Yesterday was the first market of the season at the Downtown Farmer’s Market in Charlottetown, PEI. I had so much fun! We will be there each Sunday from 11am – 4pm all Summer, so come on out and see what’s new! A big thanks to Jing Cui for taking these beautiful photos and to my neighbours, Island Lavender Company and Wild Island Cats!
Photo Credit: Jing Cui
If you’re planning to have blue flowers for your wedding, this list will come in handy!
True blue is actually a very rare colour for flowers. Due to the process of pollination, flowers simply naturally select red and yellow pigments over blue, because those colours attract more insects and birds. In more than 280,000 flowering plant species around the world, less than 10% produce blue flowers. In floral design, purple is usually used as a substitute for blue. But, there are a few varieties that we florists are able to get our hands on! Below is a list that I have compiled of different blue flora, however short it may be!
Blue spring bulb flowers are common flowers that florists use and include:
Muscari – rather small in size, these flowers are also called grape hyacinth.
Hyacinth – these flowers are also known for their wonderful scent.
Iris – probably the most popular blue bulb flower and also come in shades of purple and white.
Very common blue mass flowers:
Agapanthus – native to South Africa, these bulb flowers are available most of the year.
Hydrangea – a popular wedding flower, available in light blue as well as white, green and other colours.
Other common blue flowers that florists will carry:
Delphinium – this is a very blue line flower, meaning that it’s blooms grow vertically up the stem.
Blue Eryngium – this flower looks more like a greenery and is available most of the year.
Less common blue flowers that florists may carry:
Bachelor’s Buttons – found north of the equator and is available in late summer.
Echinops – can be cultivated in Canada for the late summer.
Blue Strelitzia Reginae – or Blue Birds of Paradise, are white and blue tropical flowers. These flowers are extremely rare.
Blue Viburnum Berries – sometimes available in late summer or early fall.
Blue Foliage:
True blue foliage is extremely rare, probably even more so than blue flowers. Below I have compiled a short list of foliage that has cool tones, although none of these are true blue. But these greeneries will often give you the feeling of blue, especially when mixed with brightly coloured flowers like yellows, oranges and hot pinks.
Succulents – these plants are actually considered a flower, but for our purposes I have placed them with foliage. They come in many varieties including ‘hen and chicks’.
Eucalyptus – available all year round and come in many different varieties including: Sprial, Seeded, Silver Dollar, Gunni and Parvifolia.
Dusty Miller – more silver than blue, this velvety foliage is also available year round.
Lambs Ear – quite velvety, similar to Dusty Miller.
A Bridal Bouquet is the most important arrangement in a bridal flower order. It is a direct expression of You, so it should be everything you’ve dreamed!
Yesterday’s post was about ways to make the flowers for your wedding a little greener, as well as ways to make your centrepieces a little more eco-friendly. Today’s post is focusing on: Your Bouquet!
Hand-tied vs. Wired Wedding Bouquets
Wired wedding bouquets use A LOT of tapes and wire, as well as hard plastic and foam bouquet holders (not biodegradable!). Hand-tied bouquets use no wire and a minimal amount of tape (if any). Instead, their stems are tied and wrapped by hand, with ribbon (or fabric, etc.)
Cascading Wedding Bouquets
Some styles of cascading wedding bouquets are still possible without all the wire, tapes and bouquet holders. Ask your florist about floral varieties that easily drape, namely Phalaenopsis Orchids, Dendrobium Orchids, Lisianthus/Eustoma, Bupleurum, Amaranthus, Asparagus Plumosa, and Variegated Lily Grass. Using flowers that are already cascading in nature allows your florist to create a hand-tied, cascading bouquet, more easily. Be open to your florist’s suggestions because they know best!
Green Accents for Your Wedding
Replace plastic based ribbons with cotton based materials or natural fibres like twine or burlap. Or again, think re-purpose! I have a bride next month who asked me to incorporate leftover fabric into her wedding order, which was from tailoring her bridesmaids dresses. Just be creative! And have fun doing it!
*Above photo:
Check yesterday’s post for the ingredients for the above photo.
The great thing about a green wedding, is not only are you showing Mother Nature a little extra love on your wedding day, it’s also a little easier on your pocket!
Local Materials
Request your florist to check in your area to see if there are any local greenhouses growing commercial grade flowers. Be open to what’s available in colours and varieties. Local = less world wide shipping + supports your local economy. Win, win!
On-Site Materials
Ask your florist if they are open to designing the floral arrangements for your wedding using some of the naturally occurring flora in your area. Certain times of the year may be better than others to find quality outdoor flowers and other materials. Trust your florist’s advice, eye for design, and years of experience. Also, sometimes quantity can not always be guaranteed: weather happens! So, work with your florist in advance to come up with Plan B.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Centrepieces
Think re-purpose! Even recycled containers can be easily concealed or up-cycled to suit many different wedding themes. Simply paint them or completely cover them with leaves. Potted plants can also make great table centrepieces. Go super green by using trios of ‘Veggie Patch’ or ‘Herb Garden’ plants that your guests can take home with them. Have your florist arrange them for you to add that extra visual appeal! ; )
*Ingredients for above photo:
Queen Anne’s Lace, Solidago, Clover, Cerastium, and other field flowers in the area.
