With a new year comes new trends to watch out for, and the world of flowers is no exception.
Here at Appleyard, we’ve been looking ahead to what 2023 may bring, and it’s safe to say that if you’re as big into blooms as we are, you’re in for a treat.
From a riot of rich pinks to tie in with Pantone’s Colour of the Year, to sculptural statements, minimalist foliage and all things wild and whimsical, there’s a lot of botanical joy to come.
Let’s run through all the floral fun you can expect to enjoy in the months ahead; it’s going to be a fabulous year for flower lovers.
Wild whimsy
The Flower Council of Holland releases their trend collections every year, with ‘Collecting Memories’ the theme for this spring/summer. This concept is based on the need for fond, calming memories in an overwhelming, ever-changing world. The nostalgic flowers they recommend exude a “distinct poetic character and represent softness and harmony”.
If you’re keen to jump on board this bandwagon, look for romantic roses, carnations, dahlias and pincushions, supported by the fairytale likes of gypsophila, daisies, cherry blossom and garden herbs. Our oh-so-charming English Garden bouquet encapsulates this perfectly.
Barbiecore
With Greta Gerwig’s much-hyped Barbie movie landing in cinemas this July, you can expect an explosion of all things pink – yes, including flowers. Starring Margot Robbie as everybody’s favourite blonde and Ryan Gosling as her Ken, it sounds like a must watch, but it’s those bright and beautiful blooms that we’re most looking forward to, from candy floss-coloured spray roses to exuberant stargazer lilies.
Even if you’re not a Barbie fan, pink flowers often symbolise friendship in the Victorian language of flowers, making them the ideal gift to send to a loved one to let them know you care this year.
Dried delights
Maybe it’s the enduring love for all things 70s, but dried flowers have been enjoying a revival, and it’s a trend that shows no sign of stalling. Whether you fancy a twist on traditional bridal flowers or you’re after characterful decor for a new place, it’s fun and easy to dry your own bouquet.
Our favourite flower to dry? That has to be the not so humble hydrangea; it has sturdy stems that won’t droop as they lose moisture. Follow our top tips on how to dry flowers, and enjoy your creation for years to come.
Sculptural statements
Floral trends are often linked to what’s going on in the interiors world more widely, and in our homes, 2023 looks set to be the year for sculptural lighting, furniture, candles…and flowers. Expect orchids to take the spotlight, with their towering stems and fascinating shapes, as well as assymetrically-designed bouquets with that chic, ‘just thrown together’ aesthetic.
To make an architectural statement on your coffee table, look to our fragrant dendrobium orchid, or enjoy a firework in a vase with our tropical Mardi Gras bouquet.
Timeless white
The classic ivory palette will never go out of style; there’s just something so timelessly beautiful about the way white flowers sit against lush green foliage. If you agree with us that simplicity underscores elegance, forgo a rainbow of colour and let those soft, creamy blooms do all the talking – think English country garden roses, sculptural lilies and cloud-like gysophila.
If there’s someone special you really want to spoil this year (Valentine’s Day is coming up, after all), then our luxury bunch of 50 white roses, symbolising loyalty and eternal love, is just the ticket.
Foliage first
Trusting foliage to carry your displays, without any petalled jewels in their crown, can feel like a risk. But some of the best botanical statements we’ve seen at weddings, events and in homes haven’t featured any flowers at all.
This year, consider going green with lashings of eucalyptus, fern and wild grasses. If you’re planning a big bash, it creates an eyecatching minimalist look, and usually saves you some money, too. Or why not let plants lead the way, and enjoy them long after the champagne glasses have all been put away.
Viva Magenta
Pantone’s Colour of the Year is ‘Viva Magenta’, a rich purpley pink that just so happens to be the colour of many of our favourite flowers. The universal colour-matching system describes it as a shade “rooted in nature” that “vibrates with vim and vigor”. Expressing strength, fearlessness, optimism and a “rebellious spirit”, we can’t think of better inspiration to take into a new year.
Consider using ‘Viva Magenta’ to punctuate an otherwise neutral space, drawing the eye in and instantly sparking joy. Our phalaenopsis orchid is ready to perform this duty, as are the punchy raspberry calla lilies in our Afternoon Tea bouquet. Or, of course, you could fully commit and splurge on a magenta velvet sofa…
Going greener
No longer a hollow buzzword, sustainability is thankfully now playing a leading role in many of our lifestyles. When it come to flowers, there are lots of things you can do to be more eco-friendly, from shopping seasonally to cut down on a bouquet’s carbon footprint and support local growers, to preserving blooms to enjoy for longer (try drying or pressing) and reusing bridesmaids posies as centrepieces at weddings.
We buy all our flowers from British or Fairtrade Kenyan farms (with the latter, a percentage of what we pay is put back into the local community, including contributing to building new schools). Our packaging features recyclable paper and cardboard and we strive to minimise waste wherever possible, without compromising on quality. For Appleyard, sustainability is a responsibility, not a trendy option.
Got the January Blues? Let our new range of spring flowers remind you that your garden will bloom again, starting from just £29.99. Better still, sign up for our seasonal subscription and enjoy the gift of flowers all through 2023.
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