Late-Summer Love: Sunflowers and the Best Blooms for Your Bouquet
By Sunny Godfrey, Sunflower Blooms Boutique

As the days grow shorter and the light softens into a golden glow, we find ourselves savoring the final, beautiful moments of summer. There’s something magical about this transitional season—the hum of cicadas in the evening air, the gentle breeze, and the way the gardens seem to offer one last, generous burst of color. At Sunflower Blooms Boutique, this is one of our favorite times of the year. It’s when local blooms are at their peak, and the possibilities for breathtaking, heartfelt bouquets are endless.

This summer, we’ve put together a guide to help you make the most of the season’s floral bounty. Whether you’re building your own bouquet or simply seeking inspiration for your next arrangement, these carefully chosen late-summer flowers are perfect companions to our signature sunflowers. Their textures, tones, and forms come together to create something that feels both timeless and full of life.

Sunflowers – Always the Star
Nothing says summer quite like a sunflower. Their golden faces and strong, cheerful presence make them a staple in seasonal floral design. We especially love working with branching varieties like Lemon Queen or Italian White, which have a lighter, more delicate appearance that pairs beautifully with other seasonal stems. These sunflowers are not only stunning in appearance but also durable and long-lasting, making them an ideal focal point in both simple hand-tied bouquets and more elaborate garden-style arrangements.

Zinnias – The Cheerful Companion
Zinnias are full of charm and versatility, and we consider them a perfect partner for sunflowers. Their round shape adds visual variety, while their wide color range—from soft pastels to vibrant jewel tones—offers countless palette possibilities. Locally grown zinnias are especially vibrant and fresh, making them a favorite in our shop. We often reach for unique varieties like Queen Lime or Queen Red Lime to add personality and depth to arrangements. And when ranunculus is out of season, zinnias are a wonderful alternative for that full, rounded bloom shape.

Grasses – Texture, Movement, and a Touch of Magic
One of the most overlooked elements in bouquet design is ornamental grass. Grasses offer a softness and natural movement that bring bouquets to life. They create a sense of flow and storybook elegance that we just can’t get enough of. Some of our favorite varieties include explosion grass, quaking grass, sea oats, and bunny tails. These elements can subtly complement brighter blooms, while also introducing shades of green, bronze, or even blush, depending on the variety and stage of growth. They’re especially beautiful in more organic, airy bouquet styles.

Celosia – Whimsy and Contrast in Plume Form
While large coxcomb celosia can be dramatic and visually dense, we prefer the lighter plume celosia for hand-held bouquets. Its feathery texture adds a unique line element, and it comes in lovely shades like soft mauve, lime green, and burgundy. We use it sparingly but strategically, always selecting stems with thinner profiles to maintain balance and comfort in bouquets. For centerpieces or installations, the larger coxcomb forms are perfect—they add richness, depth, and bold color, especially in late-summer or early autumn event work.

Hydrangeas – When Delicate Varieties Shine
Hydrangeas can be tricky in bouquet work due to their weight and tendency to wilt. However, landscape varieties such as Lace Cap and PeeGee hydrangeas offer a lighter, more refined texture that pairs well with sunflowers. Lace Cap hydrangeas, with their open and delicate structure, add a gentle touch to hand-tied designs. PeeGee hydrangeas, on the other hand, antique beautifully into blush and dusty green hues, adding romantic color and subtle structure to larger arrangements.

Foraged Finds and Seasonal Accents
Late summer is one of the best times for foraging. From berrying branches to aging foliage, the natural world offers so many elements to enhance your bouquet. Echinacea, for instance, starts off bold and vibrant, but as it matures, it antiques into rich, earthy tones. Even when the petals fade, the seed heads can add a rustic, sculptural quality. We also recommend using seasonal pods, grasses, and foliage at various stages of their life cycle—each offers something unique. That said, be cautious with materials like pokeweed. Its berries may look beautiful, but once they darken, they can stain linens and clothing, making them better suited for outdoor or display pieces rather than wedding bouquets.

Creating Balance in a Sunflower Bouquet
Designing the perfect late-summer sunflower bouquet is all about balance. Start with a strong focal flower—your sunflower—and build around it with supporting blooms, textured accents, and seasonal touches. Keep the composition organic, allowing movement and layering to guide the eye through the design. Combining soft zinnias, feathery grasses, and a few unexpected elements from the garden or nearby landscape adds character and depth. Whether it’s a casual bundle to brighten someone’s day or a carefully styled bouquet for a special occasion, the right combination of late-summer flowers can create something truly memorable.

As we celebrate the final chapter of summer, we hope this guide inspires you to explore, gather, and create with intention. There’s still time to savor the season’s richness—and nothing captures it quite like a bouquet full of sunflowers and their seasonal companions.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you have a favorite flower that shines in late summer? Or a sunflower story that makes you smile? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

And don’t miss our next post, where we turn the spotlight on one of our favorite transitional blooms—dahlias. Their beauty, diversity, and elegance deserve a full moment to shine.

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