Complete Florist Guide to Flower Varieties
Popular Wedding & Event Flowers
Roses
Varieties: Garden roses, spray roses, standard roses, David Austin roses Colors: Full spectrum available Vase Life: 5-7 days Peak Season: Year-round availability Care: Cut stems at 45° angle underwater, remove lower leaves, use flower food Uses: Bridal bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, corsages Notes: Garden roses offer more texture and fragrance than standard roses. Spray roses provide multiple blooms per stem.
Peonies
Varieties: Sarah Bernhardt, Coral Charm, Bowl of Beauty, Festiva Maxima Colors: White, pink, coral, burgundy, yellow Vase Life: 3-5 days Peak Season: Late spring to early summer Care: Cut in bud stage, condition in cool water, refrigerate to slow opening Uses: Bridal bouquets, statement centerpieces Notes: Expensive and seasonal. Ants on buds are normal and harmless.
Hydrangeas
Varieties: Mophead, lacecap, limelight, annabelle Colors: Blue, pink, white, green, purple Vase Life: 3-5 days Peak Season: Summer through fall Care: Cut underwater, submerge entire head briefly, use alum or flower food Uses: Large arrangements, ceremony décor, rustic designs Notes: Prone to wilting. Mist regularly and keep cool.
Ranunculus
Varieties: Italian, French, cloni Colors: White, pink, yellow, orange, red, purple Vase Life: 5-7 days Peak Season: Spring, some availability in fall Care: Cut short initially, recut as stems elongate, cool storage Uses: Bridal work, delicate arrangements, boutonnieres Notes: Papery, layered petals. Handle gently to avoid bruising.
Lisianthus
Varieties: Single, double, piccolo (mini) Colors: White, pink, purple, blue, yellow, green Vase Life: 7-10 days Peak Season: Summer Care: Standard conditioning, remove wilted flowers to encourage others Uses: Wedding bouquets, mixed arrangements, substitutes for roses Notes: Excellent vase life. Buds continue opening after cutting.
Everyday Arrangement Flowers
Chrysanthemums
Varieties: Disbuds, pompons, spoons, decoratives Colors: Yellow, white, bronze, purple, pink, red Vase Life: 7-14 days Peak Season: Fall (available year-round) Care: Strip lower leaves, cut stems, use antimicrobial solution Uses: Fall arrangements, everyday bouquets, sympathy work Notes: Associated with autumn and memorial arrangements in Western culture.
Alstroemeria
Varieties: Standard, mini, butterfly Colors: Pink, white, yellow, orange, purple, red Vase Life: 7-10 days Peak Season: Year-round Care: Twist or pull stems rather than cutting, remove spent blooms Uses: Mixed bouquets, everyday arrangements, long-lasting displays Notes: Excellent value flower with multiple blooms per stem.
Carnations
Varieties: Standard, spray, mini Colors: Full spectrum available Vase Life: 7-14 days Peak Season: Year-round Care: Cut between nodes, avoid crushing stems, use flower food Uses: Everyday arrangements, sympathy work, budget-friendly options Notes: Often underrated but long-lasting and versatile.
Gerbera Daisies
Varieties: Standard, mini Colors: Pink, orange, yellow, red, white, purple Vase Life: 5-7 days Peak Season: Year-round Care: Cut underwater, support hollow stems, avoid getting water on petals Uses: Cheerful arrangements, children's bouquets, modern designs Notes: Stems may bend; use floral wire or tubes for support if needed.
Sunflowers
Varieties: Large, medium, small, branching types Colors: Yellow, orange, red, burgundy, white Vase Life: 5-8 days Peak Season: Summer through fall Care: Cut thick stems with sharp knife, use flower food, support heavy heads Uses: Rustic arrangements, fall displays, cheerful bouquets Notes: Remove leaves below waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
Seasonal Specialty Flowers
Spring Flowers
Tulips
Varieties: Triumph, parrot, fringed, lily-flowered Colors: Full spectrum, including bicolors Vase Life: 3-5 days Care: Cut in cool water, keep cool, stems continue growing after cutting Uses: Spring arrangements, Easter displays, simple bouquets Notes: Stems curve toward light; rotate arrangements regularly.
