The Blossomist's Glossary of Flowers: Types, Colours, Origins & Structures
Looking to discover the world of flowers in more depth? Whether you're sending flowers by post, selecting the perfect bouquet for a celebration, or expanding your floral knowledge, this guide from The Blossomist covers some of the most loved and widely used blooms.
This guide helps you understand:
- Flower names
- Types of flowers
- Flowers by colour or structure
Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily)
- Colours: White, pink, purple, red, yellow, orange
- Origin: South America (Peru, Brazil, Chile)
- Structure: Thin leafy stems, multiple buds, six-petal speckled flowers
Amaryllis
- Colours: Red, white, pink, salmon, striped
- Origin: South Africa
- Structure: Large trumpet-shaped flowers with thick, leafless stems
Aster
- Colours: Purple, pink, blue, white
- Origin: North America, Europe, Asia
- Structure: Daisy-like heads with yellow centres and soft, bushy stems
Astrantia
- Colours: Blush pink, white, burgundy, dusty mauve
- Origin: Central and Eastern Europe
- Structure: Star-shaped flowers surrounded by papery bracts; wiry, branching stems
Achillea Mollis (Yarrow)
- Colours: Yellow, pink, cream, peach, terracotta
- Origin: Europe and Western Asia
- Structure: Flat, umbrella-shaped flower clusters on upright, fuzzy stems
Carnation
- Colours: Red, pink, white, green, yellow, purple
- Origin: Mediterranean
- Structure: Ruffled, ball-shaped flowers on firm, narrow stems
Chrysanthemum
- Colours: White, yellow, purple, pink, bronze, green
- Origin: China, Japan
- Structure: Rounded or daisy-like flowers; strong, hollow stems
Craspedia (Billy Buttons)
- Colours: Bright yellow
- Origin: Australia, New Zealand
- Structure: Spherical flower heads on tall, wiry stems
Daffodil
- Colours: Yellow, white, orange, peach
- Origin: Europe, North Africa, West Asia
- Structure: Trumpet-shaped flowers with a central corona; soft, slender stems
Dahlia
- Colours: White, pink, burgundy, yellow, orange, red, purple
- Origin: Mexico and Central America
- Structure: Layered, rounded blooms in various forms; sturdy, leafy stems
Delphinium
- Colours: Blue, lavender, white, pink
- Origin: Europe, Northern Hemisphere
- Structure: Tall spires of small bell-shaped flowers on central upright stems
Gerbera
- Colours: Pink, red, white, yellow, orange, peach
- Origin: South Africa, Madagascar, Asia
- Structure: Large, daisy-like blooms on thick, single stems
Hydrangea
- Colours: Blue, white, pink, green, purple
- Origin: Japan, Korea, China
- Structure: Rounded clusters of small flowers; woody branching stems
Hypericum (St John's Wort Berry)
- Colours: Red, coral, ivory, green, burgundy
- Origin: Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
- Structure: Berry clusters on woody stems with oval leaves
Iris
- Colours: Blue, purple, white, yellow
- Origin: Europe, Asia, North America
- Structure: Sword-like leaves and intricate flowers with upright standards and hanging falls Larkspur
Lilies
- Colours: White, yellow, pink, orange, red, speckled
- Origin: Europe, Asia, North America
- Structure: Large trumpet or star-shaped blooms on tall, smooth stems
Lisianthus
- Colours: White, pink, purple, lavender, cream
- Origin: Southern US, Mexico, Caribbean
- Structure: Rose-like layered blooms on elegant, thin stems
Ranunculus
- Colours: White, yellow, orange, red, coral
- Origin: Central Asia, Mediterranean
- Structure: Ruffled layers of soft petals; thin but strong stems
Roses
- Colours: Red, pink, white, peach, yellow, lavender
- Origin: Asia, Europe, North America, Africa
- Structure: Classic petaled blooms on thorny woody stems
Snapdragons
- Colours: Red, white, yellow, pink, orange, burgundy
- Origin: Mediterranean
- Structure: Tube-like flowers that snap open; vertical bushy stems
Stocks
- Colours: White, pink, lavender, peach, purple
- Origin: Southern Europe
- Structure: Dense flower spikes with clove-scented blooms
Sunflower
- Colours: Yellow, red, bronze, pale cream
- Origin: North America (USA, Mexico)
- Structure: Large, round flower heads on tall, thick, hairy stems
Tulips
- Colours: Red, yellow, white, pink, purple, black
- Origin: Central Asia, Netherlands
- Structure: Cup-shaped blooms on smooth, upright stems
Waxflower
- Colours: White, pink, blush, lavender
- Origin: Western Australia
- Structure: Tiny blooms with five petals; needle-like foliage on woody stems
Sea Lavender (Statice)
- Colours: Purple, pink, blue, white
- Origin: Mediterranean
- Structure: Papery, long-lasting flowers on stiff, branched stems
Need help choosing? Visit The Blossomist for curated arrangements delivered UK-wide. Discover seasonal favourites, letterbox flowers, and occasion-ready bouquets.
Let the language of flowers speak with elegance and beauty from The Blossomist.