packed up everything familiar and moved to South Africa to start again. She arrived with little more than hope, determination, and a quiet courage to rebuild. What she didn’t know then was that her fresh start would lead her to flowers.

Actually, it feels more accurate to say that flowers found her. When healing was needed most, they became her therapy, her creative outlet, and eventually, her calling. With no formal training, she threw herself into learning the craft. There were long days, and even longer nights, that she spent teaching herself to work with stem, colour, and texture, driven by instinct and an innate love for nature. She has always loved gardens and the wild beauty of the natural world, and floristry gave her a way to bring that passion indoors every single day.

From humble beginnings at her dining room table, Coralee’s Florist was born. Before long, her house had transformed into a bustling florist and gift shop, filled with blooms, carefully chosen treasures, and her two loyal greeters: her beloved dogs, Hugo (who has sadly since passed on) and Bella, who became as much a part of the brand as the flowers themselves.

As demand grew, so did the business. Moving to a charming little shop in Hillcrest made Coralee’s a local favourite for beautiful, abundant arrangements, warmth, and personal service. Inspired by internationally renowned floral designer Paula Pryke, her style embraced colour, movement, and natural beauty to create arrangements that felt generous, joyful, and alive. Then came the lockdown, and like for so many small businesses, everything changed. The shop was forced to close, and the future felt uncertain, but she invested in herself, studying further and deepening her knowledge of flowers. When restrictions were lifted, she brought the business back home and opened her doors not only to customers, but to students too.

Today, from her home in Umdloti, surrounded by her beautiful garden and her ever-present companion, Bella, Coralee has found her greatest passion: teaching.

She offers intimate, hands-on courses for everyone from complete beginners to advanced florists. Her three-day Beginner Course introduces the fundamentals, while the four-day Intermediate and five-day Advanced courses build confidence and artistry, each a prerequisite for the next. She also hosts joyful one-day arrangement classes designed for friends to laugh, create and connect, plus seasonal wreath-making workshops for Christmas, two-day bridal and table styling courses, and specialised funeral tributes.

Watching someone with no experience discover their own creativity is what she loves most. Many of her students have gone on to launch their own floristry careers, carrying a little piece of Coralee’s Florist with them.

She no longer takes on large-scale weddings, Durban July events, or major corporate installations, but she looks back on that chapter with immense pride. As a single woman, she built a business through sheer perseverance, passion and hard work. That journey has earned her something even more valuable than success: the loyalty of customers across South Africa and abroad, many of whom still trust Coralee’s to deliver flowers to loved ones back home.

Flowers have given her more than a career. They have given her purpose, healing, friendship, and a way to inspire others. She is now pouring all of that knowledge into a flower tutorial book currently in the works.

“If there is one lesson my journey has taught me, it is that even after life’s hardest seasons, we can bloom again,” she says.

DIY Flower Crown

You will need:
• Floral wire for the base
• A straight length of fresh rosemary
• Fine bullion wire (continuous roll)
• A selection of small fresh flowers
• Small pieces of foliage
• Floral scissors or secateurs
• Ribbon, if desired

Method:

1. Measure the head
Measure around the head where the crown will sit. Cut your floral wire to the required length, allowing a little extra for joining and finishing.

2. Prepare the rosemary
Choose a good, straight piece of rosemary and cut it to approximately the same length as your wire band. Lay the rosemary alongside the wire.

3. Prepare your flower clusters
Create small clusters of flowers and foliage, keeping the stems short and neat. Combine different flowers and textures within each little cluster rather than attaching individual flowers one at a time.

4. Attach the clusters
Using fine bullion wire, attach each flower cluster directly onto the rosemary and wire band at the same time. Wrap the wire securely around the stems, rosemary and base.

5. Build your design
Continue working in one direction, slightly overlapping each cluster with the previous one. This creates a continuous flow while the rosemary and flowers conceal the mechanics underneath. Pay attention to balance, colour, texture and natural movement.

6. Finish the crown
When you reach the end, continue securing everything neatly with bullion wire. Check the crown from all angles and make sure every cluster is firmly attached.

7. Create the fastening
Cut the bullion wire once the crown is secure. Form the end into a small loop and secure it with three neat knots. Thread ribbon through the loops for an adjustable or decorative finish.

A little Coralee’s Florist secret

“I love using rosemary as the foundation of my flower crowns. It gives the crown structure, fragrance and a beautiful natural finish, while the bullion wire allows me to secure each little cluster without exposing the mechanics.”

www.coraleesflorist.co.za