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Summer weddings have a whimsical and romantic feel, don't they? if you are wondering whether you can grow your own flowers, then let me help you with what flowers to grow for an August wedding. So, if you're getting ready for your August wedding and have a green thumb, let's dive into the delightful world of flowers that are perfect for your special day.
Get ready to grow your own blooms and add a sustainable touch to your seasonal flower garden!
Summer flower wedding growing guidelines
To make growing your flowers for an August wedding a breeze, let the season guide you towards the colours and plants that are available. In August, flowers start to take on softer and more muted tones as the summer heat sets in.
In this series of articles about sustainable seasonal flower gardening and wedding flower growing, I'm thrilled to share simple and beginner-friendly varieties that are sure to bloom and won't take up too much space. However, let's start with a few assumptions:
- I’ll assume you don't have an established garden at your disposal, so my suggestions are based on you starting from scratch. Keep in mind that perennials and shrubs need time to establish and grow enough flowers. Planting a rose the year before and expecting it to provide an abundance of blooms for your wedding is simply unrealistic. However, if you have three or four rose plants that have been around for at least 3 years, you might be in business!
- Most of my suggestions are flowers that can be sown and bloom in a single season. However, this may require sowing them a year in advance to have the widest selection available.
- Make sure you have enough space in a dedicated garden bed to grow the flowers you need for your wedding. If you need help estimating the space required, check out my guide here.
- The quantities I provide in my recipe are based on creating 1 beautiful pedestal arrangement. If you need to calculate the number of flowers for other wedding arrangements, you can find more information here.
- The ‘Fancy' adds extra texture, magic, or wow factor to your arrangements. It's optional, but can really take your floral designs to the next level.
- Growing your own flowers means embracing imperfections. If you're looking for perfectly straight roses, tulips, or ranunculus, it's best to leave it to the florists. When you grow your own flowers, a little unruliness, some might say rustic charm, is part of the beauty. Embrace it, and you'll have stunning and charming floral arrangements.
Keep in mind that you can only cut the flowers that are in bloom at the time of your wedding. Simply wishing for peonies or roses to bloom won't make it happen. While you can help seeds and bulbs along by controlling the temperature, it's an advanced gardening technique that requires more equipment. So, keep that in mind as you plan your sustainable Summer Flower Wedding garden.
Flowers to grow for an August wedding
If you are getting married in August, you have the wonderful advantage of having the widest selection of flowers to choose from. Another great thing is that you can start growing them in spring and by August, all your flowers should be in full bloom. Additionally, you can also consider the numerous options of dahlias that are available. This plant is known for its continuous blooming and I'm confident that you will find at least one variety that perfectly complements your style.
Take a look at the table below to see which flowers are at their finest in August.
| Name | Type | Flower Form | Sow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agrostemma (Corn cockle), Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding), Campanula (Canterbury Bells), Celosia (Cockscomb), Cosmos, Craspedia globosa (Billy Buttons, Drumsticks), Cynoglossum amabile (Chinese Forget me not), Limonium bonduelii (Statice), Lisianthus (Eustoma), Nicotiana (Tobacco Plant), Orlaya (White Lace Flower), Phlox drummondii grandiflora, Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflower), Salvia (Sage), Scabious | Annual | Filler | Mar-May, Aug-Sep |
| Ammi majus (Bishops flower), Ammi visnaga (Queen Anes Lace), Calendula (Marigolds), Centaurea cyanus (Cornflower), Clarkia (Godetia), Daucus, Gypsophila (Baby Breath), Lathyrus odoratus (Sweet Pea), Lavatera (Annual Mallow), Malope, Nigella,Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium) | Hardy Annual | Filler | Mar-May, Aug-Sep |
| Antirrhinum (Snap Dragon), Callistephus chinensis (China Aster), Helianthus (Sunflower), Larkspur, Zinnia | Annual | Focal | Mar – May |
| Dahlia | Tuber | Focal | Mar |
| Basil, Borage, Cerinthe Major (Honeywort), Dill, Lepidium sativum (Greek Cress), Senecio cineraria (Dusty Miller) | Annual | Foliage | Apr – May |
| Achillea (Yarrow), Alchemilla mollis (Ladies Mantle), Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily), Aquilegia (Granny's Bonnet, Columbine), Astrantia (Masterwort), Centranthus ruber (Valerian),Freesia, Geum, Linaria (Toadflax), Lysimachia (loosestrife), Penstemon, Sanguisorba, Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew) | Perennial | Filler | |
| Echinacea (Coneflower), Eryngium (See Holly), Hydrangea, Iris, Lupin, Rose, Verbascum | Perennial | Focal | |
| Physacorpus (NineBark), Brachiglotis, Cornus, Lavender, Mentha (Mint), Philadelphus | Shrub | Foliage |
Don't stress about trying to grow every single variety of flower. Instead, let's keep things simple and focus on incorporating 6 or 7 different types (10 max). This approach will give your arrangements a balanced and visually appealing look. Aim to have about 1/3 of the flowers as focal flowers, another 1/3 as filler flowers, and the remaining 1/3 as foliage. And if you're feeling adventurous, feel free to add some extra decorative elements and let your creativity shine!
