5 Long-Lasting Florals That Won't Fade
Before fall and winter set in, many people want to take advantage of the good weather with some late summer blooms. Florists are often asked which types of flowers are best-suited to heat, and that question is especially relevant in August and September. While heat takes a toll on all flowers, these five varietals are more durable.
Daisies
Daisies might seem a bit uninteresting, but these blooms make great filler for summer bouquets; simple white daisies look great alongside wildflowers for a bohemian bouquet. Daisies have a long vase life (up to two weeks) so they'll stay fresh. These flowers are part of the Asteraceae family, which includes other species with similarly durable qualities including sunflowers, aster, and chrysanthemum.
Lisianthus
These delicate-looking flowers are more durable than they look. With their dainty and papery petals, you might not guess that lisianthus can last up to 10 days in a vase. Lisianthus look most similar to roses but with a more vintage feel, which can make them a great addition to a romantic bouquet. These blooms do very well with heat and won't show signs of wilting.
Calla Lilies
A waxy, structured bloom like this one is far less likely to wilt in heat or be affected by winds. While calla lilies are most commonly white, there are multiple colored varieties — including purple, pink, yellow, and orange — to match whatever your palette you'd like. These statuesque flowers can stand alone, but they also look great with roses or tulips.
Orchids
Orchids are tropical flowers that do great in heat as long as they get lots of water. Additionally, the flowers themselves are quite durable due to their waxiness (much like the calla lily). There are a few main orchid varieties that are more common than others, including cymbidium, dendrobium, and phalaenopsis. Cymbidiums look great in vase arrangements, while dendrobiums have a long flowering stem that can look beautiful in cascading bouquets. Phalaenopsis orchids are the same that you typically find in homes and look great as centerpieces.
Succulents
There are many benefits of using succulents to supplement your florals. They're extremely durable and long-lasting, they're fashionable, and they're versatile. Put them in small planters for a cute centerpiece or ask your florist to work them into a bouquet. Succulents look great next to flowers that complement them in color. Additionally, there's a huge variety of succulents to choose from, so you won't be constrained.
Written by Matt Wolf, owner of Floral Concepts in Houston and florist on BloomNation .