12 Best Flowers for Autumn Bouquets and Arrangements

The leaves are changing, the nights are drawing in, and there’s a whiff of pumpkin spice in the air. It can only mean one thing – autumn has arrived! For those who adore this season as much as we do, it’s the perfect time to celebrate nature’s most beautiful blooms.

Rich in earthy tones with accents of vibrant colour, autumn flowers capture the best of both worlds – whether you’re clinging onto summer’s legacy or ready to embrace the cosy months ahead. At Williamson’s My Florist, we hand-craft striking seasonal bouquets using the very best autumn flowers, from decadent dahlias to captivating chrysanthemums.

Wondering what are the best flowers for autumn bouquets? Dig out your chunkiest knitwear, settle in by the fire, and cosy up with us as we explore our favourite flowers for autumn to fill your home with seasonal charm.


Bring autumn’s beauty home with same-day autumn flower delivery, straight to your doorstep.

Shop Autumn Flowers

Popular Autumn Flowers

Girls holding an autumnal flower arrangement of orange, pink, and white dahlias towards the camera

1. Dahlia

Dahlias are truly magnificent flowers of autumn. Diverse in colours, shapes, and sizes, these large, pompom-shaped blooms are a striking focal point for seasonal bouquets.

Blooms in: Summer to autumn.

Best colours: Orange, red, and pink.

Pair with: Goldenrod, chrysanthemums, and lush foliage.

2. Sunflower

Not only do sunflowers top the list of our top summer flowers, but they also beautifully complement autumnal bouquets. Their cheery golden petals pair gorgeously with the season’s warm colour palette of red and orange flowers.

Blooms in: Late summer to autumn.

Best colours: Gold, orange, and burgundy.

Pair with: Roses, goldenrod, and hypericum berries.

Florist preparing sunflowers for use in an autumn bouquet
Close up of rich orange and yellow chrysanthemums

3. Chrysanthemum

One of the best autumn flowers in the UK, the versatile chrysanthemum adds beauty and drama to any bouquet. Opt for warm colours and pair with seasonal blooms for a stunning autumnal display.

Blooms in: Late summer to late autumn.

Best colours: Orange, burgundy, and deep pink.

Pair with: Dahlias, asters, and ornamental grasses.

4. Autumn Crocus

You might think that colourful flowers in season in October are hard to come by. Enter the autumn crocus! Ideal for those who love a pop of colour, these delicate blooms contrast with more muted seasonal tones to create striking arrangements.

Blooms in: Autumn – September to early November.

Best colours: Mauve, lilac, and white.

Pair with: Sedums, Japanese anemones, and chrysanthemums.

Vase arrangement of purple, white, and yellow autumn crocuses
Woman arranging a vase of dusky pink and white hydrangeas

5. Hydrangea

For a truly eye-catching bouquet of autumn flowers, you can’t look past hydrangeas. With their large, ruffled petals, these showy blooms spectacularly capture the changing of the seasons, gradually turning from bright summery hues to warmer, faded tones.

Blooms in: Mid-summer to late autumn.

Best colours: Crimson, burnt orange, and dusky pink.

Pair with: Dahlias, chrysanthemums, and earthy foliage.

6. Goldenrod

The clue is in the name: these pretty little petals add gorgeous hints of gold to your seasonal flowers. A popular choice for filling out bouquets, goldenrod adds stunning texture, depth, and vibrancy.

Blooms in: Summer to early autumn.

Best colours: Golden yellow.

Pair with: Sunflowers, roses, and eucalyptus.

Goldenrod flowers with fresh green stems and foliage
Close up of orange Chinese Lanterns and red berries in a glass vase arrangement

7. Chinese Lantern

Of all the plants that flower in autumn, the Chinese Lantern truly exemplifies the season’s beauty. These unique, vivid-orange husks resemble paper lanterns or miniature pumpkins, making them popular for Halloween floral decorations. They can also be easily dried for long-lasting seasonal displays.

