How to read a season rather than a list
Markets move like tides. Some weeks rush forward with choice; others retreat and leave a quieter shoreline of sturdy standbys. “Season Pointers” is a human-written overview to help you sense those movements without memorising long lists. We focus on rhythms you can recognise at a glance: how light changes colour, how leaves thicken or thin, and how price bands rise before holidays and soften just after. Treat these notes as a friendly guide rather than a promise—supply, weather, and transport shape every week.
Late winter to early spring
January tilts toward narcissi and early tulips. Heads are tighter, stems squeak against paper, and buckets look cool even under yellow lights. Scent sits low, not loud. By February, ranunculus begin to appear in proper numbers; their layers behave well in cold rooms but sulk near radiators. March folds in anemones with dark centres and paler petals that change tone through the day. Prices step up near Mother’s Day and step down a little after, although quality often remains high.
Mid to late spring
April rewards patience. Tulips lengthen overnight in vases; cut shorter than you think, and keep them cool. Sweet peas whisper in from some growers, sometimes with limited stems that sell quickly in the first hour. By May, peonies begin—first marble-hard, then with soft “marshmallow” give. Many visitors chase an exact stage of opening; accept range instead and you will make better choices. Ask for heads with a hint of crack in the outer petals if you want reliable opening within two days.
Early summer to high summer
June expands the palette: garden roses with loosened cups, foxgloves with freckled throats, and stocks that carry sweet weight. Warmth accelerates everything. Bring water sooner, trim again at home, and keep arrangements away from fruit bowls. July and August can feel divided: generous on choice but harsh on transport. Vans heat quickly; so do buses. Wrap bases well, and aim for shorter journeys. Expect firmer price bands around weddings and weekends; a Monday visit can feel calmer in both crowd and cost.
Early autumn to deep autumn
September introduces dahlias in full conversation—tight balls, dinner plates, and muted café-au-lait tones. They bruise easily; protect the heads with a paper cap, and avoid wind. October leans into texture: berried stems, hips, branches with a copper slide of leaves. Colours shift from fruit-sherbet brights to tea-stained warmth. By November, chrysanthemums hold the line: reliable architecture for rooms that cool quickly at dusk. Candles return; keep flames away from petals and from drying foliage.
Winter holidays and the soft restart
December brings evergreens, amaryllis, and winter berries. Markets feel quick and intent; plan short loops and decide early. After the holiday peak, January softens again—fewer types, more space to look closely. It is a good month to learn leaf health, stem firmness, and how different papers behave in rain.
Colour and texture as your compass
Instead of chasing named varieties, let colour families guide you. In spring, pair chalky pastels with clean greens; in summer, mix bruised fruit tones with airy whites; in autumn, lean into tobacco, rust, and blackberry; in winter, keep contrasts clear: ivory against deep green, or scarlet against matte grey. Texture matters as much as hue. Combine at most three textures—silky petals, feathery fillers, and one crisp leaf—to avoid muddle.
Price patterns you can expect
Prices are weather reports in number form. Spikes cluster around holidays and sudden shortages; gentle dips arrive after weekends or storms that delayed shoppers. Quality and grade sit behind the ticket—ask for the difference between “market bunch” and “premium” before deciding. A small anchor purchase early helps you compare weight, scent, and life across stalls without pressure.
Transport and the seasonal carry
Cold months favour walking; heat favours the shortest route available. In wind, overwrap heads; in heavy rain, reinforce the base. On trains, place buckets between your shoes; on bikes, choose a crate or pannier and ride as if carrying a bowl of water. Cars are only comfortable if cool—crack a window and avoid direct sun on petals.
Home care that changes with the month
Spring: cool water, frequent trims, and light away from strong sun. Summer: change water daily, cut shorter, and keep arrangements apart from fruit. Autumn: strip leaves thoroughly to slow bacterial growth and enjoy the shift toward branches. Winter: lukewarm water can help some stems open, but avoid hot taps that cloud vases. Across all seasons, clean containers matter more than tricks; a scrubbed vase adds a day more often than any additive.
Small diary, better choices
Keep a simple market diary: date, weather note, three stems that looked best, and one thing you would do differently next time. After a few visits the diary becomes your private calendar, more accurate than memory or social media feeds. Patterns emerge—when tulips peak in your city, which Fridays run hot with weddings, when dahlias thin. You will waste less money and carry home what suits your rooms, not someone else’s photographs.
Access, crowds, and calmer routes
Step-free options shift with deliveries and staffing. If a door is closed at dawn it may open later; plot an outer loop first and keep an eye on propped exits. Crowds build around card readers and narrow tills. Choose aisles with clear sightlines and move to quiet edges to wrap. A short pause in the lee of a column is kinder than hesitating in the middle of a flow.
Notes, not guarantees
These pointers are observations gathered across seasons from Brighton and other English markets. They do not guarantee availability or results. Use them to frame choices and adapt on the day. For suggestions, corrections, or accessibility feedback, write to [email protected]. Our address is 9 Sydney Street, Brighton BN1 4EN, England, and our phone number is 441 273 845 612. We respect your privacy in line with UK GDPR and keep cookies minimal by choice.