Summer Flowers, Garden Parties & Soirées

Is there anything quite as joyful as summer in full bloom? The long evenings, the garden gatherings, the clinking of glasses, the smell of roses and sweet peas drifting on a warm breeze. Summer is something special, and here at Lily's Flowers we have been absolutely living our best floral lives this season.

Before we dive into all things summer blooms and garden party gorgeousness, we have to say it: 2026 has been a massive year for us, and we are bursting to share everything that has been going on. But first, flowers. Because there are always flowers.

The Best Summer Flowers for Garden Parties and Outdoor Occasions

Whether you are hosting a casual al fresco gathering, a milestone birthday in the garden, a golden anniversary luncheon, or a full-on summer soirée, flowers set the entire tone. Here are our absolute favourites for the season.

Roses

No summer flower list is complete without them. Garden roses in blush, coral, and champagne tones are utterly breathtaking for outdoor events, and their fragrance makes the whole garden feel magical. Mix English rose varieties like David Austin with looser foliage for that dreamy, garden-gathered look.

Sweet Peas

The quintessential British summer flower. Delicate, scented, and so effortlessly pretty, sweet peas in soft lilac, pink, and white are perfect for table posies, bud vases, and informal arrangements. They will not last forever once cut, so use them fresh and enjoy every second.

Dahlias

Bold, beautiful, and completely show-stopping. Summer dahlias in hot coral, deep burgundy, and burnt orange bring drama and colour to any celebration arrangement. They are also brilliant structural flowers, giving height and impact to large garden party displays.

Lisianthus

If you love the look of roses but want something a little different, lisianthus is your flower. Ruffled, romantic, and incredibly long-lasting, they come in white, purple, blush, and deep plum, and they work beautifully in both loose bouquets and structured centrepieces.

Sunflowers

Cheerful, sunny, and absolutely perfect for informal summer birthdays and garden parties. A sunflower arrangement instantly lifts the mood. Pair them with eucalyptus and seasonal fillers for a casual but gorgeous display.

Hydrangeas

Big, blowsy heads of colour that fill arrangements effortlessly. Cream, blue, and soft pink hydrangeas are go-to flowers for summer outdoor events, and they create instant impact whether in a stunning vase on a garden table or arranged in a more formal centrepiece.

What's your favourite flower, why not DM us with pics of your favourite bouquet or a shot of your blooming summer garden, you can connect with us on your prefered platform by clicking this link: CONNECT & SHARE WITH LILYS 

Summer Flower Arrangements for Every Occasion

Birthday Flowers

Summer birthdays deserve something spectacular. Think vibrant, bold, and full of personality. A hand-tied bouquet packed with garden roses, dahlias, and seasonal blooms in warm tones makes the perfect birthday gift, and our Birthday Collection has something for every summer celebration.

Anniversary Flowers

For anniversaries, think romance. Lush garden roses, soft lisianthus, trailing foliage, and a little touch of luxury. Whether it is a first anniversary or a fiftieth, flowers say what words sometimes cannot. Browse our Anniversary Collection for something truly beautiful.

Garden Party Flowers

For table centrepieces at a garden party, our advice is to go loose, seasonal, and abundant. Mix heights, mix textures, and do not be afraid of colour. Low arrangements work brilliantly on long tables where guests need to chat across them, and a cluster of mismatched vases filled with individual stems can look absolutely stunning. Not sure where to start? Give us a call on 01276 474560, and we can help you plan the perfect floral setting for your event.

Top Summer Garden Planting Tips for the Perfect Party Backdrop

The right planting can transform your outdoor space into something truly magical for summer entertaining. Here are our favourite garden plants for creating a beautiful, show-stopping backdrop to any summer occasion.

