Autumn Bouquets: Which Flowers to Choose in Autumn

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons for bouquets. Summer flowers give way to rich chrysanthemums, dahlias and asters, arrangements gain berries, grasses, leaves and even mini pumpkins, and the palette turns warm — from mustard to burgundy. Here are the flowers to choose in autumn, what to pair them with, bouquets for the main autumn occasions and how to make them last once the heating comes on. More flowers with photos, names and meanings are in our guide to types of flowers.

You can delight someone today: chrysanthemums or flower baskets.

View full-size photo

The main autumn flowers

Asters

View full-size photo

The aster is a symbol of early autumn and the start of the school year in Ukraine. Its name comes from the Greek word for "star". China asters (Callistephus chinensis) come in double, quilled, peony-flowered and pompon forms in every shade from white to deep purple, and last up to two weeks when cut.

Chrysanthemums

The chrysanthemum is the queen of autumn bouquets: long-lasting and hugely varied in shape and colour, from large globes to small spray and spider types. In Japan it is the emblem of the imperial house and a symbol of long life. See our article on types of chrysanthemums.

Dahlias

Lush dahlias bloom until the first frosts. They look spectacular in a bouquet but don't last long in a vase — usually 4–6 days — so cut them in the morning and put them in cool water.

And more

Gerberas, garden roses, rudbeckias, amaranth, celosia, hydrangeas with autumnal green-and-burgundy heads, solidago and physalis with its orange "lanterns".

What to pair autumn flowers with

View full-size photo

Autumn bouquets benefit from texture. Hypericum, guelder rose and rowan berries add bright dots, grasses, cotton and dried flowers add lightness, and branches with colourful leaves add volume. Maple leaves can be preserved for months by standing the branches in a mixture of glycerine and water. The palette is warm: terracotta, mustard, copper, burgundy and ochre with cream and green.

In baskets and boxes, mini pumpkins, apples, cones and nuts join the flowers. For how to build such an arrangement, see fruit bouquets, and for dried arrangements, dried flower arrangements.

Autumn occasions for a bouquet

• 1 September, the first day of school — bright but compact bouquets: asters, chrysanthemums, gerberas, sunflowers. Children find a small bouquet easier to hold.
• Defenders Day in Ukraine (1 October) — restrained arrangements in dark, noble tones or bouquets with yellow-and-blue accents.
• Education Workers' Day (the first Sunday of October) — a thank-you to teachers: roses, chrysanthemums, arrangements in baskets.
• Autumn weddings — bridal bouquets in warm tones with berries and grasses; see our bridal bouquet guide.
• Birthdays — the birthday person's favourite colours in an autumn palette.

How to make an autumn bouquet last

• Once the heating season starts, keep the bouquet away from radiators and air the room.
• Change the water every 1–2 days; recut chrysanthemums and roses with a sharp knife.
• Dahlias and hydrangeas lose water quickly: if they wilt, revive them in cool water for a couple of hours.
• Remove berries and fruit from arrangements as soon as they start to spoil.

For the full list of autumn plants with photos, see autumn flowers: names and photos.

Dried flowers and autumn branches

An autumn bouquet lasts longer with dried flowers and natural decor added to fresh blooms: dried hydrangea, bunny tails, honesty, wheat ears, rowan or rosehip branches, physalis with its orange “lanterns”. They enhance the warm palette of chrysanthemums and dahlias, and once the fresh flowers fade, part of the arrangement can stay as home decor all autumn.

Frequently asked questions

Which flowers are best to give in autumn?

Chrysanthemums, asters, dahlias, gerberas and garden roses, with berries, grasses and autumn leaves as accents.

Which flowers are good for the first day of school?

A compact, bright bouquet of asters, chrysanthemums, gerberas or roses that a child can hold easily.

Which autumn flower lasts longest?

The chrysanthemum: two to three weeks with good care.

How can I preserve autumn leaves for a bouquet?

Stand the branches in a glycerine and water solution (about 1:2) for a few days — the leaves become supple and keep their colour.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

About the author →