Flowers in Australia – your questions answered

Placing the order in the morning gives you the most room. Same-day delivery works off a cut-off in the recipient’s own time zone, not yours, so a person in Perth and a person in Sydney have different deadlines even on the same afternoon. The countdown on the home page shows the time that is left.

Australia spans three standard time zones, and Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia skip daylight saving while New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT wind their clocks forward. In summer the gap between Brisbane and Sydney grows to an hour, and a cut-off at the other end of the country can pass before you have finished lunch.

Yes. You pick the delivery date yourself when you order, which makes it simple to organise a birthday or anniversary ahead of time instead of panicking the night before. For a huge date such as Mother’s Day, ordering a few days early is the safer plan.

No. The order is passed to a florist near the recipient, who arranges it locally and delivers it. That is why there is no multi-day trip across the Nullarbor in a cardboard carton, and why the stems tend to look so much better on arrival.

Choose a delivery address where someone will be around, such as a workplace, and think twice about a house that is empty all day. A bunch left in the sun on a veranda in January does not last.

Often, yes, because the florist network reaches well beyond the capital cities. Enter the address at checkout and you will see whether it can be reached. Very remote stations and places only accessible by unsealed road may not be covered.

It can. Floods, cyclones in the tropical north between roughly November and April, and bushfire closures on country roads sometimes slow things down. If you spot a weather warning near the recipient, order a day or two earlier than you normally would.

Public holidays differ from state to state, and Labour Day, for example, falls on different dates around the country. Check the days offered for the recipient’s address at checkout instead of assuming that a florist is open.

Short wins. Two or three lines in your own voice are better than a poem copied from the internet. Say who it is from, why you are sending it and one warm detail, such as thanks for lifting you on a rough week.

Yes. You can add a message and sign it, or leave your name off if you want the delivery to be a surprise.

A bunch is a tied bouquet that goes straight into the recipient’s own vase, and an arrangement is set up in a container, often with the water built in. Choose an arrangement if you are not certain the recipient owns a vase, such as a hospital patient or someone who has just moved.

Compare the number of stems, the type of flower and whether the bunch is a florist’s own design. Roses, peonies and anything outside its natural season cost more. The price that matters appears at checkout, together with the delivery fee, before you pay.

A mixed seasonal bunch in colours the person likes is a safe bet. Gerberas, alstroemeria and chrysanthemums are forgiving, they last, and most people like them. Leave the more fragile specialists, such as peonies, for someone who loves to fuss.

It falls on the second Sunday in May, so it comes in autumn here. Chrysanthemums are everywhere at that time because they are in season, and carnations, roses and gerberas are popular too. Order well ahead, because florists are flat out that weekend.

Father’s Day is the first Sunday in September, at the start of spring. Plenty of dads like flowers, especially in bold colours or something native such as banksia. If you are unsure, pick a sturdy, less frilly arrangement with greenery in it.

Red roses are the classic, and 14 February is the biggest day of the year for them. It is also summer, so the bunch will work harder to stay fresh. Once it arrives, move the vase to the coolest room in the house.

Yes, but pick sensibly. Lilies, gerberas and Christmas-red native touches handle a hot lunch table better than delicate spring flowers. NSW Christmas bush, with its small red bracts in December, is a quintessentially Australian choice.

Red poppies and rosemary are the traditional Anzac Day symbols, and many people place them at memorials on 25 April. Rosemary stands for remembrance. For a private tribute at home, a simple bunch of red and white flowers does the job.

White and soft pastel flowers dominate: lilies, roses, carnations and chrysanthemums. Look at the notice first, because many families request donations to a charity in lieu of flowers. When flowers are welcome, a wreath or casket spray is usually organised through the funeral director.

A sympathy arrangement to the family home or a short card with a bunch is always appreciated, and it does not need to be elaborate. If you do not know the family well, calm tones and a simple message are better than something loud.

Usually yes, but some units, such as intensive care and certain cancer or transplant wards, have rules against live flowers. Ring the hospital first. Choose a compact arrangement with little scent, since strong blooms can bother patients who feel unwell.

Pick an alternative, such as a card, a small book or a gift sent to the patient’s home after discharge. A florist can also deliver a bunch to the family at their house instead.

Soft pinks, blues, creams and yellows are common, or whichever colours the parents love. Send flowers to the parents’ home, not the baby, and think about simple, unscented stems because newborns and tired parents often prefer less fragrance.

Cheerful and bright, with a hint of success: sunflowers, gerberas and mixed seasonal flowers work. In Australia many graduations fall in the summer months, so choose stems that cope with warm rooms.

Bright mixed bunches, lilies and roses in warm colours. If the news is a promotion or a new house, add a card that mentions it specifically, because the personal detail is what the person remembers.

