Flowers and Hot Temperatures

Published April 10, 2009 |

Hi There,

I was recently asked the question, “are there some flowers that hold up better than others in the heat”? And the answer is YES!

Flowers that hold up during the summer months better than others, ironically, are your less expensive flowers such as carnations, alstromeria and mums. Additionally, most tropical flowers are good bets for summer heat as well; although, not categorized as less expensive. Flowers such as orchids, antherium, ginger, bird of paradise, helliconia and proteas are good examples of tropical flowers that will hold up in the heat. Other flowers such as crocosmia, craspedia (called Billy Balls), kangaroo paws, yarrow, celosia, eryngium, echinops, lisianthus, freesia, gladiolas, gloriosa lilies, liatris, statice, roses, allium, calla lilies, hybrid lilies and Asiatic lilies will hold up pretty well in the heat.

Where you need to be very careful in the hot summer heat is with flowers that will not have a water source, such as the corsages and boutonnieres. An experienced florist will know how to give the flower a wet cotton wrap under the tape to help the flower with a water source.

There are some flowers I just can’t recommend for corsages and boutonnieres in heat above 90 degrees. Tulips, scabiosa, marigolds, ranunculus, phlox, poppies, muscari, daffodils, sweet peas, iris, hydrangea, hyacinthus, gerbera, dahlia, cosmos, lily of the valley, bouvardia, asters, campanula, anemone and delphinium. Most of these flowers won’t hold up even with a water source in 90 degree or higher temperatures. So, my advise to you is to avoid these flowers if you know the temperatures will be HOT where you are planning your event. If you are indoors with air conditioning, use whatever you want with little worries!