For true self-sufficiency, why not grow your own bridal bouquet (this exquisite bouquet was crafted by Denise Fasanello floral design)? A number of flowers are easy to grow and make the most beautiful and long-lasting arrangements. If you’ve got a big event coming up, a little planning now will ensure loads of blooms for the big day.
CHOOSING YOUR FLOWERS
Keep it simple. Grow only two or three different varieties and choose flowers that are a sure bet. Annuals such as sunflowers, zinnias, snapdragons, cosmos, sweet peas and calendulas are a breeze to grow. Dahlias, ranunculus and anemones are dead-easy too. Lisianthus, on the other hand, are not.
Grow varieties that are specifically bred for their long stems – dwarf cultivars may look cute but their short stems won’t give you much to grip. Select plants that are labelled as ‘tall’ not ‘bedding’.
Select flowers that bloom as close to your wedding date as possible. Ranunculus and anemones are perfect for August or September weddings; sweet peas and poppies flower in October and November; sunflowers, dahlias and cosmos are ideal for summer and autumn weddings; zinnias and asters are perfect for autumn celebrations.
Plant ‘fillers’ too. Scented geranium leaves, honeywort (Cerinthe major), lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis) lamb’s ear (Stachys byzantina), even the leaves of sweet peas, are great for bulking out bouquets if necessary.
WHEN TO PLANT
Some seed packets and catalogues state the time it takes from sowing to flowering. Each plant is different, so pay attention to these figures. Cosmos takes around 12 weeks from sowing to flowering, whereas snapdragons take around 16 weeks. However, that 12 or 16 weeks assumes perfect growing conditions – late frosts or cold weather will set back flowering. Devise a realistic schedule, adding on a few weeks to allow for all eventualities. Then plant in succession. Sow the same flower every two weeks for a couple of months to ensure something’s in bloom at the time you want.
BULBS
Bulbs are tricky to get right. To make spring-flowering bulbs flower later, you can’t just plant them later. They must have winter chilling and they have to be planted in autumn. Planting them in March or in May, says Paul Hoek of nzbulbs.co.nz, makes little difference to the final flowering time as it is more dependent on how cold the winter is, how much rain there is and how early or late spring comes.
“The only way you can make them later then normal is to plant them in pots and then hold them in a chiller, progressively lowering the temperature from 9deg to zero deg over a period of 10 weeks. Then hold them at zero and take them from the chiller 2-3 weeks before you want them in full flower.
“To make spring flowering bulbs flower earlier, you can use the chilling method above, and simply take them out early rather than late. But a minimum of 12 weeks total chilling is needed, so you can’t have them flowering in May.
“You can also get your spring flowering bulbs to flower earlier by placing the bulbs in the chiller as they are, not planted up in pots. This has to be done at about 4deg. Do this in March and then plant them out in late May. The bulbs will think they have had a winter and will roar into growth, flowering about 3-4 weeks ahead of normal.”
LOOK AFTER YOUR GROWING BLOOMS
Annuals grow quickly and flower generously but they need all the help they can get. Feed and deadhead regularly. Use a balanced fertiliser initially, then, in the last month, switch to one that’s specifically for flowers, like Thrive Soluble Flower & Fruit Plant Food.
If your plants start flowering before the wedding, deadhead the blooms once they’ve faded. If you don’t, your plants will put all their energy into producing seeds at the expense of flowers.
Pay attention to watering too. A dry spell can stress plants and set blooming back a few weeks. And if the weather is unseasonably cold, erect a makeshift greenhouse using plastic sheets.
HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN
- Look around and see what can be used from your existing garden if your original plan fails.
- Ask friends and family to grow back-up flowers for the day.
- Have a couple of fake flowers on standby. Most people can’t tell the difference between a fake and a real flower unless they touch them.
- Use succulents. They’re dead-easy to grow and look spectacular in bouquets.
- Use flax or astelia leaves for interest. Bend leaves over to form loops that can be tucked into your bouquet.
