Why Choose Seasonal Flowers for Your Special Occasion?

Seasonal Flowers

Did you know there is such a thing as a seasonal flower? Much the way there is seasonal food, there are seasonal flowers and the same principles apply. Tomatoes are much better when they come directly from your garden and are grown in warm weather months. Flowers are no different. Depending on your region, the seasonal timeline may vary slightly, but for the most part, we all follow similar growing guidelines.

Fresh seasonal flowers will last at least one week in a vase of clean water, and if processed correctly, many can last much longer. But a cut flower that spends the majority of its life on hold in a dark cooler at the wholesaler, after having endured long days of travel, just won't last as long or be quite as beautiful. This is just one of the many reasons to choose more local and seasonal flowers whenever possible.

The American Flower Farmer

Florists who prefer to primarily use in-season flowers and foliage are usually located in areas with predictable weather patterns. If the weather is too cold for too long, the growing season is just too short for the local flower farmers to make any headway. Many annual cut flowers used by florists require warmer weather for several months at a time. Predictable warm climates are one of the reasons much of the flower-growing industry migrated to South America and Mexico many years ago. However, changes in recent years, with the introduction of the Slow Flower Movement indicate that The American Flower Farmer is making a comeback. Choosing to support locals the next time you seek a fresh bouquet of flowers is an excellent way to ensure they stay. I have included links at the bottom so you can access books and watch two short videos about the Slow Flower Movement in America. The informative book, Flower Confidential., was recommended to me at the beginning of my flower journey and I recommend reading it if you want to learn more about the flower industry in general.

Choosing A Season For Your Event

Proms begin in early spring so that places them at a good time of year to request seasonal flowers. Spring flowers are usually plentiful in many regions of the United States. Mother's Day is also in spring, making it an easy holiday to give a seasonal flower bouquet. Valentine's Day and Winter Holidays, not so much, however, I happen to know many local eco-conscious growers not afraid of the concept of traditional flower substitutions - for instance, opting for locally-grown tulips when only non-domestic roses are the winter alternative. Or you can always do what I do and search for a flower grower in another part of the United States with longer seasons where you can source flowers. Did you know that Alaska has many peony farms and that they are readily available to us outside of our limited growing season? And California with its mild climate and longer growing season has an abundance of flower growers ready to ship upon request. The prom below was in early spring and I chose pink tulips as the posy accent flower.

Prom Flowers

Seasonal wedding flowers are a little easier to manage. Choosing the season of your wedding day based on season-based availability is something you have total control over and one way to creatively plan the beauty of your bouquet and other accents. Asking your sustainable flower artist to source American Grown Flowers and following color schemes rather than specific flowers are both good practices if you choose to have a more eco-conscious wedding. The wedding below took place in early October and the couple chose to use Dahlia.

Photography by Karma Pants

Growing Zones

Spring flowers seem to pop up just in time here in the Northeast U.S. where I reside. At the end of March, we are all ready to shed the coats and get outside for some much-needed vitamin D and that's just the time these beautiful little lovelies begin emerging from the ground. My zone in Pennsylvania is 7b. You can find your zone here. Zone growing guides will help you understand what types of flowers are growing in your area of the country. This will help you plan for a seasonally sourced event.

Spring

The most popular spring flowers in this area are what are known as perennials. A perennial plant or shrub is a plant that lives for more than two years, however, many flower growers and garden lovers treat common flowers like narcissus and tulips as annuals and plant new bulbs every single fall to ensure they will be viable in the spring. Spring flowers tend to be abundant everywhere you look and they are a nice reminder that the winter is over and the season is changing.

Spring Narcissus at Windy Hill Farm. Photography by Kim Bensing

The Transition

At the very end of spring and the very beginning of summer, there is sometimes a slight lull in the season of flowers. Just as the spring perennials are dying off and the new annuals are just going into the ground, there is a period of time when local flowers are somewhat limited. Ironically, this seems to be the most popular season for brides. The weather is nice but the next season of flowers is not quite ready. So if you are a bride planning a wedding and you definitely want to use eco-friendly seasonals, I recommend choosing a different time of the year so that you have an abundance of seasonals to choose from.

Summer

The summer months are by far the most prolific flower-growing months in the United States. It's true that annual cutting flowers are planted every year by enthusiasts, but a great many of the early summer perennials will repeat perfectly year after year without much tending. Some of the summer perennials may require separation after several years just to thin things out, but I've also gone many years just enjoying the varieties on my farm and leaving them to themselves.

Summer Annual Flowers at Detweiler Homestead Farm

By mid-late summer the many cut flower annuals planted in the northeast in mid-May start to become available for harvest. These annuals are a huge part of the local flower growers' economy. Farmers' markets and roadside stands are bursting with buckets of fresh blooms and it's a much more sustainable way to enjoy a simple weekly bouquet.

