Your Garden in October: A Florists View from A P Flowers

Your Garden in October — A Florist’s Perspective

As the days shorten and crisp mornings become more frequent, October brings a quiet transformation to the garden. For a florist, it’s a magical month: the riot of summer fades, yet there is still beauty, texture, and opportunity for creative floral work. Here’s how we see October through floral-tinted glasses — and what you can do to support your garden (and future blooms) during this transitional month.

Embrace the seasonal mood

October ushers in a shift. The garden slows, foliage changes tone, and structural elements — seed heads, grasses, branches — become focal. Dried stems, rose hips, and silhouetted perennials offer character to autumn arrangements.

From a florist’s point of view, these elements are gold. They bring longevity, subtle beauty, and textural contrast to bouquets and displays. Even when fresh flowers are scarcer, these structural components allow arrangements to have weight and personality.

You’ll often find us at AP Flowers using these natural touches in our autumn floral arrangements. Inspiration can come from simple garden walks as well as professional sources, such as House & Garden’s seasonal planting guides.

What to plant now for spring & seasonal displays

Though it may feel late in the year, October is a key planting month. The soil is still warm enough in many parts of the UK to support rooting before winter. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, this is the perfect time to set the stage for next year.

Bulbs for spring: Daffodils, fritillaries, crocus, and other spring-flowering bulbs can go in now while the soil is workable.
Perennials and shrubs: Many herbaceous perennials benefit from autumn planting — their roots establish over winter, giving them a head start in spring.
Trees and shrubs: October is still a good time to plant woody plants while they are dormant, as long as the ground isn’t frozen.
Spring bedding: Violas, wallflowers, pansies — pot them up now in sheltered spots to bring early colour next year.

Planting now means a stronger, healthier garden to draw inspiration from when we’re creating designs for your wedding flowers or seasonal bouquets.

Garden tasks to protect and prepare

Healthy gardens make for healthier flowers. Here are key jobs to tackle this month:

Clear debris, fallen leaves & diseased material — avoid overwintering pests and diseases. (More tips from the BBC Gardening calendar)
Divide and move perennials — help plants thrive next year.
Protect tender plants — move pots inside or wrap roots with fleece.
Lawn care — mow lightly early in the month, but avoid wet conditions.
Mulch and insulate — lock in moisture and protect roots.

These tasks are part of the rhythm that ensures fresh, vibrant stems ready for cutting or arranging later on.

Using October’s harvest in floral design

October’s garden is full of inspiration for creative floral arrangements:

Seed heads and grasses add structure.
Branches and berries provide colour and texture.
Late blooms such as chrysanthemums and asters offer richness.
Foliage turns into a warm palette of copper and bronze.

At AP Flowers, we often blend these natural materials into unique tributes and seasonal arrangements. It’s a way of celebrating the garden even as it rests. For more ideas, see The English Garden’s October planting advice.

Planning ahead for weddings and events

If you’re planning a wedding or special event in spring or summer, October is a great time to start discussions. Gardens prepared now will reward you with stronger, healthier flowers next season.

Many couples choose to start their floral journey with us in autumn. This gives us time to design palettes that feel connected to the seasons and your personal style. You can explore more about our bespoke services on our Weddings page.

A florist’s final thought on October

October teaches patience and reflection. The garden is easing into rest, but there’s still so much to appreciate — texture, structure, and the whisper of next year’s growth. Every season’s end is also a new beginning.

If you’d like help putting together an autumnal arrangement, or want to explore designs that carry your garden’s character forward, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Simply reach out via our Contact page.