I can’t believe I have found everything I’ve been looking for on your web site, I’m very excited. How to get my garden to flower on que for my daughters wedding in Nov 2011, having a trial run this year, too growing the right flowers for a bouque. Just love it.
Hi Jane,
My friend is getting married at her home garden in Timaru in early Arpil 2011. Can you give us some ideas of what we should be looking to use for colour in the garden and flowers to use for arrangements. I have a glasshouse so can use that if required.
Regards,
Bels
Hi Bels
Around that time you’d be looking at the late summer/autumn plants such as zinnias, cosmos, cleome, Japanese anemones, dahlias, asters, rudbeckias, scabiosas and salvias. What you grow will be dependent on what look you’re after and what colours. If you want white flowers, white cosmos are great. As are white dahlias, white cleome, verbena, phlox and shasta daisies. If you want to go for bold colours, then the ‘Bright Eyes’ cosmos would do the trick, with yellow and orange blooms. Then you have the pale pink and bright pink cosmos. Most plants have varying colours, so if you like the look of one plant you can choose the colours to suit. Zinnias and asters, for example, come in a rainbow of colours.
Don’t forget your fillers either, like foliage (Dusty Miller senecio has gorgeous silver foliage) and even the rosette-shaped succulents.
If you’re wanting a formal look in the garden, standard plants in containers, such as roses and hibiscus.
Brilliant! Just what I needed. The wedding is in March.
Hi Jane,
My daughter is getting married 12 February. I thought I would plant a picking garden for decoration and for the tables. Going for the pink and white theme. Any ideas of what I should plant and when?? Thanks, Gaylene
Hi Gaylene
Now’s the time to get cracking. You’ll want to sow either fast-growing annuals or plant seedlings or small plants to ensure you have something in bloom at the time.
Cosmos, cleome and zinnias are prolific bloomers and fast-growing and they’re very easy to grow from seed. There are both white and pink varieties, in vivid pink or pale pink.
You can plant dahlias tubers too, which come in many, many colours. Choose a number of different dahlia forms – pompom, waterlily, cactus, etc.
Other plants to grow (not from seed) include hydrangeas, alstroemerias and pelargoniums. Pelargonium leaves make a great filler too.
Another option is to grow white pansies for your table decorations and pot them up in pretty containers or vintage teacups.
Good luck!
I had been arguing with my close friend on this issue for quite a while, base on your ideas prove that I am right, let me show him your webpage then I am sure it must make him buy me a drink, lol, thanks.
- Kris
Hi Jane,
Creating your own wedding flowers sounds like an incredible idea. There’s something whimsical and fulfililng about it. I might recommend it to a few of my wedding photography clients. They’re always on the lookout for ways to make their wedding a little more unique or special. What better way than to grow (at least some) of your own flowers? A great post to direct any keen bride to. Thanks
Hi Jane,
Just wondering if you knew of anywhere that i can buy fresh flowers to make all my own flower arrangments etc for my wedding?
I love the idea of growing my own but i live in the Waikato and am getting married in Tutukaka, meaning i would have to take the flowers up a week before!!!
I see my self picking and choosing what flowers i want the day before the wedding in a huge flower market…am i dreaming??!! Do you know of anywhere in Northland/Auckland that i could do this?
Thankyou so much for your help
Ella
Hi Ella
The flower markets that I know of are flower auctions in Auckland but that might not be suitable for you. They only run them on specific days and they’re very early in the morning. Plus you may have to be an account holder to do business there. Your best bet might be to suss out a local market/farmer’s market. In Auckland there are several. For example, on the North Shore the Takapuna Market, which runs every Sunday, has a few flower stalls, and I’m sure that would be the same for other markets. Here’s a link to markets in Auckland North – http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/markets-fairs/events/auckland. You could also google farmer’s markets. Most have email addresses, so you could email in advance to check that they do have flower stalls.
Hello again!
OK so my idea of buying flowers from flowers markets are a no no!! All the markets seem to be on a weekend and I’m getting married on a Friday.
