August Flowers: Which Varieties Should You Choose This Month?
August has a bad reputation when it comes to flowers. We picture parched gardens, bouquets that don’t hold up well in the heat, and sparse flower stalls. That’s not true. August is actually one of the most bountiful months of the year: dahlias are in full bloom, sunflowers are at their peak, and the stalls are brimming with colors you only see in summer. You just have to know what to look for.
Occasions for Giving Flowers in August
Summer makes it feel like everything slows down. In reality, there’s no shortage of opportunities to give —they’re just different.
Summer Birthdays: Leos and Virgos
August is the month of Leo (through the 22nd) and Virgo (starting on the 23rd). These two signs are polar opposites on paper, yet they have one thing in common: they both deserve a beautiful bouquet. For a Leo, we’ll happily go for something flamboyant and generous—something that won’t go unnoticed: sunflowers, pompon dahlias, and vibrant zinnias. For a Virgo, we’ll opt for something more delicate and refined: daylilies, statice, and late-season lavender. Astrology as a guide to flowers—why not?
The Assumption on August 15
August 15 is a holiday that is often overlooked, yet it is deeply rooted in French traditions. As the quintessential Marian feast day, the Assumption has long been associated with bouquets of white flowers — roses, lilies, and carnations. It’s also an opportunity to make a simple gesture toward a grandmother, a mother, or someone you care about but don’t always remember to spoil outside of the more widely publicized holidays. A bouquet on August 15 is always a pleasant surprise.
Thanking a Neighbor After the Holidays
We go on vacation, leave the keys behind, and come back with a tan. The neighbor watered the plants, took out the trash, and picked up the mail. A bouquet when we get back is the simplest and most heartfelt way to say thank you. And in August, with whatever’s available at the market stands, it’s bound to be beautiful.
Giving Flowers When You Return from Vacation
There’s something particularly thoughtful about flowers brought back from vacation—or given as a gift upon returning. Not for any specific occasion, just to say: I was far away, but you were on my mind. It might be the most sincere bouquet you can give. And in August, there’s plenty to choose from to put together something memorable.
I find my bouquet of flowers
The Most Beautiful Flowers of August
This may be the month of the year when the flower stalls look their best. August offers a bountiful array, ranging from large, vibrant blooms that command attention to more understated varieties that we rediscover with pleasure every summer. Here are the ones we especially love this month.
Must-haves: sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias
The sunflower is the quintessential August flower. Generous, sunny, and instantly cheerful. It looks great anywhere—whether on its own in a vase or in a large, rustic bouquet. It lasts well in a vase and everyone loves it.
The dahlia, on the other hand, is August’s surprise. You don’t necessarily expect it, and yet that’s the month when it’s at its best. Pompon, cactus, decorative—there are so many varieties that you could write an entire article just about it. Its colors range from pure white to deep burgundy, including every shade of orange and pink you can imagine.
Finally, the zinnia is the flower of no-frills summer bouquets. It’s unpretentious, very colorful, and blooms with almost wild abandon. It goes well with everything and lasts a long time. It’s often underappreciated compared to the other two—and wrongly so.
Summer Flowers: Gladioli, Agapanthus, Hydrangeas
The gladiolus has long had a somewhat old-fashioned image. It’s making a comeback, and deservedly so. Its tall, sturdy stem adds a vertical element that few summer flowers have. Whether white, pale pink, or burgundy, it completely transforms a bouquet.
The agapanthus is the flower of sunny summers. Its blue or white umbels have an ethereal, light quality. It blooms in full splendor in August and brings a visual freshness to a bouquet that can’t be found anywhere else.
Hydrangeas in August are a lovely surprise. Their large, round blooms, in every shade of blue, pink, and white, add volume and softness to any arrangement. They last very well in a vase and dry beautifully if you want to give them a second life.
The Unassuming Ones: statice, daylily, and late-season lavender
Statice is the unsung hero of summer bouquets. Its small purple or white flowers last even after they’ve dried, making it a beautiful flower to preserve. In a bouquet, it adds a lightness and texture that larger flowers simply can’t provide.
The daylily is a flower that is both humble and elegant. Each flower lasts only one day, but the stem produces several in succession, giving it a surprisingly long life in a vase. It comes in a palette of yellows andoranges that perfectly captures the light of August.
Toward the end of the season, lavender begins to dry on the plant. It is precisely at this time that it is most fragrant and best suited for cutting and preserving. A sprig of dried lavender in a bouquet lets you hold on to the scent of summer just a little longer.
Sessile’s Tip: Enjoy summer right down to the last bouquet
August goes by quickly. We know it the moment it arrives, and we miss it even more when it ends. Maybe that’s why a seasonal bouquet in August has something special about it: it captures summer at its most bountiful, before the colors change and the market stalls take on a new look.
At Sessile, our artisanal florists create arrangements using the most beautiful flowers August has to offer. If you’re not sure what to choose, they’ll be happy to guide you toward the flowers of the season—the ones that will look beautiful today and tomorrow.
Enjoy the summer. There are still a few beautiful bouquets left to arrange.
Who are we?
Sessile champions the independence of artisan florists online. Founded in 2019 by six friends, Sessile brings together 500 florists committed to transforming the industry and enables flower delivery throughout France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. By breaking away from the traditional online catalog model, the network highlights each florist’s expertise and helps keep the art of floristry alive. Florists can pursue their passion and create more creative bouquets because they have greater freedom to offer seasonal flowers and, whenever possible, locally sourced flowers.