There are few things guaranteed to lift the spirits more than the kaleidoscopic colours and sweet scent of a dazzling bouquet of flowers.
However, as students on our floristry course know, a huge amount of thought goes into a floral arrangement.
That said, there are some mainstays that make a good addition to any flower display.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the best flowers for flower arranging:
Tulips
Tulips are a wonderful flower as they are quick to arrange, easy to care for and bloom in a dazzling variety of colours.
They are pretty thirsty, so make sure you keep a close eye on the water levels in your vase and don’t mix them with daffodils, as daffodils and other Narcissus species put out a substance that stop tulips (and other cut flowers) from taking up water.
Tulips signal the start of spring, so they are perfect to get your display off to a good start.
Peonies
If you want a flower that is spectacular at every stage, then look no further than the peony.
They are known for their beautiful, large blooms with a blitz of gorgeous shades of pink and delicate petals.
They are at their peak in late spring, and need also need minimal care and are very versatile flowers.
Roses
With over 100 million sold each year, and around 20,000 varieties available, the rose really is the classic cut flower.
You can grow and cut any rose for a floral arrangement, and they are available in a mind-blowing variety of species and shades.
Long stemmed roses tend to be the favourite as they ensure the nicest form, but whatever species you choose it will be something special.
Add to the list of qualities the fact roses have a long vase life, and there is little more you can ask for from a cut flower.
Lilies
There are many different lilies that can be used in a floral arrangement, but the best are oriental lilies.
Their trumpet shaped blooms, not only look wonderful but their scent beautiful scent can perfume an entire room.
As beautiful as they look and as gorgeous as they smell, you should remember that their pollen can stain clothes. Try gently removing the stamens by hand before you cut and arrange them to solve this problem.
Sunflowers
There are very few flowers more bright and cheerful than the sunflower.
Traditionally sunflowers are instantly recognizable by their bold yellow flowers, but there are an increasing amount of hybrids popping up in shades of reds and bronze.
They are very easy to grow and require no special attention.
Whilst you can find them at any time of the year in flower shops, sunflowers tend to spend the early part of the summer growing tall and will then bloom later in the season.
Gladioli
Although not on the same scale as the sunflower, Gladioli can reach considerable heights, often of up to six feet.
Their flamboyant, tall stems add height and drama to any flower arrangement and make them popular summer bulbs to grow.
There are plenty of varieties to choose from, but most of them are thirsty cut flowers, so make sure you keep an eye on the water levels.
Hydrangeas
Another popular cut flower is the hydrangea. Their blooms are big and beautiful, and they are easy to care for and arrange.
It is their large flower heads that make hydrangeas particularly striking, and for this reason the mophead variety of hydrangea is a great choice for any floral arrangement.
Their sturdy stems also give them a great advantage when in a vase.
Dahlias
After dipping in popularity in recent years the dahlia is once again being recognised as the stunning cut flower it is.
They come in a beautiful and wide-ranging choice of varieties, shapes and sizes, most with spectacular hues that provide a kaleidoscope of colour.
This makes them a great choice for flower arranging, despite the fact they have a shorter vase life than other blooms.
Studying Floristry at Hadlow College
If you are interested in working in floristry, our Floristry course provides a balanced mix of practical floristry skills and knowledge of design theory.
At our Hadlow campus we have floristry studios and design spaces, a cutting garden and the opportunity to design and display floristry installations.
If you are interested in studying Floristry at North Kent College, visit our dedicated Floristry subject page to find out more.