Susan McLeary Passionflower course review
6 min read
Contents:
- Quick Answer: What’s the Susan McLeary Passionflower Course Like?
- Who Is Susan McLeary, and Why Is She a Big Deal in Floristry?
- Deep Dive: What Does the Passionflower Course Actually Teach?
- Course Structure and User Experience
- Learning Approach
- Special Techniques
- What Makes Susan McLeary’s Course Stand Out?
- Focused on Wearable Florals (Not Just Arrangements)
- Real-World Application
- Lifetime Access & Community
- How Does It Compare to Other Floristry Courses in the US?
- Pros and Cons: The Real Trade-Offs
- Pros
- Cons
- Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Take This Course?
- Student Voices: Honest Experiences
- FAQ: Susan McLeary Passionflower Course, Answered
- How much does the Susan McLeary Passionflower course cost in 2026?
- Do I need floral experience before starting this course?
- What supplies do I need, and are they easy to find in the US?
- Does the course include business advice?
- Is there a certificate or official accreditation?
- Ready to Try Susan McLeary’s Approach? Explore Your Next Step
Susan McLeary Passionflower Course Review: Is It Worth the Hype?
Picture this: a botanist-turned-artist whose flower crowns have graced Vogue covers and whose Instagram (@passionflowersue) is a lush parade of wearable petals. That’s Susan McLeary–known as Passionflower Sue–and her approach to floristry is rewriting the rules for American floral designers in 2026. Her online course, “The Art of Wearable Flowers,” promises to unlock the alchemy of turning everyday blooms into living jewelry. But what’s it really like to take her class? Here’s a hands-on, honest review from a florist’s-eye view.
Quick Answer: What’s the Susan McLeary Passionflower Course Like?
- Length: 7+ hours of HD, on-demand video, split into 10 modules
- Cost: $245 USD (as of June 2026)
- Format: Self-paced online lessons with lifetime access, downloadable PDFs, and a private community
- Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate florists and flower lovers
- Highlights: Step-by-step video demos, signature techniques for jewelry, crowns, and botanical tattoos
- Downsides: Limited direct feedback unless you upgrade; not focused on classic arrangements
In short: The Passionflower course stands out for turning floristry into tactile art. If making wearable flowers excites you–and you’re fine learning via video instead of in-person workshops–this is the gold standard for American creatives.
Who Is Susan McLeary, and Why Is She a Big Deal in Floristry?
Susan McLeary’s journey didn’t start with roses and ribbons. She studied horticulture, then blended science with artistry to create “botanical couture”–think moss earrings or succulent tiaras. Her work’s been featured by The New York Times and Martha Stewart Weddings, and she’s taught at the American Institute of Floral Designers’ Symposium.
What sets Susan apart in 2026?
- Innovation: She pioneered the concept of living jewelry in the US.
- Teaching experience: Over 3,500 students globally have taken her online courses since 2020.
- Commercial influence: Her approach has inspired US event florists, with 17% of surveyed designers (source: Florist Business Monthly, Jan 2026) offering “wearable florals” as a premium service.
“Susan makes floristry feel like sculpture–suddenly, the rules disappear and you’re left with pure creative play.”
– Toni Ramirez, AIFD, Brooklyn-based floral artist
Deep Dive: What Does the Passionflower Course Actually Teach?
Course Structure and User Experience
Susan’s course is divided into 10 core modules, each centered on a type of wearable floral art:
- Flower crowns and hairpieces
- Botanical bracelets and necklaces
- Living rings and earrings
- Temporary botanical tattoos
- Floral fascinators and more
Each module features video demonstrations shot in natural light, so you can see true colors and textures. The downloadable PDFs give recipes, supply lists (with links to US vendors like Florabundance and Oasis Floral Products), and step-by-step instructions.
Learning Approach
- Hands-On Projects: Each lesson ends with a “Try it Yourself” project–expect to create at least 7 distinct wearable pieces by the end.
- Materials Used: Real flowers (garden roses, ranunculus, succulents), floral adhesive, light jewelry wire, craft tools–no hot glue required.
- Community: Enrollees get access to a private Passionflower Circle group with monthly “critique circles” hosted on Zoom.
Special Techniques
Susan’s signature method is her approach to securing delicate blooms without weighing them down. She teaches the “floating wire” technique for crowns (holds up for 8+ hours; tested at outdoor events), and the “skin-safe glue” hack for botanical tattoos–a game-changer for wedding makeup artists.
What Makes Susan McLeary’s Course Stand Out?
