For us, flowers and blossoms belong in the same beloved category of life’s wholesome delights. We return to both for comfort, inspiration, and beauty that leaves a genuine impression. Our favorite fresh stems are wonderfully varied, from timeless roses and fresh, generous hydrangeas to orchids that bring unmistakable elegance to a room. The books we devour are equally diverse, spanning classic and modern titles, stirring romances, compelling mysteries, and emotional dramas. Merging these two passions was an entirely natural step, since each enriches life in lasting ways. Chosen as a present for others or enjoyed as a small pleasure of one’s own, blooms and books make a perfect pairing. At Zeidler’s Flowers in Evansville, Indiana, we’ve selected some favorite combinations to inspire you.

The Classics

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Written by Emily Brontë, one of the storied Brontë sisters, Wuthering Heights remains a landmark of gothic romance. Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw are bound by a love both passionate and troubled, giving the novel its unforgettable emotional power. Just as memorable are the Yorkshire moors, often described so vividly they seem like a character in their own right. Their rugged charm conjures pink garden roses, expansive peonies, and elegant delphinium in our minds, each bloom suited to the novel’s wild and romantic spirit.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote with remarkable range, yet The Great Gatsby remains his most iconic work. It brings the opulence of the Roaring Twenties vividly to life, while also revealing the cost of such excess via Jay Gatsby’s doomed pursuit of Daisy Buchanan. We think daisies are on the nose as a floral emblem for this beloved work, but green orchids are an especially inspired pick. Their color recalls both the allure of money and the famous green light shining from Daisy’s dock. At once luxurious and wistful, they express the novel’s spirit flawlessly.

Mystery Thrillers

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Popular in libraries and bookstores for very good reason, The Housemaid delights suspense readers with its perfect pacing and memorable surprises. Millie’s decision to work for Andrew and Nina Winchester appears uncomplicated at first, placing her inside a home defined by purity, privilege, and impeccable taste. Yet the Winchesters are far less happy than they seem, and the façade they present soon begins to splinter. White orchids are an ideal blossom for this story, capturing the elegance of the home, the sophistication of its interiors, and Nina’s immaculate ivory wardrobe in the novel’s opening scenes.

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

His & Hers keeps mystery readers spellbound with its back-and-forth perspectives and the persistent question of who, if anyone, can be trusted. Sophisticated and unsettling in equal measure, the book reveals its secrets with perfect timing, allowing suspense to mount beautifully. Red dahlias make an inspired floral complement, thanks to their intense color and complex form. They mirror the novel’s atmosphere of passion and peril.

Romance

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus enchants readers with its magical atmosphere, intense competition, and romance that unfolds like a carefully kept secret. Every chapter is rich with wonder, where shadows hold shimmering mysteries and appearances are seldom what they seem. The novel’s elegance is heightened by its compelling colorway of black and white, sharpened by hints of red. Sculptural black calla lilies, bright crimson roses, and contrasting white accents capture the story’s passion, intrigue, and enchantment.

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Beloved by romance readers, The Duke and I is the Julia Quinn novel that gave rise to Netflix’s Bridgerton. It traces the relationship between Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, whose staged courtship unexpectedly blossoms into genuine love. Daphne longs for sincerity and companionship, while Simon is resolute in his refusal to marry. Still, fate carries them into a romance marked by longing and delight. Tulips are an obvious match for the story, evoking spring, renewal, and the first signs of blossoming love. Simon even gives tulips to Violet Bridgerton in the novel, subtly affirming his place within Daphne’s family circle.

Beach Reads

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

The Five-Star Weekend introduces readers to food blogger Hollis Shaw, who finds her life upended by profound and sudden loss. Seeking restoration, five of her best friends join her in Nantucket hoping for connection and healing. What follows is a thoughtful exploration of friendship, grief, scars, secrets, reinvention, and love’s many complexities. White and blue hydrangeas are perfectly suited to the story, representing the complex beauty of friendships that evolve through seasons of change.

The Wedding People by Aliso Espach

Alison Espach’s novel starts with Phoebe Stone in a fragile place, arriving solo at a high-end hotel where a wedding is already underway. From that setup grows a novel that’s witty, bittersweet, and deeply human, touching on sadness, romance, friendship, and the ways life can shift when we least expect it. The wedding backdrop gives the story its glow, but its heart lies in transformation. Ivory calla lily blossoms and ranunculus blooms embody the hopeful beauty of beginning again.

Fiction

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Shelby Van Pelt’s popular debut centers on a widow named Tova Sullivan, whose solitary life as an aquarium cleaner is gently transformed by two surprising relationships. One is with Marcellus, a brilliant octopus whose home is in the Pacific, and another is with young Cameron, who’s actively pursuing the truth of his past. Rich with warmth and humor, the book explores grief, solitude, belonging, and the restorative power of human connection. Orange spider mums act as a sweet tribute to Marcellus with their reaching petals, while alstroemeria captures the loyalty and camaraderie woven throughout the story.

Heart the Lover by Lily King

Lily King’s beautiful novel follows Jordan, the protagonist, as a surprise return unsettles her present and reminds her of the intense connection she used to share with Yash and Sam. Moving between early adulthood and middle age, Heart the Lover paints a nuanced portrait of longing, nostalgia, and the emotional afterlife of first love. Its depth rests in the sharpness with which it captures desire, love, and forgiveness. A radiant floral homage to King’s name is found in orange lilies, while Peruvian lilies express the love and loyalty at the heart of the plot.

Our love of books is as nuanced and individual as our love of flowers, and each one says something telling about who we are. Together, they help us shape a feeling, refine our style, and better understand what inspires us. At Zeidler’s Flowers, we look forward to joining you on a journey of literary discovery brightened by beautiful blooms.