Autumn

In early autumn we still have the wonderful late summer flowers going strong, and we are starting to see some blooms from the autumn group. Sunflowers are abundant at this time of year and a very popular flower in autumn is the Dahlia. If you are unfamiliar with the Dahlia, try to find a grower in your area and purchase a few. You will be amazed at the wide range of colors these fall flowers provide. Floral designers just love them because of all their vibrant colors, these colorful blooms create attractive floral arrangements and beautiful bouquets without much assistance.

Dahlia Detail. Photography by Kim Bensing

Winter

While it's true, the cooler months produce fewer flowers this by no means diminishes amazing seasonal possibilities. There is so much out there if you pay close attention and search. Think of all of the forever reliable evergreen shrubs, twigs, berries, and pine cones which are rigid seed vessels but beautiful and useful nevertheless. Winter varieties are vast and can be just as interesting if that is your season of choice.

Below I have provided a few short lists of some seasonal flowers that are pretty universal in the Northeast. Enjoy learning about how flowers, like our food, are seasonal and why it's important to know and appreciate their bloom cycles when planning your special events. Thank you for reading about seasonal flowers. Please share your favorite season of flowers in the comments below.

Winter Wreath design by Amber of Rising Hill Farm

Popular Spring Flowers:

• Narcissus

• Tulips

• Hellebores

• Lily of the Valley

• Hyacinth

• Forsythia

• Cherry Blossoms

• Peonies

Popular Early-Mid Summer Flowers:

• Peonies

• Astilbe

• Clematis

• Oriental Poppies

• Iris

• Lavender

Popular Mid-Late Summer Flowers:

• Echinacea

• Sunflowers

• Rudbeckia

• Phlox

• Shasta Daisies

• All the Annual Cut Flowers

Popular Autumn Flowers:

• Dahlia

• Sunflowers

• Chrysanthemums

• Celosia

• Asters

• Dianthus

Popular Winter Choices:

• Cedar

• White Pine

• Concolor Fir

• Arborvitae

• Boxwood

• Juniper

• Winterberry

• Snowberry

• Cones

• Curly Willow

Learn more about this topic.

Watch these videos:
American Growers: Local Flowers, Local Farmers: A Growing Movement
What Is The Slow Flower Movement?

Enjoy These Books:

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Why You Should Choose Seasonal Prom Flowers

Prom is the one ‘school’ day each year where you can really shine. You’ll brighten the room with your stunning gown and glamorous hair, so why should your flowers be mediocre, bland, and quite frankly, dull?

Many of you know I began designing flowers in 2016 after many years of designing as an Art Director. Studio Sprig is my Bucks County, PA design studio that thrives on working with, not against, the environment. What that means is that I work with the seasons to choose my flowers, herbs, and sprigs whenever possible. I’ve cultivated relationships with many local growers and I’ve worked hard to learn how to create floral designs creatively using as much “seasonal nature” as I can. Much the same theory as your preference for fresh from-the-garden tomatoes in the summer only. We all know it’s because summer tomatoes taste so much better than winter tomatoes. Flowers are no different. They are so much fresher and more beautiful when they are grown locally. Their stems are not thick because they were bred for long travels. Their fragrance is not absent because they were bred to produce more and not for their scent. They look better and last longer because they were probably harvested yesterday as opposed to 3 weeks ago so they could lay dormant in a big, dark cooler.

Purple and White Anemone Prom Posy.

Hands down, local is the way to go. And the great news is that in this portion of the country, we have a plethora of local farms growing beautiful flowers. You just need to know where to look. Don’t worry, you don’t need to because I have done the homework for you. All you need to do is learn what flowers are in the season of your event. Whether is a prom or a wedding or even just a smaller party, if it falls between March - November (Northeast United States), chances are there are beautiful flowers you can count on.

In this story:

• Winter Wedding Flowers

• Spring Wedding Flowers

• Summer Wedding Flowers

• Fall Wedding Flowers

Spring Wedding Flowers

Spring couples are in luck because so, so many flowers reach peak bloom during the spring. Plus, the colors, from purple lilacs and hyacinths to soft pink sweet peas and peonies, are just divine. Learn more about in-season spring flowers here.

Best March Flowers Wedding Flowers

Ranunculus Given that ranunculus is such a popular flower, many couples look into procuring it all year long. However, it naturally blooms during late winter and early spring so it'll look especially fresh and sprightly at a March wedding.

Sweet Pea This delicate bloom smells great and looks amazing, but is only available for couples tying the knot in late winter or early spring.