Focused on Wearable Florals (Not Just Arrangements)
While most US florist courses zone in on bouquets, arches, or table centerpieces, this program is almost entirely wearable. That’s a unique selling point for event florists looking to diversify their portfolio, or for hobbyists bored of traditional arrangements.
Real-World Application
Several American florists reported direct ROI:
- Megan Lee, Seattle: Added $1,200/month in wearable add-ons for 2025 weddings after the course.
- Elise Grant, Phoenix: Sold over 250 botanical bracelets last Mother’s Day, crediting Susan’s flexible techniques for boosting production speed by 40% (source: private florist Facebook group poll, 2026).
Lifetime Access & Community
Unlike one-off workshops, you get lifetime access to updated modules. The private group hosts regular Q&As, and Susan herself answers select questions–though instant feedback is reserved for the “Mentor Add-On” ($475 USD tier).
How Does It Compare to Other Floristry Courses in the US?
| Feature | Passionflower (Susan McLeary) | Team Flower (Online) | Floret Workshops | Skillshare Floristry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Wearable floral design | Business & arranging | Flower farming | Basic arranging |
| Price (2026) | $245 (self-paced), $475 (mentor) | $397 (annual) | $2,300+ (3-day workshop) | $32/month |
| Lifetime access | Yes | No | No | No |
| Project-based | Yes (7+ projects) | Some | Yes | Yes |
| Feedback from instructor | Limited/paid | Limited/none | Yes, in-person | None |
| Best for | Creative florists, stylists | Business-minded, new florists | Pros, flower farmers | Hobbyists |
Passionflower wins on affordability, project diversity, and unique content, especially for designers wanting to stand out in the 2026 US event market.
Pros and Cons: The Real Trade-Offs
Pros
- Exceptional creativity–not your typical floristry class
- High-quality video and photography
- Real-world, scalable techniques for US florists
- Strong community; new content added annually
Cons
- Minimal business/marketing instruction
- Limited instructor feedback unless upgrading
- Not ideal for those seeking classic arrangements
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Take This Course?
Great Fit:
- Event florists seeking unique add-ons for weddings, proms, and editorial shoots
- DIY flower lovers wanting to make crowns or jewelry for parties or gifts
- Makeup artists and stylists diversifying their skillset for the 2026 wedding season
Maybe Not For:
- Those wanting only traditional bouquet or centerpiece training
- Absolute beginners scared of fiddly, detailed work
- Florists looking for in-depth business coaching
Student Voices: Honest Experiences
“I signed up because I was bored with bouquets. Now, half my clients ask for botanical bracelets! Susan’s method is gentle on the flowers–and my wrists. I made my investment back in one wedding season.”
– Celeste Brown, Portland, OR
“The course finally showed me how to get delicate flower earrings to last all day. The videos are beautiful and detailed, though I wish there was a live Q&A every month at the basic tier.”
– Jamie Tran, Chicago, IL
FAQ: Susan McLeary Passionflower Course, Answered
How much does the Susan McLeary Passionflower course cost in 2026?
The self-paced course costs $245 USD, with an optional mentor tier at $475 USD that adds monthly Zoom feedback sessions and portfolio reviews.
Do I need floral experience before starting this course?
Beginner to intermediate skill levels are welcome. While some basic familiarity with flowers and craft tools helps, Susan starts with foundational techniques.
What supplies do I need, and are they easy to find in the US?
You’ll need fresh flowers (sourced locally or via US wholesalers like Mayesh or BloomsByTheBox), floral adhesive, jewelry wire, and a few craft tools. All materials are easily available online or at US craft stores.
Does the course include business advice?
There’s a brief module on pricing wearable florals and upselling to clients, but it’s not a deep dive. For robust business training, Team Flower or Floret’s workshops are better options.
Is there a certificate or official accreditation?
Yes, you’ll receive a digital certificate of completion–great for portfolios or demonstrating education to potential clients, though it’s not accredited by a formal institution.
Ready to Try Susan McLeary’s Approach? Explore Your Next Step
Curiosity and a pair of nimble hands are the only true prerequisites. For florists and creative souls looking to stand out in the ever-evolving US floral market, Susan McLeary’s Passionflower course offers not just new skills, but a new way to see flowers–as art, as adornment, as a calling card. If you’ve ever wanted your designs to grace a runway, a wedding, or the pages of Vogue, this course gives you the blueprint. Check her website for the next enrollment window, gather a bucket of blooms, and see what’s possible when you learn from a true original.
