Autumn flowers - seasonal bouquets from August to November
Autumn is the warmest season of the flower year: dahlias, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, asters and heather in rust, gold and plum. Here you can see which flowers are in season when, how long they last and which autumn bouquets suit which occasion.
Autumn flowers - month by month
The season moves fast in autumn. What is at its best in August is gone by October - and what arrives then lasts right up to Advent.
- August - September
Dahlia, sunflower, gladiolus, zinnia and hollyhock. Late-summer abundance - big, bright flowers at a good price. Perfect for birthdays and back to school.
- September - October
Asters, chrysanthemums, rudbeckia and coneflower. Colours deepen towards rust, burgundy and gold. Bouquets are finished with grasses, berries and twigs.
- October - November
Chrysanthemums, heather, hydrangea in autumn tones, decorative branches. Season for remembrance bouquets and the first Advent arrangements.
The six autumn favourites
How long do autumn flowers last?
Vase life varies a lot. If you want the bouquet to last - go for chrysanthemums and asters. If you want maximum impact for a few days - dahlias and sunflowers.
Guide values at room temperature, clean water and freshly cut stems. See our tips for making cut flowers last longer.
Autumn bouquets for different occasions
| Occasion | Autumn bouquet that works |
|---|---|
| Back to school, new term | Sunflowers or yellow rudbeckia - cheerful and encouraging |
| Autumn birthday | Dahlias in their favourite colour, or a mixed autumn bouquet in rust and plum |
| Autumn party, housewarming | Warm bouquet with grasses, berries and chrysanthemums - lasts for ages on the table |
| Thank you / thinking of you | Pale autumn bouquet with asters and carnations - low scent and long-lasting |
| Halloween and Bonfire Night | Orange dahlias, rudbeckia and rust-coloured chrysanthemums with berries and twigs |
Autumn tricks
- Mix flowers with grasses, berries and branches - the signature of autumn
- Choose seasonal flowers - fresher, cheaper and longer-lasting
- Break up the warm tones with white or grey-green
- Keep the bouquet somewhere cool overnight - autumn flowers like it
Avoid
- Dahlias and sunflowers next to the radiator - they wilt quickly
- Mixing strongly scented flowers (lilies) with the low-scent autumn flowers
- Frost: do not leave the autumn bouquet out on the balcony
Send an autumn bouquet - seasonal flowers, hand-tied and delivered across the UK.
View autumn bouquets →Frequently asked questions about autumn flowers
Which flowers are in season in autumn?
August-September: dahlia, sunflower, gladiolus, zinnia. September-October: asters, chrysanthemums, rudbeckia. October-November: chrysanthemums, heather, hydrangea in autumn tones and decorative branches.
Which autumn flowers last longest in a vase?
Chrysanthemums last longest, 14-21 days, followed by asters and carnations (10-14 days). Dahlias and sunflowers make the biggest impact but only last 5-8 days.
What goes in an autumn birthday bouquet?
Dahlias in their favourite colour or a mixed bouquet in rust, gold and plum, ideally with grasses and berries. Sunflowers and rudbeckia make a more cheerful, yellow bouquet.
