Flower power: the biggest floral trends of 2020

Coral tones, home-grown blooms, minimalism and ikebana (the Japanese art of flower arranging) were among the top floral trends of 2019, according to leading through-the-letterbox florist Bloom & Wild, while perennially popular peonies continued to reign. But which types, colours and styles of flowers do the experts predict to be big in 2020?

We speak to Robyn Clifford, a store manager at luxury florist Wild at Heart, and Iona Mathieson, co-owner of Peckham’s trend-setting Sage Flowers, to find out.

Wild at Heart. Photo: Natasha Marshall

Which types of flowers are predicted to be popular in 2020?

‘Peonies will always be king,’ laughs Mathieson, who co-runs Sage Flowers with fellow millennial Romy St Clair. ‘But, "cheaper" flowers, such as gerberas and carnations, are gaining popularity.’

Clifford agrees: ‘Our customers can’t get enough of peonies. These beautiful blousy blooms come to us in May and stick around into summer. We’re asked all year round for them, but typically they’re only in the market from mid-April through to July.'


Romy St Clair (left) and Iona Mathieson (right), co-founders of Sage Flowers. Photo: Lucy Alex Mac

Are there any other floral trends expected to be big this year?

‘Everyone’s loving bold, bright neon tones,’ says Clifford, which supports Mathieson’s predictions for the likes of gerberas and carnations to become more popular. 'However, you can never go wrong with a classic pastel mix.’

Mathieson's predictions take this trend for unusual colours even further – into the realms of artificial hues. ‘We think the continuation of dyed flowers being big will carry on into 2020,’ she says, adding that the dried flower trend that was everywhere in 2019 will take a back seat. What’s more, the florist expects unusual and even alien elements to make their way into this year’s bouquets. ‘Expect to see interesting components that aren't flowers being used in arrangements, such as fruits, fabrics and feathers,’ she says.

Wild at Heart in Notting Hill. Photo: Natasha Marshall

Which types of flowers will be popular at weddings in 2020?

In Clifford’s experience, safe, ‘blush’ tones are the usual wedding go-to in the UK. However, she predicts a move away from this aesthetic in 2020. ‘I expect clients will play about with colour a bit more this year, as there is this demand for bolder and brighter bouquets,’ she says, adding that our penchant for wild-looking arrangements is here to stay. ‘A lot of our customers like to include a lot of foliage into their bouquets. The wild and natural look is still very "in" at the moment.’

Mathieson, on the other hand, expects the shift to be towards more design-led arrangements. ‘I think a move towards more sculptural and less traditional [bouquets] will happen this year,’ she reveals.