Sweet Williams
‘Sweet Williams are a biennial or short-lived perennial. They are incredibly easy to grow and self-seed everywhere. They have a head of multiple rosette flowers and dark green foliage. Sweet William’s come in really striking colours and are a florist’s dream as they last several weeks in a vase. Sweet Williams have a distinctive sweet scent. Grown in the garden they attract bees and butterflies and used in a floral design they make a great standalone statement flower or can be used in a mixed arrangement. They have dense flower heads with a hydrangea-like quality. Personally, I love the vibrant colours such as rich maroon, magenta and rose-pink, but for something different try growing ‘’Green Wicky’ for a completely green flower. ' – Hannah Bryce of Minnow & Wolf
Clematis
‘I think clematis is the flower that needs more love. I don’t think everyone has realised its potential; we have it a lot in gardens, but I use it as cut flowers regularly as it has an incredible vase life and there are so many beautiful varieties. Clematis will be starting to come into our gardens now so it’s the perfect opportunity to play around with it for floral arrangements!' – Willow Crossley
Marigolds and other annuals
‘I always think lots of annuals are now considered old fashioned. To me they hark back to a time of cottage gardens nestled away down little lanes in hidden valleys. Some annuals have stood the test of time – sweetpeas, cosmos and zinnias are still popular – but others like Calendula officinalis (English marigold) and Ipomoea tricolor (morning glory) have fallen out of favour. I love the really bright, sunburst orange varieties of calendula like ‘Indian Prince’ and ‘Fiesta Gitana’, not only do they add a spark of colour to the summer garden, but they also look so good cut for the house in a little pot. The more you cut, the more flowers will come!’ – Sean Pritchard
Calla lilies
‘We’re seeing a real revival of blooms that were once considered out-dated in floristry. Calla lilies, with their sculptural elegance and timeless shape, feel effortlessly modern right now. They bring structure and sophistication to simple tablescapes, while creating instant drama when used en masse.’ – Holly Tomalin of Valanne
China Asters
'Growers like Floret have really helped to make China Asters fashionable and a desirable flower to both grow from seed and to design with. They come in a wide range of colours from pale pastel shades to vibrant pinks and purples, they bloom well into autumn and last forever in a vase. They come in multiple shapes and sizes with feathered blossoms that look like fluffy teddy bears. Peach and blush have become extremely popular colours with floral designers and brides as they can survive out of water in a bridal bouquet. Try rose, apricot, coral and salmon tones for bridal flowers or for something more adventurous try a Duchess Mix or Blue variety.' – Hannah Bryce of Minnow & Wolf
Carnations
'Carnations have had a complete glow-up recently. Fashion brands like Simone Rocha are embracing their renaissance, drawn to their texture, tonal range, and resilience. They hold their structure even out of water, opening up endless design possibilities. It’s exciting to see these flowers step back into the spotlight with such fresh relevance.' – Holly Tomalin of Valanne
Chrysanthemums
'Chrysanthemums or ‘mums’ have had a really bad time over the years and are often associated with flowers bought in petrol stations! They are known for having stiff stems and being styled in old fashioned, formal bouquets. White chrysanthemums are traditionally used as funeral flowers, however the great thing about chrysanthemums is that they come in so many different varieties and shades and can look really modern and unusual.
'Look out for regular incurve varieties that have compact flower heads with rounded petals that curve inward to create a dense ball… These are really amazing flowers and are used by florists to make bold arrangements. The white ones are rare to find so when you do, snap them up. They look like snowballs.
'Pompon mums are available in many colours, and form small, tight, round blooms that set them apart from most varieties. Quill chrysanthemums are another great variety to look out for. The florets are long, straight, thin, and tubular and the flower heads look like a starburst. One of my favourites is the spider variety. The petals go in all different directions resembling spider legs. These are great for Halloween if you are designing a tablescape for a spooky supper!
‘For me as a grower and floral designer, chrysanthemums are the perfect flower as they keep going well into November when grown in a polytunnel and they last up to three weeks in a vase. They symbolise autumn and abundance.’ – Hannah Bryce of Minnow & Wolf
Honesty
'Lunaria annua, commonly called honesty or annual honesty, is a traditional cottage garden plant that reminds me of my childhood. With its mass of purple flowers it's great for shady corners, and the delicate silver seed pods are a delight to behold.' – Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener
Shrubs
Before the perennial movement that now dominates, shrubs were the mainstay of garden design. Lots of these shrubs are now largely overlooked, which is a shame because they not only add texture and colour interest to the garden, they also provide crucial structure. In neutral to acidic soil, azaleas and rhododendrons are a good choice. They flower early in the season adding interest before summer really gets going and there are thousands of varieties to choose from. In a small garden, the dwarf Azalea ‘Rosebud’ is an extremely pretty variety with soft pink blowsy flowers in April and May. For larger interest, Rhododendron calophytum is a real statement shrub that will go on to form a major focal point in any border. – Sean Pritchard
Sweet peas
‘With their fabulous scent and delicate flowers this fast climbing plant is great for coverage. Once seen as old fashioned it makes a great screen or use old willow twigs to support. My favourite is Sweet Pea Plant ‘Almost Black’– its dark flowers make a striking effect. Another favourite is Sweet Pea ‘Mrs Collier’, which has beautiful cream flowers with an abundant scent.’ – Isabelle Palmer, The Balcony Gardener
