The star flowers in winter

Winter, a dreary season? Not at all! While everything seems to be sleeping peacefully from December to February, at the florists' it is quite the opposite! From colourful bouquets and arrangements prepared for the festive season to perennial plants to decorate your balcony and garden throughout the cold season, you will discover in this article that nature is not completely dormant, even in winter.

Would you like to organise your wedding in winter? Would you like to discover all the plant possibilities available in winter for a successful decoration? This article is for you.

December and January are party time at the workshop

From the end of autumn, a medley of shapes and colours arrives in our shops, with the arrival of many varieties of fragrant conifers, sparkling berries and flowers in a wide range of colours and shapes. Far from being a quiet season, the festive season is synonymous with joy and colour, with the arrival of the first branches of holly and mistletoe. We are delighted to see plants in their festive attire, tinged with gold or silver. Bronze asparagus and shiny, waxed or sequinned decorative fruit. Fresh branches of Japanese apple trees (an early flowering species) adorn ever more opulent and festive bouquets.

During this period, it is not unusual to give as a gift a beautiful potted amaryllis plant, a perennial with sublime trumpet-shaped flowers, or a poinsettia, with its bright red petals.

At this time of year, we also prepare numerous floral baskets, combining the graceful hellebore, mimosa foliage and numerous varieties of ranunculus, delicate corollas in many colours. Blue pine and blue spruce are combined with eucalyptus, for a wonderful blend of scent and texture. It doesn't matter if nature is all white outside during the winter months, this multitude of plants brings bright colours and a feeling of warmth and joy to an often austere landscape.

While the traditional colours of red, gold and green are popular at Christmas, things are different for the New Year festivities, where the colours are much cooler. To symbolise the moon and the stars, silver and white shades are particularly popular. Compositions become more modern, and take on height thanks to the addition of tinted or sequined birch branches. The first Venus's-foot cages make their appearance and pleasantly decorate round or unstructured bouquets. January arrives quickly with the first corollas of the graceful anemone in its luggage. At the end of January, the fragrant mimosa also makes its appearance.

Note that throughout the holiday season, we offer a symphony of colourful bouquets, available directly on our website, and deliverable throughout Switzerland. Let yourself be charmed by our many trendy selections of floral gifts.

February, a month for lovers

Once the end of year celebrations are over, there's no time to catch your breath! Valentine's Day is already on the horizon. Nestled in the heart of winter, Valentine's Day is much more than just a holiday; it is a celebration of love and affection, a unique opportunity to express your deepest feelings. Flowers, with their silent but powerful language, play a central role in this expression of emotions. Understanding this language and choosing the perfect bouquet is essential. Despite the season, we do our utmost to offer you a selection of original plants that will make spring flowers pale in comparison! That's why at Bouvard Fleurs, we offer a specialised Valentine's Day flower delivery service, guaranteeing that your choice reflects the diversity and beauty of human emotions.

When we think of Valentine's Day, we spontaneously turn to the rose, queen of flowers. But during the month of February, other beautiful and unique flowers can also win the heart of your Valentine! Here is a lovely selection:

The amaryllis: The amaryllis seduces with its velvety petals in a variety of colours: immaculate white, passionate red, soft pink, salmon and vibrant orange or two-tone varieties. Its stems, standing proudly and bearing up to six spectacular trumpet-shaped flowers, are leafless. This flower is a symbol of pride and captivating beauty, but it also conveys messages of friendship and affection. The amaryllis embodies elegance and harmony, making it a perfect choice for expressing pure and noble sentiments. The potted amaryllis can be used in baroque and opulent arrangements, or in a more modern way, combined with graphic and minimalist plants. As a bouquet, the amaryllis does not require much water, and is an easy flower to preserve with a good longevity. It should be noted that the amaryllis is also a perennial plant, which is most often bought in the bulb form and can also be bought already planted in a pot.

Anemones: Anemones are chosen for their delicate elegance and striking centre, making them a symbol of anticipation and hope, particularly in love. These flowers, with their soft petals and often contrasting centre, evoke the birth of new feelings and the excitement of a budding relationship. They are ideal for those who wish to express the beginning of a romantic adventure, carrying within them a promise of freshness and renewal. Including anemones in a bouquet is a message of optimism and bright prospects, perfect for celebrating the beginning of a love story on Valentine's Day.

Buttercup: With their multiple petals and bright colours, buttercups are a popular choice to symbolise attraction and charm. As cut flowers, they evoke a sense of fascination and wonder, perfect for expressing admiration for the beauty and unique aura of a loved one. Used in a variety of floral arrangements, buttercups capture attention and reflect a deep and joyful appreciation, making every bouquet they are part of all the more special and memorable. The buttercup can easily be combined with the anemone, another water-loving flower, in light and cheerful bouquets.

Mimosa: In February, here is a little ball of gold that attracts all eyes. Its intoxicating, unmistakeable fragrance makes it the darling of renowned perfumers. Often delivered as a bud or even a flower as early as December, the evergreen mimosa brightens up the beginning of the year, which can be a little sad, with its yellow pompons and brings joy to the hearts of lovers. With such assets, there is no doubt that the language of flowers lends the mimosa a strong symbolic significance

Clearly, the mimosa's abundant golden tassels mean that it is often compared to the sun. A symbol of affection, human warmth and joy, giving the gift of mimosa is a gesture full of tenderness. It is a sign of friendship and deep esteem for the recipient. Bursting with light, the mimosa is also very suitable as a gesture of comfort for someone going through a difficult period. The mimosa is recommended for bringing harmony to relationships. As it requires a lot of water (preferably warm), it is best to offer it on its own, without anything else.

And in the garden?

