Someone holding a bouquet of light pink flowers and greenery

Choosing the Best Flowers for Bouquets: Tips for New Florists

Creating a bouquet seems easy–just group several flowers together, and you’re done! However, any experienced florist will tell you it’s not quite that simple. Flower bouquets are handled more than other flower arrangements, so not every lovely flower is suitable for a bouquet. They must be sturdy enough to be held by a bride walking down the aisle or handed to a loved one as a gift. If you’re a relatively new florist, learning about the best flowers for bouquets will help you design beautiful floral creations that last as long as your clients need them. 

What the Best Flowers for Bouquets Have in Common

Every flower has its own beauty. However, not all work well in bouquets. Whether they will go in a vase or be held during a ceremony, the best flowers for bouquets should meet a few requirements: 

  • Long stems that fit in a vase or leave room for hands to hold them
  • Hardy stems and blooms that won’t break, fall apart, or bruise easily during handling
  • Long-lasting so your clients can enjoy their bouquets as much as possible 
  • In-season to ensure fresh, healthy flowers and cut down on costs

Popular Bouquet Flowers You Should Try 

A florist holding a bouquet of bright pink and white flowers
Classic bouquet flowers have the structure and beauty to make beautiful arrangements every time.

With experience, you’ll learn to identify the best flowers for your bouquets. But it never hurts to have a quick cheat sheet to refer to, either! The following flower species are popular in bouquets because people love how they look and because they have great structures for gathering into attractive arrangements. 

  • Anemone
  • Aster
  • Baby’s breath
  • Carnation
  • Chrysanthemum
  • Cosmo
  • Dahlia
  • Daisy
  • Echinacea
  • Iris
  • Larkspur
  • Lily
  • Orchid
  • Peony
  • Poppy
  • Ranunculus
  • Rose
  • Snapdragon
  • Statice
  • Strawflower
  • Sunflower
  • Sweet pea
  • Tulip
  • Zinnia

Branch Out with These Unique Bouquet Flowers 

A bouquet of pink and white flowers sitting on a gray couch

Many lesser-known bouquet flowers can add exciting textures, shapes, and height to your arrangements.

Many of the most common flowers for bouquets have a single large blossom or are well-known species. But sometimes, the best flowers for bouquets include unique, lesser-known blooms. Experiment with these bouquet-worthy flowers to add variety and fun textures to your creations: 

  • Ageratum
  • Bells of Ireland 
  • Celosia
  • Cockscomb 
  • Gomphrena 
  • Lisianthus 
  • Love-in-a-mist
  • Long-stem marigold 
  • Lupine 
  • Scabiosa 
  • Sea holly 
  • Stock 
  • Yarrow

Choosing the Best Flowers for Wedding Bouquets

A bride holding an elaborate bouquet of pink and cream flowers

Work with wedding clients to pick the most elegant and luxurious flowers to create their custom bouquets.

Finding the best flowers for wedding bouquets starts with what your client wants. However, clients don’t always know what’s in-season or hardy enough for bouquets. Some of their picks might work better in other wedding decor. As their florist, you can steer them toward the flowers listed above or the following options that are also perfect for wedding bouquets: 

  • Alstroemeria
  • Amaranthus 
  • Amaryllis 
  • Anthurium
  • Bird of paradise 
  • Calla lily 
  • Daffodil 
  • Freesia 
  • Hydrangea 
  • Lilac 
  • Lily of the Valley
  • Viburnum

Need Bouquet Supplies? 46 & Spruce Has You Covered

You’ve got the flowers. What about everything else for crafting bouquets? Shop 46 & Spruce to find all the florist supplies you need to create gorgeous flower arrangements. Our products help you bring your designs to life, and a Professional account helps you stay on budget with exclusive bulk pricing discounts. We also offer excellent customer service when you contact us with questions.

 

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