Celebrating Dahlia and Peony Season

If there is one thing we love as florists, it’s the natural rhythm of the changing seasons. Every few months, the local flower markets completely transform, bringing a brand-new palette of textures and scents to our design tables.

Right now, we are in the absolute sweet spot of the floral calendar. We are officially celebrating the overlap of two of the absolute heaviest hitters in the floral world: Peonies and Dahlias.

Whether you’re planning a grand summer event, selecting the perfect bridal bouquet, or just wanting to brighten up your kitchen island, here is everything you need to know about these seasonal stars and how to make them last.

Peonies are famous for their lush, pillow-soft, romantic feel. They are the ultimate "transformation" flower; they start as tight, golf-ball-sized round buds and magically explode into a cloud of delicate, fragrant petals. Because their natural growing window is notoriously short, they always feel like a rare luxury.

Our Favorite Varieties: Blush 'Sarah Bernhardt' for classic romance, or the 'Coral Charm', which famously shifts color from vibrant coral to a soft cream as it ages.

Best Paired With: Soft eucalyptus greenery, delicate ranunculus, or garden roses for a timeless, textured look.

Pro-Tip for Peony Lovers: If you buy peonies in the bud stage and need them to open quickly for a dinner party, place them in warm water in a warm room. If they are opening too fast, move them to a cool, dark room to slow them down!

The Dramatic Showstoppers: Dahlias

Season: Mid-Summer through Late Autumn

If peonies are the soft royalty of spring, dahlias are the bold, graphic queens of summer and autumn. Coming in an incredible array of architectural shapes—from tight, geometric pompoms to massive, dinner-plate-sized blooms—dahlias bring unmatched drama and rich color depth to our arrangements.

Our Favorite Varieties: The legendary 'Café au Lait' (a stunning creamy-peach shade beloved by brides) and deep, moody burgundy varieties like 'Rip City'.

Best Paired With: Wild grasses, seasonal berries, or scabiosa for a moody, freshly-foraged garden aesthetic.

Florist Secrets: Making Your Stems Last

Both of these varieties are premium blooms, so you'll want to get the absolute most out of every single stem. Follow these rules to keep your arrangement looking fresh

Hydrate Deeply: Strip away any leaves that sit below the water line. Leaves left in the water create bacteria, which shortens the lifespan of your flowers.

Give Them a Fresh Snip: Before putting them in a vase, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. This prevents the stems from sitting flat against the bottom of the vase, allowing maximum water absorption.

Change the Water Daily: Dahlias, in particular, are thirsty drinkers and love perfectly clean water. Give them a fresh drink every single day.

Keep It Cool: Keep your arrangement out of direct sunlight, away from heating vents, and away from the ripening fruit bowl on your counter (ripening fruit releases ethylene gas, which causes flowers to drop their petals early!).

Bring the Season Indoors

Because these seasonal beauties wait all year for their moment in the spotlight, they never stick around for long.

Are you looking to add some seasonal magic to your home, or planning flowers for an upcoming celebration? Drop by the shop this week to see what fresh varieties we've just brought in, or explore our Designer’s Choice arrangements online to let our team curate the very best of the morning's market haul for you!