Summer Flower Varieties Guide for Florists
Summer offers florists an abundance of vibrant, long-lasting flowers that thrive in warm weather. This guide covers the most popular and commercially viable summer blooms, their characteristics, care requirements, and design applications.
Core Summer Flowers
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Season: June - September
Colors: Classic yellow, burgundy, orange, cream, bi-colored
Vase Life: 6-12 days
Key Features:
Available in sizes from 2-inch miniatures to 12-inch giants
Excellent focal flowers for rustic and casual arrangements
Pollen can stain, so choose pollenless varieties for clean designs
Popular varieties: ProCut series, Sunrich series
Design Applications: Country weddings, farmers market bouquets, tall centerpieces, seasonal displays
Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Season: June - October
Colors: Every color except blue and true purple
Vase Life: 5-10 days
Key Features:
Heat-loving annuals perfect for hot summer conditions
Available in single, semi-double, and fully double forms
Range from 6-inch dwarf varieties to 4-foot tall cuts
Popular series: State Fair, Giant Dahlia, Profusion
Design Applications: Mixed bouquets, garden-style arrangements, wedding work, children's arrangements
Celosia (Celosia argentea)
Season: July - September
Colors: Red, orange, yellow, pink, burgundy, cream
Vase Life: 7-14 days
Key Features:
Three main types: plumosa (feathery), cristata (cockscomb), spicata (wheat-like)
Excellent dried flower that retains color
Thrives in extreme heat
Popular varieties: Chief Mix, Sunday Mix, Celway series
Design Applications: Textural interest, dried arrangements, fall transitions, tropical designs
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus & sulphureus)
Season: June - October
Colors: Pink, white, burgundy, orange, yellow, red
Vase Life: 5-8 days
Key Features:
Delicate, daisy-like flowers with ferny foliage
Bipinnatus varieties offer pastels; sulphureus offers bold oranges and yellows
Self-seeding annuals
Popular varieties: Sensation Mix, Bright Lights, Double Click
Design Applications: Romantic bouquets, wildflower arrangements, filler flower, cottage garden styles
Premium Summer Specialties
Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum)
Season: June - August
Colors: Purple, pink, white, yellow, green, bi-colors
Vase Life: 10-14 days
Key Features:
Rose-like appearance with papery petals
Available in single and double forms
Cool-season crop that peaks in early summer
Requires careful handling due to delicate stems
Design Applications: Bridal bouquets, high-end arrangements, rose substitutes, elegant centerpieces
Gladioli (Gladiolus × hortulanus)
Season: June - September
Colors: Full spectrum except true blue
Vase Life: 7-10 days
Key Features:
Tall spikes with multiple blooms opening from bottom to top
Available in miniature, standard, and giant sizes
Remove spent flowers daily to encourage bud opening
Popular varieties: Peter Pears, Princess Margaret Rose, Green Star
Design Applications: Vertical arrangements, funeral work, dramatic centerpieces, architectural designs
Delphiniums (Delphinium elatum)
Season: June - July (early summer peak)
Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white
Vase Life: 5-8 days
Key Features:
Tall spikes reaching 3-8 feet
Cool-weather crop that struggles in heat
Hollow stems require careful conditioning
May have a second flush in late summer with cool nights
Design Applications: Tall arrangements, wedding backdrops, English garden styles, memorial work
Heat-Tolerant Workhorses
Marigolds (Tagetes species)
Season: May - October
Colors: Yellow, orange, red, bi-colors
Vase Life: 5-10 days
Key Features:
African marigolds (T. erecta) offer large, full flowers
French marigolds (T. patula) provide smaller, more abundant blooms
Strong scent can be off-putting to some customers
Excellent for mass plantings and cutting gardens
Design Applications: Fall arrangements, harvest themes, budget-friendly options, children's bouquets
Gomphrena (Gomphrena globosa)
Season: June - October
Colors: Purple, pink, white, red, orange
Vase Life: 10-14 days
Key Features:
Clover-like globular flowers
Exceptional heat tolerance
Excellent dried flower
Compact plants produce numerous cuts
Design Applications: Textural filler, dried work, long-lasting arrangements, rustic designs
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia species)
Season: July - September
Colors: Yellow, orange, red, burgundy combinations
Vase Life: 7-12 days
Key Features:
Classic daisy form with dark centers
'Cherokee Sunset' offers unique color combinations
Perennial varieties return yearly
Self-seeding in favorable conditions
Design Applications: Wildflower bouquets, fall arrangements, prairie-style designs, casual work
Seasonal Foliage and Fillers
Amaranthus (Amaranthus species)
Season: July - September
Colors: Red, green, burgundy, cream
Key Features:
Long, trailing flower spikes
Love's Lies Bleeding (A. caudatus) offers dramatic drooping tassels
Globe amaranth provides upright spikes
Excellent fresh or dried
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Season: June - September
Varieties: Purple ruffles, African blue, cardinal basil
Key Features:
Fragrant foliage and flower spikes
Edible option for farm-to-table events
Purple varieties add unusual color
Pinch flowers to encourage leaf growth
Summer Grasses
Varieties: Fountain grass, millet, wheat, oats
Key Features:
Add movement and texture
Excellent dried or fresh
Many are easy to grow from seed
Harvest before full maturity for best vase life
Monthly Planning Guide
June
Plant heat-loving annuals for peak July-August production
Begin succession planting of zinnias and marigolds
First gladioli plantings ready for harvest
July
Peak production begins for most summer flowers
Plant second succession of zinnias for fall harvest
Begin preserving early blooms for dried arrangements
August
Continue regular harvesting to maintain production
Begin planning fall flower varieties
Collect seeds from open-pollinated varieties
September
Late-season varieties like celosia peak
Begin transition to fall colors and themes
Final plantings of cool-season crops for late fall
Care and Conditioning Tips
Harvesting
Cut early morning when stems are fully hydrated
Use sharp, clean tools to prevent disease transmission
Harvest when buds are just beginning to show color
Place immediately in cool water
Conditioning
Recut stems under water at an angle
Remove lower leaves that would sit below waterline
Use flower food in all arrangements
Keep cool until needed
Storage
Store in clean, cool water (38-45°F ideal)
Mist delicate flowers lightly
Separate varieties to prevent ethylene damage
Use within 3-5 days for best quality
Design Trends and Applications
Current Summer Trends
Garden-gathered, loose arrangements
Bright, saturated color palettes
Mixed textures combining flowers and foliage
Sustainable, locally-grown emphasis
Color Combinations
Hot Summer: Orange marigolds, red celosia, yellow sunflowers
Cool Elegance: White lisianthus, purple delphiniums, blue hydrangeas
Sunset Palette: Coral zinnias, peach gomphrena, burgundy amaranthus
Wildflower Mix: Mixed cosmos, bachelor buttons, sweet peas
Seasonal Considerations
Summer flowers generally prefer:
Warm soil temperatures (60°F+)
Consistent moisture without waterlogging
Good air circulation
Protection from extreme afternoon sun in hottest climates
Business Applications
Wedding Work
Summer weddings benefit from the abundance of available flowers and bold colors. Consider offering:
Sunflower and zinnia packages for casual outdoor events
Lisianthus and delphinium combinations for elegant affairs
Dried flower options for lasting keepsakes
Retail Opportunities
Weekly mixed bouquets featuring seasonal variety
DIY flower bar with easy-care summer varieties
Educational workshops on growing summer cuts
Preserved flower products for year-round sales
Special Events
Summer corporate events and parties often request:
Bold, tropical color schemes
Long-lasting arrangements for outdoor venues
Budget-friendly options using high-volume summer flowers