But i have emailed a few florists to see if they would get the flowers in and then i could buy them then do fancy things with them myself! – I’m not sure how keen they are going to be on this as they will be losing out on money!
Have you any other suggestions?
I know i could grow my own – but I’m so terrified that they will all die, or just not grow!!
All the flower arrangements I’m looking at are very simple and kind of thrown together (but still look lovely) kind of way and I’m finding it hard to spend lots of money for someone to do what myself and a few friends could do ourselves!!
Thankyou so much for your help
Ella
Hi Ella
I reckon a florist would order the flowers in for you if you ask her/him. They’ll still be making a buck themselves by selling it to you for a retail price (they’re getting them wholesale). Of course, the harder the flowers are to come by at the time, the more expensive they become. What flowers were you thinking of?
Jane
Roses and cala lillys in hot pinks and rust colours.
I am getting married on the 17th of Feb and am told that roses will be expensive then because of valentines day
So maybe there are other stand out flowers in those colours that would be cheaper?
I thought i might pop into a local florist and see if i could find some flowers and see what goes good together to give myself more of an idea!
I dont want to put it in the too hard basket just yet and let the florist do all the work
I think it would be a good idea to pop along to a local florist and see what’s there. Ask the florist for her ideas on what flowers are available at that time in those colours. They will definitely have calla lilies (you’d have to check on the rust colour though) and, of course, roses. But they will also have many other flowers in hot pinks (gerberas, Oriental lilies, even hydrangeas). Do any of your friends or your friends mothers/fathers have roses growing in their backyard? Could there be potential for raiding a friend’s or family member’s garden near the time? Or get them to bring them up for you?
Fantastic idea!!! I will check out all gardens that i know
Thankyou so much for all of your help – I’m sure I will be asking more questions soon!
Fab website, very very helpful
Hi,
I was excited to come across this website today as I hope to grow my own flowers for my November 4th wedding this year; I want to make my bouquet, the button holes and also corsages for my bridesmaids. Could you give me some ideas of flowers that will be easy for me to grow and suitable? I think colour wise I would like a mixture but leaning towards purples and pinks to go with what the wedding party will be dressed in (bridesmaids will likely be in pinks and groom in navy with some purple/pink in his tie). I am thinking I’ll include some flax and rosemary that are already growing in our garden for the greenery and scent…any advice is very welcome!
Thanks
Emma
Hi Emma.
At that time roses will be in full bloom, so I’d be inclined to go with these. Though you’d really want an existing bush to ensure plenty of blooms. Ask friends and family what roses they have growing and maybe you can use these. I’d plant cosmos too – there are pink or white varieties, as well as bicoloured pink and white. Sow them in trays mid to late August, placing them in a warm spot to germinate. Plant them out (you can plant them in containers if you like to keep a good control on them) when the weather has warmed up. And there’s sweet peas. They’re beautiful in bouquets and they have the most exquisite scent of course. You can sow those now. Sow them in succession, every two weeks, to ensure you get plenty of blooms on cue. Plant anemone bulbs now and they should still be flowering by November. Don’t forget backup plants like succulents and air plants. For me, they can truly look divine. Click here to check out these bouquets with succulents and airplants.
Thanks so much for the suggestions, I’m not a big fan of roses so am trying to avoid those but we have planted some anemone bulbs and are keen on the sweet pea idea too if we can find something for them to grow up.
Will anemones or cosmos float happily on a bowl of water for table decorations?
Thanks again! Emma
Hi Emma.
I’m not sure that cosmos would float very well in a bowl of water. The petals may be too delicate and become waterlogged. A tougher flowerhead, such as gerbera or some other daisy, would be better for floating. Possibly clematis flowers would work too. Anemones should be fine.
