Autumn
Nostalgia seems to pervade the flowers bought online during the autumn months. Although they are available all the year round, rust and bronze chrysanthemum blooms and sprays epitomize autumn, but many seasonal flowers are associated with the latter end of the year, including dahlias, with their rich colours and varied shapes, Michaelmas daisies, golden rod, and the slightly more exotic criniums, with their delicate pink trumpets.
Cereals, such as wheat and barley, are appropriate for harvest festival designs, and although traditional arrangements remain popular, modern designs lend themselves particularly well to the textures of vegetables, berries and fruits.
Winter
The sense of anticipation is almost tangible during the month of December as online florists work towards one of the busiest times of the year. Flowers associated with winter include the Christmas rose which, although not generally available as a cut flower, can be purchased as a pot plant. This is also true of the poinsettia, which will last much longer if the roots can be retained. Poinsettias are available in pinks and creamy whites as well as scarlet, and combine beautifully with red carnations and carnation sprays.
The early spring flowers can be teamed with some of the flowering winter branches, such as witch hazel or Viburnum x bodnantense.
When buying outdoor seasonal flowers, check for signs of damage from pests or diseases. Insects will also find homes in the centre of dahlias. Daffodils can generally withstand relatively low temperatures, but even they will suffer in bitingly cold winds.
