With Easter and Mother’s Day just around the corner – not to mention the dreary winter months ahead – we’re all about flowers as home décor right now. From finding out the best flowers for autumn to the top tips for preserving a bouquet in the cooler months, we turned to Lisa Grevell (owner and Flower Captain of Flower Haul in Palm Beach).
First and foremost, why are fresh flowers a great way to style your home for a new season? For Lisa, it’s their versatility and ever-changing beauty.
“As the seasons change, so too do flowers,” Lisa says. “What we celebrate in summer, we say farewell to in autumn. I think by following nature’s lead and leaning into seasonality we can enjoy what was intended for each time of the year.”
Which is Lisa’s first tip: taking cues from nature.
“This is the freshest way to enjoy flowers in our homes,” she says. “It’s also why I strongly encourage supporting local growers – that’s how you’ll really get the best out of flowers. They last longer, they’re fragrant and they just bring so much joy into a home.”
The autumn months of April and May are particularly festive. From Easter to Mother’s Day, this is a season that really lends itself to floral arrangements.
“Autumn and winter is all about abundant colour and vibrancy and, as the weather cools, we celebrate some of our favourite blooms – dahlias, poppies and cosmos,” Lisa says.
We asked Lisa some quick-fire questions for the upcoming holidays…
The best flowers for Easter table settings?
“For an Easter lunch table, we can’t go past tulips – nature’s Skittles,” says Lisa. “The come in all the colours of the rainbow and bring so much joy. Refex (peel back) some of their petals to create interest in your arrangements.”
And the best flowers for Mother’s Day?
“There is a tonne of chrysanthemum around,” says Lisa, “but I truly believe in following nature’s lead and spoiling mum with locally grown, whimsical blooms. She deserves it. Garden roses… yes please!”
What about the best flowers for autumn in general? What will we be seeing in store in the coming months, and even through to winter?
“I think generally people think of winter as cold and dull with muted tones, but it’s quite the opposite with Australian grown flowers,” explains Lisa. “During the cooler months we enjoy poppies, cosmos, tulips, Easter daisy and zinnias. It’s such a dreamy time of the year for florals.”
When it comes to caring for your flowers, Lisa has some expert tips to prolong their vase life. No matter the season, make sure you’re changing the water regularly, re-cutting the stems on a 45-degree angle every couple of days and keeping them out of direct sunlight (or away from the heater).
“Also, make sure you peel away any leaves under the waterline of your vase to minimise bacteria growth in the water,” Lisa adds.
Another way to prolong the life of your floral arrangement is to choose flowers that are less ‘diva-ish’ than others.
“Dahlias, for example, are exquisite – everyone loves them. But they’re great at throwing their petals on the floor,” says Lisa. “Natives, on the other hand, are hardy, long-lasting and great for drying out.”
But no matter the flower, Lisa says that following her simple care tips, buying locally grown flowers and keeping them away from heat (sunlight included) are the best ways to keep your bouquet looking better for longer.
One last pro tip…
“Like art, flowers are subjective,” says Lisa. “What you love, another person may loath. Don’t feel the pressure to chase the ‘trendy’ flowers – always buy flowers that make you happy. Your home, your flowers. You choose the way you want your home to feel.”
Check out Flower Haul for the best flowers for autumn, Easter, Mother’s Day and so much more.