July bloomers

[kirsty b]

Need some inspiration please guys and gals.

Getting married next year and would like very much to keep costs down and was wondering was it feasible to grow cut flowers for decorating my reception venue. I'm not after anything regimented and don't have a particular colour scheme so therefore very open to all ideas.
What flowers bloom in late July and which are fairly prolific and faff free? I'll be printing any answers off and putting them in my idea folder!

Thanks
Kirsty

[Alice]

Congratulations KirstyB. Dahlias will def flower in July and you can grow them yourself from seed. Easy Peasy. I'm sure you'll get lots of other suggestions.

[vicky]

Congratulations!
I like the idea of scented ones for a wedding - sweetpeas would be lovely.

Pastels are popular but a bright mix of hot colours could look great - like a summer haymeadow with grasses, poppies, marigolds etc, Then you could put in anything that's around at the time

[roitelet]

Congratulations KirstyB.

How about Lilies, there are lots of bags of the Asiatic Hybrids around at the moment and cheap. They are flamboyant and you don't need many to make an impressive display. They are also faff free, just stuck them in and add a little slug deterrant and bobs your Uncle, they will also come up the following years if they are happy. Just watch out for Lily beetles though, they will strip the stems and ruin the flowers. The beetles are bright red and quite dramatic but it is the lavae that do the damage. They look like bird poo and the best way to deal with them is to squash them, YUCK.

You could also plant Gladioli for the same reasons.

[kentvegplot]

Congratulations! How about Cosmos? - I wasn't sure about it as a cut flower, but tried it last year and kept well in a vase. Sweet peas are lovely but VERY short-lived in a vase. Roses should also be around - but I suppose they don't count as 'faff free'

Just borrowed several books about growing cut flowers which might help - two by Sarah Raven and one by David Joyce - your local library should be able to track them down for you. (haven't read them yet, so can't actually 'recommend' )

[lottie dolly]

an idea for you
when i organised a special event,i purchased some flowers in pots for the table centres,these were given to selected guests,how ever,as you are looking to keep costs at a near zero as possible,how about seeing what others come up with,as in flower types,for you do make up your own,it will be less work on the day,i covered my pots to match the colour theme,everyone said what a good idea it was.

[kirsty b]

I was thinking along the lines of plastic troughs planted with trailing bedding plants (which can then go to my garden afterwards) but cut flowers for centrepieces. However, lottie dolly, your idea has got me thinking along the lines of potted herbs on the tables, I could put in lavender, thyme etc. Got masses of seeds and pots. Would just need to pretty the pots up a bit.

Could still grow cut flowers to have some vases dotted around with them in. It would be nice and informal, unlike regimented arrangements, and have the personal touch.

Thanks for all the ideas

[lottie dolly]

hey hey kirsty b,that sounds like a very good idea,will smell lovely, as people will no doubt just have to touch,you know we are all guilty,and hey presto,the plants will give of their fragrance,good luck with whatever you decide,and congrantulations on your forthcoming wedding,please keep us informed of how you go on.

[kirsty b]

No doubt I will. I'm still pretty new to growing stuff as opposed to just sticking it in the ground and thinking it'll either grow or it won't!!
Just don't want to become a wedding bore! OH gets a glazed look in his eyes when I suggest yet another idea for keeping it affordable!!

[lottie dolly]

how can you be a bore,it's your wedding ,not a trip the supermarket,could the glazed look just be,the look of love in his eyes,ehh,

[Potter]

Hi KirstyB, the only flowers I had at my wedding were in the posies and buttonholes, but my tables were decorated with herbs - loads of pots of them in simple white bowls from Ikea. They went down very well and I was able to give them away at the end too, to special guests. My colours were green and gold so they looked great.

Also had tealights on the tables and bowls of marshmallows and cocktail sticks to toast, also a real hit! I got really good at keeping the costs down, I actually think it makes for a much more original and personal wedding - who wants to be like everyone else?