A Florist's Guide to Orange Blossom
Orange blossom, the delicate white flower of citrus trees, has captivated florists and brides for centuries with its intoxicating fragrance and symbolic meaning. This flower delivery guide covers everything you need to know about working with these precious blooms.
Botanical Background
Orange blossoms come from citrus trees, primarily Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) and Citrus aurantium (bitter orange or Seville orange). The flowers are small, waxy, and typically five-petaled with a creamy white color and prominent yellow stamens. Bitter orange blossoms are particularly prized in perfumery and bridal work for their superior fragrance.
Symbolism and History
Orange blossoms carry deep symbolic meaning:
Purity and innocence – making them traditional bridal flowers
Eternal love and marriage – citrus trees bear fruit and flowers simultaneously, symbolizing fertility
Good fortune – especially popular in Victorian wedding traditions
The tradition of orange blossom bridal wreaths dates back centuries, famously worn by Queen Victoria at her 1840 wedding, cementing the flower's place in Western bridal tradition.
Seasonality and Sourcing
Peak Season: Spring (March-May in most regions), though some varieties bloom multiple times per year
Sourcing Challenges: Orange blossoms are notoriously difficult to source fresh because:
They're extremely delicate and bruise easily
They wilt quickly once cut
They're rarely commercially grown as cut flowers
Most must be harvested from actual citrus orchards
Alternatives: Many florists use preserved, silk, or wax orange blossoms for bridal work due to availability issues.
Working with Fresh Orange Blossoms
Conditioning and Care
Harvest timing: Cut in early morning when flowers are just opening
Immediate hydration: Place stems in water immediately after cutting
Clean stems: Remove any leaves that will sit below the waterline
Cool storage: Keep at 36-40°F (2-4°C)
Lifespan: Expect only 1-3 days of vase life even with optimal care
Design Considerations
Fragrance: The scent is powerfully sweet and heady. A little goes a long way – consider the venue size and ventilation. Some people find the fragrance overwhelming in enclosed spaces.
Delicate nature: Handle minimally and always by the stem. The petals bruise at the slightest touch and brown quickly.
Size scale: These tiny flowers (typically ½ to 1 inch across) work best in:
Delicate nosegays and posies
Hair accessories and combs
Boutonnieres
Corsages
As accents in larger arrangements
Wiring technique: For bridal work, individual blooms can be carefully wired:
Insert a fine-gauge wire (28-30 gauge) through the calyx
Bend the wire down parallel to the natural stem
Wrap with floral tape
Work gently to avoid bruising
Popular Alternatives and Substitutes
Since fresh orange blossoms are so challenging, consider these options:
Preserved orange blossoms: Freeze-dried or glycerin-preserved flowers maintain much of their appearance
Wax flowers (Chamelaucium): Often called "waxflower," these delicate blooms have a similar scale and work well in romantic designs
Stephanotis: Another traditional bridal flower with waxy white petals and sweet fragrance
Mock orange (Philadelphus): A different species entirely but offers similar white blooms with sweet scent
Jasmine: Shares the heady, sweet fragrance profile
Orange blossom essence: Use scented water or essential oils to add fragrance to arrangements using substitute flowers
Design Styles
Orange blossoms shine in:
Classic bridal: Traditional hand-tied bouquets with roses, gardenias, and lily of the valley
Romantic garden style: Mixed with soft-colored roses, peonies, and trailing greenery
Minimalist elegance: Simple sprigs in hair or as single-stem accents
Victorian revival: Dense, rounded bouquets in the historic style
Mediterranean inspired: Paired with herbs like rosemary and lavender, olive branches, and other Southern European elements
Cultural Considerations
Orange blossoms hold special significance in various cultures:
Middle Eastern traditions: Widely used in wedding celebrations and associated with joy
Spanish customs: Essential in traditional ceremonies, particularly in southern regions
French perfumery: Neroli oil (from bitter orange blossoms) is highly valued
Asian weddings: Sometimes incorporated alongside traditional flowers for modern fusion ceremonies
Practical Tips for Florists
Set expectations: Always inform bridal clients about the extreme delicacy and short lifespan of fresh orange blossoms
Timing is everything: If using fresh blooms, design as close to the event as possible – ideally the morning of
Test suppliers: If a client insists on fresh orange blossoms, order samples well in advance to assess quality
Keep backup plans: Always have preserved or silk alternatives on hand in case fresh blooms arrive damaged
Charge appropriately: The rarity, delicacy, and labor intensity of working with orange blossoms should be reflected in your pricing
Consider the climate: Fresh orange blossoms will not survive outdoor summer weddings in heat – be honest about this limitation
Photograph quickly: If you're building a portfolio piece with fresh orange blossoms, photograph immediately as they discolor rapidly
Preservation Options
For clients who want to keep their orange blossom bouquet:
Pressing: Individual blooms press reasonably well but lose dimensional quality
Freeze-drying: Professional preservation yields the best results
Silica gel drying: Can work for small quantities at home
Photography: Often the most practical keepsake option
The Bottom Line
Orange blossoms represent one of floristry's most romantic yet challenging materials. Their unparalleled fragrance and symbolic weight make them deeply desired for weddings and special occasions, but their fleeting nature requires expertise, realistic client communication, and often creative problem-solving. Master the art of working with alternatives while keeping a network of potential fresh sources, and you'll be prepared to fulfill any orange blossom dream your clients bring to you.
