Flowers in November

[zanussi101]

My partner and I are getting married in November this year and to try and keep costs down we wondered if anyone could suggest some flowers or other bouquet ideas that we could grow ourselves.

[Eden]

Well congratulations! By November most flowers have given up, although if grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel you may be able to keep some coming, Dahlia's for instance will keep going until first frosts, you can get all sizes and colours, but it spends on what kind of flower you are after. Last year I had Crysanthemum, Cosmos, Gaura, Roses, Snap Dragons, Ox Eye Daisy, Trollius, Sunflowers, Lavender to name but a few still in flower in November (some only just hanging on though!) Have you any idea what kind of flowers you'd like? Last year, when I worked at a garden centre we had a couple in buying dozens of Lupin plants, they were growing them all at home, to pick the flowers for the next summer and use the little petals as confetti, really lovely idea!

[BrideXIII]

my fuscias were still going strong in november, as was some really nice hanging basket white thingy , called bacopa? (snowflake) Bacopa 'Snowflake' - shoot i had 2 of these in baskets, and transplanted them late summer to the beds where they lasted almost until xmas, lovely trailing plant with sweet little white flowers, as they are perennials i am hoping they will come back in spring.

they would look nice in a bouquet, as would ivy which is a traditional winter wedding bouquet mixer.

[Alice]

Congratulations Zanussi. As the others have said, November is a tricky time. You could have all the things mentioned still flowering or nothing at all. It depends on the weather and how early winter comes. Also by that time the plants are running out of daylight.

If you find you have to buy your flowers Carnations are always lovely and not expensive. Likewise Alstromeria. And they both last for ages.

[zanussi101]

Thanks for your replies- I thought November might be a bit late for flowers in this country especially as we're looking at the end of November. I shall have to get my thinking cap on and try to think of some alternatives- any other suggestions would be most welcome!
thanks again xxx

[Two_Sheds]

end of November?
postpone the wedding until June 2010

[Alison]

Somebody I know who had a winter wedding had a beautiful evergreen bouquet with a few berries in it also. It looked really stunning and was just simply tied with a fancy ribbon. They had similar arrangements on the table which also had candles in them. Personally I was a bit envious that I hadn't had that idea. Did have some photos but can't find them now, sorry!

[Snadger]

Congrats on the wedding zanussi! Perpetual flowering carnations and Chrysanthemums can flower in pots through September,October,November,December, January depending on variety and if you can give them a cold greenhouse to shelter them from severe weather!

[nick the grief]

Well said Snadger we must get more plugs for Canrnations and Chrysanths and if you grow some LAte flowering spray chrysanths you can guarantee them for the day you just have to black them out for 3 weeks for 12 hours a day and they flower on time

As you are in West Yorkshire Zanussi, can I suggest you go to the harrogate spring show as the Carnation society will have some rooted cuttings there that you can purchase and they'll give you all the info you need to know.

[zanussi101]

thanks for all your suggestions- they've certainly given me a few ideas. we've had to put the wedding back to january 2010 now as the venue we wanted was fully booked so i may end up trying to do something artistic with twigs!

[Snadger]

thanks for all your suggestions- they've certainly given me a few ideas. we've had to put the wedding back to january 2010 now as the venue we wanted was fully booked so i may end up trying to do something artistic with twigs!

Phew........January, that's a toughie! Hellebore is the best I can do!

[bramble]

If you live near the flower market you could buy from them.
When my daughter was getting married we bought from the market. the prices were a lot cheaper and we made the boquets and dressed the chapel ourselves.
We also got a lot of enjoyment from doing the whole thing ourselves.
Good luck whatever you decide.

[tootles]

You can force hyacinths for January. My parents were married in April and my ma had hyacinths wired individually for her bouquet. (and they would make glorious hair decorations too)