When it's cold outside and the weather is not very inviting, we often mistakenly think that only spring will bring beautiful flowering plants to our gardens and window boxes. However, a few beautiful varieties will help you wait until the return of fine weather.

Hellebore or Christmas rose: Despite its fragile appearance, the hellebore is a robust plant, capable of surviving the onslaught of frost. Choose a shady spot, away from draughts. Choose its location carefully: the Christmas rose is very homely and does not appreciate being moved! If you want to quickly enjoy the arrival of the first flowers of your hellebore, favour planting in a pot.

Once planted and well established in the ground, you will need to be patient before you see the first flowers! Hellebore grows very slowly, and it will take 2 to 3 years before it flowers for the first time. Moreover, the Christmas rose only blooms at Christmas when it is grown in a pot! Grown in the garden, it does not usually flower until February or March.

It is often beneficial to mulch it every year to keep it cool. However, it is not capricious: just water it moderately in summer when the soil is dry, remove dead leaves and protect it with a glass dome in winter to prevent snow damaging its flower buds.

The Japanese quince

February is still a cold month, and sometimes there is snow. Although the trees and shrubs are budding and the first spring bulbs are just coming out of the ground, it is still winter. However, from the end of February (depending on the region), the Japanese quince is already bursting with flower buds. It is one of the first shrubs to flower at the very end of winter. This small perennial shrub native to Japan is one of the easiest spring flowering shrubs to grow. Perfectly hardy, it can withstand temperatures as low as -25°C. Highly resistant to air pollution, it is suitable for city gardens and balconies. The flowers of the Japanese quince are usually a very attractive carmine red, but they can also be peach or white. In addition, and this is a significant argument for those with a sweet tooth, in autumn the Japanese quince produces very fragrant yellow fruit (of medium size, between a quince and an apple) which can be used to make a delicious and very fragrant jam.

Heather

Winter heathers include a multitude of species and varieties that provide colourful carpets from early autumn until spring. It would be a shame to deprive yourself of them at a time when flowers are scarce! Hardy, heather thrives both in the ground and in a balcony planter. However, you will need to be careful not to over-water it, as this can be fatal, and make sure the soil is well-drained and acidic.

The most popular: Erica x darleyensis and Erica carnea or snow heather with ground cover vegetation (15 cm) that flowers from January to May, depending on the variety.

What's more, if you're the DIY type, heather, once cut, makes wonderful material for making dried flower wreaths!

Getting married?

Fancy a fairytale wedding? Dreaming of an original and out-of-the-ordinary celebration?

Why not opt for a winter wedding? Here are some positive and essential points for planning your wedding in the cold season!

1) Despite popular belief, the winter period offers a multitude of elegant and poetic plants. If you choose your date well (either before or after Valentine's Day) the flowers are at a very attractive price. The various service providers are of course more available in winter. It will be much easier to get the reception venue, the caterer or the florist of your dreams in the middle of January. In addition, during this quiet period, the various estates are sometimes less expensive. You will have a much better chance of getting what you want if you organise your wedding between December and March. What's more, it will be easier to get your relatives available for the big day.

2) Worried about the heatwave? Have you thought about the disadvantages of the hot summer weather? With a winter wedding, there's no risk of a heatwave at the end of the year! As for the bride's outfit, all you need to provide is a trendy coat, bolero or jacket or a long-sleeved wedding dress. The groom could go for a beautiful velvet suit in original colours, such as burgundy red, fir green, petrol blue or pearl grey. For a quirky touch, hats, scarves and mittens could also be in order!

3) A winter wedding means magic and cosy decorations. The atmosphere of your wedding will inevitably be a friendly one. Winter is synonymous with cosiness and long discussions by the fire. You can transform your reception venue into a cocooning and comfortable space with thick carpets, cushions on the floor, throws, armchairs and sofa blankets. Flowers will bring a touch of freshness and life to the space. Why not fully embrace winter with table runners made of a mixture of conifers and forest elements such as pine cones or lichen? Do you like chic compositions? Opt for bouquets that are all white, as immaculate as snow. Hellebore and white amaryllis will be your best allies for an enchanting winter decoration. Play with accessories and lighting, with candles and subdued lighting. For a ‘chalet’ look, you can also choose plants and flowers in warm colours, such as red and orange. The bride's bouquet can also follow this magical winter theme with the addition of frosted or waxed plants (fruit, branches). Why not add a few fir and boxwood branches for a natural look? For a touch of fantasy, you could also cover the handle of the bridal bouquet with faux fur. There is no shortage of original decoration ideas, even in January and February!

4) Magnificent photos for your wedding album in the making! If you are lucky enough to live in a region where there is plenty of snow in winter, then you are already convinced that this is the most beautiful season possible for a wedding. What could be more romantic than nature covered in a white blanket as the backdrop for your union? It's up to you to find the perfect photographer! The snow, as well as the soft light of this season, will allow you to take original wedding photos with an extra touch of magic.

As you can see, there is no shortage of possibilities and opportunities to celebrate your wedding in winter, in the most beautiful way. Feel free to express and realise YOUR desires. Surround yourself with our qualified Bouvard Fleurs team to make YOUR day a reality. We create bouquets and compositions that reflect who you are, respecting your desires and requirements. From making appointments to creating and installing floral arrangements, our team is committed to supporting you as best as possible during this magical day. We deliver to all of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud and, on request, to the rest of Switzerland.

FAQ

Which plants are resistant to the cold? Hellebore or heather.

How can you protect your outdoor plants from frost? With a suitable cover, which is easily found in garden centres.

On Valentine's Day, are there any flowers other than roses available? Yes! In February, we already have the first anemones and ranunculus, amaryllis, as well as many other varieties.