Orange is the colour of energy, a touch of boldness and pure celebration. A bouquet full of orange flowers can instantly turn any room into a happier place, whether you’re surprising someone else or simply treating yourself. As it happens, orange is also our national colour, so on King’s Day, during the European Championship, World Cup or any other occasion that calls for a little national pride, a bouquet of orange flowers is spot on. In this article, you’ll discover which orange flowers are available, what this striking colour symbolises and why orange is pretty much always a good idea.
The symbolism behind the colour orange
Orange combines the warmth of red with the cheerfulness of yellow, and that’s exactly what makes this colour so special. A bouquet of orange flowers radiates energy, positivity and creativity, instantly giving any space a playful boost at any time of year. In colour psychology, orange is often associated with creativity, adventure and a certain degree of confidence and courage. It’s less intense than red and creates a completely different feeling from yellow: orange is original, surprising and wonderfully bold.
Did you know?
For centuries, Dutch didn’t have a separate word for orange. It was only when oranges arrived in Europe through trade that the fruit gave its name to the colour.
The most beautiful orange cut flowers
Some cut flowers are naturally orange, while others have been specially cultivated in this colour. Here’s a selection of cheerful options.
Flowers that are naturally orange
Deze bloemen zijn altijd oranje, dat is simpelweg hun natuurlijke kleur.
1: Crocosmia. This summer flower, with its elegant, slightly wild branching stems, is naturally orange and instantly gives a bouquet a playful, organic look.
2: Kniphofia. With its striking, candle-shaped flower spikes, Kniphofia, also known as Red Hot Poker, is a real eye-catcher in a bouquet and naturally orange.
3: Safflower. This thistle-like flower is naturally orange and holds onto its colour beautifully as it dries, making it just as suitable for a dried flower bouquet as it is for a vase.
Flowers that are also available in orange
These flowers aren’t naturally orange, but are also cultivated or sold in this colour.
1: Gerbera. This cheerful flower, with its broad, radiant petals, is available all year round and in orange looks almost as sunny as the colour itself.
2: Rose. The classic cut flower is also available in orange, from soft apricot shades to bright, eye-catching tones. Roses are available all year round, making them a great choice for any occasion.
3: Carnation. Often underestimated, but this flower has an impressively long vase life and is widely available in warm shades of orange.
4: Alstroemeria. This flower, with its distinctive striped petals, keeps blooming for a long time in the vase and is available all year round, including in orange.
5: Tulip. In spring, the Tulip is the flower to go for, and it couldn’t be more Dutch. That also makes it an obvious choice around King’s Day. Orange Tulips combine our national colour with that unmistakable Dutch spring feeling.
6: Chrysanthemum. This autumn flower comes in countless colours and shapes, and in orange it effortlessly gives a bouquet a warm, seasonal look.
7: Gladiolus. This colourful summer bloomer loves to reach for the sky, making a big statement in your vase. Especially in a punchy colour like orange! Fun fact: the flower symbolises victory and pride.
Good to know!
When choosing orange flowers, it’s always worth checking what’s in season. Tulips are mainly available in spring and Crocosmia in summer, while Gerberas, Roses, Carnations and Alstroemeria are available almost all year round. Chrysanthemums are also available throughout the year, but are especially popular in autumn.
When do you give orange flowers?
A bouquet of orange flowers is rarely out of place. Think of a birthday, a congratulations, or simply a day when you want to give someone, or yourself, a cheerful little boost. The colour represents optimism and courage, which is sometimes exactly what a bouquet can bring to a day that could do with a bit of both. And if that day happens to be King’s Day, the European Championship, World Cup or your nephew’s deciding match on his way to becoming an international judo champion, then orange is obviously the perfect choice.
Combine your orange flowers with some greenery, such as Eucalyptus or Ornamental Grass, and you’ll create a bouquet that looks fresh without becoming too busy. Prefer to go all in on colour? Choose a bouquet made entirely from different shades of orange and different types of flowers: it creates a surprisingly rich and warm effect. A wonderfully fragrant little burst of summer.
Want to know more about colours and flowers?
Curious about what other flower colours symbolise? Read our articles on yellow flowers and blue flowers for more inspiration when choosing the perfect bouquet.
