Agapanthus is also commonly known as the Lily of the Nile, African Blue Lily, and African Lily. The genus, Agapanthus includes about 10 species. Agapanthus flowers bloom in large, round clusters or umbels of blue, white or violet- blue.

Alliums include a wide range of plants, from chives and small bulbs with tiny flowers to drumsticks with stout vertical stems topped with balls of colour. They come in a wonderful range of colours including purple, buttercup yellow, pinks, white and shades of cornflower blue.

They are remarkable, and perfect for placing singly in display vases, to show off their fragile beauty. Their ferny leaves make a perfect frame for the flower heads.  Vibrant shades of red, purple and pink, with jet black hearts ringed with white are available. The all-white anemone is rare, it has a yellow-green heart.

A genus rather than a single flower variety, the Aster family includes some 600 species of widely distributed flowering plant.  As well as being a symbol of love and caring, aster is also believed to symbolise "after thought". To get the best effect combine the aster with other pretty, traditional flowers.

The stems of these plants are topped by 8-12'' plumes smothered with tiny flowers, beautifully set off by attractive glossy foliage.

The spectacular appearance, texture and colour of these "brains" makes the Bombay celosia a bold addition to any fresh flower bouquet - the vibrant colours ranging from hot pink, orange and red, to pale green and bronze.

The flowers are loose clusters of tubular starlet, fringed with leaves and carried on tall stalks. Each stem resembles a small bouquet in bright firework colours. Bouvardia comes in white, pink, salmon, and red colour and lives for one to two weeks. The dainty flowers and soft colours bestow an air of femininity wherever they make an appearance. They also have a faint delicate scent.

Carnations are the UK's best-selling cut flower, by miles. They are an excellent cut-flower, great value, very long-lasting, Since the 1950's they have been frowned upon by the style gurus, but are now making a comeback.  They are available in a huge range of colours, almost all except blue. A mauve carnation with a blue tinge has been developed by Florigene in Australia. But they look best in hot Latin shades of red, pink and orange.

All the energy of the plant is directed into this bud which then grows to a huge size. Blooms come in many different forms, just like dahlias. Some are tight petalled, with all the petals curling upwards. Some have petals which curve and twist like a huge feather hat.  he chrysanthemum flower has been known since before 5000 BC in a small yellow form.

The Daisy Family is one of the most successful of all the flowering plant families.  All of the plants in this group produce a flower head, which is actually made up of lots and lots of tiny flowers (florets) growing together in a disc-shape. They are mainly insect-pollinated.  This family group includes the soft daisies and dandelions, as well as the prickly thistles.

Delphiniums are available in shades of blue, purple and white mostly, but salmon and yellow forms available too.  Some are available all year, however the main season is April to October.  They are related to larkspur, which is smaller and comes in more pastel shades such as pinks.  The plant is poisonous so wash hands after handling.

Echinop produces single, spherical flower heads of white, grey or blue.

The plant has deeply cut leaves shaped like holly, and sometimes just as spiky. The leaves surround the stem like frilly collars, culminating in a raspberry-like flower head at the top of the stem. It is available in all shades of blue-green from navy with bottle green, through steel blues and gunmetal, to a brilliant sky-blue, and is available all year round.

Euphorbia has long, elegantly curved branches with tiny pointed leaves along the whole length. These are densely interspersed with small rounded flowers. Flowers are available in red, orange, yellow, salmon pink or white.

These delicate flowers that are occasionally funnel-shaped, and are pink, blue, yellow or white.

Freesias are among the most popular and widely grown cut flowers in the world, with over 110 million stems sold in the UK each year. They are available all year long.  They come in a wide range of colours including yellows, red, pinks and white.  One of the nicest varieties is "Ballerina", which look like elegant dancers. If you want highly scented freesia look for pink and red varieties.

This species is an outstanding dwarf shrub which makes a shapely rounded bush, with semi-prostrate main branches spreading and producing numerous slender upright shoots. It's covered in small golden blooms in late spring and early summer.

Gerberas offer an incredibly wide range of colours with every colour except blue represented (including fashionable shades of buff and maroon).  They are available all year round.  There are over 200 varieties of gerbera and breeders have developed many variants from serrated or frilly petals to double flowers and extra wide petals. A new development is the mini-gerbera or 'germini' which have the same wide choice of colours but are smaller and more appropriate for smaller flower arrangements.

Gypsophila has many slender branching stems, each bearing many tiny button-shaped flowers at the ends. Gypsophila has a chalky white flower, although cream and pale pink varieties are sometimes found, and is available all year round.

