Morris “Buddy” Benz gained national and international acclaim as a floral designer, author, and lecturer whose pioneering work transformed floral arranging into a recognized art form. After earning his Bachelor of Science in landscape art and horticulture from Texas A&M University in 1932, Benz served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army before dedicating his life to the floral arts. His deep understanding of design and nature led him to develop innovative theories that reshaped how floral arrangements were conceived and appreciated.

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Benz’s groundbreaking principles of design, which emphasized form, interpretation, and artistic expression, were detailed in his influential books Free Form – Interpretive Design and Flowers: Abstract Form. Through these works, he introduced techniques that elevated floral design from decorative craft to fine art, inspiring generations of florists and designers to view their work as a creative and emotional medium. His approach presented floral arrangements as visual art meant to evoke thought and feeling rather than simply adorn spaces.

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As he neared retirement, Benz sought to ensure his vision would continue to flourish. He established the Benz School of Floral Design within the Department of Horticulture at Texas A&M University—an enduring institution dedicated to advancing floral education and design. Following his death in 1980, his family further honored his legacy by endowing the world’s only academic chair in floral design at Texas A&M. Today, his influence continues to shape the field, inspiring both professional florists and students worldwide.