Flowers for happy occasions: Joan Forbes a floral legend

Joan Forbes is indeed a legend in this country and needs no introduction; her floral arrangements and floral art having adorned the homes of presidents, prime ministers, stately homes, hotels and yachts, celebrates 45 years in the industry on 24 February, which also happens to be her birthday.

This remarkable woman who was a mere 19 when she first ventured out as a florist, juggled the duties of a newlywed, a mother and a career woman whilst in her teens; no mean feat indeed! 

However Joan initially had set her eyes on becoming a caterer as she was very accomplished in this area as well and enjoyed turning out a variety of delicacies for the delectation of her friends and family. At the age of 17 she undertook her first order of short-eats for a VIP cocktail party. Having delivered her order Joan eagerly awaited her first payment as she wanted to buy herself a lipstick amongst other things. “My mother wouldn’t allow me to wear lipstick and therefore I couldn’t wait to have my own money so I could go out and buy one.” Alas this was not to be as Joan never got paid for her delicious short-eats! 

Joan married Brian Forbes at the age of 19 and it was thanks to her sister in law Lorraine Abeysekere who was a florist in London that she came to take this path, which today sees her at the top of her chosen profession and indeed the Queen of Flowers!

“My sister in law was emigrating to Australia and she just told me to take over her business and that was how it happened. Nothing was planned or premeditated, it just happened!” 

Joan’s first job was the wedding of June Boralassa’s cousin. “My sister in law Lorraine had undertaken to do the wedding but as she was emigrating she just told me to take over and I did and that’s how it all started,” says Joan. “From thereon it just snowballed.”

Joan counts amongst her greatest supporters Mano Muthukrishna who once said, “Even dead flowers arranged by Joan are beautiful.” 

“Janet Balasuriya dressed the brides and I did their flowers,” said Joan. 

As for her most memorable and cherished assignments, “They were the visits of the two popes to Sri Lanka. To me there is nothing more I could have asked for,” says Joan who is a devout Catholic. 

Amongst Joan’s most significant achievements are when she was invited in April 2002 to serve on the panel of judges at the International Flower Show in Quebec, Canada. It was the very first time that a South Asian was selected to serve on the panel of judges. Joan also represented Sri Lanka at the International Flower Show where 15 countries participated and secured for her motherland the third place. Her entry ‘A land like no other’ was a work of art indeed.

“I also won the first prize for the orchid display, as well as third place for the Best Collection of Foliage,” she said.

Joan has participated in trade fairs in Singapore and the UK and conducted floral workshops in India.

Joan is an active member of Zonta, a founder member of the Women’s Chamber for Industry and Commerce, as well as the SAARC Women’s Cultural Association. 

As to why she never opened her own flower shop, Joan says she never meant to make this a business. “I was a very young wife and mother. We had one car a Peugeot 203 and I would drop my husband at work, drop the children off at school, rush to Maradana to buy flowers, pack the hoodrack to capacity with flowers, rush back to pick up the kids, do my flower arrangements, complete the household chores, and it was just one thing and another which led to today – 45 years in the flower business,” beams Joan. In fact Joan has been dealing with the same supplier of flowers, Gunadasa from Nuwara Eliya for the last 45 years. The business is now run by Gunadasa’s wife Indrani.

When the first five-star hotel opened its doors in Sri Lanka, namely the Inter Continental, Joan was worked off her feet. Weddings, parties, celebrations, VIP arrivals, Joan handled them all, so much so that when President Tito arrived in his yacht for the Non Aligned Summit, yes Joan was called upon to handle the floral arrangements for his yacht!

Former President J.R. Jayawardene was another of Joan’s fans and had her attend to all floral requirements during his tenures in office. The Queen’s visit was yet another memorable occasion for Joan who outdid herself on this occasion (as she always has with every assignment she undertakes).

Joan counts weddings amongst her most favourite assignments as they are happy occasions. “I love doing weddings and they are my favourite.” Joan has dressed three generations of brides and counts herself fortunate to have done so. 

As for artificial flowers, Joan is not a fan of them and avoids using them as much as possible.

Joan’s daughter Karen is now fully involved in the business and works alongside her mother, a testament to the fact that flowers do indeed bloom in Joan’s blood. 

Any regrets in her long and illustrious career? “None she replies and I would do it all over again and again. I love what I do and I hope I can continue till I literally drop!”