Most of us love Halloween – an evening of spooky fun and adventure that’s celebrated on October 31st.
From trick or treating to pumpkin lanterns and scary costumes, Halloween is one of the most popular festivals of the year, a day we get to dress up as ghosts, ghouls, skeletons and witches and decorate the house with spiders, cobwebs and pumpkin lanterns.
But did you know that Halloween dates back 2,000 years – to a time when people celebrated the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter at a festival called Samhain, or the Feast of the Dead? There was a widespread belief that ghosts returned to the earth at this time of year so to ward off evil spirits families would build huge bonfires, burn crops, sacrifice animals and dance around in fancy costumes.
Samhain was eventually renamed All Hallows’ Eve – or Halloween for short – and a host of quirky new traditions sprang up. Single women would peel an apple in a long strand and toss the peel over their shoulder. If it landed in the shape of a letter it was supposed to signify the initial of their future husband. Another favourite was to decorate pumpkins with ghoulish faces to frighten away evil spirits.
Halloween has been celebrated in the US since the 19th century, when adults and children used to knock on neighbours’ doors to ask for money and food, a custom that turned into the trick or treating we all know and love. Now countries across the world have followed suit and celebrate it every year.
Despite its spine-chilling origins, Halloween is a day of fun these days, a chance to dress up, throw parties and play party games.
If you’re sending flowers this Halloween we’ve created a host of beautifully crafted bouquets in gorgeous, autumnal hues. The arrangements come in three sizes – Standard, Large and Grande – and will brighten up your celebrations no end. Here are some of our floral favourites.
Sunflowers
Vibrant orange, dazzling yellow and jet black are some of the colours that we associate with Halloween so sunflowers are just the ticket for October 31st. Standing tall and imposing, these statuesque stems always put a smile on our faces but their brightly coloured petals and dark centres lend a touch of drama too – a top-notch combination for the spookiest night of the year.
Orange Germini
Staying on the orange theme, we reckon that flamboyant orange germinis pack a real punch at Halloween. A smaller version of the standard gerbera daisy, their simple shape and bold colour make them a top-notch choice for bouquets. Gerberas are the fifth most popular flower in the world and just like sunflowers, they turn to face the sun.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums bloom naturally from mid-August to mid-January, which makes them a great choice for Halloween. Even better, they come in a multitude of shapes, sizes, colours and styles. Don’t forget the appropriately named spider chrysanthemums, which add a dash of pzazz as the nights draw in and the weather gets colder.
Calla Lilies
Any excuse to feature Calla lilies in our bouquets is fine by us and they definitely add elegance and sophistication to any celebration. With their long, elegant petals and arrow shaped leaves, these blooms are wonderfully distinctive and come in a variety of shades, from classic white to bright orange to dramatic dark maroon.
Wheat
Dried natural wheat gives texture and structure to floral arrangements and mellows to a beautiful golden colour over time. It’s fun to use flowers as part of your Halloween décor and bunches of dried wheat and rustic red berries will complement your stems beautifully. Arrangements featuring wheat and berries remind us of wrapping up warm, closing the curtains, enjoying cosy evenings by the fire and sipping a glass of mulled wine with family and friends.
Roses
Orange, yellow and red roses are the stars of the show in some of our autumnal bouquets. One of our favourites is the delightfully named Miss Piggy rose. These soft, peach-coloured flowers, named after the much-loved diva superstar from The Muppet Show, go well with blooms like carthamus, brassicas and lilies. We bet Miss Piggy is the belle of the ball at Halloween parties down her way.
Alternatively, use black roses for an extra witchy look this Halloween. These spooky blooms symbolise mystery and rebirth, and their haunting beauty makes them the perfect addition to any Halloween bouquet. Pair them with bright orange chrysanthemums or roses to create a classic Halloween colour palette!
Brassica
Brassicas are part of the cabbage family but don’t worry, they don’t smell like cabbages! These distinctive, four-petalled blooms grow perfectly in a cold climate so they’re top of the pops in autumn and winter. Part of the mustard family, they have pink, mauve or green flowers and are hardy enough to stay fresh for more than a week.
Lavender
Sweet-smelling lavender symbolises love at first sight, enchantment and intrigue and always reminds us of summer. But lavender can play its part at Halloween too. According to ancient folklore, if you hang a bunch of lavender above the door it will protect you against evil spirits!
Want to get your home ready for Halloween? Get in the spirit of spooky season with our beautiful selection of autumn blooms.
