Your wedding date can have a major influence on your floral design. Pick a perennial that is out-of-season and you can end up paying double the price. To help guide you through the seasons of blooms, we asked Elisabeth Zemetis, owner of Blush Floral Design Studio, to share her expert advice on when the most popular petals peak, from roses to ranunculus.
Peonies: One of the most coveted wedding flowers, the large-headed blooms last from early spring to early summer and are available in a variety of colors.
The Style: Lush and romantic. “Perfect in any arrangement or bouquet,” says Zemetis.
Flowering Branches: Very early spring and available in a variety of colors: yellow forsythia branches, white pear blossoms, pink cherry blossoms and peach blossoms.
The Style: Ethereal and whimsical. “Great for adding height to ceremony arrangements and tall centerpieces and arrangements,” she says.
Ranunculus: Available the whole spring season in a variety of colors from light pinks to whites to deeper tones like burgundy and orange.
The Style: “Great for boutonnieres and bouquets,” explains Zemetis. “They are romantic and vintage with a papery look.”
Garden Roses: Lush romantic blooms that peak in the summer, they are the ultimate luxurious wedding flower.
The style: Lush, romantic, garden-style flower, perfect for bouquets, centerpieces or any arrangement, large or small.
Hydrangeas: Available in a variety of colors: green, blue, white, hot pink, purples and more.
The Style: Classic summer flower. “Hydrangeas work well in centerpieces and large arrangements as their large-headed bloom allows for big impact,” says Zemetis.
Zinnias: Small-petaled flowers that come in a variety of shades of creams, greens, pinks, purples and oranges.
The Style: Very rustic and have a casual feel.
Dahlias: Starting in mid-late summer, this multi-petaled flower’s season extends from summer through fall, and is available in a variety of colors, from pale pink to traditional fall shades of burgundy, oranges and yellows.
The Style: Rustic chic, great in all arrangements.
Kale: Ornamental kale comes in a variety of sizes and colors from purples to whites and greens. “They are available with smaller heads, which can be used in bouquets while larger ones can be the focal point of centerpieces and ceremony décor,” explains Zemetis.
The Style: They are the quintessential fall flower, feeling very rustic.
White Pumpkins & Gourds: A modern take on the traditional orange pumpkins, Zemetis recommends clustering for ceremony décor, while lining smaller gourds down reception tables in lieu of traditional centerpieces.
The Style: Rustic and casual.
Amaryllis: These large flowers come into season around late November. They feature multiple large blooms per each stem in a variety of flowers from variegated to solids.
The Style: Sophisticated and great used as focal flower.
Privet Berries: These draping berries turn navy in the winter months. “They are a great accent to any arrangement or bouquet,” says Zemetis. “They add great texture and the deep navy color adds contrast.”
The Style: Textural element.
Anemones: These popular petaled flowers will bring spring to mind in the middle of winter. They are available in a variety of colors from white with the black center to purples.
The Style: From rustic to sophisticated, they are a great accent in any arrangement or bouquet.
Photo: Carla Ten Eyck Photography: dahlias and ranunculus, garden roses; Robert Norman Photography: kale with garden roses; Charlotte Lewis Jenks Photography: peonies; Wendy G Photography: privet berries with roses; Megan LaBarbera Photography: ranunculus, zinnias; Blush Floral Design: white anemones; Rob & Kathleen Photographers: white pumpkins
