Embrace natures rhythm with our month-by-month guide to seasonal cut flowers. Discover whats blooming each season, from spring tulips to winter amaryllis. Learn to create timely arrangements and save money by choosing in-season blooms. Click for a year of floral inspiration.
Flowers have a special way of brightening our homes and lifting our spirits. By choosing seasonal cut flowers blooms, you can enjoy fresh, beautiful flowers all year round while supporting local growers and saving money. Let’s explore the best cut flowers for each month of the year.
Winter Wonders (December - February)
December
Bold, trumpet-shaped blooms
- Colors: red, white, pink, salmon
- **Care tip: **Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
- Paperwhites
Delicate, fragrant clusters
- **Color: **white
- Care tip: Grow in pebbles and water for easy indoor blooms
- Holly
Festive green leaves with red berries
- Care tip: Keep stems in water to prevent leaf drop
January
Long-lasting, ruffled blooms
- Various colors available
- Care tip: Change water every 2-3 days
- Cyclamen
Unique, upswept petals
- **Colors: **pink, red, white
- Care tip: Prefer cool temperatures
- Hellebores
Also known as Lenten Rose
- Colors: white, pink, purple
- Care tip: Sear stem ends in boiling water for longevity
February
Classic cup-shaped flowers
- Wide range of colors
- **Care tip: **Keep away from fruit (which releases ethylene gas)
- Irises
Elegant, sword-like leaves with distinctive blooms
- **Colors: **purple, blue, yellow, white
- **Care tip: **Add flower food to vase water
- Pussy Willows
Soft, furry catkins
- **Care tip: **Can be dried for long-lasting arrangements
Spring Blossoms (March - May)
March
Cheerful trumpet-shaped flowers
- Colors: yellow, white, orange
- **Care tip: **Don’t mix with other flowers as their sap can be harmful
- Hyacinths
Fragrant clusters of small flowers
- **Colors: **blue, purple, pink, white
- **Care tip: **Keep in a cool spot to prolong bloom time
- Forsythia
Bright yellow branches
- Care tip: Force branches to bloom indoors by bringing them in early
April
Large, lush blooms
- **Colors: **pink, white, red
- Care tip: Cut when buds are soft and showing color
- Lilacs
Fragrant clusters of small flowers
- **Colors: **purple, white, pink
- **Care tip: **Smash woody stems to improve water uptake
- Cherry Blossoms
Delicate pink or white blooms
- Care tip: Place in warm water to encourage opening
May
Small, bell-shaped fragrant flowers
- **Color: **white
- **Care tip: **Keep cool to extend vase life
- Poppies
Delicate, tissue-paper petals
- **Colors: **red, orange, pink, white
- **Care tip: **Sear stem ends with a flame for longer life
- Viburnum
Clusters of small flowers
- **Colors: **white, pink
- **Care tip: **Remove leaves below the water line
Summer Delights (June - August)
June
- Roses
Classic beauty with various forms
- Wide range of colors
- Care tip: Remove thorns and lower leaves before arranging
- Peonies
Continue from late spring
- Colors: pink, white, red
- **Care tip: **Store unopened buds in the refrigerator to enjoy later
- Delphinium
Tall spikes of flowers
- **Colors: **blue, purple, white
- **Care tip: **Use flower preservative to extend vase life
July
- Sunflowers
Large, cheerful blooms
- Colors: yellow, orange, red
- Care tip: Change water daily for best results
- Zinnias
Colorful, daisy-like flowers
- Various colors available
- **Care tip: **Remove lower leaves to prevent bacterial growth
- Lisianthus
Rose-like blooms
- Colors: purple, white, pink
- Care tip: Handle gently as stems can be delicate
August
- Gladiolus
Tall spikes with multiple blooms
- Wide range of colors
- Care tip: Cut individual florets for smaller arrangements
- Dahlias
Large, showy blooms
- Various colors and forms
- Care tip: Cut in the morning for best vase life
- Black-Eyed Susans
Cheerful yellow flowers with dark centers
- Care tip: Strip leaves that will be below the water line
Fall Favorites (September - November)
September
- Chrysanthemums
Variety of flower forms
- Many colors available
- Care tip: Remove any leaves that will be underwater
- Asters
Daisy-like flowers
- **Colors: **purple, pink, white
- Care tip: Keep away from ripening fruit
- Celosia
Unique, velvety flower heads
- Colors: red, orange, yellow
- Care tip: Enjoy fresh or dried
October
- Marigolds
Ruffled, pom-pom like flowers
- Colors: orange, yellow, red
- **Care tip: **Remove leaves below the water line
- Chinese Lanterns
Orange, papery pods
- **Care tip: **Can be dried for long-lasting arrangements
- Cosmos
Delicate, daisy-like flowers
- Colors: pink, white, red
- Care tip: Cut when flowers are just opening
November
- Gerbera Daisies
Large, colorful daisy-like flowers
- Various colors available
- Care tip: Use clean vases to prevent stem blockage
- Chrysanthemums
Continue from earlier fall
- Various colors and forms
- Care tip: Remove any damaged or browning petals
- Autumn leaves
Colorful foliage adds seasonal touch
- Care tip: Glycerin-preserve leaves for longer-lasting arrangements
Tips for Choosing and Caring for Seasonal Flowers
- Buy from local florists or farmers markets for the freshest seasonal options
- Look for firm stems and vibrant colors when selecting flowers
- Cut stems at a 45-degree angle before placing in water
- Change vase water every 2-3 days
- Keep arrangements away from direct sunlight and heat sources
- Remove any leaves that will be below the water line
- Use flower food according to package instructions
Benefits of Choosing Seasonal Flowers
- Fresher, longer-lasting blooms
- Often more affordable
- Support local growers and reduce carbon footprint
- Align your home decor with the natural rhythm of the seasons
Conclusion
By choosing seasonal cut flowers, you can enjoy a ever-changing display of nature’s beauty throughout the year. From the delicate blossoms of spring to the rich hues of autumn, each season brings its own unique floral offerings. Experiment with different combinations and arrangements to create stunning displays that reflect the changing seasons.
Remember, while this guide provides general timing for different flowers, availability can vary depending on your specific location and climate. Check with local florists or gardening centers for the best options in your area.
Learn more about sustainable floristry practices from the Slow Flowers Society
For additional information on flower care, visit the Society of American Florists website
Embrace the beauty of each season with these wonderful cut flowers, and enjoy bringing a bit of nature’s ever-changing palette into your home!