What's available from flower farms in the UK in October

October is the end of the season for most growers where the majority of their flowers are outside. If the weather is kind, there can be flowers until the end of the month, but 2024 has been anything but pleasant, so growers are highly likely to have experienced storms, near frosts, and gales. All of these mean that the number of stems available are likely to be smaller. Until the end of the season, October is the time for perennials to reflower, and for Dahlias and Chrysanthemums to be the key focal flowers.

October Dahlia arch by Lindsey Kitchin, Photo Emma Davies

In October foliages will start to become easier to buy as English Eucalyptus becomes available again, and Beech starts turning colour making it wonderful for Autumnal arches.

Grasses are abundant for movement and height in displays, and there are still bursts of annual colour from Calendula, Nasturtium and late batches of Sunflowers

There are still Perennials and bulbs waiting to join the show, with Hesperanthera, Acidanthera, Astrantia and Sedums still available.

If there is undercover growing space then flower farms are likely to be producing Chrysanthemums, Nerines, Late Sweet Williams and Antirrhinum plus Alstromerias, Celosia and Amaryllis.