The real flowers are tiny and inside the "beaks". Some less-common species may have furry beaks. The variety shown here has upright facing flowers; some forms, called hanging heliconia, have flowers which dangle down from the main stem.  They are available in red, orange yellow and pink all year round.

Iris means "rainbow" in Greek. Garden irises come in a broad spectrum of colours, but cut flower irises are mostly blue, white and yellow like the summer sky.

Long-stalked spikes of fragrant purple flowers. The leaves and flowers can be dried and used for pot pourri.

Some forms (Lilium longiflorum, L. candidum, oriental lilies) are highly perfumed but white only; others (asiatic lilies) are highly coloured but scent-free

Either singular or clustered and often scented. The flowers may be upward facing, horizontal or outward facing. They can be cup, bell or bowl-shaped, and occasionally star-shaped with six petals. They are grown in a plain colours (white, yellow, orange, red, lilac, pink, cream), lined or spotted. It is important to remove the stamens to prevent staining.

Also called Eustoma, Prairie Gentian or Texan bluebell. They are available in shades of purple, cream, pink, also pale green, or bold two-tone "picotees" with coloured petal edges.  They are also available all year round.

White, and sometimes pink or yellow.  They are widely available during the summer months.

Daisy-like flower heads which last well when cut. Colours include orange or yellow.

Petite pea-like flowers each with four to five petals. Lightly clustered in spherical heads either singular, spiked or grouped. Produce fruits during a hot summer, which can be used in arrangements, along with its delicate foliage.

The nerine is an elegant and dainty flower with long stems showing off the slender petals curled like gift ribbons.  The best known colours are bubblegum pink and bright tea rose tones, however they are also available in pure white and cherry red.  They are available virtually all year, main season June to January.

Nigella is an old cottage garden flower. For many years 'Miss Jekyll' was the only widely available variety, and it is still popular for its dependable masses of sky-blue flowers.

Orchids are the largest family of the plant kingdom with over 25,000 naturally occurring species in the world, as well as all the specially developed hybrids! They are available in every colour except blue - there are even black and green orchids.

The plant has large, erect flower heads, with either single or double petals in a saucer, cup, bowl or spherical-shaped. Each flower has five to 10 petals that are fragrant. Colours include yellow, white, cream, pink, orange and red.

This flower is grown all over the world but mostly from USA.  Colours include monotone phloxes which are available in white, pink, purple and mauve hues, as well as two tone phloxes.  They are available all year round.

Short-lived flowers with either bowl, cup or saucer-shape. Four petals in either red, peach, yellow, orange and white. They have a tendency to wilt, but florists will be able to offer advice.

The name Protea comes from the mythical sea god Proteus who could assume many different shapes. The flower is surrounded by colourful bracts which slowly open up to give a flower head as big as 25cm across.  It originated fromAustralia, Southern Africa and South America.  It is available in pinks, creams, oranges, charcoal all year round

This amazing flower is available in every colour except blue and true black.   It is available all year round and is probably the best known and best-loved flower in the world.  For extra scented roses, look for 'Sterling Star' (lilac), 'Jacaranda' (blue-pink), 'Osiana' (peach-cream), 'Sterling Silver' (lilac) and 'Extase' (deep red).

Also known as Bird of Paradise.  It was named Strelitzia after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Streliz, who married King George III to become Queen of England in 1761.  It originates from South Africa.  The flower has a green 'beak' with a bright orange and blue crest, silvery-green leaves.  It is available all year round but with limited availability in summer.

A large flower head with usually a big dark centre and bright yellow petals.  Most sunflowers are bright yellow with dark brown centres, but varieties are appearing now which have tan, orange, maroon or striped petals, and green-yellow centres. Some are even without the central disc, but are fully covered in petals instead.  It is mainly a ummer flower, but some are available all year round ('Orit') and most can be available from late spring to late autumn.

The Botanical name is Lathyrus odoratus - odoratus means scented. They are available in a variety of colours including purples, pinks, creams and salmons. General availability is from March to November.

It is commonly called sea holly or thistle. The plant has deeply-cut leaves shaped a bit like holly, and sometimes just as spiky. The leaves surround the stem like frilly collars, culminating in a raspberry-like flower heads at the top of the stem. The blooms make excellent fresh-cut flowers for bouquets and are easily dried for long lasting flower arrangements. All shades of blue-green from navy with bottle green, through steel blues and gunmetal, to a brilliant sky-blue is available all year round.

Tulips are the third-biggest selling flower in Holland and are also very popular in the UK where many are also grown.  They are available in every colour except blue and true black.  Availability is from November to May (January to April for British tulips).