Roses remain the stock answer for romance, and many couples choose the flowers from their wedding day. Peonies and ranunculus feel luxurious in their seasons. For paper, cotton and other traditional anniversary themes, a florist can suggest what fits.

Spring in Australia runs from September to November. Wattle, kangaroo paw, flannel flower and Geraldton wax are all part of the bushland scene around then, and florists use them in free-form bunches. Availability depends on the grower.

Golden wattle. It was proclaimed as the national floral emblem in 1988, and 1 September is National Wattle Day, which also happens to be the start of spring.

New South Wales has the waratah, Victoria the common heath, Queensland the Cooktown orchid, Western Australia the red and green kangaroo paw, South Australia Sturt’s desert pea, Tasmania the Tasmanian blue gum, the Northern Territory Sturt’s desert rose and the ACT the royal bluebell.

Many are surprisingly tough. Banksia, waratah and protea hold their shape for a long time, and Geraldton wax and eucalyptus foliage can last more than a week. Wattle drops its fluffy blossom quickly, though, and is best enjoyed fresh.

Generally not. In national parks and most reserves it is illegal to pick wildflowers, and some species are protected by law. Buying from a florist means the flowers come from a licensed grower instead.

Proteas are big, spiky South African blooms that grow well in many parts of Australia, so they are widely farmed here. They look dramatic, last for ages and are a favourite for modern weddings and dried arrangements.

They evolved on a dry, nutrient-poor continent, so they are often woody, leathery and designed to save water. The result is stiff stems and sculptural heads that suit contemporary arrangements and, in many cases, a long vase life.

Daffodils, ranunculus, anemones, stock and early tulips appear in the cooler months, from June to August. Some of the most fragrant bunches of the year are available when the weather is coldest.

Sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias, hydrangeas, gerberas and lilies like the heat. December to February is also when florists lean on bold colour and tropical-style foliage.

The window is short and falls in late spring and early summer, roughly October to December depending on where they are grown. Order early, because stems sell out and cannot be made to appear at any other time of year.

Cool-climate growers supply them in late winter and spring. Warmer states see fewer. They continue to stretch in the vase, so choose a tall container or trim them down.

Keep the vase away from windows, the oven and a car dashboard. Use clean water, add a fresh cut to each stem and top the water up daily. In a heatwave, moving the vase to the coolest room overnight makes a real difference.

Cool air helps, because lower temperatures slow ageing. A direct blast from a vent dries petals quickly, though. Place the vase in the cool part of the room, not under the outlet.

A cool spot works wonders in summer, and some people do slip the vase into a cold room or a garage for the night. A fridge works too, but keep the vase away from fruit and vegetables, which release a gas that ages flowers.

Take off the wrapping, strip any leaves that would sit below the waterline and cut about two centimetres off each stem at an angle. Put them into a clean vase of fresh water straight away.

The ends seal over and pick up bacteria during the trip. A new cut opens the stem so it can drink properly. A sharp knife or secateurs are better than blunt scissors.

Enough to cover the lower part of the stems, usually about a third to half of the vase. Roses and woody stems like a bit more. Gerberas prefer shallow water because their hollow stems rot easily.

Every day or two is ideal in summer, and certainly every three days in cooler weather. If the water turns cloudy or smells, tip it out, rinse the vase and start again with a fresh cut.

Yes, when you mix them as directed. They feed the stems and slow down the bacteria. If you did not get a sachet, clean water and clean vases matter far more than any kitchen remedy.

Not reliably. Most of the old tricks are folklore. Clean water, a cool room and a fresh stem cut do far more than anything from the pantry.

Air has probably got into the stem, which stops water reaching the head. Re-cut about three centimetres under water and let the stems drink in deep, cool water for a few hours. Often they perk up.

Tulips keep growing and lean towards the light. Turn the vase from time to time, trim them back and prop them upright with other stems. A bunch tied tightly with a rubber band often stays straighter.

A lily can last a week or more and each bud opens in turn. Gently pinch the orange anthers out once the flower opens, because the pollen stains clothes and tablecloths. Do not rub it, just lift it off with a tissue.

Yes. Every part of true lilies can cause serious kidney damage in cats, including pollen and vase water. Keep them out of the house if a cat lives there, and call a vet immediately if your cat has nibbled one.

Daffodils, tulip bulbs, azaleas and oleander can upset or poison pets. Cut flowers rarely cause problems unless the animal eats a lot, but keep bunches out of reach, and ask a vet when you are worried.

Bunches with showy, heavy pollen such as roses, carnations and hydrangeas are generally gentler than daisy-type flowers. Removing pollen-laden anthers also helps. Strong perfume can irritate too.