Blooms in: Late summer to early autumn.

Best colours: Vibrant orange.

Pair with: Asters, oak leaves, and red berries.

8. Aster

The underrated stars of many flower bouquets, asters display gorgeous, colourful petals around a bright yellow centre. With purple and blue flowers the most common, asters strike a stunning seasonal display when paired with rich golds, oranges, and autumnal foliage.

Blooms in: Mid-summer to autumn.

Best colours: Violet, fuchsia, and white.

Pair with: Goldenrod, sunflowers, and roses.

Autumn flower arrangement of purple and red asters
Overhead view of orange carthamus flowers

9. Carthamus

As Scottish florists, we love anything thistle-like, and the fiery carthamus is no exception. A vibrant head of orange or yellow petals on a spiky green stem, this beauty adds texture and vibrancy that’s so welcome in autumnal arrangements.

Blooms in: Mid-summer to early autumn.

Best colours: Golden yellow, vibrant orange, and fiery red.

Pair with: Chinese lanterns, sunflowers, and dried grasses.

10. Rose

When we say roses are perfect all year round, we really mean it! In autumn, roses bloom in a range of colours that lend themselves beautifully to seasonal bouquets. From rich reds and glowing oranges to soft peaches and muted mauves, autumnal roses are at once vibrant, earthy, and always spectacular.

Blooms in: Spring to early autumn.

Best colours: Golden yellow, vibrant orange, and fiery red.

Pair with: Chrysanthemums, asters, and eucalyptus.

Autumnal Roses Bouquet
Pink sedum flowers with green leaves in the background

11. Sedum

Also known as Stonecrops, sedums display clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that add fantastic texture to flower arrangements. They also capture the season’s deep autumnal colours of dusky rose, deep burgundy, and mauve-brown.

Blooms in: Late summer to autumn.

Best colours: Burgundy, deep rose, and dusky pink.

Pair with: Roses, hydrangeas, and goldenrod.

12. Japanese Anemone

One of our favourite September flowers is the elegant Japanese anemone. Their delicate, cup-shaped petals of white, purple, and pink flowers provide a glorious splash of colour to autumnal florals.

Blooms in: Late summer to early autumn.

Best colours: Lavender, pale pink, and pure white.

Pair with: Dahlias, roses, and Chinese lanterns.

Purple and pink Japanese anemone flowers in a grey concrete flower pot

What Colours Suit an Autumn Bouquet?

The best autumn bouquets reflect the colours of the natural landscape during that time of year. Our favourite hues include:

  • Burnt orange and rust – Evocative of crisp autumn leaves.
  • Golden yellow – Mirroring the glow of autumn sunshine.
  • Deep reds and purples – Reminiscent of the rich tones of autumn harvests.
  • Earthy greens and browns – Capturing the natural colours of seasonal foliage.

How Do I Care for Autumn Flowers?

Keep your autumnal blooms looking their best all season with our 5 simple tips for a longer vase life:

  1. Trim the stems – Cutting 1-2cm off each stem at a 45-degree angle helps cut flowers absorb more water.
  2. Fresh water – Make sure you select a clean vase and fill it with fresh, cool water before adding nourishing flower food.
  3. Avoid heat – Choose a cool spot for your autumn bouquets, away from radiators and direct sunlight.
  4. Change water regularly – Replace the vase’s water every 2-3 days and re-cut the stems.
  5. Remove dying flowers – Gently remove wilted flowers and foliage, and remove any submerged leaves to reduce bacterial growth.
     

Where Can I Get Autumn Bouquets in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, Dunfermline, St Andrews, Livingston and beyond – wherever you want to send autumn flowers in Scotland, trust Williamson’s My Florist. Our skilled local florists deliver daily around Scotland and the UK, with same-day and next-day flower delivery available. Simply order online or call our friendly team on 01506 811433 to choose your perfect seasonal blooms.

Contact Us