Weddingbee PRO

This month I was a bit late getting this to you because I was in Cabo. Bad excuse!

I hope many of you will still find the information useful when planning your wedding. Many of these flowers/foliage come in select colors and don’t always last throughout August, so please check with your floral wholesaler and distributor. I’ll try my best to note it so that you can plan accordingly.

Black Eyed Susan - This golden yellow flower with a black brown center is warm and friendly. For a wonderful country, rustic wedding - what could be more charming! Use them in centerpieces and bouquets. Not a great boutonniere flower because the thin petals often droop in heavy heat. You should see them through early September.

Calycina - A long draping flowering plant. Great for large arrangements. It’s very interesting and has tiny little florets. You will find them in a white with a hint of pink. They say you can also find them in a faint yellow but I haven’t seen it. The botanical name is thryptomene calycina. Say that 5 times fast!

Coneflower Pods - It’s brown and fuzzy. It’s one of those elements that I love using in pieces to add a little bit of interest. Because there are so few brown flowers, this flower is a great addition to any arrangement that requires a mocha brown element. I’ve also used them for boutonnieres. Not a bad choice.

Cottage yarrow - Very hearty filler flowers. Once again, very good for rustic, outdoor, relaxed weddings. Though it is known to come in several colors, I mostly find the yellow and reddish-pink flower available at the market. Did you know that you can dry them? You should see them through fall.

Lysmachia - I love this textural flower because it’s so interesting in shape. It’s spikey in shape and comes in white. It’s a linear flower. This is one flower that looks great in bridal bouquets for those who want a more natural, organic look. For something unusual, it can be paired with large white oriental lilies. Very interesting. Not sure how many weeks into August you will see them, so make sure to check with your distributor or wholesaler.

Oregano - So it’s an herb but it also makes for a great “foliage”. I love it. Fragrant. Distinct.

Pieris Buds - This has got to be one of my favorite elements. It’s typically in the bud stage so the florets have not blossomed. Pieris buds are definitely something that you see in arrangements but never know their name. An unsung hero. Great in boutonnieres, bouquets, and centerpieces. It’s very short so you can’t put them in large arrangements. It’s reddish-brown and green, though the bloom is white. When I was in Japan, I saw them growing everywhere. This is one of the most expensive foliage/textural elements so use it wisely.

Safflower - Green with an orange center, it might never be a great focal flower but it’s a great supporting flower. Unusual and fairly hearty, it’s a good choice for those of you who want something that isn’t the standard. Can be used in arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres and so many other things. Well priced and affordable.

Seedum Green - a textural flower that has a bush feel. I sometimes refer to it as broccoli. Available in a burgundy but it is the green that I love!

Solidago - A filler that’s bright lime green with equally bright lemony yellow tips. A textural foliage. Unfortunately, it only comes in this color hue. Though it’s very long, I enjoy cutting this linear element into multiple pieces to use in centerpieces. Very well priced. Great moderate element.

Sunflowers - Who doesn’t like sunflowers? Though they are available in some varieties throughout the year, it’s these hybrids that I love. What exactly is a hybrid sunflower? When crossing different species and varieties of helianthus (”sunflowers”), some very interesting results happen and thus we have these unusual sunflowers in colors like deep brown/black or maroon. I really like the hybrids because they are so radiant. These are happy flowers. How could anyone not love them for summertime weddings?

Most all of these flowers are available from my friends, Torchio Nursery! (Hi Sean, are you reading my blog?)

Enjoy!