• Lavender is an absolute must for the summer garden. Plant it along pathways or in sunny borders and it will fill the air with the most gorgeous scent as guests arrive. It looks stunning, it is practically indestructible, and it attracts pollinators all season long. Win, win, win.
• Agapanthus brings a really elegant, almost architectural quality to garden parties. Those tall stems topped with spheres of blue or white flowers are incredibly striking and look wonderful in borders and large pots on a patio. If you want something that looks effortlessly sophisticated, agapanthus is your plant.
• Climbing roses trained over arches, fences, or pergolas create the most breathtaking setting for outdoor events. Varieties like 'Generous Gardener' or 'New Dawn' produce cascades of scented blooms that make your garden feel like something from a fairy tale. Plant one this summer and you will be rewarded for years.
• Phlox is wonderfully underrated for summer parties. The tall, fragrant flower heads in pink, white, and lilac create a real cottage-garden romance in the border, and they bloom for weeks throughout summer.
• Echinacea (coneflower) adds bold, daisy-like colour in warm pink and orange tones and creates a beautifully naturalistic feel at a party garden. It is also brilliantly easy to maintain, which is always a bonus when you are busy planning the actual party.
• Verbena bonariensis is the secret weapon of garden designers. Those tall, airy stems topped with tiny purple flowers create an incredible sense of movement and depth in a garden border, and they look absolutely magical in the golden light of a summer evening gathering.
• Alliums left in place after flowering provide fantastic structural interest through summer. The spherical seed heads look almost sculptural and add a real talking point to the garden.

Rebecca's top tip: layer your planting so you have low, medium, and tall plants all working together. This creates the lush, abundant look that feels so welcoming for outdoor entertaining, and it means there is always something beautiful in bloom wherever your guests are looking.

Big News from Lily's Flowers: What a Year 2026 Has Been!

Right, we told you there was exciting news, and we meant it. This year has been genuinely extraordinary for us, and we want to share every wonderful bit of it with you.

We Are Celebrating 20 Years in Business

Twenty years. Can you believe it? Lily's Flowers has been bringing beautiful blooms to Surrey and beyond for two incredible decades, and this anniversary has meant the world to us. Read all about our story and how we are marking this milestone: A 20-Year Journey of Floral Excellence.

We Won Wedding and Event Florist of the Year

We are still pinching ourselves about this one. The Lily's Flowers team were named Wedding and Event Florist of the Year, and honestly, we could not be prouder. Every wedding, every event, every single arrangement is created with so much care and passion, and to have that recognised is just the most wonderful feeling. You can read the full story: LILYS CROWNED UK CHAMPIONS

The Farm Floral Studio Has Been Completely Transformed

This is the big one, and if you have not visited us yet in 2026, you are in for a treat.

Rebecca and the team have worked tirelessly to transform our farm studio into what we can only describe as a shoppers' paradise, and we are absolutely blown away by what they have achieved. We have always welcomed visitors to the farm and conducted wedding consultations here, but now we are truly open for everyone to come and browse and shop in the most beautiful space. We don't want to put too many pictures up yet, as we have a little more to do, so keep your eyes on our socials and follow the trasforamtion, it's already hard to imagine what it was like before, its a magical botanical haven. 

What can you find at the farm studio now?

• Fresh flowers available as pick-up-and-go (also available online)
• Gorgeous books and gifting
• Beautiful glassware and ceramics (lots more in store - coming soon online)
• Greeting cards for every occasion
• Home décor and interiors pieces
• Candles and diffusers that smell absolutely divine
• Visit the Flower School, be inspired and get creative
• And so much more being added all the time

The space is warm, inspiring, and completely unique, and Rebecca and the whole team are immensely proud of everything they have created. We would love for you to come and experience it for yourself.

We Have Invested in a State-of-the-Art Walk-In Flower Cooler

With the summer heatwave already making itself known (hello, Surrey sunshine!), we have made a significant investment in a large, professional walk-in cooler for our flowers. This means every single bloom at Lily's Flowers is kept at the optimum temperature to guarantee freshness and quality. Whether you are ordering online, picking up from the farm, or collecting a birthday bouquet, you can be completely confident that your flowers are in perfect condition. That is the Lily's promise.

Come and Visit Us This Summer

We would absolutely love to see you at the farm studio. Come and browse, pick up some pick-up-and-go flowers, treat yourself to something lovely from our gifting range, or simply come and say hello. Rebecca and the team will make you feel so welcome.

You can also shop our full Summer Collection online and take advantage of our same-day and next-day delivery options across Surrey and beyond.

For bespoke arrangements, garden party flowers, birthday bouquets, anniversary arrangements, and event floristry, call us on 01276 474560 or visit us at Broadway Rd, Lightwater GU18 5SU. For those that use what3words, find us by using: legend.reply.blend

Here's to a summer full of beautiful flowers, happy occasions, and the very best of everything. From all of us at Lily's Flowers, thank you so much for your wonderful support over 20 incredible years. 🌸

Lily's Flowers | Lightwater, Surrey | 01276 474560 | lilysflowers.co.uk

Browse our Online Shop | Summer Collection | Gifting & Homeware | Wedding Flowers