---
title: "Wedding flowers by season: what to use, pollen, vase life and taboos | Floreboard"
url: https://floreboard.com/en/guides/wedding-flowers/
language: en
last_reviewed: 2026-10-06
publisher: Floreboard (芳华绘)
---

# Wedding flowers by season

Choosing wedding and bridal flowers: long-lasting, pollen-free choices by season, stems that need extra care, and taboos for Chinese, Japanese and Korean weddings.

## Good choices by season (5+ days vase life, no pollen stains, not strongly scented)

| Season | Flowers |
| --- | --- |
| Spring | [Chamomile](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chamomile/), [Peony (herbaceous)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/herbaceous-peony/), [Delphinium](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/delphinium/), [Queen Anne's lace (Ammi)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/queenannes/), [Protea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/protea/), [Waxflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/waxflower/), [Lupin](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lupin/), [Snapdragon](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/snapdragon/), [Daisy (marguerite)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/daisy/), [Calendula](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calendula/), [Cornflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/cornflower/), [Ranunculus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/ranunculus/), [Hellebore](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hellebore/), [Allium](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/allium/), [Pincushion protea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/leucospermum/), [Kangaroo paw](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/kangaroopaw/) |
| Summer | [Sunflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sunflower/), [Hydrangea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hydrangea/), [Chamomile](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/chamomile/), [Delphinium](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/delphinium/), [Globe amaranth](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gomphrena/), [Zinnia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/zinnia/), [Celosia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/celosia/), [Queen Anne's lace (Ammi)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/queenannes/), [Lupin](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lupin/), [Salvia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/salvia/), [Daisy (marguerite)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/daisy/), [Cosmos](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/cosmos/), [Calendula](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calendula/), [Cornflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/cornflower/), [China aster](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/aster/), [Trachelium](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/trachelium/), [Gladiolus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gladiolus/), [Scabiosa](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/scabiosa/), [Agapanthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/agapanthus/), [Allium](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/allium/), [Astilbe](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/astilbe/), [Eryngium (sea holly)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/eryngium/), [Kangaroo paw](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/kangaroopaw/), [Solidago (goldenrod)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/solidago/), [Veronica](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/veronica/) |
| Autumn | [Globe amaranth](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gomphrena/), [Zinnia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/zinnia/), [Celosia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/celosia/), [Cosmos](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/cosmos/), [China aster](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/aster/), [Gladiolus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gladiolus/), [Solidago (goldenrod)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/solidago/) |
| Winter | [Protea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/protea/), [Waxflower](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/waxflower/), [Ranunculus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/ranunculus/), [Hellebore](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hellebore/), [Pincushion protea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/leucospermum/) |
| Year-round | [Rose](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/rose/), [Carnation](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/carnation/), [Gerbera daisy](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gerbera/), [Lisianthus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lisianthus/), [Baby's breath](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gypsophila/), [Bird of paradise](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/strelitzia/), [Orchids (cut)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/orchid/), [Calla lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/calla/), [Statice](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/statice/), [Anthurium](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/anthurium/), [Dendrobium orchid](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dendrobium/), [Craspedia (billy buttons)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/craspedia/), [Alstroemeria](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/alstroemeria/), [Heliconia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/heliconia/), [Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/ornithogalum/), [Bouvardia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bouvardia/) |

## Handle with care

- Pollen stains gowns — remove the anthers: [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/)

- Short-lived — make up the day before or on the day: [Tulip](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/tulip/), [Tree peony](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/peony/), [Narcissus (daffodil)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/narcissus/), [Camellia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/camellia/), [Iris](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/iris/), [Anemone](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/anemone/), [Lily of the valley](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lilyvalley/), [Gardenia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gardenia/), [Jasmine](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/jasmine/), [Dahlia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dahlia/), [Lotus](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lotus/), [Water lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/waterlily/), [Clematis](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/clematis/), [Poppy](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/poppy/), [Sweet pea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sweetpea/), [Grape hyacinth (Muscari)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/muscari/)

- Strongly scented — use sparingly indoors and on dining tables: [Lily](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lily/), [Narcissus (daffodil)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/narcissus/), [Freesia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/freesia/), [Hyacinth](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/hyacinth/), [Lily of the valley](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lilyvalley/), [Stock (Matthiola)](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/stock/), [Gardenia](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/gardenia/), [Jasmine](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/jasmine/), [Lavender](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/lavender/), [Marigold](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/marigold/), [Sweet pea](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/sweetpea/), [Tuberose](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/tuberose/)

See also: [How many flowers to give: meanings and taboos by culture](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/flower-numbers/) · [Floral design styles compared](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/floral-design-styles/)

## FAQ

### Are lilies a good wedding flower?

They can be, but lily pollen stains gowns and suits, so remove the anthers; and lilies are highly toxic to cats, so avoid them if the couple has cats.

### What shape is a classic bridal bouquet?

The classic is a round Biedermeier bouquet: concentric rings of tightly packed blooms, usually no more than three focal flowers, finished with a foliage collar.

### Any flower taboos for Chinese, Japanese or Korean weddings?

Avoid white or yellow chrysanthemums (linked to funerals) and quantities of 4; for Japanese couples also avoid 9.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-06. Reference values from common trade practice. Real results vary with variety, origin and conditioning.