Orange Flowers

Soft, warm oranges read as cottage-appropriate: calendula, nasturtium, cosmos Apricot Lemonade, marigold Cinnabar Red, and the warm tones of Iceland poppy. Bright neon oranges can feel too contemporary. Look for oranges with a hint of red, peach, or apricot — those vintage shades blend most beautifully with traditional planting.

Orange and blue is a classic combination — they sit opposite on the colour wheel and create striking contrast (think calendula with cornflower). Orange with deep purple is bold and modern. Orange with yellow creates harvest warmth. Orange with cream and silver leaves becomes calmer and more romantic. Avoid orange with bright pink, which can fight.

Yes — particularly for butterflies. Calendula, nasturtium, and zinnia are all magnets. Calendula also attracts hoverflies, whose larvae predate aphids. The warm tones tend to be especially active food sources in late summer when other forage is thinning.

Calendula is one of the toughest autumn-sown flowers — sown in September it will overwinter happily and flower from May onwards next year, often weeks ahead of spring-sown plants. Nasturtiums and marigolds are tender and won't survive frost. Stick to calendula and Iceland poppies for autumn-sown oranges.