Rose

Roses are again one of the more popular flowers for bride's. They are readily available, fairly inexpensive, and available in a vast array of colors. Roses work well in just about any type of bouquet or arrangement as well as corsages and bouts. Roses are one of the most durable flowers. They hold up wonderfully out of water...for hours not days! This is what makes them great for wedding use in bouquets, corsages and bouts as mentioned above. They work well for decorating in places where arrangements with a water source just won't work as well such as; chair or pew ends, gazebo's, railings etc. They work well in floater bowls with the outer petals opened. They work well submerged in water in cylindrical vases. Their petals can be used alone or in combination to create affordable table or isle decor. The petals make for beautiful pictures when thrown at the bride and groom leaving the reception.

Availability- year round on international and domestic markets

Colors- white, red, orange, peach, yellows, lavender, pinks, champagne, and many other variations or multicolored.

Cost- $$

Hydrangea

Hydrangea is one of the most requested flowers of bride's. They are reasonably priced and readily available throughout the year. I find that they hold up better in the early spring and summer months, even into fall. They do not seem to do as well in the winter months. I use these a lot in bridal bouquets and bridesmaids bouquets. However, I never use them for corsages or bouts. They just won't hold up. I will only use them in vased arrangements not in arrgt's. made in oasis. There's a 50/50 chance they will not drink water through the oasis. Some florist do not like to work with them because they are such finicky flowers. The green hydrangea has become extremely popular. Generally green hydrangea is much smaller than the other colors it's available in. This is due to early cutting of the flowers to prevent the blooms from changing into colorful hydrangea. I use white hydrangea and spray it green (w/paint 4 flowers!). A lot of florist do this. Normally I do not spray flowers. It works well on hydrangea and I'm usually the only one who knows they're sprayed! In Virginia we see hydrangea blooming in neighbors yards in deep purplish/blue colors. Unfortunately it's not available from wholesaler's in those shades. Florists can only order green, white, pink, or blue hydrangea. The pink and blue can drastically vary in shades.

Special note -

Hydrangea bushes planted outdoors vary greatly in color due to the content(mainly metals) of the soil they are planted in. If you plant copper pennies in the ground under the pink hydrangea bush you purchased, it may bloom a more purplish/blue instead of the pink bloom it had when you purchsed it.

Availablity- year round on international and domestic markets

colors- green, white, pink, blue

cost- $$$

Peony

I met with a bride a few days ago and she showed up with a handful of pictures of peonies. This is all she wanted. Boy, I felt awful when I had to tell her that I could not guarantee her most desired flower for her wedding day. I believe a lot of the popularity of the peony is due to bridal magazine's and advertisers overwhelming use of the flower. I am told this flower is available from March through June from a domestic and internatonal market. I have a problem with that. I can't find a single wholesaler in my area who will guarantee a peony by the time June rolls around. I find the best months for peony are April and May. However, I have had them at the end of May and they were so tight they were about the size of a golf ball. I say wait until April even though they are available sooner because you run the risk of the tight golf ball instead of the georgeous softball sized peony you see in pictures everywhere. If you just have to have this flower plan a spring wedding in April or May for your best chances of large, open peonies. To help cut cost instead of all peonies you could have a few peonies with other flowers. Peonies hold up very well in bridal bouquets.

Availability- March - June on domestic and internatonal markets

Colors- white, pink, burgandy and rose

Cost-$$$$$