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Flower guide for florists

Quick reference for 157 cut flowers, branches and foliage: botanical name, role, vase life, season, fragrance and pet toxicity — the same data Floreboard uses to review arrangements.

By season SpringSummerAutumnWinter

By colour redpinkwhiteyelloworangepurplebluegreen

By trait Longest-lasting cut flowersFragrant cut flowersUnscented and low-pollen flowersPet-safe flowers for cats and dogsFoliage and branches for arrangementsFlowers that dry wellFlower meanings: the language of flowers

Zander botanical notation system

Rooted in the German botanical lexicon (Zander – Handwörterbuch der Pflanzennamen), adapted for cut flower conditioning and commercial floristry.

Habit & Texture

  • ✂ Focal Cut Flower
  • ♄ Woody Branch
  • ♃ Herbaceous Perennial
  • ⊙ Delicate Annual
  • 〰↓ Cascading / Vine
  • 8 Berry / Texture

Water Level

  • ⊔_ Shallow (3–5cm)
  • ⊔= Medium (8–12cm)
  • ⊔≡ Deep (15–20cm+)

Stem Cut

  • ∠ 45° Angle Cut
  • ⊥ Horizontal Cut
  • + Cross Split
  • ♨ Hot Water / Flame

Vase Life

  • ⊙ Brief (2–5 days)
  • ⨀ Standard (5–9 days)
  • ⨂ Enduring (10–18+ days)
  • ∞ Everlasting / Dried

Safety & Care

  • ☠ₘ Toxic to Cats (Severe)
  • ☠ Toxic Sap / Irritant
  • D Fragrant Bloom
  • ❄ Cold Storage Suitable
  • ∧ Cold Sensitive

