I'm planning my wedding for July 2026 and want to grow my own flowers to make it even more special! We're getting married on our land, which is already lovely but a little extra floral magic would be fantastic. I have a mix of sunny spots and shaded areas since we're in a pine forest near Inverness. I'm experienced with veggies but new to flower gardening, so I'm ready for the challenge! I want to know: 1) What easy-to-grow flowers would be great for my bouquet, maybe including sunflowers? 2) What can I do now to prepare the land for an amazing look? 3) Any flowers that thrive in shaded areas? 4) How can I best time my planting for blooms in July? 5) What foliage should I consider for my bouquet? Appreciate any tips and tricks you have!
4 Answers
You might want to consider Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia) as well; they're supposed to be fantastic as cut flowers!
Sunflowers might be tricky to get right for July unless you start them early and keep them indoors at first. Dahlias are a traveler's show-stopper, and you could also showcase wildflowers, but they're not the best for picking. If you're looking for easy blooms, try starting with the ones you love!
As a novice gardener, I grew cosmos last year, and they got huge in full sun! I planted them in March after starting in pots, and they bloomed beautifully by June! They're definitely worth trying for your wedding bouquet. My nasturtiums are thriving in partial shade and would add a whimsical touch to your setup too!
That’s so encouraging! I probably will give Cosmos a go; they seem easy enough. I was also worried I was wasting my nasturtiums by planting them as a decoy for slugs, but now I see how lovely they’d be for the wedding!
Start by gathering inspiration for your bouquet! Sunflowers pair beautifully with smaller cuts, making them pop. For the shady parts, try heucheras; they bear delightful flowers, though they’re better for vases. Forget-me-nots can also handle a bit of shade and look amazing next to sunflowers! For foliage, eucalyptus is easy and can be potted, while ferns are perfect for your shaded areas.
Really appreciate the advice! I'm a bit nervous about getting inspiration photos; don’t want to set my hopes too high. But with a wedding in late July, I think sunflowers have potential if I start them in the polytunnel. Zinnias and Cosmos are looking good too. And yay, ferns everywhere!
Nasturtium leaves would add a lovely touch! They've got that whimsical vibe and should work well in the bouquet.
Thanks for the heads-up about the sunflowers! I’ve spotted some foxgloves along the track, which seem to thrive here. Thinking of trying them in the partial sun spots. I'm also pondering whether to mix wildflowers or selectively plant varieties that bloom specifically in July. Any thoughts?