Of the most regular questions I get asked is “Arnie, what is your favourite flower”? Whilst I do have one that stands out for all time - the Dahlia (which I’ll explain about a little later in this blog) I like to think about favourite flowers across all the seasons! Spring, summer, autumn and winter presents us with their own special ‘gems’ to treasure at each particular time of the year.

SPRING … Ahh, perhaps the most challenging of the seasons to pick a single favourite, so I might list a couple 😉 of my absolute favourites.

The violet. Tiny, fragrant and delicate, violets are perennial flowers that grow well in shady spots as they are protected from wind and too much sun. The symbolism of the violet is linked to love and affection and really is appropriate given its heart-shaped leaves. Appearing in a variety of single/solid colours, as well as bicoloured, my favourite by far is the purple! Violets can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman times as it was used to treat illnesses. Known for its incredible fragrance, the fragility and short window span of the violet is what makes it extra special.

Lilac. Nothing can by-pass Lilac’s aroma and colours. Commonly known as the ‘Queen of Shrubs’ due to it’s hardiness, it’s blooming season is typically earlier on in Spring and has a very limited flowering period. Like the violet, only being able to enjoy the beauty Lilac for such a short period of time, makes it so memorable to me.

SUMMER … Hydrangea! Although first cultivated in Japan, ancient fossils of hydrangea have actually been found in North America from Jaw Mountain in Alaska, dating back 23 million years ago!

As natural pH indicators, the active gardener can try to manipulate the colour of hydrangeas by adding fertilisers and other elements to the soil they are grown in. Hydrangea flowers will turn blue when the soil is acidic and pink when the soil is alkaline.

For me, hydrangea en masse, in the blues, pinks and whites (& available in many other colours and varieties i.e. Paniculata, Oak Leaf, etc ) all are simply heavenly! And then there is the warm rich tones of the Autumn hydrangea - they continuously giving, flowering from Spring - Autumn. From a floristry and creative perspective, hydrangea is golden in terms of being a base, or flower anchor. This foundation is critical in constructing arbours, installations and even vase arrangements.

AUTUMN … Now, remember my opening statement about the Dahlia! This is the flower that I wish my coffin to be draped in (that is how truly fond I am of this truly beautiful flower). The Dahlia origin is Mexico (it is Mexico’s national flower)!  Dating back hundreds of years, the hollow stems of these plant were often used for hauling water to travelling hunters. Exploration of Dahlia as native to Mexican natural history around 1570, but it wasn’t until the 18th century, when botany was developing as a science, that dahlias were first cultured in Europe.

The Dahlia is my No.1 favourite because of its many colours and forms. As a floristry flower, it absolutely brings to every arrangement a very certain “je ne sais quoi”! They are happy, colourful, moody and loved by so many.

Left to right : Dahlia’s, Cymbidium Orchid, Hydrangea

WINTER … Winter is of course the season for many flower species’ ‘sleep’ period. An absolute stand out for me during the colder, darker months is the Cymbidium Orchid. Available in the most stunning array of colours – from magentas and chocolate through to lime green, bright lemons and yellows, pinks and much more.

Also known as the boat orchid – the term ‘cymbidium’ comes from the word ‘cymba’ which is Latin for ‘boat’. This of course, references the flower’s boat-like shape. As a flower that blooms in Winter and into Spring, the Cymbidium Orchid was cultivated thousands of years ago in China. In fact, it is referenced in the Chinese philosopher, Confucius’s writings for beauty and fragrance. Able to withstand cold is due to the early Cymbidium varieties, which first grew in the forests of the Himalayan Mountains.  

I love the Cymbidium Orchid for their flush of spectacular colour, their waxy textured petals and as either a potted plant, or cut stem, offers an extended and long-lasting bloom life which makes them exceptional during the more dormant season of Winter - and a great indoor plant.

There are so many more flowers in my ‘love box’  like delphiniums, gloriosa lily, flowering dogwood, flannel flower, lily of the valley… the list is endless.

It is also a great reminder that knowing your seasonal flowers and of course buying in season is best for sustainability and ensures that your flowers life-span are at their peak in terms of freshness and durability.

Curating your own favourite flowers of the year is a fun and insightful thing to do.

Always,

Arn x