Daffodils
Varieties: Trumpet, large-cupped, small-cupped, double Colors: Yellow, white, bicolors with orange cups Vase Life: 3-5 days Care: Condition alone first (stems emit substance harmful to other flowers) Uses: Spring displays, Easter arrangements, naturalistic designs Notes: Don't mix with other flowers for 12 hours after cutting.
Iris
Varieties: Bearded, Dutch, Siberian Colors: Purple, blue, yellow, white, bicolors Vase Life: 3-5 days Care: Cut in bud stage, remove spent blooms to encourage others Uses: Elegant arrangements, mixed bouquets, garden-style designs Notes: Buds open sequentially; remove spent blooms daily.
Summer Flowers
Gladiolus
Varieties: Standard, miniature, primulinus Colors: Full spectrum available Vase Life: 5-7 days Care: Cut when bottom 2-3 florets show color, remove spent blooms Uses: Tall arrangements, ceremony décor, dramatic displays Notes: Flowers open from bottom to top; provides vertical interest.
Delphinium
Varieties: Elatum, belladonna, Pacific Giant Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white Vase Life: 5-7 days Care: Cut stems underwater, hollow stems benefit from water-filled tubes Uses: Tall arrangements, cottage garden styles, wedding backdrops Notes: Toxic if ingested; handle with care.
Larkspur
Varieties: Rocket, branching types Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white Vase Life: 5-7 days Care: Cut when half the flowers are open, remove lower leaves Uses: Cottage garden arrangements, mixed bouquets, dried flowers Notes: Good alternative to delphinium; less expensive.
Fall Flowers
Dahlias
Varieties: Dinner plate, ball, pompon, decorative Colors: All except blue Vase Life: 3-5 days Care: Cut in early morning, sear stem ends in boiling water Uses: Fall arrangements, wedding bouquets, statement pieces Notes: Hollow stems prone to air bubbles; searing helps water uptake.
Celosia
Varieties: Plume (feathered), cristata (cockscomb), spicata (wheat) Colors: Red, orange, yellow, pink, purple Vase Life: 7-10 days Care: Standard conditioning, excellent for drying Uses: Fall arrangements, textural interest, dried flower crafts Notes: Maintains color well when dried.
Winter Flowers
Amaryllis
Varieties: Large-flowered, miniature Colors: Red, white, pink, salmon, striped Vase Life: 5-7 days Care: Cut thick, hollow stems with sharp knife, support if needed Uses: Holiday arrangements, dramatic centerpieces Notes: Heavy blooms may require stem support with wire or stakes.
Hellebores
Varieties: Christmas rose, Lenten rose, hybrid varieties Colors: White, pink, purple, green, black Vase Life: 3-5 days Care: Cut and immediately place in warm water, sear stems Uses: Winter arrangements, textural interest, unusual color palette Notes: Difficult to condition but beautiful when successful.
Filler Flowers & Greenery
Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)
Varieties: Million star, perfecta, mirabella Colors: White, pink, dyed colors Vase Life: 7-10 days Uses: Wedding bouquets, filler in arrangements, dried flowers Notes: Excellent fresh or dried; adds delicate texture.
Waxflower
Varieties: White, pink varieties Colors: White, pink, purple Vase Life: 7-10 days Uses: Mixed bouquets, filler, long-lasting arrangements Notes: Waxy texture resists wilting; good shipping flower.
Solidago (Goldenrod)
Varieties: Tara, solidaster Colors: Yellow, white Vase Life: 7-10 days Uses: Fall arrangements, filler, textural interest Notes: Provides spray of small flowers; good volume builder.
Greenery Options
Eucalyptus
Varieties: Silver dollar, seeded, baby blue, gunni Uses: Arrangements, garlands, aromatic element Care: Cut stems, mist lightly, long-lasting Notes: Popular for wedding work; pleasant fragrance.
