Marigolds are the official flower of Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday observed November 1 and 2. In the July/August issue of Floral Management, senior contributing editor Katie Vincent suggests additional flowers, colors, and textures to use for the holiday designs.

The Day of the Dead celebration eschews austere signs of mourning (such as black clothing or somber readings) in favor of joyful mariachi music, brightly painted sugar skulls, and altars adorned with the deceased’s photos and floral arrangements.

In recent years, the holiday has grown more mainstream, in part because of Hollywood. The 2015 James Bond film “Spectre” opened with an elaborate Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City. And the 2017 Disney animated film “Coco” was set entirely during Día de los Muertos to illustrate the importance of family legacy. In response to consumers’ growing appreciation for the holiday, a slew of companies, from Pyrex to Swarovski, have produced themed merchandise.

Floral professionals have also taken note. BloomStudios, a cut flowers branch of Ball Horticultural Company, introduced ‘Xochi Orange,’ a marigold, after hearing florists mention increased client demand for Day of the Dead designs, says general manager Scott Rusch.

Thinking of offering designs for the holiday? Consider red, pink, and purple materials rich in texture such as celosia, dahlias, sunflowers and dianthus.

Molly Olson is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.