Spring Bloomers

Tulips

Bloom Time: Early to late spring
Colors: Nearly every color except true blue
Varieties: Darwin hybrids (large, sturdy), Triumph tulips (classic cup shape), Parrot tulips (fringed petals)
Care: Plant bulbs in fall, well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade
Florist Notes: Excellent cut flowers, condition stems in cold water, recut underwater

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring
Colors: Yellow, white, orange, pink, bicolored
Varieties: Trumpet daffodils, Large-cupped, Small-cupped, Double daffodils
Care: Plant bulbs in fall, naturalize well, deer resistant
Florist Notes: Long-lasting cut flowers, avoid mixing with other flowers initially as they release sap

Hyacinths

Bloom Time: Mid-spring
Colors: Pink, blue, white, purple, yellow, salmon
Varieties: Dutch hyacinths (most common), Grape hyacinths (Muscari)
Care: Plant bulbs in fall, prefer cool climates, well-draining soil
Florist Notes: Intensely fragrant, sturdy stems, excellent for spring arrangements

Summer Bloomers

Roses

Bloom Time: Late spring through fall
Colors: All colors except true blue and black
Varieties: Hybrid teas, Floribundas, Grandifloras, Climbing roses, Shrub roses
Care: Full sun, rich soil, regular watering, pruning required
Florist Notes: The queen of cut flowers, remove thorns carefully, condition in warm water

Peonies

Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Colors: Pink, white, red, coral, yellow
Varieties: Herbaceous peonies, Tree peonies, Itoh hybrids
Care: Plant in fall, full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil
Florist Notes: Extremely popular for weddings, short season, condition in cool water

Lavender

Bloom Time: Summer
Colors: Purple, blue, white, pink
Varieties: English lavender, French lavender, Spanish lavender
Care: Full sun, well-draining soil, drought tolerant once established
Florist Notes: Fragrant, dries well, harvest before fully open for best color retention

Sunflowers

Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Colors: Yellow, orange, red, burgundy, cream
Varieties: Giant sunflowers, Dwarf varieties, Branching types
Care: Full sun, well-draining soil, support tall varieties
Florist Notes: Statement flowers, heavy stems need sturdy vases, remove leaves below waterline

Zinnias

Bloom Time: Summer to frost
Colors: Nearly all colors except blue
Varieties: State Fair (giant), Dahlia-flowered, Cactus-flowered, Dwarf varieties
Care: Full sun, well-draining soil, deadhead regularly
Florist Notes: Excellent cut flowers, long-lasting, harvest in early morning

Fall Bloomers

Chrysanthemums

Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Colors: Yellow, orange, red, purple, white, pink
Varieties: Decorative, Pompon, Button, Daisy, Spoon-tip
Care: Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, pinch early for bushier growth
Florist Notes: Classic fall flowers, long-lasting, remove lower leaves

Asters

Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
Colors: Purple, pink, white, blue
Varieties: New England asters, Aromatic asters, Smooth asters
Care: Full sun to partial shade, moist soil, divide every 3-4 years
Florist Notes: Delicate appearance, good filler flowers, condition in cool water

Dahlias

Bloom Time: Mid-summer to frost
Colors: All colors except blue
Varieties: Dinner plate, Cactus, Pompom, Decorative, Single
Care: Full sun, rich soil, stake tall varieties, lift tubers in cold climates
Florist Notes: Spectacular cut flowers, hollow stems benefit from warm water conditioning

Year-Round Perennials

Hydrangeas

Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Colors: Blue, pink, white, green, purple
Varieties: Bigleaf, Panicle, Smooth, Oakleaf
Care: Partial shade, consistent moisture, soil pH affects color
Florist Notes: Popular for arrangements, condition in warm water, recut stems frequently

Delphiniums

Bloom Time: Early to mid-summer, often rebloom
Colors: Blue, purple, pink, white
Varieties: Pacific Giant series, Elatum group, Belladonna group
Care: Full sun, rich soil, stake tall varieties, cool climates preferred
Florist Notes: Dramatic height, hollow stems, condition in deep water

Lilies

Bloom Time: Varies by type (spring to fall)
Colors: Nearly all colors
Varieties: Asiatic, Oriental, Trumpet, Martagon, Tiger lilies
Care: Well-draining soil, bulb depth 3 times bulb height, mulch well
Florist Notes: Remove pollen to prevent staining, fragrant varieties can be overwhelming indoors

Annuals for Continuous Color

Marigolds

Bloom Time: Spring to frost
Colors: Yellow, orange, red, cream
Varieties: African marigolds, French marigolds, Signet marigolds
Care: Full sun, well-draining soil, deadhead regularly
Florist Notes: Long-lasting, strong scent, harvest early morning

Cosmos

Bloom Time: Summer to frost
Colors: Pink, white, orange, yellow, red
Varieties: Sensation series, Sulphur cosmos, Chocolate cosmos
Care: Full sun, poor to average soil, drought tolerant
Florist Notes: Delicate appearance, long stems, condition in cool water

Sweet Peas

Bloom Time: Cool weather (spring and fall)
Colors: Pink, purple, white, red, blue
Varieties: Climbing varieties, Dwarf bush types
Care: Cool weather, rich soil, support for climbing types
Florist Notes: Intensely fragrant, short vase life, harvest early morning

Professional Tips for Florists

Harvesting Guidelines

• Cut flowers early morning when stems are fully hydrated
• Use sharp, clean tools to prevent stem damage
• Place stems immediately in cool water
• Harvest when buds are just beginning to open

Conditioning Techniques

• Recut stems underwater at an angle
• Remove leaves below waterline to prevent bacterial growth
• Use flower food to extend vase life
• Change water every 2-3 days

Seasonal Planning

• Plan succession plantings for continuous blooms
• Consider bloom times when designing cutting gardens
• Choose varieties with different heights for layered arrangements
• Include foliage plants for textural contrast

Storage and Care

• Store cut flowers in cool, humid conditions
• Keep different varieties separate until ready to arrange
• Monitor for pests and diseases in growing areas
• Maintain proper soil nutrition for healthy, long-lasting blooms

This guide provides the foundation for understanding the diverse world of garden flowers available to florists. Each variety offers unique characteristics that can enhance floral designs throughout the growing season.