Every book has its own mood, which can be beautifully reflected in fresh flowers. A sweeping love story might call for classic roses, while a fresh contemporary read could feel right at home beside elegant orchids. When paired thoughtfully, flowers do more than decorate a reading space. They help set the tone, spark emotion, and make the whole experience more immersive. At Designs of the Times, the premier florist in Melbourne, we’re bringing together popular books and symbolic blooms to inspire gifting, decorating, traveling, book club meetings, and everyday moments that deserve a little extra magic.

The Classics

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

This classic story explores the unforgettable story of Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, weaving together passionate love, betrayal, and revenge. Said to be inspired by the English gardens of Ponden Hall in West Yorkshire, near Haworth, Thrushcross Grange evokes a romantic landscape filled with pink garden roses, tall delphiniums, and rich, full peonies.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Set in the excitement and extravagance of 1920s New York, this beloved novel follows the mysterious Jay Gatsby and his infatuation with the lovely Daisy Buchanan. Against a backdrop of lavish Jazz Age parties, the green light shines as one of the story’s most powerful symbols. Representing the American Dream, wealth, and Gatsby’s longing for Daisy, it calls to mind the green orchid, a bloom associated with opulence and refined style. Pair green orchids with roses for timeless love and beauty, and fresh daisies for a playful nod to our leading lady.

Mystery Thrillers

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

This page-turning book takes readers by surprise with every twist as Millie becomes part of Nina and Andrew’s seemingly perfect household. From their beautiful home to their luxury cars and polished family image, everything looks flawless at first glance. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that no one is as innocent as they seem. White orchids mirror that early sense of purity, order, and elegance, while also recalling Nina’s impeccably white wardrobe.

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

Alice Feeney draws readers in with murder, mystery, and suspense from the very first pages. At the center of the story are news anchor Anna Andrews and Detective Jack Harper, whose paths cross as they follow the same murders in their hometown. For a novel with such a dynamic and layered plot, dahlias make the perfect floral pairing. Red dahlias are an especially strong fit, nodding to the red-and-white friendship bracelets that keep turning up in these chilling cases.

Romance

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Erin Morgenstern casts a spell with her mix of romance, mystery, and dazzling magic. Set within a black-and-white circus tent filled with breathtaking acts, the story unfolds among guests dressed in black and white, with splashes of red. As Marco and Celia are pulled toward one another, their connection grows in the shadow of a fierce magical rivalry. Red roses reflect their budding love, while dark calla lilies and white accents bring the book’s memorable black-and-white-and-red palette to life.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

By now, The Duke and I is a familiar love story to many, though plenty may know it best through the success of Bridgerton on Netflix. With all its spring energy and flower-filled inspiration, we can narrow this title down to a single bloom–the tulip. Red tulips are associated with passion, fame, and declarations of love, while yellow tulips speak to hopeless love. It’s an especially fitting choice, since Simon gives Daphne a bouquet of tulips in the novel.

Beach Reads

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

Set on the idyllic island of Nantucket, The Five-Star Weekend follows Hollis Shaw as she navigates grief by inviting five friends, one from each season of her life, to spend a weekend at her Nantucket beach house. What begins with impeccably planned breakfasts, lunches, happy hours, and dinners soon unfolds with both warmth and chaos. Blue and white hydrangeas are the natural floral choice for this setting, and their symbolic connection to heartfelt emotion and gratitude makes them especially meaningful for the story.

The Wedding People by Aliso Espach

Darkly humorous and surprisingly tender, The Wedding People centers on Phoebe Stone, who shows up at the Grand Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, ready for a weekend on her own terms. She soon learns she is the only guest at the inn who is not there for a wedding. Since the story unfolds against the backdrop of a wedding weekend, it is only fitting to pair it with classic wedding flowers such as ranunculus and white calla lilies.

Fiction

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beloved novel that turns an unlikely friendship into something truly life-changing. As Tova’s bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus, begins to shape her life, the story unfolds into a moving reflection on family, love, and loss. To represent this “remarkable” read, orange spider mums and colorful alstroemeria make a fitting choice. Their appearance evokes images of sea creatures, while their symbolism of loyalty and devoted friendship beautifully mirrors the heart of the book.

Heart the Lover by Lily King

The narrator in Heart the Lover becomes immersed in academia through her bond with Sam and his best friend, Yash. Their relationships bring plenty of complexity, with twists and tangles that shape the story at every turn. Orange lilies are a natural floral match for this novel, especially given the author’s flower-inspired name. We would also highlight Peruvian lilies, or alstroemeria, for their meanings of loyalty, friendship, and devotion, which resonate all throughout the book.

At Designs of the Times, we believe the beauty of books and flowers lies in the way each one communicates with ease. Bringing them together creates a meaningful pairing that blends storytelling with the natural elegance of fresh blooms. It’s a charming source of inspiration for anyone who appreciates both.