Yes. Hang small bunches upside down in a dry, dark, airy spot for two to three weeks. Roses, statice, lavender, banksia pods and eucalyptus all dry well, which suits the Australian climate, with its low humidity in many regions.

Romance, and it has done for generations. A single red rose says I love you without explaining. If you want to be friendly rather than romantic, pick yellow or pink instead.

Friendship and cheer. The old jealousy meaning is a Victorian relic and nobody holds it against the sender today.

Peace, purity and respect, which is why they appear at funerals and weddings. A white bunch also looks calm and elegant on a table.

Warmth and loyalty. It is a lovely cheer-up present, and fits well with summer.

Pink carnations are traditionally linked with mothers, and red with admiration. They are cheap, long-lasting and ruffled, so they make a dependable, slightly old-fashioned present.

They peak in autumn, they last for weeks and the colours are warm. In Australia that lines up with the May date, so mums are the obvious choice.

Yes, and it can be a lovely surprise. Check that someone is at reception between the usual hours, and use the person’s full name and the company name so that the florist can find the right desk.

Not at all, if the occasion fits. A modest bunch for a colleague’s retirement or a neighbour’s bereavement is polite. Avoid overly romantic choices such as dozens of red roses.

There is no magic number, but a dozen roses reads as a classic gift, while a mixed bunch of ten to twenty stems fills a normal vase. Bigger is not always better, because a vase that is too crowded makes stems age quicker.

It holds stems in place and keeps them damp in an arrangement, but it is single-use and does not break down. A growing number of florists build arrangements with chicken wire, moss or reusable vessels instead.

A good share is grown here, and imports fill the gaps in some seasons. Native species such as banksia and kangaroo paw are almost all domestic.

Yes. Use the send-abroad button in the home page FAQ to pick another country. The delivery day is chosen when you order, and it is wise to leave extra time for an international order.

Wrap the cut ends in damp kitchen towel, cover them with a plastic bag and keep the bunch out of the boot, where heat builds quickly. Keep the car cool with air conditioning and stand the bunch upright.

Buds that show colour last longest and open on the day you want them. Fully open flowers look impressive immediately, but run out of steam sooner. For a gift to be opened a few days later, buds are the smart choice.

Look for firm, bright petals, green leaves and clean stems with no slime. Flowers that are fresh smell clean, not musty. Ask the florist when the bucket was last restocked.

Demand spikes at Mother’s Day, and growers and florists have limited hands and cool-room space. Prices and stock availability follow the calendar, so any bunch is dearer when everyone wants one on the same weekend.

Try a potted plant or a native, such as a small kangaroo paw, which keeps growing after the party. It is less of a one-week gift and more of a keeper.

Use the same ordering flow, put the recipient’s business address and a suitable card message, and keep the tone formal. A neat, balanced arrangement in neutral colours is a safe pick.

Order a bunch with the next available delivery date and add a short, honest card. A same-day option may still be on the table if you act before the cut-off in the recipient’s time zone.

The guides on this site cover many common blooms, from roses and tulips to alstroemeria, and the flower catalogue lists traits and uses. Both are linked from the home page and the menu.

Absolutely, and it is one of the best reasons to use a florist network. A mate on the other side of the country gets a bunch made by someone in their own city, so there is no need to guess what travels well or to worry about how long it spent in transit.

The growers harvest what the season gives them. Summer brings sunflowers, zinnias and dahlias, and winter brings ranunculus, anemones and daffodils. A florist will substitute stems of similar value and colour when a variety is out of season, so the overall look stays close to the picture.

Florists work with fresh stock, and occasionally a specific flower or a colour is short. The usual practice is to swap it for something similar in style and quality, keeping the shape and palette of the design intact.

Where the product page lets you pick a colour palette, go for it. Otherwise, the picture is a guide. If the recipient has a favourite colour, mention it in your own message so the card ties in.

The day before is the usual advice for a wedding or party, leaving enough time to put them in water and let buds relax. For a birthday, aim for the morning of the day or the day before, depending on the recipient’s routine.

A loose, low arrangement that will not block conversation across the table. Go for scent-free flowers, such as roses or ranunculus, so that the host’s cooking is not overpowered, and send them ahead of time rather than handing them over while the host is juggling pots.

Warm, upbeat mixed bunches in autumn tones or natives such as banksia and kangaroo paw to celebrate the Australian bush the person is probably about to spend more time in. Add a card thanking them for specific things they did at work.

A native bunch is a distinctive reminder of home, and it travels well in the sense that stems such as banksia are dry and tough. For a recipient in another country, though, check what a local florist can source and follow the destination’s own rules for plant material.

Go for tough, low-fuss flowers such as carnations, alstroemeria, chrysanthemums, banksia or protea. Fill the vase before you leave, trim the stems, move it to the coolest room and avoid anything with fine, thin petals.

