Fall is a wonderful time of year with it's beautiful colors. Orange, red and yellow are fun and vibrant and work together so well in floral design. This made it very difficult for me to select a flower to feature this month. Well as you can probably already tell I chose the sunflower.  Why? Well sunflowers are available in all three of the great fall colors!

Common Name: Sunflower
Botanical Name: Helianthus annuus

There 38 species of perennial sunflower native to North America. The sunflower got its name from its bright, cheery blooms, whose shape and image is often used to depict the sun. The sunflower has a rough, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads of flowers.  What is usually called the "flower" on a mature sunflower is actually a "flower head" (also known as a "composite flower") of numerous florets, (small flowers) crowded together. The flower head can range in size with larger flower heads in the summer. Miniature sized varieties are also available.

From the Americas, sunflower seeds were brought to Europe in the 16th century, where, along with sunflower oil, they became a widespread cooking ingredient. Sunflower leaves can be used as cattle feed, while the stems contain a fiber which may be used in paper production.
 
Sunflowers are available year round and are very affordable. They can add that sunny pop that your fall bouquet needs or make a stunning bouquet all on their own.

When you purchase flowers have you ever stopped to think about where they come from and who grew them? In 1996, a program called Florverde® was started by the Colombian flower growers and Asocolflores, the Colombian flower growers’ trade association. Florverde® is a set of social and environmental standards put into practice that help ensure the quality of life of workers and their families, as well as environmental sustainability for generations to come. Above all, Florverde®, gives the consumer assurance that the products they buy, are produced complying with the highest environmental and social standards.   Learn More!

Autumn is a wonderful time to hold your weddings, especially from the perspective of your florist. There are many wonderful flowers that are in bloom and available locally. Using local flowers celebrates the bounty that we see all around us, which matches the season since autumn is traditionally the season of the harvest.

Sunflowers are gorgeous this time of year and come in more than just yellow. Depending on the variety, sunflower heads range in size from dinner plate size down to the diameter of your average coffee cup and can be used as centerpieces, bold colors to line the aisle for your ceremony, and even in your bouquets. Colors can range from the bright, cheery yellow we are so familiar with to dark claret. Some even have a beautiful chocolate center. Just imagine how striking your wedding will be with the bold colors of the sunflower popping up everywhere.

Zinnias are a flower that you probably know well, but have not seen at a wedding. Normally they are planted in butterfly gardens since the beautiful winged creatures find them irresistible. Zinnias are available in a rainbow of colors starting with white and ranging into yellow, orange, fuchsia, and even some multicolored blooms. In your bouquets, these flowers will give you an explosion of color similar to fireworks displayed on the night sky.

Roses are a very traditional wedding flower, and come in all sizes and colors. The ever bearing rose is almost always in season and a great addition to any bouquet or centerpiece. Hybrids tend to be a bit hardier than some heirloom varieties but all roses are fragile and require special care. If you are going to use roses, be sure to follow all care directions to have them at their best for your wedding day.

Dahlias are another beautiful and colorful choice to include on your special day. These flowers tend to be large and have layers of petals. These are another great choice for the bride who wants a big, bold splash of color on her wedding day. Since dahlias have larger and fuller blooms a few of these go a long way and make an excellent choice for a bride on a budget as well.

Chrysanthemums, or mums for ease, are beautiful flowers. The blooms are a midsized head and are a few inches in diameter. Mums are available in a palate of colors that is almost endless: reds, purples, yellows, pinks, oranges, and on and on. The beauty of these flowers will only pale in comparison to the bride holding them.

These flowers can be mixed and matched to make a unique statement for your wedding or they stand alone for maximum impact. Add some baby’s breath or other small flower to have them stand out. Your fall wedding will make an impact with bright, bold colors that complement the season.

Written By: Rev. Kelly Hunt