Hi awesome website..im just wondering do you know any flower grower/supplier who can supplier ranunculus for a late dec wedding? Im looking for orange flowers but my florist keeps asking me to use mokara orchids..
i cant think of a bouquet that will look nice with mokara?
thanksssss
Hi Vivien
Unfortunately ranunculus are cool-season flowers and will stop flowering late spring/early summer. Have you considered orange calla lilies or orange roses? There are also Asiatic and Oriental lilies that bloom around that time. Asiatics bloom around November/December, and Orientals, which are scented, bloom from December to March.
Jane
Hi Jane,
Fantastic site! I have just read your correspondence with Emma as I am having a November wedding also on the 12th. Ive taken those suggestions on board, but am also wondering as i love peonies, how easy are they to grow and would they be flowering at that time? Also we are having a vintage inspired wedding are there any old fashioned type flowers you think would be suitable?
many thanks
Bianca
First of all, if you don’t mind me asking, where do you live? Peonies like cool weather so growing them will depend on where you live. You also may not get flowers the first season either, so is your wedding this year or next year? As for vintage flowers, have you thought about hydrangeas? They will only just be in bloom at that time, but I always think of these as old-fashioned – albeit very fashionable at the moment. Gladiolus is another old-fashioned plant making a comeback. And daisy-like plants too, like these ones here.
Have a read of this answer here too, in the comments section, also regarding a wedding in November.
Jane
It seems you’re an expert on flowers. A very nice color combination on that and very good design. I too were a fan of floral design currently oredring on Flowers on Cashmere in NZ.
Hi Jane,
I am getting married in January 2012 & would love to do my own flowers/floral arrangements.You site is amazing!I am having a vintage + rustic themed wedding & am currently growing my own Hydrangeas, Succulents etc.I had my heart set on Peonies as the main flower in my bouquet but have found out they will not be in season, this is when I found your link about Cabbage Roses!(AMAZING!)I was wondering if you know anyone who sells them pre-cut or any David Austin Roses?I have found a lot of places that sell them as a whole plant but can’t seem to get my hands on a wholesaler etc.We live in the Auckland area.
Thanks for any help you can provide
Kind Regards,
Kelsi.
Hi Kelsi
Unfortunately most cut flower growers don’t grow the David Austin roses because they don’t last as long in the vase as other, less full-petalled, varieties. As a general rule, the more perfume a rose has, the lower its life expectancy once cut. You could ring a couple of the auction houses in Auckland and ask if they have a supplier for David Austin roses. Likewise, a rose nursery may know of someone who grows David Austin roses as cut flowers (they may even sell you some themselves), although I don’t know if there are any nurseries in Auckland. Another idea (this might be your best bet) is to contact a local rose society and ask if any of their members grow David Austins. They may sell you some for a small fee. Check the NZ Rose Society’s website for a society near you. Failing that, ask everyone you know if they know of anyone who grows them! Hopefully you’ll be able to find someone who does. Good luck! And let me know how it goes. And I’d love to see photos of your bouquet on the day! Jane
hi jane,
i love the bouquet by Denise Fasanello at the top of the page. could you tell me which flowers are present? I am getting married June 2nd in Nashville and I’d love to grow my own flowers. I have two young peony plants that i’m not sure will bloom in time. are there some annuals that have the similar wild, delicate look that peonies present?
also I just came across a beautiful poem by Mary Oliver called “Peonies” that I think you would love.
thanks!
Hi there
The flowers in this bouquet include roses (pink and white), white nigella (love-in-a-mist), white tulips and white spiky veronica.The green foliage looks to geranium leaf. Peonies don’t usually flower until they’re around three years old so it will depend on how old your plants are and whether they’ll produce enough flowers. There is not really an annual substitute for peonies that has that full petalled look. Roses are your best bet. You may have already seen this story, Substitute for Peonies. Otherwise you could try cosmos (they are not full petalled though) or double tulips. I’m unfamiliar with the seasons in the States, sorry, but here, spring bulbs need to be planted in autumn. Hope this helps. Jane.
I love this so much great Information ! I have a rather good sized garden in Mount Albert with great soil , Im looking to grow as many flowers for my special day on the 10th Of October 2012 , Im finding it hard to find the right types to grow to be ready to use around this time , and ideas would be great to set me in the right direction ,I want to get started now so it will not on the list of things to worry about later and being in my garden really brings me alot of joy !