Re-cut about three centimetres off the stems, ideally under water, then stand them in cool, clean water in a shaded room for a couple of hours. Roses and hydrangeas respond well. A hydrangea head can also be floated in a basin of cool water for half an hour.

Their large heads lose water easily through the petals, especially in dry air. Re-cut at an angle, use a deep vase and mist the heads lightly in hot weather. If one flops, submerge the whole head in cool water for a while and it should plump up again.

They like a shallow vase with just a few centimetres of water, and they dislike having their stems crushed. Re-cut cleanly, and if a stem bends, a cut at the base and a short drink in cool water usually straightens it.

Daffodils release a sap that harms other flowers if they are cut and placed in the same vase straight away. Stand them alone in water for several hours first, and do not re-cut them after that. Then they can join the others.

They have been called that, but plenty of florists now use them in modern, mono-colour bunches because they last two weeks or more. In the right colour they look sophisticated, and the price is hard to fault.

A standard rose has one large head per stem, while a spray rose carries several smaller blooms on the same stem. Spray roses look softer and more garden-like, and they often cost less per stem.

Split it into a few small jars and spread them down a table or shelf. Add foliage from the garden, such as eucalyptus or rosemary, for body, and pick a vase that narrows at the neck to keep the stems together.

Yes, as long as the plant is not poisonous. Check before you cut, because oleander, for instance, is toxic. Eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender and camellia leaves are safe choices for many households.

Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers and dahlias reward you in summer. Native kangaroo paw and Geraldton wax cope with dry spells and poor soil. Check what suits your local climate, because Darwin and Hobart are very different gardens.

Yes. A parked car can reach extreme temperatures within minutes in summer, and even a short stop can cook delicate petals. If you are carrying a bunch, run the air conditioning, keep the stems wrapped and never leave it behind in the vehicle.

A potted plant lasts longer, which suits people who like something that stays. Cut flowers are brighter and more celebratory. For hospitals, a vase or a small posy is generally more welcome than a heavy pot, and some wards limit plants as well.

The day was established in the early twentieth century, and wearing a flower for your mother, white for one who has passed, coloured for one living, was once the custom. Today the habit has become a bunch or a posy given on the day.

Usually, and residents often love them. Ring ahead to check the rules, particularly for fragrance or any restrictions in dementia wings, and consider a compact arrangement that sits safely on a bedside table.

Keep it simple and sincere. Soft pinks, yellows or white show goodwill. A hurried huge bunch can feel like an attempt to buy forgiveness, so write a real apology on the card and let the flowers support it.

Supermarket bunches are often bought in volume and kept for longer, so the vase life tends to be shorter. A florist arranges to order, selects fresher stems and finishes the bunch by hand, which is why a delivered bouquet usually looks more composed and lasts a bit better.

Take off the paper and the elastic band straight away, because tight bindings can bruise the stems. If a single stem comes in a small water tube, such as an orchid or a protea, leave it in place until you move it into a vase, then refill the water.

A few hours is usually fine if it is cool and shaded, and a delivery box is made for exactly that. In summer heat, the damage begins within an hour or two, so unwrap and put flowers in water as soon as you can.

Yes, and it is a good sign. Tight buds open over the next few days and last longer than blooms that arrive fully open. If you want them to unfurl faster, put them in a warmer room away from direct sun, and give them a fresh drink of water.

Fragrance changes with temperature, time of day and the age of the bloom. Many flowers release most scent in the warmth of the afternoon, and in a cool room they may seem to have none. Lilies, freesias and hyacinths are strongest when the room is warm.

Yes, and florists do it all the time. Banksia and eucalyptus add structure to roses and gerberas. Just remember that woody stems like extra water and a good cut, so give them their own fresh cut and keep the vase topped up.

Filler is the small supporting stems, such as baby’s breath or waxflower, that add texture around the main blooms. Foliage is leaves and greenery that frame the bunch. Together they make a few focal flowers look generous and full.

Freesias, stocks and sweet peas are lighter than lilies or hyacinths, but anyone sensitive to scent may still prefer unscented stems. For hospital rooms, offices and small flats, the safe choice is a bunch of roses, alstroemeria or gerberas with little perfume.

Often, yes. A dozen red roses is a strong statement. Something lighter, such as a mixed bunch in pink and cream or a few stems of a single flower, feels more relaxed and still shows you made an effort.

A simple, low arrangement in its own container, since boxes are everywhere and the vases are probably still packed. Native stems add a sense of place, and a short note wishing them well in the new neighbourhood is the finishing touch.

They are a popular gesture, particularly at the end of a long stretch of care or at the end of a school year in December. Send them to the workplace where the person can share them with colleagues, and check that the employer allows gifts.