Red and / or white flowers

Hi, I wonder if I could pick your brains? I am getting married May 2014 and having looked at the price of wedding flowers, I have decided I will try to grow my own to save money. Our colour scheme is dark red, so the flowers will need to be either dark reddish or white, they will need to be in flower by the end of May and be suitable for growing in shady / partial shady areas, as we get barely any sun in our garden. I've already done a quick search and found some really beautiful flowers but unfortunately they were poisonous (or other parts of the plant were) and as I have a small child who is especially intrigued by flowers at the moment, so much so that she can't resist playing with them, I thought it would be best if I stuck to non poisonous plants. So... I realise my requirements have probably narrowed down my options considerably but if anyone has any ideas of any plants which would be suitablethat would be great, all ideas welcome

 

I think getting annuals to flower, from seed, by May is a tall order, so I think you will need things that you can get going during 2013 to be ready for 2014. May is still rather early in the year, particularly if the site is rather shaded.

Hopefully others will have ideas of plants that can "perform" that early in the season, and which are also suitable for flower arranging.

 

Firstly to GC and congratulations for your 2014 wedding.
A few suggestions that I think would look lovely in a May bouquet are

Roses - Carnations - Gardenias and Gypsophila.

There are lots of members with great ideas I'm sure they will be along to give you their input. Good Luck!

 

Hello and to GC Newpotato. Yes a tall order to have any blooms ready for May.

How about treating yourself to an Orchid plant in bloom and making a hand tie bouquet.

Then you will still have a plant for growing in your home as they with TLC rebloom .

 

Depends where abouts you are in the country, of course, but my Roses tend to bloom at the start of June. Could be earlier if I pruned them earlier. Quite a bit of cost in Rose plants - although you'd have them for many years, and they'd make a nice reminder of the day; some risk that they flower a week early / late depending on the weather though.

 

The best that I can offer you is Tulips and florists wire to stop 'em flopping. Red is a rare colour cut flower wise at that time of the year in the UK.

 

The plants that might be flowering well at that time of year in the conditions you describe might be things like:

polyanthus - yellow/purple/reddish purples
tulips - wide range of colours
aquilegia - purples/ reds/yellows/pinks/whites
hesperis - purple/white
cotinus foliage - deep red
sambucus Black Beauty foliage- purply black
physocarpus foliage - purply black
allium - purple /yellow


If you can be flexible on your use of colours you will have more options, and it would be easier to plan successfully if you choose from things that are naturally flowering well in May. I expect others can add to the list.

Also, it might not be possible to achieve the same effects with home-grown, home-arranged flowers as you would expect from a professional florist using bought flowers. I think they would look infinitely more natural and charming but less slick and professional.

 

I would like to add Camellias to the list. Some very good reds there Newpotato.

Welcome to Gardeners Corner and I wish you a sunny warm Wedding Day.Everything looks special on a sunny day,
Jenny namaste

 

Thanks for your replies everyone, I knew it would be a tall order really but I'm still willing to give it a shot because we have decided not to buy flowers from a florist due to having a tiny budget but I really can't imagine having no flowers at all. I figured as its so far away I have a lot of time to try my hand at things like growing my own and if it results in a prettier garden at the same time, I've got nothing to lose! So I will look into all the suggestions further but keep them coming

 

My Mam used to say Red and white should never be seen .

How about cream and burgundy.

Yes Camelias would be wonderful Jenny nice idea.

And New Potato camelias are in the garden centres now.

So you could have your choice or a christmas gift a plant for your garden.

Good luck on what you decide.

I shall be watching this space for your photos.

 

If you have a spare room with good light it would increase the possibilities.

I had this in bloom at the end of May last year...................



It's Hymenocallis festallis. The biggest challenge will be sourcing flowering sized bulbs (Kristen could help here as he bought some online I believe). I got my bulbs originally from a florist in Oxfords covered market - 80mm diameter bulbs are four quid each. Very fragrant. Very much a houseplant at that time of the year though.

 

Beautiful Longk

 

Just a thought really - the pot would look good on the top table if they could be coaxed into bloom............

 

Mine came from Anglia Blubs

 

There are spring flowering Irises but once again no red, sorry.