Comprehensive Flower Varieties Guide for Florists
Rose Varieties
Premium Garden Roses
David Austin Roses: Large, fragrant blooms with layered petals. Popular varieties include Juliet, Patience, and Keira. Excellent for romantic arrangements and weddings.
Café au Lait: Creamy white with blush pink edges. Strong fragrance and excellent vase life of 7-10 days.
Quicksand: Antique mauve color with brown undertones. Unique coloring perfect for vintage-themed arrangements.
Standard Roses
Red Naomi: Deep red, large heads, excellent for Valentine's Day and romantic occasions.
Avalanche: Pure white, reliable choice for weddings and sympathy arrangements.
Pink Mondial: Soft pink with excellent form, versatile for various occasions.
Freedom: Deep red with strong stems, classic choice for traditional arrangements.
Spray Roses
Majolika: Pink spray roses with multiple blooms per stem, cost-effective for larger arrangements.
Mimi Eden: White spray roses with pink edges, delicate appearance for romantic designs.
Bombastic: Red spray roses, vibrant color for bold arrangements.
Seasonal Flowers
Spring Flowers (March - May)
Tulips: Available in numerous colors and varieties. Vase life: 5-7 days. Handle carefully as stems continue growing in water.
Daffodils: Bright yellow, symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. Toxic sap requires special handling.
Hyacinths: Fragrant spikes in pink, blue, white, and purple. Strong scent may be overwhelming in small spaces.
Anemones: Papery petals in vibrant colors. Delicate but striking for spring arrangements.
Ranunculus: Layered, ruffled petals resembling small peonies. Excellent texture flower.
Summer Flowers (June - August)
Sunflowers: Bold, cheerful blooms. Remove lower leaves to prevent bacterial growth.
Delphiniums: Tall spikes in blue, purple, pink, and white. Excellent for height in arrangements.
Lisianthus: Rose-like blooms with papery texture. Long-lasting and elegant.
Stock: Fragrant spikes available year-round but peak in summer. Excellent filler flower.
Gladioli: Tall spikes with multiple blooms. Remove spent flowers to encourage others to open.
Fall Flowers (September - November)
Chrysanthemums: Available in numerous forms - button mums, spider mums, football mums. Symbol of autumn.
Dahlias: Large, showy blooms in various forms. Handle stems carefully as they're hollow and fragile.
Asters: Small, daisy-like flowers in purple, pink, and white. Excellent filler flowers.
Celosia: Unique texture in cockscomb or plume forms. Adds interesting texture to arrangements.
Winter Flowers (December - February)
Amaryllis: Large, trumpet-shaped blooms. Often used for holiday arrangements.
Poinsettias: Traditional Christmas flower. Handle carefully as they're sensitive to temperature changes.
Holly: Glossy leaves with red berries. Classic winter greenery.
Pine and Evergreen Branches: Essential for winter and holiday arrangements.
Exotic and Tropical Flowers
Orchids
Phalaenopsis: Moth orchids with long-lasting blooms. Available in white, pink, purple, and spotted varieties.
Dendrobiums: Smaller blooms clustered on stems. Available in many colors including bi-colors.
Cymbidiums: Large, waxy blooms excellent for corsages and high-end arrangements.
Tropical Specialties
Bird of Paradise: Dramatic orange and blue blooms resembling a bird's head. Long-lasting and exotic.
Anthurium: Heart-shaped, waxy blooms in red, pink, white, and green. Extremely long vase life.
Protea: Unique South African flowers with unusual forms. Excellent for modern, architectural arrangements.
Ginger Flowers: Tropical blooms with unique shapes and vibrant colors.
Filler Flowers
Popular Filler Options
Baby's Breath: Classic white filler, also available in pink and colored varieties. Excellent for texture.
Statice: Papery flowers in purple, white, pink, and yellow. Long-lasting and good for dried arrangements.
Waxflower: Small, waxy blooms on woody stems. Available in white, pink, and purple.
Monte Casino: White aster-type flowers, excellent for adding lightness to arrangements.
Solidago: Golden yellow clusters, adds warmth and texture.
Textural Fillers
Hypericum Berries: Glossy berries in various colors including red, green, pink, and white.
Eucalyptus: Aromatic foliage in silver-green. Multiple varieties available.
Dusty Miller: Silvery-gray foliage adds contrast and sophistication.
Foliage and Greenery
Basic Greens
Leather Leaf Fern: Sturdy, long-lasting foundation green for most arrangements.
Tree Fern: Delicate, lacy texture. Handle carefully as it's more fragile than leather leaf.
Salal: Glossy, oval leaves. Excellent for creating clean lines in arrangements.
Specialty Foliage
Italian Ruscus: Long stems with small leaves. Excellent for creating flowing lines.
Ming Fern: Feathery, delicate appearance. Adds softness to arrangements.
Aspidistra: Large, broad leaves excellent for wrapping or creating dramatic lines.
Camellia Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves. Premium foliage for upscale arrangements.
Seasonal Greens
Magnolia: Large, glossy leaves with brown undersides. Excellent for fall and winter.
Cedar: Aromatic evergreen branches perfect for holiday arrangements.
Holly: Traditional Christmas greenery with or without berries.
Bulb Flowers
Spring Bulbs
Tulips: Wide variety of colors and forms. Single early, double early, triumph, and parrot varieties.
Daffodils: Narcissus varieties in yellow, white, and bi-colors. Strong fragrance.
