When buying flowers, the question often comes up: which varieties are fresh and at their best right now? Seasonal flowers are the answer. They are harvested at their natural flowering time, which means they last longer, have more intense colour and fragrance — and are usually less expensive than imported exotic varieties. Buying seasonally is also more sustainable, since less energy is needed for heated glasshouses or long-distance transport. This seasonal calendar shows you which flowers bloom when and how to put together a fresh bouquet all year round.
Seasonal flowers are varieties that bloom naturally at a particular time of year — either outdoors or in regional glasshouses that require little or no climate control. By contrast, many flowers available year-round in shops (certain roses or chrysanthemums, for example) are grown using large amounts of energy or in distant countries such as Kenya or Ecuador.
The term 'seasonal' is relative. In the Netherlands — Europe's largest flower-producing country — many varieties are grown in state-of-the-art glasshouses heated with residual energy. Even so, there are clear peak seasons for particular flowers, when quality is highest and prices are at their best. Anyone putting together a seasonal bouquet benefits from this natural availability.
Spring is the richest flowering season of the year. From March onwards the first bulb plants push through the soil, and the choice of fresh flowers grows week by week. Typical spring varieties include:
Spring is also the season for wildflowers: forget-me-nots, primroses and daisies add a natural, carefree touch to any bouquet. If you love that look, you can order meadow flowers for an inspiring selection to arrange yourself.
In summer, floral variety explodes. The long sunny days and warm temperatures encourage particularly lush and colourful varieties to thrive. Seasonal summer flowers include:
For summery occasions such as garden parties, weddings or birthdays, a colourful bouquet of sunflowers, dahlias and zinnias works beautifully — it feels lively, vibrant and perfectly suited to the warm season. If you prefer something wilder, you can order a wildbouquet with cornflowers, poppies and ox-eye daisies as a romantic alternative.
Autumn brings warm earth tones and an atmosphere all of its own to the world of flowers. Bouquets from this season tend to be deeper, richer and more atmospheric than those of summer. Typical autumn flowers include:
Autumn bouquets benefit from combining blooms with natural materials such as branches, berries or dried flowers. Mixed bouquets with dahlias, chrysanthemums and rosehips are particularly popular at this time of year — they feel warm and inviting, perfectly matching the golden mood of autumn.
In winter the choice of outdoor flowers is limited, but glasshouses deliver some real highlights. Winter flowers often carry a special symbolism: they represent hope, light and warmth during the darkest time of year.
For a festive winter bouquet, the best combination is amaryllis with wax flowers, eucalyptus and white roses — an elegant, timeless look for the holiday season.
The time of year influences not just availability but also the mood of a bouquet. Here are some combination suggestions by occasion:
For weddings, it is worth exploring our bridal bouquet range — there you will find seasonal inspiration for the most beautiful floral arrangement of the year.
Seasonal flowers are fresher than out-of-season varieties — but they still need the right care to last as long as possible. These tips will help:
When ordering seasonal flowers online, the shorter the journey from grower to vase, the fresher the flowers. Regionsflorist sources its flowers directly from growers in the Netherlands — the heart of the European flower trade. This means the flowers often reach you within 24 to 48 hours of being harvested.
The traditional route from grower to wholesaler to florist often takes three to five days — before the flowers have even reached the vase. Regionsflorist cuts out this middleman. The flowers are harvested in the Netherlands, packed and shipped directly. The result: greater freshness, a longer vase life and often a lower price.
If you want to order seasonal flowers in summer — a colourful arrangement of dahlias, sunflowers and lisianthus, for example — you receive these varieties at peak season, meaning the best possible quality at the best price. The same applies to tulips in spring or amaryllis in winter.
The seasonal range is also worth checking if you are looking for affordable flowers: varieties that are currently in peak season are not only fresher but also noticeably less expensive than out-of-season imports.
Roses, chrysanthemums and gerberas are produced in glasshouses year-round and are available fresh in every season. Lilies, alstroemeria and gypsophila are also available throughout the year. These varieties make a reliable base for any bouquet, regardless of the season.
Tulips are at their peak from March to May, with the height of the season in April. During this period they are at their freshest, most affordable and available in the widest range of varieties. Outside this window, tulips are either stored in cold storage or imported from abroad — and quality is often lower.
Generally, yes. At peak season supply is high and demand is well met, which keeps prices down. Costly long-distance transport from faraway countries is also avoided. A bunch of tulips in April often costs half what it does in December — and the quality is significantly better.
A tried-and-tested rule: choose one focal flower (a peony or sunflower, for example), one complementary flower in a different shape (lisianthus or ranunculus, for instance) and a foliage filler (eucalyptus, gypsophila or lavender). Stick to two or three tones for a harmonious overall look. If you are unsure, you can always order seasonal flowers in a ready-made bouquet — the combination is already perfectly balanced.