Leather Leaf Fern
Uses: Traditional arrangement filler, funeral work Care: Mist regularly, long vase life Notes: Classic florist green; provides backdrop for flowers.
Ruscus
Varieties: Italian, Israeli Uses: Filler, linear interest, long-lasting green Care: Minimal care needed, very hardy Notes: Excellent for shipping; maintains appearance well.
Exotic & Premium Flowers
Orchids
Varieties: Phalaenopsis, dendrobium, cymbidium, oncidium Colors: White, pink, purple, yellow, green, spotted varieties Vase Life: 7-14 days Care: Cut underwater, use orchid food if available, cool storage Uses: Premium arrangements, corsages, exotic bouquets Notes: Expensive but long-lasting; tropical appearance.
Protea
Varieties: King protea, pin cushion, safari sunset Colors: Pink, orange, red, yellow, white Vase Life: 7-14 days Care: Cut stems, minimal water needed, good for drying Uses: Exotic arrangements, modern designs, dried flowers Notes: South African native; unique texture and appearance.
Bird of Paradise
Varieties: Orange, white Colors: Orange and blue, white and blue Vase Life: 7-10 days Care: Cut stems, gentle handling to avoid damage Uses: Tropical arrangements, dramatic centerpieces Notes: Exotic appearance; requires careful handling.
Anthurium
Varieties: Standard, miniature, obake Colors: Red, pink, white, green, purple Vase Life: 7-14 days Care: Clean stems, cool storage, handle carefully Uses: Tropical arrangements, modern designs, long-lasting displays Notes: Waxy, heart-shaped spathes; very long vase life.
Care & Conditioning Guidelines
Universal Conditioning Steps
Cut stems at 45° angle under running water
Remove all foliage below waterline
Use clean, cool water with flower food
Place in cool location away from direct heat/sunlight
Recut stems every 2-3 days
Change water regularly
Special Conditioning Techniques
Woody Stems (lilac, forsythia)
Cut stems and crush or split ends
Place in warm water initially
Some benefit from scraping bark from stem ends
Hollow Stems (delphinium, amaryllis)
Turn upside down and fill with water
Plug with cotton or floral foam
Or use water tubes for support
Milky Stems (poppy, dahlia)
Sear cut ends in boiling water for 10 seconds
Or hold over flame briefly
Prevents stem from sealing shut
Bulb Flowers (tulip, daffodil)
Use cool water
Don't cut too much stem initially
Keep in cool environment to slow development
Storage Guidelines
Most flowers: 34-38°F (1-3°C)
Tropical flowers: 50-55°F (10-13°C)
High humidity (80-90%) preferred
Good air circulation essential
Avoid storing with fruits (ethylene gas)
Flower Food Benefits
Provides sugar for energy
Contains acidifiers to improve water uptake
Includes antimicrobials to reduce bacteria
Significantly extends vase life when used properly
Signs of Quality
Firm, turgid stems
Fresh, vibrant foliage
Buds showing color but not fully open
No brown or black edges on petals
Pleasant or neutral scent (avoid sour odors)
Common Problems & Solutions
Drooping heads: Recut stems, check for air bubbles
Short vase life: Use flower food, change water regularly
Brown petal edges: Usually age or handling damage
Bent stems: May indicate poor handling or dehydration
Cloudy water: Bacterial growth; change water and clean vase
Seasonal Availability Calendar
Spring (March-May)
Peak: Tulips, daffodils, iris, peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas, cherry blossoms
Summer (June-August)
Peak: Roses, lisianthus, delphinium, larkspur, gladiolus, sunflowers, zinnias
Fall (September-November)
Peak: Chrysanthemums, dahlias, celosia, asters, solidago, marigolds
Winter (December-February)
Peak: Amaryllis, hellebores, forced bulbs, imported flowers from Southern Hemisphere
Year-Round Availability
Roses, alstroemeria, carnations, chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies, baby's breath, most greenery