Hi Lissy
You could go for bulbs such as anemones, ranunculi (these can both be planted from now until May – I’d plant them in succession so you have a greater chance of getting some flowers on the day), daffodils (plant March), and tulips (plant April/May). As you live in Auckland, you will need to pop your tulip and daffodil bulbs in a paper bag in the fridge for 6-8 weeks before planting to ensure flowering. Flowering time is often dependent on weather (can be delayed or brought forward depending on warm or cold weather), so I wouldn’t rely entirely on bulbs. Do you like succulents? Get some of those and plant them now. You could sow poppy seeds now too, as well as campanula and delphiniums.
Hi Jane, I am looking into the option of growing my own flowers for my wedding in Jan 2014. Can you please give me some advise on pro’s and con’s for growing your own flowers? Also advise on when to plant flowers etc…
I am unsure as to what flowers are in bloom in summer around January and which ones are easiest to grow yet still look great. I like the look of many different flowers including calla lilies, roses, oriental lilies, gerberas, carnations, iris (blue).
I am looking at having blue as a colour theme, and I am not sure what blue flowers are out there (for possible bridesmaids flowers), or if I am best to go with something else or more easily accessible.
Any advise you could give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Michelle.
Hi Michelle. Would you be able to let me know what area you live in?
Hi Jane,
I live in Wanganui.
I had another thought of what I should have asked you, what kind of flowers are good to grow for ‘fillers’ in the bouquet?
Thanks
Michelle
Hi Michelle
I’d say the pros of growing your own blooms is the absolute pride and delight of picking your own bouquet on the day. The con? You need to be organised, as well as have a backup plan. Think carefully about whether it’s something you want to do. You may be so busy on the day getting ready, or getting other things organised, that you don’t have time on the day to actually fashion a bouquet for yourself and your bridesmaids. But it can be fun. I’d advise to keep it simple. Grow a plant that’s prolific. Cosmos certainly are, as are dahlias. Both can be planted in spring. There are blue hydrangeas, of course, of you want a blue bouquet. Buy those as soon as you seen them in garden centres in spring and get them planted quickly to give you reasonably blooms for January. I would plant several hydrangea plants if you were going down that track. The bulbs of calla lilies can be planted in spring, as soon as you see them in the shops, which is usually around September. Again, plant quite a few bulbs to ensure you have enough to pick. You need to ensure you have big fat bulbs; smaller bulbs may not bloom the first year. For roses, I’d suggest you raid a friend’s or family member’s well established rose bush. You could plant a few rose bushes yourself, but it’s unlikely you’ll get enough blooms to pick for a full bouquet. Also, depending on how hot it gets in your area, the peak for roses in the home garden is usually spring, tapering off in summer when it’s hot, with possibly another flush in autumn. That all depends on what rose it is, too. You could plant Oriental lily bulbs now. See this article here. If you’d like gerberas to flower on time you’d need to get the plants themselves, but you’d need several and that can be quite pricy. You could plant a few lamb’s ears for a filler foliage plant (stachys byzantina) or fail-proof succulents. Any leafy foliage plant could be good as a filler. I like bergenia, Magnolia grandifolia and eucaplytus. Perhaps you could source some of these in a neighbour’s garden.
These are really very nice ideas you shared regarding the wedding flowers. I was looking for the different variety of it when reached here. I appreciate your post.
My sister in law is a florist, and I was sure she would not grow her own until I red your article. Here in the Bay of Plenty things grow really easily – and your idea of or bulbs is great. I will pass that on to her. You have given good gardening advice. Thanks.
Thanks Ken!
Hi, what a great idea, though i never thought about it serisouly until I read your article, but now I really am considering doing this!
I was wondering if you could help me though, on which plants could be ready around our wedding day? We are getting married next year, 12 April 2014. I love the look of dahlias, anemones, ranunculus, poppies, double tulips, lillies, alstroemerias and some roses, but I know some of these it will be the wrong season for! What will be feasible for us for that time of year and when should we start planting?