Just remember, each type of arrangement can be customised to suit your needs and add some variety. However, sticking to a consistent selection of flowers and colours will create a cohesive look throughout your wedding, ensuring a harmonious atmosphere.
August Wedding Flower Recipe
For a typical wedding with 100 guests, here's a rough guide on the number of flower stems you might need for each arrangement:
| Arrangement | No. of Stems | No. of Arrangements | Total Stems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jam-jar posies | 20 | 10 | 200 |
| Large jugs of flowers | 50 | 3 | 150 |
| Pedestal arrangement | 75 | 1 | 75 |
| Bride's bouquet | 50 | 1 | 50 |
| Bridesmaids' posies | 35 | 3 | 105 |
| Buttonholes | 5 | 5 | 25 |
Using a pedestal arrangement as an example, one recipe for a August wedding could be as follows:
- Focal – 10 dahlia, 7 sunflower, 8 snap dragon,
- Filler – 10 cosmos, 5 nicotiana, 10 daucus,
- Foliage – 5 tall branches of foliage, 10 greek cress/dill/sage, 10 cerinthe major.
- Fancy – sweet pea tendrils (or the flowers, if they happen to be in bloom).
Many flowers that were available to you in July or September may also be available in August, so do take a look at the July flower wedding and September flower wedding suggestions to see if any of those are preferable.
The above combination of flowers to grow for an August wedding will still give you the flexibility of having several different colour schemes, as each flower has several colours you can choose from.
Dahlias
Dahlias are like the stars of the flower world, dazzling us with their stunning variety of shapes and sizes. They come in all sorts of forms, from dainty daisy-like petals to fluffy pompoms and extravagant blousy blooms. The best part? There's a dahlia for every colour preference, so you'll never tire of their captivating beauty. These vibrant and eye-catching flowers are perfect for creating breathtaking arrangements.
The great thing about dahlias is their versatility. With such a wide range of shapes and sizes available, you can create stunning floral designs using dahlias as both focal and filler flowers in various colours and forms. They truly are a bouquet all on their own.
Growing dahlias is a breeze once the risk of frost has passed. These tubers are cut-and-come-again flowers, meaning the more you cut them, the more they bloom. So don't hesitate to trim them down every week for continuous flowering. You'll be amazed at how quickly new blooms appear.
Now, here's a little secret about dahlias: their vase life is a bit on the shorter side, which is why florists don't often use them. However, with proper care and conditioning, you can enjoy them for up to 5 days. So, if you're picking them on a Wednesday for your Saturday wedding, you'll be absolutely fine.
Dahlias are true performers and will keep blooming until the first frost arrives. Just take a look at the beautiful dahlias I picked last November, right before I tucked their tubers in for their winter rest.
So, if you're a nature-loving bride-to-be planning a sustainable seasonal flower garden, don't miss out on dahlias for your August wedding. They'll add a touch of whimsy and charm to your special day, all while staying true to your commitment to sustainability.
Sunflower
Sunflowers are such a beautiful choice for a summer wedding! They bring a classic touch to any event. The traditional sunflowers have vibrant yellow petals and big flower heads, but nowadays, you can find sunflowers in a wide range of colours, from deep red to pale yellow.
One thing is for sure, sunflowers will make your wedding truly unforgettable!
The best part is that growing sunflowers from seed is a breeze. Simply sow them in the spring, and by August, you'll have gorgeous blooms to enjoy.
Sunflowers are unique because they have a single stem. To make sure you have enough flowers for your needs, make sure to plant plenty of seeds. Once you cut a sunflower, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that it can produce lots of smaller flowers. Keep in mind, though, that these extra flowers can't be guaranteed and may have shorter, irregular stems.
Because sunflowers have sturdy stems, it's important to provide them with proper support to prevent them from getting flattened by strong winds.
Snapdragon
Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) is a delightful hardy annual flower that is perfect for August weddings. It features tall, upright stems adorned with spikes of exquisite and delicate blossoms in a wide range of shades, ranging from soft pastels to vibrant and bold hues. These charming flowers will undoubtedly add a unique and elegant touch to any bouquet or arrangement.
Growing snapdragon from seed is a breeze, and it is best to sow the seeds in the autumn or early spring to enjoy beautiful blooms in August.
