Maggie Sellwood follows the seasons at Pulkra Floral

I’m Maggie, the florist behind Pulkra Floral, based in sunny Brisbane, Australia. I work to honour the seasons by using Australian-grown flowers in my weddings and events. I’m drawn to flowers that are naturally beautiful and a little wild, and I always try to create something unique that encourages a deeper connection to nature.

You can also find me freelancing for other amazing, like-minded florists, including Braer! Working alongside other flower people is a way for me to keep practising and growing my craft while staying connected in the flower community.

Traditional school was never really my cup of tea. In high school, I was given the opportunity to take part in a weekly work experience program. As a passionate art student, I was placed in a small local farm and florist shop in my hometown. I fell in love with flowers almost immediately. I found a sense of purpose there, followed the flowers to Brisbane, and nine years on, I’ve never looked back.

Lately, I’ve been challenging myself to put Pulkra Floral out there more by finding new ways to connect, collaborate and build relationships with other creative people. I’m really interested in growing the brand while staying true to the values and style that started it all.

My creative process always begins with looking at what is in season and what is most beautiful at that particular time. From there, I’ll narrow things down depending on the client’s brief and the feeling we’re trying to create.

Towards the end of the process, I like to find a special ingredient, something unexpected that adds a little bit of intrigue. Sometimes it’s a clipping from my garden, and other times it might be a little foraging.

I’m particularly drawn to begonias at the moment — there are so many different varieties!

I also love the more detailed and intricate side of floristry. Modern designs for personal flowers, like wired bouquets and corsages, can be incredibly fiddly and somewhat tedious, but I really enjoy figuring out how to make them. I like a challenge!

I’m always looking for ways to build installations that are both beautiful and thoughtful, using sustainable mechanics and reusing materials wherever possible.

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Fashion often influences the colour palettes I’m drawn to, while a walk through nature might spark an unexpected combination of textures, shapes or colours. I love noticing how things exist together naturally and finding ways to translate that into my work.

Flowers have taught me about impermanence — to appreciate and embrace beauty while it is here. There’s something quite special about working with something that is naturally fleeting.

They’ve also shown me how easy it can be to make more considered, sustainable choices in the way we work with flowers. Perhaps because they don’t last forever, I think it’s important to be thoughtful about the life they have before, during and after an event.

Know that there will always be reasons to wait, doubt yourself or stay small, but you just have to keep experimenting and creating.

And never stop playing with flowers!