In the early part of 1951, Benjamin Britten composed a set of Five Flower Songs for unaccompanied chorus, in honor of Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst on the occasion of their 25h wedding anniversary. The Five Flower Songs were first performed at Dartington Hall on July 23, 1950, under the direction of Imogen Holst. Holst, the daughter of the famed English composer Gustav Holst, was a musical assistant to Britten from 1952 until 1964. This piece was composed during a busy time for Britten. He had begun working on his opera based on the Herman Melville novel Billy Budd in 1949, which was finished in late 1951. In addition, the well-known Spring Symphony (1949), a work for full chorus and orchestra, was composed while Britten was waiting on more of the libretto for Billy Budd to be completed. During the last months of 1949, Britten, along with tenor Peter Pears, embarked on a recital tour of North America. After this trip, Britten set about writing a number of smaller pieces to fulfill promises or to present to friends. Prior to Five Flower Songs, Britten composed Amo Ergo Sum, a wedding anthem written for the marriage of a publisher's daughter. Immediately after the Five Flower Songs came Lachrymae, for viola with piano accompaniment, composed in anticipation of a visit by the violist William Primrose.

The first of the Five Flower Songs is based on poetry by Robert Herrick. "To Daffodils" compares the life, death, and decay of daffodils to the similar human experiences. This song is written in two-part form. In the first section, Britten divides the chorus into two groups. The sopranos and basses begin the song, and the altos and tenors enter a measure later, musically imitating. A triplet figure is prevalent here. The chorus is redivided in the second section with the sopranos, altos, and tenors presenting the melody while the basses provide the accompaniment, restating the triplet figure.

Britten chose to base the second song on another work by Herrick. "The Succession of Four Sweet Months" is about the months of April, May, June, and July. According to the speaker, each month is more beautiful than the last and July is the greatest month of the year. "Marsh Flowers" is the third song, based on a poem by George Crabbe. A flower and its swamp environment are the subjects of the poem. This song has many interesting voice combinations and imitations. The fourth song is based on a John Clare poem, "The Evening Primrose." The song is a tranquil setting of this description of a pale rose that blooms only at night. The final song, "Ballad of Green Broom," is an anonymous poem. The story is of a broom maker and his lazy son. The father forces his son to take up the trade, then the boy weds and grows to become a respected broom maker. The accompaniment of this song conveys an image of metered woodcutting.

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