Budget-conscious brides and grooms are encouraged to plan ahead and grow their own wedding flowers.
Gardening expert Chris Bonnett of GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Growing your own flowers is a wonderful thing to do before your wedding, but you need to be well organised.”
The website’s floral experts say that with a little planning, it’s possible to grow your own bouquet before the big day.
Suggested flowers ideal for wedding poems range from roses, a bridal classic, to hydrangeas, but they all thrive in different conditions, so it’s important to make sure you plant them so they bloom at the right time.
Wedding flowers can cost hundreds of dollars for a professional florist, but trying to grow your own flowers is a way to make your big day feel super personal and cut costs (File image of a bride holding her bridal bouquet)
Bonnett advises also opting for easy-to-grow flowers, such as cornflowers and cosmos, which will produce abundant blooms for floral arrangements and bouquets.
He says: “You need to be clear about the look you are going for, the number of flowers you will need and have a good planting schedule.”
‘It’s certainly not a job for the faint-hearted, but with proper planning and a little gardening knowledge you can grow beautiful flowers.
“It’s certainly something special to do before your big day, and it can also save a few pounds on your flower bill.”
Gardening Express says hydrangeas could be the perfect flowers for a stunning wedding, as the plant produces large, colorful blooms in time for a summer wedding.
When to plant? The best time is in spring or autumn although you can plant hydrangeas in pots all year round.
If you are planting hydrangeas on your wedding day in the garden, simply opt for a partially shaded location with well-drained soil.
And if you’re planting in your garden, opt for a partially shaded location with well-drained soil.
Experts also say that rustic cornflower is an elegant wedding plant, perfect for rustic-style bouquets, and is very easy to grow.
The seeds can be sown directly in the garden or you can sow them in pots first. They love full sun and well-drained soil. Once they start blooming, remember to cut them off for more flowers.
A stickler for tradition? He The classic, timeless rose comes in so many colors and scents that the bouquet options become endless.
There are also so many varieties of roses that you can choose one that suits your soil type and garden conditions. You can also grow them in containers if you have limited space.
Don’t forget about the modern delphinium. If you like a touch of color, these The showy flowers are sure to attract. Spring is a good time to plant them once the soil has warmed. They will thrive in a sunny location with moist, well-drained soil.
Sunflowers are often hailed as a pretty country option, making them the perfect choice for a more relaxed wedding.
The quickest way to grow them is in a greenhouse, but a sunny windowsill will work to start.
Small and delicate, gypsophilas are sure to add softness to your wedding day decor.
Plant them in a pot and transfer them to the garden once the seed has germinated. They will flower from summer to autumn and are worth sowing every few weeks to have enough to ensure your wedding venue is well stocked.
Meanwhile, Cosmos is a beautiful sun-loving plant that It will bring a feeling of lightness to your bouquet thanks to its delicate flowers and feathery foliage.
Easy to grow from seed, be sure to sow now and keep them on a sunny windowsill to germinate. They can be sown in the garden from May and love a sunny location.
Freesias are fragrant and elegant flowers that will add a touch of femininity to your bouquet. Pretty and colorful, you can plant them directly in a patio planter from now until June.
Start in a shady location and as the shoots grow, move to a sunnier location, but try not to overwater, as tempting as it may be. You may need to use canes to support the stems once and then start growing.
Last but not least are gypsophila – the tiny white flowers known colloquially as ‘baby’s breath’ are a fantastic bouquet addition that will add interest and softness to any floral arrangement.
Gypsophila will thrive in a sunny location in well-draining soil. Sow directly into the ground every few weeks from now until September to ensure you have enough flowers.