James M. DelPrince

Indoor plants and floral designs add so much vibrancy, indeed life, to the places where people work and live. Nurturing plants or just being around a design of fresh cut flowers keeps us closer to nature and in tune with our environment. Interior plantscaping and floral design are important facets of floriculture, growing ornamental plants for design and sale.

Like many other horticulturists, my interest in plants and flowers was passed along to me from my father who loved to garden. I began my career while in junior high, working at a plant store and nursery. This wonderful shop allowed customers to escape the cold, dreary, lingering winter, smell the fragrances and feel the humidity of tender plants growing in moist earth. Sensory experiences such as this leave an impression with people, sometimes changing their lives.

Mississippi State University's Horticulture major offers students the opportunity to work in The University Florist, a full-service floral shop. I joined faculty at MSU in 1996 and teach courses in Interior Plantscaping, Floral Design, Wedding Floral Design and Permanent Botanical Floral Design. I am delighted to have the opportunity to co-author Principles of Floral Design with my friend and colleague Pat Scace of the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.