Also, we are flatting at the moment, with not too much actual garden space, would this be doable with just lots and lots of pots?
Sorry for many questions! I’m really hoping this could work out …
Thanks,
Courtney
Hi Courtney
First of all, could you let me know where you live?
Jane
Hi Jane,
We live in Auckland
Hi Courtney. Around that time the only flowers on your list that will be still in bloom are dahlias, so long as they are grown in a nice warm, sheltered spot. Dahlias grow well in pots but you want to make sure they are well watered and fed with a liquid fertiliser once a month. You could try roses and alstroermerias, but I wouldn’t bet on having too many flowers at that time of year. I would be more inclined to bank on just one or two roses to add to your bouquet, which would be made up of mostly other flowers.
Some really good autumn flowers are zinnias, rudbeckias, sunflowers, dahlias and starball scabiosas (here and here). The latter are best used as dried seed heads and you can pick those in advance when they turn into seed heads and keep them until you need them. Sow these in containers late winter/early spring.
Dahlia tubers can be planted in later winter/early spring too. Same for sunflower, zinnia and rudbeckia seed, though if you’re sowing rudbeckia, you want to make sure they are annual not perennial ones to make sure they will flower within the year.
And don’t forget succulents. They’re easy peasy to grow and the rosette types look gorgeous in a bouquet. You can buy them now, as plants, and they’ll still be nice looking come April. They are not particularly fast growers so buy reasonably large plants if you want to use these.
Don’t forget foliage too – maybe a neighbour, friend or family member has a tree you can raid (same idea for flowers too – ask them what they might have blooming in autumn), such as eucalyptus, evergreen maganolia, or other leaves. Test the leaves out in a vase first to see how long they last. Eucalyptus and evergreen magnolia are super long-lasting but not all foliage is.
When sowing your seeds, make sure you sow quite a few, and sow some successively.
Hi Jane,
Thanks so much for all that info! Will definitely be coming back to this over the next few months! Will no doubt have another question or two later on as well ..!
Cheers
Courtney
You’re welcome!
Hi Jane,
I live in Hastings, Hawkes Bay and planning to get married at the very start of November. Any suggestions on what I could grow for my wedding bouquets? I think peonies will be out, but not sure I could grow my own in time unless I buy an established plant? I love bright colours and wild flowers, but also different shades of green foliage too.
I’d love to hear your suggestions on plants that will bear lots of flowers given some TLC.
Thanks,
Alana.
Hi Alana. You’re right, peonies should be out at that time but you would need a well established plant (planted in the ground for three or so years) for you to get enough blooms. Roses would be ideal, and new bushes can be planted in winter, but again, you would probably not have enough blooms for a full bouquet. You could scout around friends and neighbours to see if they have roses that would fill out your bouquet.
If you like the look of honeywort (Cerinthe major) you could sow seeds now directly in the ground. They are cold hardy and flower from the end of winter through spring.
You could also sow cornflowers but sow these in trays then pot them up in larger pots when they’re big enough. Keep them protected over winter. You can either keep them in pots or plant them in the garden late winter or early spring.
The timing is right to sow sweet peas now too (sow them directly in the ground or in large pots) and they should flower for you at the right time. Sweet peas come in all colours, including bright hues.
You could try planting freesias though if it’s a warm season there is no guarantee they’ll still be in bloom. It’s worth trying though. Plant them in pots and keep them in a smaller spot. You can still plant daffodils too, but get the bulbs in the ground, or in pots, quickly. It’s worth staggering the bulbs (plant a few once a week for a month) to give you a better chance of having some in bloom at the right time.
As for foliage, your best bet is to head outside and see what’s growing in the garden or in your neighbour’s garden. The good thing about foliage is you can test its vase life well before your wedding. Once you’ve choosen your flowers decided whether you want dark green, light green, glossy or mat or grey foliage.