What's available?
Although the majority of cut flowers grown for the commercial market are available on a year-round basis, some are available for just a few short weeks or a couple months per year. All flowers (even if available year-round) have what's known as a crop cycle. As a crop is coming into a "flush", or its prime peak for optimum harvest, it is at its highest availability, best quality, and most likely its best price. There is a crescendo and decrescendo so to speak in growing cycles. Understanding those cycles by variety, their timing and seasonality, will help you choose flower varieties that not only give their top vase life performance but also help you maximize your flower budget.
Know your flowers
If you've been in the flower business for a while, you probably have a good gauge on what's available year-round versus seasonal. Growers program year-round availability of crops to follow holiday needs and be sure there is enough product at the right time for increased demand.
Growers that produce more seasonal varieties program much in the same way but tend to work further in advance to program crops to plant and harvest in the right window of time.
Quality of any crop at the beginning and end of its cycle is by default not at its optimum. Growers counterbalance this fact to keep specs and standards consistent by overlapping crops so there are continuously beds peaking and ready to harvest.
Ask your supplier
Not sure when best of season is for a flower variety? Ask your supplier! Here are some general guidelines on more popular flowers. Keep in mind though that other important factors such as weather and transportation issues can also contribute to end result availability and quality.
Year Round
- Rose & Spray Rose
- Alstroemeria
- Gypsophila
- Carnation
- Chrysanthemum
- Gerbera
- Lily
Seasonal
- Hyacinth
- Daffodils
- Narcissus
- Dahlias
- Agapanthus
- Amaryllis
- Peonies
- Tulips
Have questions or would like more info.? FloraLife is here for you! Contact our team of experts today!
