Business is Blooming! Belgian to Open Dumbo Flower School

The Belgian Nico De Swert, the prodigal arranger of flowers, will open a flower school and flower shop at 81 Front Street in Dumbo.

Mr. De Swert is, in the arcane world of flower arrangement, a rare orchid. He has appeared in countless magazines, published a book called Living With Flowers and, in perhaps his crowning achievement to date, has his own line of flower arrangements in partnership with 1-800-Flowers.

Mr. De Swert has made his nut in flower sculptures—like his bursting melons made from red Berlin roses and lemon leaves, and his gorgeous arrangements, like the $950 “bleached Salix, pink Ranunculus, blue Muscari, and white Zantedeschia” bouquet featured in New York magazine last year.

In an advertisement for 1-800-Flowers, available on YouTube, Mr. De Swert explains how he left acting, fell in love with blooms and now sees flowers, those seductive vessels of plant reproduction, as his actors.

“It has always been my main goal to open a European-style floral shop that displays the advanced design techniques that my home, Belgium, is so recognized for,” Mr. De Swert said in a statement. “I’m thrilled to start a school that will teach people the sensual art of floral design and how to properly care for flowers.”

Mr. De Swert has signed a 10-year lease for 6,600 square feet. Though some last-minute details are still being worked out, his shop is expected to open in 2009, ending the Peas & Pickles hothouse monopoly in the neighborhood.

Caroline Pardo, director of leasing for landlord Two Trees Management, brokered the lease.

drubinstein@observer.com