Not sure what flowers to order in Ottawa? Here's a season-by-season guide to the best blooms for our climate, plus picks for every occasion
Ottawa's climate is a bit of an outlier — hot, humid summers and long, cold winters — which means the flowers that thrive in a Vancouver garden or hold up on a Toronto patio aren't always the best fit here. If you're ordering flowers for a birthday, an apology, an anniversary, or just because, here's what actually works well in Ottawa throughout the year.
Winter (December–March)
Ottawa winters are long and grey, which is exactly why warm, saturated flowers do so well as gifts this time of year.
- Amaryllis — Bold, tall, and dramatic. A single stem makes a statement indoors when nothing is blooming outside.
- Red and white roses — A year-round classic, but especially striking against a snowy backdrop for holiday gifting or Valentine's Day.
- Anthurium — Glossy, waxy, and long-lasting indoors, which matters when deliveries have to survive a cold walk from the porch to the front door.
- Poinsettias — The obvious December choice, but still a reliable one for holiday parties and office gifting.
Cold-hardy, sturdy blooms are the priority here — anything delicate can struggle with the temperature swing between the delivery vehicle and a warm home.
Spring (April–June)
As soon as the snow clears, Ottawa's flower preferences shift toward lighter, fresher blooms.
- Tulips — Ottawa practically has a claim on tulips thanks to the Canadian Tulip Festival, and locally, they're the go-to spring gift.
- Peonies — Peony season is short but beloved here; late May through June is peak availability.
- Ranunculus — Delicate, layered petals that photograph beautifully — popular for spring weddings and Mother's Day.
- Daffodils — An affordable, cheerful option for early spring gifting.
Summer (July–August)
Summer in Ottawa means humidity, which affects how flowers hold up both outdoors and in transit.
- Sunflowers — Sturdy, heat-tolerant, and a favourite for summer birthdays and casual gifting.
- Garden roses — Full, romantic blooms that are especially popular for summer wedding season.
- Dahlias — Late summer into early fall, dahlias bring bold colour and texture to arrangements.
- Hydrangeas — A staple for summer arrangements and events; they hold their shape well even in warm weather.
Fall (September–November)
Fall arrangements in Ottawa tend to lean warmer in tone — rust, burgundy, and gold — to match the season.
- Chrysanthemums — Long-lasting and available in fall tones, making them ideal for Thanksgiving and autumn décor.
- Roses in deep tones — Burgundy, orange, and amber roses fit the season's palette for anniversaries and celebrations.
- Dahlias — Still going strong into early fall before the first frost.
- Eucalyptus and seasonal greenery — Often used to fill out fall bouquets with texture rather than just colour.
Best Flowers by Occasion in Ottawa
- Sympathy and funeral tributes — White lilies, white roses, and chrysanthemums are traditional, respectful choices for services across the city. White has long been associated with peace and remembrance, which is why it dominates sympathy arrangements over brighter, more celebratory colours. Lilies in particular carry a symbolic association with the restored innocence of the departed soul, while chrysanthemums have deep roots in mourning traditions across many cultures. They're also practical: all three are long-lasting cut flowers, which matters when an arrangement needs to look fresh across a visitation, a service, and often a reception afterward.
- Anniversaries — Red roses remain the classic pick, though garden roses or peonies (in season) offer a softer, more romantic alternative. Red has symbolized deep romantic love for centuries, and roses specifically have become so tied to that meaning that they're almost shorthand for "anniversary" or "I love you" — which is exactly why they remain the safest, most universally understood choice. Garden roses and peonies work as an alternative for couples who want the same romantic sentiment expressed in a fuller, more textured, less "expected" way — often a good fit for milestone anniversaries where the gift is meant to feel a little more elevated.
- New baby — Soft pastel arrangements with tulips, roses, or ranunculus in pink, blue, or white. Pastels read as gentle and unassuming rather than bold or dramatic, which suits the occasion — the flowers are meant to complement a nursery or hospital room, not compete with it. Pink and blue remain popular shorthand for celebrating a new daughter or son, while all-white arrangements are a common choice when the parents haven't shared the baby's sex, or simply prefer a more neutral, timeless look.
- Get well soon — Bright, cheerful mixes — gerbera daisies, sunflowers, and alstroemeria tend to lift a room. The goal with a get-well arrangement is mood, not elegance — bright, saturated colour is more likely to lift someone's spirits than a subdued or all-white bouquet, which can read as closer to a sympathy arrangement. Gerbera daisies and sunflowers in particular have an almost cartoonish cheerfulness to their shape and colour that works well for this. Alstroemeria is a practical addition too, since it's an especially long-lasting cut flower — useful for a hospital stay or recovery period that might stretch over a week or more.
- Office or corporate gifting — Low, wide arrangements that don't obstruct sightlines on a desk or reception counter — often built around roses, greenery, and seasonal filler. This is more about function than symbolism: a tall, narrow vase looks great on a dining table but blocks the view across a reception desk or a boardroom table, which makes low, horizontally-spread arrangements the practical default in a workplace setting. Neutral, professional colour palettes (whites, greens, soft golds) tend to read as appropriate for a broader range of recipients and occasions — congratulations, thank-yous, condolences to a business contact — without needing to guess at a more personal colour preference.
A Note on Same-Day Delivery in Ottawa
Whatever the season, if you need something delivered today, sturdier flowers (roses, chrysanthemums, anthurium) travel and hold up better than delicate options like ranunculus or peonies, which are best ordered a day or two ahead when possible.
Not sure what to choose? Our team can help you pick the right arrangement for the occasion, the season, and the person you're sending it to — just reach out or browse our current seasonal collection.
