16 Seasonal Flowers to Use in Your Next Floral Arrangement

Spring: Daffodils

Determined daffodils can literally push through snow. Even tight store-bought buds will open. You can group different varieties together or tuck daffs into a spring flower arrangement.

Trim stems and hydrate alone before arranging to reduce slimy water. With all flowers (but especially daffodils), change the water often. This editor-favorite Amaranth vase makes it easy.

Spring: Tulips

Massed or singly, tulips wave the spring flag. Cut an inch from the base and remove the outer leaves. Drop a couple of older copper-rich pennies in the vase to help keep water fungi-free.

In the spring, it seems like everywhere from the farmers market to the grocery store carries tulips, so be sure to add them to your shopping list.

Spring: Ranunculus

Frilly ranunculus are so enchanting! Stems can bend or dissolve, which makes prep super important. Remove lower leaves and cut several inches of stem at a 45-degree angle to hydrate. Blend with roses and lisianthus for a pretty spring arrangement.

Unique blooms like these deserve a unique flower vase.

Spring: Hyacinth

Between their distinct fragrance and lavish flower heads, hyacinths look amazing grouped together or with other spring faves. Save the foliage when trimming the bulb-like ends to use as accents. A slimmer-necked vase helps support that heavy bloom. Psst! You need to try Bouquet Box—we’re obsessed!

Summer: Peonies

Summer brides and peonies pair perfectly. The blooms explode during wedding season! Just beware the sap-loving ants that like to hitch a ride—a quick dunk in water takes care of that. Gather with roses for showstopping lushness and perfume.

This is how to care for homegrown peonies.

Summer: Sunflower

Shop local when looking for sunflowers to find the most variety. They will also have less travel damage and more open faces. Check out the farmers market or grow your own from seed. Just full sun and regular water required.

Summer: Zinnia

Zinnias offer a riot of hot summer color. They are super simple to grow and as a bonus, cutting the flowers forces more buds to grow. They look great with other garden fare like lisianthus, Queen Anne’s lace and solidago.

Summer: Hydrangea

Despite a finicky reputation, hydrangeas have staying power! Whether store-bought or garden fresh, dissolve floral food in room temp water and cut stems under water (yes, under!) at a 45-degree angle. Hydrate for a few hours before arranging.

Learn how to revive wilting hydrangeas in your bouquet.

Fall: Thistle

Straw-like thistle unfolds in different forms, from globe- to star-shaped. The dusty blue and gray add texture to fall flower arrangements with roses and eucalyptus. The best part? Longevity. They can dry in place and no one is the wiser. In fact, dried flowers make a great addition to these fall centerpieces.

Fall: Sedum

You can start cutting sedum when its pastel pink begins to emerge. Then, keep harvesting as it turns russet. Either way, sedum looks great with hydrangea, roses and foliage. Autumn Joy in the garden ensures an annual harvest with cool-looking foliage.

Fall: Celosia

Celosia can have feathery plumes or a velvety flower head. The latter “cockscomb” variety has a funky coral-like appearance. They bring lavish jewel tones of hot pink, yellow and orange to fall flower arrangements. Note that most prefer water to floral foam.

Fall: Dahlia

Dahlia season is legendary in flower markets. They can be diminutive or dinner plate-sized. White and pink may be found year-round but the most interesting colors are late summer or early autumn. Once cut, they’re best kept cool.

Winter: Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum is sturdy, flexible and revered in China and Japan. There is a size and color for everyone. Strip the leaves from a football mum and combine with dusty miller, white roses and berries for a long-lasting arrangement—perfect for holiday centerpieces.

Winter: Amaryllis

Amaryllis adds serious pizzazz to holiday arrangements. Flowers can be cut from a potted bulb or ordered from a florist. They prefer shallow water since the stems tend to split and curl. Try red amaryllis with spray roses and greens.

If you get a bulb as a gift, learn how to care for an amaryllis plant.

Winter: Anemone

Ephemeral anemones offer a bold black and white palette. They also come in purple, red and marvelous paint-splattered combinations. Let these showstoppers hover above the other flowers in an arrangement. Or slip into bud vases for a conversation starter.

Keep fresh blooms on hand year-round with a flower subscription.

Winter: Brunia

Silvery brunia is a berry-like flower that adds punch to every color combination. Try them with yellow mums and chamomile. They are a knockout with peach roses and blue hydrangea, too.