Seasonal Flower Guide: What to Buy in Spring
Why Seasonal Matters
Buying in-season flowers isn’t just an aesthetic choice — it’s practical. Seasonal blooms are:
- More affordable — they’re abundant and don’t need to be shipped from far away
- Longer lasting — they’re fresher and hardier
- More beautiful — flowers at their peak look and smell their best
In the Pacific Northwest, spring is when nature puts on its absolute best show. Here’s what to look for from March through May.
The Spring Stars
Tulips (March–April)
The quintessential spring flower. Look for parrot tulips for a dramatic, ruffled look, or French tulips for those elegant, arched stems. Available everywhere from Trader Joe’s to Pike Place Market.
Arrangement tip: Tulips continue to grow after cutting — they’ll stretch and curve toward light. Embrace it!
Ranunculus (March–May)
These layered, rose-like blooms are a florist favorite. They come in gorgeous shades of peach, coral, cream, and deep burgundy. Check your local farmers market for locally grown varieties.
Arrangement tip: They look stunning on their own in a simple bud vase.
Daffodils & Narcissus (March–April)
Cheerful, affordable, and fragrant. A bunch of daffodils in a simple jar is instant happiness. Note: daffodil stems release a sap that shortens the life of other flowers, so condition them alone in water for a few hours before mixing.
Peonies (Late April–May)
The holy grail. When peony season hits, it’s a frenzy. Buy them tight (looking like little golf balls) and watch them open into magnificent ruffled spheres over a few days.
Arrangement tip: Buy extra — they go fast and the season is short.
Sweet Peas (April–May)
Delicate, fragrant, and utterly romantic. Their ruffled petals and gorgeous color range (lavender, pink, coral, white) make them perfect accents. Handle gently — they’re fragile.
Lilac (April–May)
That unmistakable fragrance. Great as a standalone arrangement. Smash the woody stems with a hammer to help them drink, and change the water daily.
Where to Buy in Seattle
- Pike Place Market — the obvious choice, with incredible variety and knowledgeable vendors
- Trader Joe’s — consistently good quality at great prices
- Local farmers markets — Ballard, University District, and Capitol Hill markets all have flower vendors in season
- Wholesale: Seattle Wholesale Growers Market (open to the public on select days)
Making Them Last
- Cut stems at a 45° angle
- Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline
- Change water every 2 days
- Keep arrangements away from direct sunlight and fruit bowls (fruit releases ethylene gas that ages flowers)
- Add a drop of bleach to the water to prevent bacteria
Spring is the perfect time to start your DIY floral journey. The flowers are abundant, forgiving, and gorgeous. Grab a bunch this weekend and try this beginner centerpiece guide to put them to use.