Covid-19 is still causing alot of disruptions to the Australian flower market. Over the last two years there have been high cost of importing flowers into Australia met with limited flight space for their transport. And although we do not purchase many imported flowers it has meant availability of our usual flowers had been much lower as the local farms scrambled to try and meet demand. The weather has also dramatically impacted quality and availability this year with so much flooding, rain and colder than usual weather.
This year we have seen a hugh increase in flower prices from farmers as they still struggle with the impacts of covid and the weather. Luckily we have always brought alot of local product from a careful selection of Australian farms so over the last year we have been able to provide a good selection of flowers. Costs for local flowers has definitely increased this past year but it's a small price to pay knowing we are supporting Australian farms and their workers.
Previous years our availability was as below.
Mothers day is the highlight of May. There have been plenty of beautiful chrysanthemums - daisy chrysanthemum, field chrysanthemum, mum chrysanthemums and disbuds.
Roses have been beautiful, with a lovely range of colours and flower head size. Field grown David Austin roses are coming to an end though, and proving difficult to find by the end of the month, as are all field grown varieties.
Lisianthus was available at the beginning of the month but harder to get by the end of May.
Dahlias come to an end soon, but tulips, freesias, iris and hyacinths are now readily available. It's nice to feel the weather cooling off and seeing these bulb lines really makes it feel like a change in season. We have not been able to get ranunculus.
Only imported callas are available in a limited colour range. Snaps are still available. Dephinium has been thin on the ground. Stock has started in full swing, and we have been getting a lovely colour range and with a beautiful fragrance. Carnations in a diverse colour range have been available.
Lavender and poppies has been hard. Hydrangea has been in short supply, although the colour is not good - green blooms with small stems.
Babies breath has been readily available.
The range of natives is slowly improving, with proteas, banksias, tetra nuts, sea holly and leucadendrons readily available. Kale has started in earnest, with the cooler temperatures bringing out lovely colouration.
Orchids, oriental lilies, asiatic lilies and gerberas are readily available. Birds of paradise have also been readily available. Longiforum lilies have been more difficult to get this month.
Flowers that are usually available in May in Canberra (and their colour range) include -
Alstromeria (white, pink, green, red, yellow, orange)
Anthirium (white, salmon, pink, lime, red)
Asiatic Lilies (white, pink, orange, yellow, red)
Aster (white, pink, purple, red)
Arum Lily (white, pink)
Blossom (white, pink)
Bouvardia (red, white, pink)
Birds of Paradise (orange/purple)
Banksia (various varieties in green, red, yellow, orange, brown, silver)
Celosia (various varieties - red, orange, yellow)
Chrysanthemum (various varieties - white, pink, red, green, yellow, lilac, orange)
Cymbidium Orchid (white, pink, orange, red, yellow, green)
Dahlia (white, pink, red, yellow, orange)
Daisy (yellow/white)
David Austin Roses (white, ivory, cream, pinks, reds)
Delphinium (butterfly or hybrid - white, blue, purple)
Freesia (white, pink, red, yellow, purple)
Gerbera (white, pink, orange, yellow, red)
Gladiolus (white, purple, green, pink, yellow, red, orange)
Geraldon Wax (white, pink)
Goddess Lily (green)
Heliconia (red, orange, yellow)
Hyacinths (white, pink, purple)
Iris (blue, purple, white, yellow)
Kangaroo Paw (pink, green, red/green, black/green, yellow, orange, red)
Lavender (purple)
Leucadendron (green, red, yellow)
Lisianthus (white, pink, purple)
Lotus (pods green, flowers pink, white)
Dusty Miller foliage
Minature Roses (white, pink, yellow, orange, red, cream)
Mini Gerbera (white, red, orange, yellow, lemon, pink)
Nerine (pink, orange)
November Lily (white)
Oriental Lily (white, pink)
Phalaenopsis Orchid (white, lemon, green, pink)
Roses (white, pinks, lavender, mauve, cream, orange, red, peach, yellow, lemon)
Singapore Orchid (white, green, pink, purple, red, yellow)
Statice (white, purple)
Sunflower (yellow, brown)
Snap Dragon (white, pink, orange, burgundy)
Stock (white, purple, cream, pink)
Tulip (white, cream, pink, orange, yellow, red, purple)
Vanda Orchid (pink, red, orange, purple, yellow)