Seasonal Flowers in Ontario by Month
What flowers are actually in season in Ontario? A month-by-month breakdown of local and import availability from January through December.
Knowing what is in season helps you get the freshest flowers at the best price. Here is what is genuinely available in Ontario by month, broken down between locally grown and commonly imported varieties.
January and February
Ontario winters mean almost everything comes from imports. Reliable choices in these months include roses (available year-round from South America), alstroemeria, chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies, and orchids. Tulips from Dutch growers start appearing in late January.
Valentine's Day in mid-February creates a surge in rose demand. If you are buying roses around February 14, order at least a week early from a local florist to lock in your preferred colour and size.
March and April
As spring approaches, the mood in flower shops shifts. Dutch tulips are fully in season through March and April, offering a wide range of colours. Daffodils and hyacinths appear in late March. Early-season peonies from import suppliers start showing up by late April.
Locally grown greenhouse flowers begin appearing in April, including early lettuce-leaf basil and some herbs that florists use as greenery accents.
May and June
May and June are the best months for cut flowers in Ontario. This is peak season for locally grown flowers from farms in the Niagara region, Holland Marsh, and other growing areas.
Peonies are at their most abundant and beautiful from late May through June. Lilacs are a brief but beloved spring cut flower. Garden roses (not just hybrid tea roses) start appearing in June. Lisianthus, ranunculus, and foxglove are all at their best.
June is also the start of strawflower and specialty dahlia availability from local growers.
July and August
Summer is the most abundant season. Sunflowers peak from mid-July through August and are locally grown in Ontario. Dahlias become widely available. Zinnias, celosias, echinacea, and a wide range of wildflowers are all at their seasonal peak. Lavender is harvested in July.
Garden roses continue through the summer. This is the best time of year for mixed wildflower bouquets, which will contain a diverse range of locally grown blooms.
September and October
Fall brings rich tones. Dahlias are still available and hit their full colour range in September. Chrysanthemums, marigolds, and autumn-toned zinnias become more prominent. Ornamental kale and cabbage (used as greenery accents) appear in fall arrangements.
This is also harvest season for dried and preserved botanicals, including dried wheat, eucalyptus seed pods, and fall foliage, which florists use to add texture to fall arrangements.
November and December
As outdoor growing ends, Ontario florists return to imported flowers. Poinsettias and amaryllis (often sold as potted plants) dominate December. Cut flower choices return to the reliable winter imports: roses, lilies, alstroemeria, and orchids.
Christmas greenery, including pine, cedar, and eucalyptus, is available locally through December from Ontario tree farms. Amaryllis and white lilies are popular Christmas arrangement components.
Year-round availability
Regardless of the month, these flowers are reliably available through imports: roses in multiple colours, alstroemeria, chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies (Oriental, Asiatic, and Casablanca), and orchids. These import flowers are not inferior. Many of the roses sold in Ontario come from certified farms in Colombia and Ecuador that specialize in cut flower production.