Christmas flowers in NZ — what's in season in December, and when to order

Christmas in New Zealand falls in early summer, so the flowers are summer flowers: hydrangeas, Christmas lilies, the first dahlias, lisianthus, garden roses, and the tail of the peony season. Pōhutukawa is the native symbol of the season, though it is a tree rather than a florist's flower. Order a week or more ahead for the days just before Christmas, and expect many florists to close for a stretch afterwards.

What's in season in December

• Hydrangeas — the defining New Zealand Christmas flower, in blue, pink, white and green. Long-lasting if they are kept well watered.
• Christmas lilies — big, white and heavily scented. Lovely in a hall or a church, too much for a small room.
• Dahlias — the first of the season arrive in December and run through to autumn.
• Lisianthus — rose-like, comes in soft colours, and lasts well.
• Garden roses — locally grown, at their best in early summer.
• Peonies — the end of the short New Zealand window. Worth asking for in early December; by Christmas they are usually gone. See peony season in NZ.
• Sunflowers — locally grown ones start arriving in December. See sunflower season in NZ.
• Agapanthus and alstroemeria — hardy, cheap and good in heat.

For the full year, see what flowers are in season in NZ.

What about pōhutukawa?

Pōhutukawa is New Zealand's Christmas tree, but it doesn't suit a vase: the flowers drop their stamens quickly once cut. Florists who use it tend to use it in foliage and table pieces for a day or two, not in bouquets meant to last. If you want the look, ask for red as the accent colour — red dahlias, roses or the red stems of a seasonal mix — with native foliage.

Flowers that cope with a hot Christmas

A bouquet left on a sunny doorstep in late December wilts fast. Hardier choices are alstroemeria, chrysanthemums, lisianthus, agapanthus and native foliage. Hydrangeas are thirsty and drop quickly without water. If nobody may be home, ask the florist what they do with an unattended delivery, and consider a posy in water or a bag with a water reservoir. How to make flowers last longer has the care steps.

When to order

• For delivery in the last week before Christmas: order at least a week ahead. It is one of the busiest weeks of the florist's year.
• Christmas Eve: possible with many florists, usually with an early cut-off. Check the shop's own holiday hours.
• Christmas Day and Boxing Day: most florists are closed. Plan to deliver on the 24th.
• Between Christmas and the New Year: many independent florists close for a break. If you need flowers for a funeral in that week, ring around early.

Christmas table flowers

For a table, keep arrangements low so people can see each other across them, and avoid strongly scented lilies near food. Hydrangea heads in short vases, a run of greenery down the table, or a few dahlias in jars work well and cost less than a single large bouquet. If you are ordering flowers for a work function, say so: florists often do table pieces at a better rate than individual bouquets.

For prices, see what flowers cost in NZ. In Parnell and Newmarket, the three nearest florists publish their delivery cut-offs.