Iris: Elegant blooms in blue, purple, yellow, and white. Distinctive three-petal form.
Freesia: Fragrant, trumpet-shaped blooms in multiple colors. Popular for weddings.
Summer Bulbs
Gladiolus: Tall spikes with multiple blooms. Wide color range available.
Lilies: Oriental, Asiatic, and LA hybrid varieties. Strong fragrance in Oriental types.
Alliums: Spherical flower heads in purple, white, and pink. Architectural appearance.
Wildflowers and Garden Varieties
Cottage Garden Style
Sweet Peas: Fragrant, delicate blooms in pastel colors. Short vase life but beautiful.
Larkspur: Tall spikes similar to delphinium but more delicate. Annual variety.
Cornflowers: Bright blue, papery blooms. Also available in pink and white.
Nigella: "Love in a Mist" with feathery foliage and unique seed pods.
Natural and Wild Types
Queen Anne's Lace: Delicate, white umbrella-shaped flowers. Excellent for rustic arrangements.
Solidago: Wild goldenrod adds natural texture and golden color.
Wheat and Grasses: Various ornamental grasses for texture and movement.
Care and Handling Tips
General Conditioning
Clean Tools: Always use clean, sharp tools to prevent bacterial transmission.
Fresh Water: Change water every 2-3 days or when it becomes cloudy.
Proper Cutting: Cut stems at a 45-degree angle under running water.
Remove Foliage: Remove all leaves below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth.
Specific Care Instructions
Roses
Cut stems under warm water at a sharp angle
Remove thorns and lower leaves
Use floral preservative for best results
Expected vase life: 5-12 days depending on variety
Bulb Flowers
Cut very little off the stem initially
Use cold water for conditioning
Handle gently as stems are often soft
Some varieties continue growing in the vase
Woody Stems
Make additional cuts up the stem or crush stem ends
Use warm water for initial conditioning
Examples: lilac, forsythia, cherry blossom
Tropical Flowers
Use lukewarm water for conditioning
Many prefer humid environments
Mist lightly if appropriate for the variety
Often have extremely long vase life
Color Symbolism and Meaning
Red Flowers
Meaning: Love, passion, courage, respect
Best Uses: Valentine's Day, anniversaries, romantic occasions
Popular Varieties: Red roses, red tulips, red gerberas
White Flowers
Meaning: Purity, innocence, sympathy, new beginnings
Best Uses: Weddings, sympathy arrangements, christenings
Popular Varieties: White roses, white lilies, white chrysanthemums
Pink Flowers
Meaning: Gratitude, appreciation, grace, admiration
Best Uses: Thank you arrangements, Mother's Day, gentle romantic gestures
Popular Varieties: Pink roses, pink carnations, pink tulips
Yellow Flowers
Meaning: Friendship, joy, new beginnings, cheerfulness
Best Uses: Get well arrangements, congratulations, friendship bouquets
Popular Varieties: Yellow roses, sunflowers, yellow tulips
Purple Flowers
Meaning: Royalty, elegance, admiration, enchantment
Best Uses: Sophisticated arrangements, admiration bouquets
Popular Varieties: Purple roses, lavender, purple irises
Orange Flowers
Meaning: Enthusiasm, fascination, energy, warmth
Best Uses: Fall arrangements, congratulations, energetic displays
Popular Varieties: Orange roses, marigolds, orange tulips
Seasonal Availability Calendar
Year-Round Available
Roses (all types)
Carnations
Chrysanthemums
Alstroemeria
Gerberas
Baby's breath
Most tropical flowers
Spring Peak (March-May)
Tulips
Daffodils
Hyacinths
Ranunculus
Anemones
Sweet peas
Iris
Freesia
Summer Peak (June-August)
Sunflowers
Delphinium
Larkspur
Lisianthus
Gladioli
Most garden roses
Dahlias (late summer)
Fall Peak (September-November)
Chrysanthemums
Dahlias
Asters
Celosia
Autumn foliage
Ornamental grasses
Winter Available
Amaryllis
Paperwhites
Poinsettias
Holly and evergreen branches
Forced bulbs
Imported spring flowers
Professional Tips for Florists
Purchasing Guidelines
Quality Indicators: Firm stems, tight buds with some color showing, fresh foliage
Avoid: Brown or slimy stems, wilted foliage, fully opened blooms (unless needed immediately)
Storage: Most flowers prefer cool, humid conditions (34-38°F for most varieties)
Design Applications
Focal Flowers: Large blooms that draw attention (roses, lilies, peonies)
Form Flowers: Provide structure and shape (gladioli, delphiniums, snapdragons)
Filler Flowers: Fill spaces and add texture (baby's breath, waxflower, statice)
Greenery: Provides foundation and framework for arrangements
Client Education
Care Instructions: Always provide care cards with arrangements
Longevity Expectations: Set realistic expectations for vase life
Seasonal Recommendations: Suggest seasonal alternatives when requested flowers are out of season
Budget Options: Know comparable flowers at different price points
Trend Awareness
Natural and Wild: Garden-style arrangements with loose, natural appearance
Monochromatic: Single-color arrangements in various textures
Sustainable: Locally grown, seasonal flowers with minimal environmental impact
Unusual Varieties: Unique colors and forms of traditional flowers
This guide serves as a foundation for understanding the wide variety of flowers available to florists. Regular updates and hands-on experience with different varieties will enhance your expertise and ability to create stunning arrangements for every occasion.
