There is something so special about flowers. They are known for brightening people’s days and they are used for numerous occasions from weddings to celebrations, to funerals and for adding a pop of colour to someone’s home.
Are you looking to give someone flowers as a gift or are you trying to find the best flowers for a special occasion?
It can be difficult to find the best flowers, which is why we’ve narrowed it down to the most popular flowers to help you with your search.
8 of the most popular flowers:
- Roses
- Peonies
- Daisies
- Lilies
- Carnations
- Sunflowers
- Orchids
- Dahlias
No matter the occasion, choosing these popular flowers are sure to make for a great gift or look amazing at any event.
Obviously flowers are subject to availability and seasonality but florists are sure to have at least one of these popular flower types!
There are around 400,000 different types of flowers in the world, so there is sure to be at least one type for everyone.
Flowers are very unique and come in thousands of different sizes, shapes and colours. Everyone has their own personal favourite flowers but without being too overwhelming listing over thousands different flowers, we’ve created a list of some of the most popular flowers, created from our florist experience, surveys, word of mouth and more research.
1. Roses
We may be a little biased for putting roses at the top of the list, considering our name has Rose in it. Arguably one of the most beautiful flowers in the world - and the most known, the rose. Considered as an international symbol of love and beauty, roses are the forefront of many weddings, love stories and even fairy tales.
There are over 3,000 different types of roses available commercially with hundreds more available at specific periods throughout the year and subject to your location.
Roses are known for their beautiful scent (most of the time) and their beautiful soft petals and array of colours. We love using preserved roses in our flower arrangements as they not only look amazing, but last for years and don’t wilt like fresh roses.
From a classic red rose, to the increasingly popular garden rose, there’s a rose sure to suit anyone’s taste.
We had to begin this list with the rose. No other flower is as famous or popular. The rose outshines everything else.
2. Peonies
Not only one of the most popular flowers, but also one of the most popular wedding flowers, the peony.
Who doesn’t love these beautiful, delicate flowers? They are truly unique as they are perennials, meaning they live for more than two years. However, they grow and bloom during Spring which means they are quite expensive as they aren’t available all year round.
If you’re having a Spring wedding in Australia, you could definitely add some peonies to your bridal bouquet or wedding table arrangements!
Peonies are native to Asia and Europe, but are sold and imported all over the world. Here in Melbourne there are some peony farms that you can visit during Spring where you can walk through fields of grown peonies and pick & purchase some for your home.
Peonies were once said to be ‘rose like cabbages’ as they can grow up to 10 inches in diameter (how huge). They can be found in most colours yet the most common here in Australia are pink and white.
In America, they often use yellow peonies but they aren’t as popular here. Fresh, locally grown peonies can last up to 7 days. Their heads will often start small and very intact, and within a few days they will open up to a large, beautiful flower.
3. Daisies
What’s that saying - an oldie but a goodie? That’s where daisies come in. Daisies are a popular choice for gardens as they are bright, colourful and quite easy to grow. Who remembers picking a daisy from the garden and muttering ‘he loves me, he loves me not’ on each petal? Daisies are a classic flower, known for their white petals and yellow centre.
Daisies grow rapidly, with some species being classified as noxious weeds in certain countries. Daisies come in over 20,000 species and they go well beyond the classic white and yellow type that we all know them for. Some of the most popular daisies include the gerbera daisies, African daisies and chrysanthemum daisies.
4. Lilies
Who doesn’t love these large, extravagant blooms? Lilies are a show stopper, grown from bulbs that flourish during summer. These perennial flowers return year after year and require minimal care in your yard. How could you not love these timeless flowers with long, narrow leaves. They come in the most beautiful, striking colours from pink to orange to white and many more.
Lilies make for great wedding flowers as they truly are a classic bloom. There are endless hybrid lilies and a number of popular lily species that would look great in a bridal bouquet or vase you have at home. Daylilies, oriental lilies, peace lilies are just a few of the oh so popular flowers.
5. Carnations
A flower as old as time, the carnation. Carnations are a great alternative to roses as they are similar in size and are rather elegant. They make for great wedding flowers as they are durable and can last for hours without needing water. Although carnations aren’t at the front of everyone’s mind when it comes to wedding flowers as some associate their affordability with ‘cheapness’. Carnations used to be used as a flower filler but as their popularity grows, they have taken the centre stage in wedding bouquets and everyday florist bouquets.
The Carnations species, dianthus caryophyllus have just 5 petals and vary in colour from white to pink to purple. Carnations are native to Europe and Asia but can be found in most countries around the world. They are known as a delicate flower due to their soft appearance. They are rather symbolic with some claiming that they represent everlasting love.
6. Sunflowers
Think fields of yellow flowers and backdrops to Pinterest photo shoots. Sunflowers look like happiness. They are big, bright and yellow. They are easy to grow and never turn their heads from the sun which is why they are symbolic for faithfulness.
Sunflowers really are a unique type, each flower contains thousands of tiny individual flowers (up to 2,000). They are filled with sunflower seeds and the oil that you can make from them. Although you may only know of the classic ‘sunflower’ there are over 70 different species of them with most of them looking bright and colourful.
7. Orchids
The elegant and timeless orchid. A flower so beautiful but often will have a ‘love-hate’ relationship with them if they have ever been gifted an orchid plant and have slowly watched it die.
Orchidaceae are a diverse species of flowering plants, with blooms that are known for their colours and fragrance. Orchids have been increasingly popular amongst weddings during the past couple of years. They are stunning and bring a touch of elegance to a bridal bouquet.
Today, you can buy an orchid in a gorgeous pot for somewhere around $20 at nearly any supermarket. This does not mean that in a few months time it will still be alive at your house. Orchids are rather fussy if you don’t know how to care for them properly. We recommend the Phalaenopsis orchid as they are rather easy to take care of and keep alive. These orchids grow in low light and don’t need extreme humidity to thrive.
8. Dahlias
One of the most joyful flowers are dahlias. Their bold, bright and beautiful colours are what they’re known for and their variety of shapes and sizes from baby dahlias to giant flowers around 2m tall.
Dahlias make for grand bouquets as their flowering heads can be as big as your head. They come in an array of colours and sizes which makes adding them to a bouquet that much easier. They are more affordable than the beautiful peonies which makes them a great choice for any bouquet.
10 Most Popular Wedding Flowers:
- Roses
- Peonies
- Orchids
- Anemones
- Dahlias
- Hydrangeas
- Tulips
- Orchids
- Ranunculus
- Sweet pea
If you're looking for a flower that is popular or unique, there are many options to choose from. Consider the most popular wedding flowers when planning your nuptials. With so many choices, you're sure to find the perfect bloom for your big day!
These 8 popular flowers are sure to make anyone’s day and bring a touch of elegance or pop of colour to your home.
We love fresh flowers as much as the next person but have chosen to specialise in dried flowers as they are real flowers that have been dried or preserved to last for years. Dried flowers are up there with the most popular flowers and we don’t see this trend going away anytime soon!