MOSES LAKE — There are principles that form the basis of an eye-pleasing floral arrangement. “But then there’s that art that goes into it,” said Erik Lampi, owner of Florist in the Garden.

The shop, at 221 East Third Ave. in Moses Lake, recently received a four-star award for customer service from FTD floral service, and was recognized for its 25-year partnership with FTD.

Florist in the Garden received a 98 percent positive customer rating from its FTD customers, he said. “This is pretty exciting.”

Lampi has owned the flower shop for two years, after a 20-year career as a teacher. “The opportunity came along. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, so I’ve been trying things.” He is a master gardener and was coordinator for the master gardener program, along with botany studies in college. “It’s a good fit.”

The shop sells some potted plants; recently the selection included a banana tree and peace lilies. But “we focus on floral arrangements.”

The goal is to provide customers with a wide range of options, “unique and original designs as well as traditional (arrangements).” People have been using flowers to express emotions for centuries, which of course has resulted in the aforementioned design principles. Lampi said he took courses in those principles, but “I have people who are way more talented than me” who do most of the arrangements. "I’d rather let other people blossom.”

The idea is to take the principles – after all they’re just the starting point – and use them to make a memorable design. “That’s where the art comes in,” Lampi commented.

“I know the people I have working here do that.”

The vase is part of the overall picture, and the vase has to complement the flowers and have a little flair besides. “I try not to order cases and cases of the same stuff.” He cited the big crystal vases as an example. “It’ll hold two dozen roses. We get lots of orders for two dozen roses.”

The floral business is international in scope, and as a result most flowers are available year-round. The determining factor is cost, Lampi said, and how much a customer wants to spend. The partnership with FTD allows the shop to send flowers almost anywhere in the world, he said.

“If you want a cool design with stuff that’s closer to home, we can do that, too.”

Customers can order flowers through the shop’s website, www.floristinthegarden.net, or by calling the shop, 509-766-0365. The shop is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.