Tulip Much like daffodils, tulips are a classic late winter and early spring flower. Tulips (which come in shades as varied as vibrant yellow to pastel pink) bring an elegant, refined feel to wedding arrangements. Much like daffodils, tulips are an iconic spring bloom known for their distinct shape and vibrant colors. Fringe tulips are a trendy variety that continues to gain popularity among florists and nearly-newlyweds alike.
Anemone
Known for their iconic black center, anemone flowers bring a fun and whimsical element to all floral designs. Anemone season runs from October through May so winter couples and spring couples alike can make use of this dramatic flower.
Daffodil
Daffodils are the quintessential spring flower. The trumpet-like blooms, which are available from February through May, would look beautiful in assorted bud vases on your reception tablescapes.
Hyacinth
Hyacinth, which is generally available in early- to mid-spring, is a great addition to spring wedding bouquets. The plant, which comes in a variety of colorways from pink and purple to white, grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8, which means it's readily available across the US.

Best April Wedding Flowers

Sweet Pea While most couples think of pink and peachy hues for sweet peas, the botanical also grows in brown and purple colorways as well.

Lily of the Valley A favorite of the British royal family, this small bloom is great for an April garden wedding.

Hyacinth Similar in shape to lilacs, hyacinth (which can be white, pink or purple) works well in spring centerpieces that benefit from the plant's height.

Lily of the Valley
A favorite of the British royal family, lily of the valley is a great option for formal, luxury weddings. While orchids and calla lily blooms are great go-tos for luxe weddings during the colder months, lily of the valley is the best bet for spring couples who want a formal, classic flower.

Best May Wedding Flowers

Peony Peonies are beloved by many to-be-weds, but sadly have a relatively short growing season. Only a few lucky mid-Spring couples are able to utilize this lush flower in their designs. Peonies, which flower from April through June, come in a variety of colors so there's sure to be one that fits your aesthetic. White peonies would look at-home in a bridesmaid or bridal bouquet at a romantic estate wedding while vibrant coral charm peonies would complement a whimsical barn wedding beautifully.

Hydrangea Great for large-scale installations at weddings, hydrangeas are at their peak before seasonal temperatures get hot, causing them to wilt.

Lilac A quintessential spring flower, lilacs are a great option for May couples who want a bold pop of purple in their flower arrangements.
What's not to love about the soft pastel purple hued lilacs? Lilacs are most readily available in northern states from mid- to late-spring. For couples on the hunt for more purple wedding flowers, clematis is an option that's mainly available during the summer months, but may be able to be procured for a late-spring wedding.

Poppy
Poppies are a stunning bloom, but the flower is fragile so it works best when used sparingly alongside more hardy flowers. Poppies bloom in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8 and are generally available from late spring to early summer.

Best June Wedding Flowers

Rose Roses can be procured almost anywhere during any time of the year, but they look especially great at June weddings. Since June is a transitional time as late spring gives way to early summer, some strictly spring or summer flowers are hard to come by. However, rose is a timeless standby that works in any wedding aesthetic.

Delphinium (Larkspur) Delphinium, also known as larkspur, looks similar in nature to Bells-of-Ireland or stock. Delphinium works well as ceremony aisle flowers because of the height it brings to arrangements.

Gardenia Gardenias are especially fragrant flowers so care should be taken when deciding to incorporate them into boutonnieres or bouquets as some may have sensitivities to smell. Nevertheless, the spring flower is a beautiful option for romantic and elegant occasions.

Hydrangea
The volume hydrangea brings makes it a great flower for wedding arrangements. If you've always dreamed of an all-white bouquet but don't want it to be a strictly rose bouquet, ask your floral designer to layer in other white flowers, like hydrangea, into the design. Another reason to-be-weds love hydrangeas? They're available starting in the spring, but continue to bloom through the summer and into early fall.

It’s here we create our prom posies and boutonnieres with flowers, herbs, and greens grown by local, small-scale growers who honestly care about their harvest. We style unique, magical posies and boutonnieres that will take your breath away and make others swoon. This year, be a little wild and choose Sprig. XXOO - Kimberly

All of the prom dates of the Conestoga High School Crew Team received unique Studio Sprig Posies.

Here’s your chance to be unique by creatively capturing glorious spring in one perfect, little, hand-wrapped posy. Lucky for you, just about now, loads of yummy local Pennsylvania flowers are bursting from the ground. Striking beauties called “Amandine Marshmallow” Ranunculus, “Panda” Anemone, specialty tulips like “Exotic Emperor” and delicate daffodils with fabulous names like “Sunny Girlfriend” are varieties you can look forward to.

Lilacs, hellebore and orange tulips to accent this pretty blue dress.

White panda and deep purple anemone, lilacs and sprigs in this prom posy.

White and pale pink peony for a May prom.

Contact Kimberly for your complimentary style consultation. 215.859.2202
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