Snapdragon is a cut-and-come-again flower, meaning you can continuously harvest its stems. However, it is recommended to only take one stem from a plant at a time to ensure its long-term health and vitality.
Cosmos
Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a beautiful annual flower that is perfect for summer weddings. It features tall, upright stems and delicate, daisy-like flowers in lovely shades of pink, white, purple, and orange.
Cosmos is incredibly easy to grow from seed and should be sown in the spring for beautiful flowers in August.
This flower is known for its ability to continuously produce blooms, so you can expect to have around 5 flowering stems from a single plant at any given time. Including cosmos in your bouquet or arrangement will add a touch of lightness and elegance that your wedding guests will surely appreciate.
Nicotiana
Nicotiana (Tobacco Plant) is another annual flower that is perfect for adding vibrant colours and interesting textures to your August wedding arrangements. It also has tall, upright stems and delicate, tube-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance, available in shades of white, pink, purple, and green.
Personally, I adore the lime green variety of Nicotiana. It complements any colour scheme and can even serve as an alternative foliage if desired.
Nicotiana is a breeze to grow from seed and should be sown in the spring for gorgeous flowers in August.
Similar to cosmos, nicotiana is a cut-and-come-again flower, meaning it will continue to bloom profusely. You can expect to have approximately 5 flowering stems from a single plant at any given time.
Including nicotiana in your bouquet or arrangement will create a soft and romantic ambiance that will surely captivate everyone.
Daucus Carota
Daucus Carota is a lovely annual flower that is perfect for August weddings. It has delicate, feathery foliage and large, green or faded pink flower heads with interesting shapes.
Daucus is wonderful for adding texture and depth to an arrangement and can be used as a filler or foliage flower.
Daucus carota is easy to grow from seed and can be sown directly in the spring for flowers in August.
It is a multi-stem flower, and you can typically get about 5 stems per plant at any given time.
Cerinthe Major
Cerinthe Major is a stunning annual flower that is perfect for an August wedding. I've classified it as foliage because of its somewhat fleshy, blue-green leaves that gradually change to purple as they grow up the stems. And let's not forget about the flowers – they are quite unique, with tubular shapes and a dark purple-blue colour. Despite being small and discreet, they don't compete for attention with anything else you may be using.
Cerinthe Major is great for adding texture and depth to an arrangement. It is a hardy annual, easy to grow from seed, and can be sown in the spring for blooms in August.
Greek Cress
Greek Cress is a lovely foliage plant that florists adore but may not always find readily available, even though it is incredibly easy to grow. When it starts to seed, it produces tall, stiff, pale green stems, which are perfect for your arrangement.
You can create a bold effect by grouping bunches of Greek Cress together, or for a more airy feel, you can scatter single stems throughout the arrangement.
If you are in need of foliage options for your arrangements, Greek Cress is an excellent choice for weddings all year round.
This seed can be planted close together, allowing you to maximise the use of small spaces, and you don't need a lot of it to make an impact. Plus, it grows quickly—it's cress, after all!
Dill
Dill is a delightful herb that is easy to grow, and including a touch of dill in your arrangement can add an extra layer of beauty.
With its delicate, feathery leaves and small yellow/green flowers, dill brings a soft and airy feel to floral arrangements.
You can easily grow dill from seed, and it should be sown in early spring to have flowers and foliage by August.
Dill is a multi-stem plant, and you can typically get about 6 stems per plant at any given time, especially if you opt to use the foliage rather than the flower heads.
Sweet Peas
Sweet Peas are an excellent addition to any floral arrangement, providing a unique texture and a vibrant burst of colour. Even the Sweet Pea tendrils can be used to create a distinctive and delicate look in your bouquet and arrangements. However, it's important to note that they have a short lifespan once cut. While they are beautiful and produce flowers abundantly, I recommend using them alongside focal and filler flowers. Nevertheless, they are perfect for creating charming jam-jar arrangements, so they should not be disregarded entirely.
Growing Sweet Peas from seed is a simple task, and they should be sown in the spring for flowers in August. These flowers are cut-and-come-again, meaning that you can continuously harvest about 5 stems per plant at any given time.
These flower examples are here to give you an idea for your mid summer wedding, but there are plenty of options to choose from. Sarah Raven is a great place to start looking for ideas. I love her site, it's like flower inspiration overload! However, sometimes the quality of the seeds, tubers, and bulbs can be a bit hit-and-miss, and they can also be a bit pricey. On the other hand, I have been really impressed with the quality of the bulbs and tubers from Peter Nyssen, and if you're looking to buy seeds (aff) I have seeds for all of the annuals and biennials mentioned above in my shop, but Chiltern Seeds is also a fantastic place to go.
Now that you know the best flowers to grow for an August wedding, you can start planning your special day. With the right flowers, you can create a stunning display that will make your wedding unforgettable.
