Once upon a time, when we used to think of usual local flowers in your décor, images of black-eyed susans and statice in vibrant rainbow colors was the first thing to pop to mind, i.e. wildflowers. Today, floral designers across the country have found a balance of collecting any wild bloom they can find with making it more purposeful and part of your color story. Beautiful, textural and local artpieces are created.
When I talk about using local flowers, most of us imagine purchasing flowers Michigan’s huge flower farms – but not many exist. While I lot that thought, in reality when I saw using local or special seasonal touches, I’m really adding anything that I did not source from one of my wholesalers. For me, gathering local flowers may be a fresh farmer’s market bunch, picking a few extra special blossoms from my garden (when I don’t kill them first!), walking through the woods or collecting roadside finds or even heading to the greenhouse to disassembled a few potted treasures (which I will then try to plant later and probably kill). Here are a few of my very favorite ingredients found throughout the seasons and how I love to incorporate them into wedding and floral décor.
Blooming Branches
Whether you’re utilizing cherry blossoms, dogwood or service berry – May brings so many beautiful branches in bloom. These delicate blossoms add so much romance and texture to the overall design of the day and also create stunning floral photo backdrops.
Coral Bells
While the dainty little blossoms are sweet all on their own, my favorite part to use of this perennial is the foliage. The veins and color variation in a single leaf makes it the perfect complement piece. However, the stems are short at times depending upon variety and maturity of the plant, so often this greenery is better utilized as in centerpieces although I love to use them in bouquets whenever possible.
Dahlias
Big and bold, dahlias are a show stopper. The color variety ranges from deep burgundy’s to brighter pinks, yellow, whites and many shades in between. They start blooming late in July, with August and September being their prime time to shine. Use them in centerpieces, bouquets, on your cakes or really anywhere you want a bold conversation starter.
Foxglove
Known as fairy’s caps, thimbles or bumble bee hammocks, these linear blooms are spotted perfection. Early summertime is when they’ll beautify our lives. I sacrificed my plant’s only bloom last week for a bouquet and it was so worth it.
Hellebore
These moody blooms capture my heart every time. They’re one of the very first flowers to come to life after a long winter and are the very voice of refreshment. Also known as the Lenten rose, they’re perfect for bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnières.
Lavender
Such a soothing aroma to calm any wedding nerves. I had a plant in my garden that produced blooms from early June until autumn brought its first frost, however most commonly you’ll find fresh sprigs in July and as a dried herb at farmer’s market throughout the fall. I love adding these into boutonnières, bouquets and using them as place setting garnishments.
Lilacs
The fragrant blooms scream spring. They are worth waiting all winter for with their intoxicating scent, they make the perfect bouquet or centerpiece all on their own or can also be paired lots of other springtime favorites making a great border flower in shades of rich plum, lavender and white.
Peonies
Everyone’s favorite, the peony has become wedding royalty. Their ruffley array of petals just cannot be matched. While the spectrum of colors can be great, most commonly you’ll find shades of white, fuchsia and softer pink locally but on occasion I’ve seen a coral or red charm. Purchase them at roadside stands, the farmer’s market or plant a bush in your own back yard and enjoy the blooms throughout mid-June.
Pokeweed
American Pokeweed grows wild and is considered a nuisance by many. It has a long smooth leaf and green berries throughout the summer which become purple in the autumn. However, these are best utilized before the color change because once they turn, the berries fall easily from the stems and will stain anything they land on. They’re the perfect filler green for all your flowering needs.
Sweet Peas
These little pink blossoms start late June and grow almost everywhere that reaches the sun. So much beauty is added to the side of Michigan’s highways and the color lasts through late July. These hardy little vines are great in centerpieces and bouquets alike.
Photo credits:
Slideshow 1: Blooming Branch Cake, Ashley Slater Photography | Coral Bell Foliage, Bradley James Photography | Cafe au Lait Dahlia, Hetler Photography | Foxglove Bouquet, Bradley James Photography | Hellebore Boutonnière, Bradley James Photography
Sideshow 2: Spray Rose & Lavender Flower Crown, Kelly Sweet Photography | Lilacs, Ashley Slater Photography | Peony Bouquet, Kelly Sweet Photography | Pokeweed Centerpiece, Bradley James Photography | Sweet Pea Centerpiece, Bradley James Photography
A version of this post was originally published on Simply Blue Weddings, you can see it here.
Happy Flower Friday!!