All flowers at a glance

FlowerRoleNotationVase lifeIn seasonFragrancePets
Agapanthus
Agapanthus praecox
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂7–10 daysSummerNone—
Allium
Allium giganteum
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ∞10–14 daysSpring, SummerLightmildly toxic
Alstroemeria
Alstroemeria
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Hippeastrum hybrids
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂7–14 daysWinter, SpringNonemildly toxic
Amur honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysAutumn, WinterNone—
Anemone
Anemone coronaria
Focal flower✂ ⊔_ ∠ ⨀3–6 daysWinter, SpringNonemildly toxic
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂14–21 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Arrowhead (sagittaria)
Sagittaria trifolia
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummerNone—
Asparagus fern
Asparagus setaceus
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Aspidistra
Aspidistra elatior
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–21 daysYear-roundNone—
Astilbe
Astilbe × arendsii
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞5–7 daysSummerNone—
Astrantia
Astrantia major
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞7–10 daysSummerNone—
Azalea
Rhododendron
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–7 daysSpringNone⚠ toxic to cats
Baby's breath
Gypsophila paniculata
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞7–10 daysYear-roundLight—
Bamboo
Phyllostachys
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysYear-roundNone—
Banksia
Banksia
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ∞14–21 daysYear-roundNone—
Bells of Ireland
Moluccella laevis
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSummerNone—
Bird of paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea glabra, B. spectabilis
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀4–7 daysSpring, Summer, AutumnNone—
Bouvardia
Bouvardia
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysYear-roundLight—
Buddha’s hand citron
Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysAutumn, WinterStrong—
Bupleurum
Bupleurum rotundifolium
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSpring, SummerNone—
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSpring, SummerLight—
Calla lily
Zantedeschia
Focal flower✂ ⊔_ ⊥ ⨀7–10 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Camellia
Camellia japonica
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⊙3–5 daysWinterNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Canterbury bells
Campanula medium
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–8 daysSpring, SummerNone—
Carnation
Dianthus caryophyllus
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundLightmildly toxic
Cattail
Typha angustifolia, T. orientalis
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–21 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Celosia
Celosia argentea
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ∞7–10 daysSummer, AutumnNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSpring, SummerLight—
Cherry blossom
Prunus serrulata
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–7 daysSpringLight—
China aster
Callistephus chinensis
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSummer, AutumnNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Chinese iris
Iris lactea
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀3–6 daysSpring, SummerLightmildly toxic
Chinese redbud
Cercis chinensis
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–7 daysSpringNone—
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum × morifolium
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysAutumnLightmildly toxic
Clematis
Clematis
Filler flower〰↓ ⊔= ∠ ⨀4–6 daysSpring, SummerNonemildly toxic
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞5–7 daysSpring, SummerNone—
Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Cotton stems
Gossypium hirsutum
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ∞14–30 daysAutumnNone—
Crabapple blossom
Malus spectabilis
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–7 daysSpringLight—
Crape myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica, L. speciosa
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀4–7 daysSummerNone—
Craspedia (billy buttons)
Pycnosorus globosus
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Crocosmia
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–8 daysSummerNone—
Curly willow
Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysYear-roundNone—
Dahlia
Dahlia
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀4–6 daysSummer, AutumnNonemildly toxic
Daisy (marguerite)
Argyranthemum frutescens
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSpring, SummerNonemildly toxic
Daylily
Hemerocallis fulva
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummerNone⚠ toxic to cats
Delphinium
Delphinium elatum
Line flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞5–8 daysSpring, SummerNonemildly toxic
Dendrobium orchid
Dendrobium
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Dusty miller
Jacobaea maritima
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Eryngium (sea holly)
Eryngium planum
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞10–14 daysSummerNone—
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus cinerea, E. gunnii
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ∞10–14 daysYear-roundLightmildly toxic
False spiraea
Sorbaria sorbifolia, S. kirilowii
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀4–7 daysSummerLight—
Fatsia
Fatsia japonica
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Firethorn (pyracantha)
Pyracantha fortuneana
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–21 daysAutumn, WinterNone—
Forsythia
Forsythia × intermedia
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀7–10 daysSpringNone—
Freesia
Freesia × hybrida
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–8 daysWinter, SpringStrong—
Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⊙3–5 daysSummerStrongmildly toxic
Gerbera daisy
Gerbera jamesonii
Focal flower✂ ⊔_ ⊥ ⨀6–10 daysYear-roundNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–10 daysAutumnNone—
Gladiolus
Gladiolus
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSummer, AutumnNonemildly toxic
Globe amaranth
Gomphrena globosa
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞10–14 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Grape hyacinth (Muscari)
Muscari armeniacum
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀4–7 daysSpringLight—
Hardy begonia
Begonia grandis
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⊙3–5 daysSummer, AutumnNonemildly toxic
Heavenly bamboo (nandina)
Nandina domestica
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysAutumn, WinterNonemildly toxic
Heliconia
Heliconia
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Hellebore
Helleborus orientalis
Filler flower⊙ ⊔≡ ∠ ⨀7–10 daysWinter, SpringNonemildly toxic
Holly
Ilex aquifolium
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysWinterNonemildly toxic
Hollyhock
Alcea rosea
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummerNone—
Hosta leaves
Hosta plantaginea, Hosta spp.
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂7–14 daysSummerNonemildly toxic
Hyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalis
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysWinter, SpringStrongmildly toxic
Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla
Focal flower✂ ⊔≡ + ∞5–7 daysSummerNonemildly toxic
Hypericum berries
Hypericum androsaemum, H. × inodorum
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Iris
Iris × hollandica
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀4–6 daysSpring, SummerLightmildly toxic
Ivy
Hedera helix
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Japanese kerria
Kerria japonica
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀4–7 daysSpringNone—
Jasmine
Jasminum sambac
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⊙3–5 daysSummerStrong—
Juniper & arborvitae
Juniperus chinensis, Platycladus orientalis
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysYear-roundLight—
Kangaroo paw
Anigozanthos
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ∞10–14 daysSpring, SummerNone—
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞7–10 daysSummerStrongmildly toxic
Leatherleaf fern
Rumohra adiantiformis
