What flowers are in season in NZ? A month-by-month guide

In New Zealand, spring (September to November) is tulips, ranunculus, anemones, freesias and, from October, peonies. Summer (December to February) is dahlias, hydrangeas, lisianthus, sunflowers and garden roses. Autumn brings chrysanthemums and the last dahlias, and winter is hellebores, camellias and daphne. Roses, lilies and carnations are available all year, but much of that winter stock is grown under glass or imported.

Why it matters: flowers in season are grown here, cut close to home and sold at their cheapest and freshest. Out-of-season stems are either glasshouse-grown or flown in, which shows up in the price and in how long they last in the vase. The timings below are a guide — the far north runs a few weeks ahead of Southland, and a cold spring pushes everything back.

Spring: September, October, November

• Tulips — early spring, the classic September bunch.
• Ranunculus and anemones — through early and mid spring; ranunculus are a florist favourite for their layered petals.
• Freesias and daffodils — early spring, scented and inexpensive.
• Sweet peas — late spring into early summer.
• Peonies — the short New Zealand window, roughly October to December. Book early if you want them for an event.
• Kōwhai — native yellow flowers in early spring, more for gardens than vases.

Summer: December, January, February

• Dahlias — from January, locally grown and big for the money.
• Hydrangeas — high summer; long-lasting if conditioned properly.
• Lisianthus — soft, rose-like and long-lived in a vase.
• Sunflowers — mid to late summer.
• Garden roses — at their best and cheapest, grown outdoors rather than under glass.
• Pōhutukawa — the native Christmas flower, iconic for December table settings, though it drops quickly once cut.

Autumn: March, April, May

• Dahlias — continue into April.
• Chrysanthemums — the autumn staple, including spray varieties for Mother's Day posies in May.
• Nerines and autumn foliage — rich colours and textures for arrangements.
• Proteas and leucadendrons — sturdy, long-lasting and grown here.

Winter: June, July, August

• Hellebores — from July, the winter wedding signature.
• Camellias and daphne — garden flowers; daphne's scent is the smell of a New Zealand winter.
• Proteas and native foliage — carry through the colder months.
• Roses, lilies and orchids — available, but expect glasshouse or imported stems and higher prices.

All year round

Roses, lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums, gerberas and orchids are on most florists' lists twelve months a year. That year-round availability is why the standard "from $59" bouquet on most NZ florist sites is built around them. What flowers cost in NZ sets out published bouquet prices.

How to use this when ordering

• Ask for the florist's choice of what's in season. It is usually the best value bouquet on any florist's list, and the freshest.
• For a wedding or event, plan the flowers around the date, not the other way round. Peonies in June or hellebores in January will cost you or disappoint you. Wedding flower costs has more on seasonal levers.
• For sympathy flowers, seasonal and white or soft-coloured is always appropriate. Sympathy flowers in Aotearoa.
• Order earlier around Mother's Day and Valentine's Day, when in-season choice narrows and prices rise.