The Flower Encyclopedia
Every Flower, Honestly Profiled
42 working profiles of the flowers florists actually sell — real vase-life ranges, seasonality, cost bands, care steps, pet cautions, and what pairs with what. No catalog gloss.
Written by the Burton Floral Design team · Published July 24, 2026
Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria aureaThe workhorse of the cooler — long-lasting, budget-friendly, and multiple blooms on every stem.
Amaryllis
Hippeastrum hybridumA dramatic winter statement — enormous trumpet blooms on tall, hollow stems.
Anemone
Anemone coronariaPapery petals around a dark center — high contrast and a favorite of modern designers.
Aster
Aster novi-belgiiDaisy-like sprays that fill an arrangement with small, star-shaped blooms.
Baby's Breath
Gypsophila paniculataAiry clouds of tiny white blooms — a classic filler that now stands on its own.
Calla Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopicaA single sculptural curl of a bloom — elegant, modern, and unmistakably graphic.
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllusRuffled, long-lasting, and endlessly versatile — a hardworking flower that deserves its comeback.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum morifoliumLong-lasting, densely petaled, and available in more forms than almost any cut flower.
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatusDelicate, daisy-like blooms on airy stems — a garden-fresh look for relaxed arrangements.
Daffodil
Narcissus pseudonarcissusThe first bright signal of spring — trumpet blooms that read as pure optimism.
Dahlia
Dahlia pinnataLate-summer showstoppers with geometric petals and a size range from golf ball to dinner plate.
Daisy
Leucanthemum vulgareCheerful, unpretentious blooms that read as fresh, friendly, and honest.
Delphinium
Delphinium elatumTall, true-blue spires that bring vertical height and a rare saturated blue to arrangements.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus cinereaThe most-used foliage in modern floristry — silvery blue-green leaves with a clean, aromatic finish.
Freesia
Freesia hybridaSlender arching stems of funnel-shaped blooms known for a sweet, citrusy perfume.
Garden Rose
Rosa × hybridaLush, many-petaled roses with an old-fashioned, unfurled shape and often a true rose fragrance.
Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoidesWaxy, ivory-white blooms with a rich, unmistakable perfume — elegant, delicate, and demanding to handle.
Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera jamesoniiBig, bold, single-bloom daisies in pure saturated colors — the definition of a cheerful flower.
Gladiolus
Gladiolus hortulanusTall, dramatic flower spikes that open from the bottom up and bring bold vertical height.
Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalisDense, spiraling spikes of star-shaped florets with one of spring's most powerful fragrances.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophyllaBig, cloud-like heads that fill space fast — the workhorse of lush, full arrangements.
Iris
Iris × germanicaArchitectural blue-purple blooms that add height and a cool, painterly note to spring work.
Lavender
Lavandula angustifoliaSlender purple spikes with an unmistakable scent — texture, color, and fragrance in one stem.
Lily
Lilium spp.Large, dramatic trumpet blooms with real presence — one stem does a lot of work.
Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorumRuffled, rose-like blooms on airy stems — soft romance with a longer vase life than it looks.
Marigold
Tagetes erectaDense, sunset-toned pompoms with a warm scent — bold color and deep cultural meaning.
Orchid
Phalaenopsis spp.Elegant, exotic blooms that last for weeks — refined luxury with remarkable staying power.
Peony
Paeonia lactifloraLush, many-petaled blooms with a short season and long list of admirers — the romance benchmark.
Poppy
Papaver spp.Papery, luminous petals on graceful stems — delicate beauty with strong remembrance meaning.
Protea
Protea cynaroidesBold, architectural blooms with a prehistoric look — dramatic focal flowers that last and dry well.
Ranunculus
Ranunculus asiaticusTissue-paper petals stacked dozens deep — a rose look on a slim, graceful stem.
Rose
Rosa × hybridaThe most requested cut flower in the world — dependable, expressive, and available in nearly every color.
Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majusTall spires of stacked blooms that bring height and old-garden charm to any arrangement.
Statice
Limonium sinuatumPapery, long-lasting filler that holds its color fresh or dried for months.
Stephanotis
Stephanotis floribundaSmall, waxy white trumpets with a sweet fragrance — a classic bridal flower.
Stock
Matthiola incanaDensely packed, spicy-sweet spires that fill an arrangement with old-fashioned fragrance.
Succulents
Echeveria spp.Sculptural, drought-tolerant rosettes that add texture and last well beyond the arrangement.
Sunflower
Helianthus annuusBig, sunny faces that read as warmth and optimism — the signature flower of late summer.
Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratusRuffled, delicate blooms with an intense, honeyed fragrance — a spring luxury.
Tulip
Tulipa spp.Spring's defining flower — clean lines, saturated color, and a stem that keeps moving after it is cut.
Waxflower
Chamelaucium uncinatumAiry sprays of tiny waxy blooms and needle foliage — a long-lasting, fragrant filler.
Zinnia
Zinnia elegansBold, saturated summer blooms in nearly every warm color — cheerful and unfussy.
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