Summer Flowers-Meet Helianthus Annuus, the Sunflower

Table of Citrus Theme Sunflower arrangements displayed
Robinson's Gardens Beverly Hills, CA.

A native of North America, the sunflower’s Latin botanical name is Helianthus Annuus.  The best known of these bold, cheery flowers grows as an annual and is a member of the largest floral family, the Asteraceae family which includes Daisies, Chrysanthemums, Gerberas, Asters, Cosmos, etc.  
                                                                                         The ancient Peruvian Incan sun worshippers attached it with meanings of "wishes & loyalty".   This flower was revered by many cultures, deriving its name from the Greek word heliosanthos, helios, meaning "sun," and anthos, meaning "flower.  


Homage and Devotion are other meanings of this flower.  It is known as the "3rd wedding anniversary flower" and the state flower of Kansas.

Sunflowers with bronze center
petals

Vase with "Teddy Bear"
Sunflowers

In the summer months sunflowers are abundant in California and other parts of the United States. California is the largest grower of fresh cut flowers in the country.  Our flower shop is so lucky to be located in California.  In the summer when sunflowers are at their seasonal peak, we have so many varieties of sunflowers available to our clients.  We have sunflowers with the traditional or common "black eyes" or centers. They can come with green centers, bronze petals, burgundy petals, bi-color yellow and bronze petals like the picture on the left.  We also have "Teddy Bear" sunflowers--are fun with lots of little golden yellow petals.  Our shop does carry the traditional sunflower with the black centers throughout most of the year.  



Vase life is from 7-14 days depending on variety. Remove bottom leaves if present, re-cut stems under water and place into a vase of warm water and fresh flower food provided by our flower shop. If no flower food is available, then place your sunflowers into a bleach solution (6-8 drops per quart) with a small amount of clear sweetened soda (seven-up works wonders).  Change water daily and re-cut your flowers for best results.  Keep any flowers you have in a cool place in your home or office.  Do not put any flowers next to a sunny hot window!  The best vase life is obtained in flower food solutions which should be provided with your purchase from a professional florist that cares about their product and clients.


Our shop, Edelweiss Flower Boutique, uses sunflowers in numerous floral designs.  Most feel sunflowers cannot be elegant, but as you can see elegance is not a problem.  The floral arrangement below can be used for a wedding, or as an accent decor for garden party or event.  

Elegant arrangement of sunflowers, roses and hydrangeas 

Colorful modern arrangement of sunflowers
burgundy dahlias, orange roses and orchids

Traditional sunflower arrangement

Sunflowers & mini gerberas
on a wedding cake

Sunflower Bridal Bouquet

Garland of sunflowers, roses & other
flowers

Your sunflower design can be modern and colorful or you can have a traditional pitcher of sunflowers.  We use sunflowers for bridal bouquets, to decorate wedding cakes and garlands... the possibilities are endless.   

Flowers by Seasons knowing when to get the best blooms!

When we first started in the flower industry the seasons meant,  no tulips in summer only in spring, lilacs only in late April, peonies only in late spring.  We had to plan future events, weddings and everyday floral designs according to Mother's Natures Calendar.  We looked forward to the beginning of each Season with anticipation.  Knowing soon a seasonal favorite will soon be in our shop ready to delight us and our clients.

Pink elegance with peonies
in silver urn vase

Today the family-owned farms are passionate about the flowers they grow.  We have a much larger selection of floral varieties available to us.  Selections of flowers found during months once thought impossible.  But this is not to proclaim that all flowers are available all year long.  We still wait with wonder if this year's dahlia or lilac crop will be better than last years.  Every season still has it's surprises and discoveries.  No year's flower selection and  is exactly the same as the last. 

I must say this year so far has not been an exception.  Valentine's day our roses were beautiful.  Spring flowers peaked much later than usual.  We are still seeing ranunculus, a flower that usually disappears weeks before Mother's Day.  Peonies are still beautiful and available in Mid-June, wow!   New varieties never seen before are embellishing our designs with year-round reliables.

When planning on an event, depending on the time of year or crop failure, certain flowers are just not available.  A good professional should be able to suggest an alternative flower to your first choice.  If this is not acceptable, change the date of  your event during the season when your choice usually blooms.  Keep in mind if we do find your favorite flower out of season or may be the first crop of the year, it is scarce, the flower can be in poor quality and very pricey.  Knowing the season when your flowers grow,  can help you plan your event around it's season and avoid disappointment. 

Why go through all that drama, there are many flowers available each season that are wonderful!  A talented & skilled floral designer can achieve your visions, expressed in flowers and many times exceed those expectations.

Let talk about when certain flower varieties are available and near the months they are most abundant.
Some flowers have a long season of availability's and others can be available for only 2 weeks.  Below is a list of some of the  most popular seasonal flowers in the season of their glory,  

Winter Flowers



Large winter Callas



Narcissus, Ranunculus, Tulips (first of the season), berried branches, large Callas,Winter greens, beauty berries, Amaryllis, anemones, Hellebore, ornamental kales, Pieris (Lily of the Valley shrub), Hyacinth, Daffodil, Viburnum, Grape Hyacinth, Freesias and Heathers. 



Spring Flowers



Spring Lilacs



Tulips (large selections of varieties and colors), Hyacinths, Irises (larger selection of colors are available),Lilac (season is 2-3 weeks long), Stock, Sweet Peas, Lily of the Vally, mini Callas, Daffodils, Viburnum, Anemone, Amaryllis, Ornithogalum, Ranunculus (early to mid spring),  Forsythia,  Blooming Peach branches (early spring), Freesias,  Grape Hyacinth and heather. 





Summer Gloriosa Lily
a climbing lily



Summer Flowers



Sunflowers, Garden Roses, Dahlias, Hydrangeas (lots of colors & varieties) Sweet Peas (best before August), Delphinium, Yarrow, Gladiolus, Gardenias, Zinnias, Lisianthus (available all year but best in Summer and early Fall), Gloriosa Lilies, blooming Herb (Oregano, Lavender, Mints and Rosemary, Larkspur and Phlox.

Fall Flowers



Summer Orange Dahlia



Dahlias (lots of colors), Hydrangeas (antique colors), Asters, Delphinium, Lisianthus, Ranunculus (late fall), Ornamental Kales, Viburnum berries, Snow berries, Zinnia (very limited), Beauty Berries and Sunflowers (fall red and burgundy colors).



Flowers available all year long....

So many choices too many to list.  Here are just a few.  Roses, Oriental Lilies, Gerberas, Carnations, Spray Roses, Chrysanthemums, Tropical flowers, orchids, Tulips (limited colors and varieties), Irises (blue), Mini-Carnations, larkspur, Delphinium, Sunflowers, Stock, Hydrangeas, Limoniums, Statice, Bells of Ireland Lilies, Gladiolus, Lisianthus, Alstroemeria and so much more.  In our shop we usually have at least 50-75 varieties of flowers and greenery.   California is one of the luckiest places to own a Florist.  We have access to so many flowers that can be grown in California almost all-year round.  Call us Edelweiss Flower Boutique or your florist and find out what is in and the seasons bests, even out of season and maybe we have it!