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Leucadendron
Leucadendron
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ∞14–21 daysYear-roundNone—
Lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Branch♄ ⊔≡ + ⊙3–5 daysSpringStrong—
Lily
Lilium
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysYear-roundStrong⚠ toxic to cats
Lily of the valley
Convallaria majalis
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀4–7 daysSpringStrong⚠ toxic to cats
Lingzhi mushroom
Ganoderma lingzhi
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂180–365 daysYear-roundNone—
Lisianthus
Eustoma grandiflorum
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂7–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Loquat leaves
Eriobotrya japonica
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–21 daysYear-roundNone—
Lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⊙3–4 daysSummerLight—
Lotus pod
Nelumbo nucifera
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ∞14–30 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Love-lies-bleeding
Amaranthus caudatus
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ∞7–10 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Lupin
Lupinus polyphyllus
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSpring, SummerNonemildly toxic
Magnolia
Magnolia denudata
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⊙3–5 daysSpringLight—
Maple branches
Acer palmatum
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂7–14 daysAutumnNone—
Marigold
Tagetes erecta
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSummer, AutumnStrong—
Monstera leaf
Monstera deliciosa
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Mugwort
Artemisia argyi
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–7 daysSummerStrong—
Myrtle
Myrtus communis
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundLight—
Narcissus (daffodil)
Narcissus
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀4–7 daysWinterStrongmildly toxic
Obedient plant
Physostegia virginiana
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Orchids (cut)
Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Oncidium
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–21 daysYear-roundLight✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Oriental bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysAutumnNonemildly toxic
Osmanthus
Osmanthus fragrans
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⊙3–5 daysAutumnStrong—
Palm leaves
Dypsis lutescens
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ∞14–21 daysYear-roundNone—
Peach blossom
Prunus persica
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–10 daysSpringLight—
Pear blossom
Pyrus pyrifolia, P. bretschneideri
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀4–7 daysSpringLight—
Peony (herbaceous)
Paeonia lactiflora
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSpringLightmildly toxic
Persimmon branches
Diospyros kaki
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysAutumnNone—
Photinia
Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin', P. serratifolia
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Pincushion protea
Leucospermum cordifolium
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysWinter, SpringNone—
Pine
Pinus
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysYear-roundLight—
Pittosporum
Pittosporum tenuifolium, P. tobira
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Plum blossom
Prunus mume
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀7–10 daysWinterLight—
Pomegranate
Punica granatum
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ⨂7–14 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Poppy
Papaver nudicaule, P. rhoeas
Focal flower⊙ ⊔= ♨ ⊙2–4 daysSpringNonemildly toxic
Powdery thalia
Thalia dealbata
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂7–14 daysSummerNone—
Protea
Protea cynaroides
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ∞10–14 daysWinter, SpringNone—
Purple loosestrife
Lythrum salicaria, L. anceps
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummerNone—
Purple-leaf plum
Prunus cerasifera 'Pissardii'
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–10 daysSpring, SummerNone—
Pussy willow
Salix gracilistyla
Branch♄ ⊔= + ∞14–30 daysWinter, SpringNone—
Queen Anne's lace (Ammi)
Ammi majus
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSpring, SummerNone—
Ranunculus
Ranunculus asiaticus
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–8 daysWinter, SpringNonemildly toxic
Red spider lily
Lycoris radiata
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysAutumnNonemildly toxic
Red-twig dogwood
Cornus alba
Branch♄ ⊔= + ∞14–30 daysWinterNone—
Rose
Rosa × hybrida
Focal flower✂ ⊔≡ ∠ ∞5–7 daysYear-roundLight✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Sacred lily (rohdea)
Rohdea japonica
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–30 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Salal
Gaultheria shallon
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–21 daysYear-roundNone—
Salvia
Salvia farinacea, S. leucantha
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ∞5–8 daysSummerLight—
Scabiosa
Scabiosa atropurpurea, S. caucasica
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummerNone—
Siam tulip (Curcuma)
Curcuma alismatifolia
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂7–14 daysSummerNone—
Silver wattle (mimosa)
Acacia dealbata
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–10 daysWinter, SpringLight—
Snapdragon
Antirrhinum majus
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSpringNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Solidago (goldenrod)
Solidago
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= + ∞7–10 daysSummer, AutumnNone—
Spiraea
Spiraea thunbergii
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–8 daysSpringNone—
Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum)
Ornithogalum thyrsoides, O. dubium
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨂14–21 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Statice
Limonium sinuatum
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ∞10–14 daysYear-roundNone—
Stock (Matthiola)
Matthiola incana
Line flower✂ ⊔≡ ∠ ⨀7–10 daysWinter, SpringStrong—
Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
Focal flower✂ ⊔_ ∠ ⨀6–10 daysSummerNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic
Sweet flag (acorus)
Acorus calamus, A. gramineus
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂7–14 daysSpring, SummerLight—
Sweet pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀4–7 daysSpringStrongmildly toxic
Ti plant (cordyline)
Cordyline fruticosa
Foliage♄ ⊔= + ⨂14–21 daysYear-roundNonemildly toxic
Trachelium
Trachelium caeruleum
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨀7–10 daysSummerNone—
Tree peony
Paeonia × suffruticosa
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⊙3–5 daysSpringLightmildly toxic
Tuberose
Agave amica
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummerStrong—
Tulip
Tulipa
Focal flower✂ ⊔_ ⊥ ⨀4–7 daysWinter, SpringNonemildly toxic
Veronica
Veronica longifolia
Line flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummerNone—
Viburnum (snowball)
Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'
Branch♄ ⊔≡ + ⨀5–7 daysSpringNone—
Water lily
Nymphaea
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⊙2–4 daysSummerLight—
Waxflower
Chamelaucium uncinatum
Filler flower⊙ ⊔= ∠ ⨂10–14 daysWinter, SpringLight—
Wheat ears
Triticum aestivum
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ∞14–30 daysSummerNone—
Willow
Salix babylonica, S. matsudana
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂10–14 daysSpringNone—
Winter daphne
Daphne odora
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀5–7 daysWinter, SpringStrongmildly toxic
Winter jasmine
Jasminum nudiflorum
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨀7–10 daysWinter, SpringNone—
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Accent / texture♄ ⊔= + ∞14–30 daysAutumn, WinterNonemildly toxic
Wintersweet
Chimonanthus praecox
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⨂7–14 daysWinterStrong—
Wisteria
Wisteria sinensis
Branch♄ ⊔= + ⊙2–4 daysSpringStrongmildly toxic
Zinnia
Zinnia elegans
Focal flower✂ ⊔= ∠ ⨀5–7 daysSummer, AutumnNone✓ ASPCA non-toxic

Last reviewed: 2026-10-31. Reference values from common trade practice. Real results vary with variety, origin and conditioning. CSV · JSON · About our data