Black Flowers - CENTERS - Part 4 of 4

Because there are so few black flowers that are available as CUT STEMS for event use and personal arrangements, an alternate option is to utilize the CENTERS of flowers as BLACK ACCENTS.  

Here are several flowers having black centers that are also usually readily available as CUT STEMS:

Anemone (White, Blue, Red, Pink, or Purple petals)

Available:  December-March

Flickr Source: white anemone, originally uploaded by lynnepet.

Black Eyed Susan

Available:  June-September

Flickr Source: Black Eye Susan, originally uploaded by ngl1145.

Gerbera Daisy (Petals of varying colors)

Available:  Year Round

Flickr Source: Gerbera, originally uploaded by rita_baer.

Sunflower

Available: Year Round

Flickr Source: Mingling Sunflowers, originally uploaded by Yobs.

Oriental Poppy

Available:  January-March

Flickr Source: Oriental Poppy, originally uploaded by 5348 Franco.

Black Flowers - ALTERNATIVES - Part 3 of 4

As so very few "black" flowers are available as CUT STEMS for event use, the following deep red, purple, and brown flowers are used most often as their ALTERNATIVES:

Black Mini (Schwartzwalder) Calla Lilies

Available:  Year Round

Black Baccara Roses (Also: Black Magic Roses - slightly more red in color)

Available:  Year Round

Flickr Source: Black Magic Roses originally uploaded by Eki Flowers.

Chocolate Cosmos

Available:  April-July, September-December

Fiddlehead Fern Shoots

Available:  Year Round

Painted Branches (Manzanita, Curly Willow, Birch, etc...)

Available:  Year Round

Read Part 4 of 4 for a brief review of additional flowers having black "centers," that are often used as black accents.

Black Flowers - CUT STEMS - Part 2 of 4

Because the GARDEN TYPE flowers outlined in the last post do not preserve and/or ship well after they are cut, very FEW black flowers or plants are available as CUT STEMS for event use or for personal arrangements.  Here are a few black floral products that ARE usually available:

Black Magic Elephant Ears

Flickr Source:  Black, originally uploaded by riaskiff.

Viburnum Berries

Black Kangaroo Paws

Available: October, November, and January

Flickr Source:  Perth-Kings Park -Black Kangaroo Paw originally uploaded by David Boehm.

Read Part 3 of 4 for a brief overview of the flowers that are often used as ALTERNATIVES to black flowers.

Black Flowers - GARDEN TYPES - Part I of 4

In honor of the "Weddings Unveiled" Winter 2009 gorgeous black and white cover and spread, I am posting a short tutorial about the availability of BLACK FLOWERS.

Most "black" flowers are actually a deep red or purple color, are often ONLY grown by individual, avid gardeners, and unfortunately, are rarely available as CUT STEMS for events.

Examples of these GARDEN TYPES include:

Black Bearded Iris

Black Nemophila

Night Queen Tulips

Black Prince (or Black Beauty) Pansies

Black Hollyhocks

Read Part 2 or 4 for a brief review of the very few natural "black" flowers that are available as CUT STEMS  for events and personal arrangements.

Tier 1 Sample Flowers

Clients are often unsure of the cost of their favorite flowers, so I have developed a "Tier System" to help clients determine whether their flower choices are more "high-end" (Tier1),  "mid-range" (Tier 2),  or "econimcally" (Tier 3) priced.  Here are some samples of "Tier 1" flowers.

Characteristics: $$$, higher-end flowers, often used in modern or contemporary arrangements.

(Images uploaded from iStock Photo unless otherwise noted).

White Calla Lily

Flickr Source: Trumpet Lily on black, originally uploaded by Electrolyte.

Mini Calla Lilies

Orchid 

(Refer to "Orchids" Posting for a complete explanation of orchid types).

Hydrangea

Flickr Source: purple_dots, originally uploaded by forestgreendog.

Peony

Flickr Source: Pink Peony, originally uploaded by Ginther.

Gloriosa

Flickr Source: Flame Lily, originally uploaded by foxielicious.

Stephanotis

Flickr Source: Stephanotis Boutonniere, originally uploaded by waldenfloral.

 

Tier 2 Sample Flowers

Here are some samples of Tier 2 flowers.

Characteristics:  $$, Mid-range flowers, most types commonly known.

(Images uploaded from iStock Photo unless otherwise noted).

Rose

Dahlia

Flickr Source:  Dahlia, originally uploaded by **Curt**.

Parrot Tulips

Asiatic Lily

Iris

Gerbera Daisy

Football Chrysanthemums

Tier 3 Sample Flowers

Here are some Tier 3 flower samples.

Characteristics:  $, most economical, often used as accent flowers; design in monochromatic masses to create modern or contemporary arrangements.

(Images uploaded from iStock Photo unless otherwise noted).

Button Mums

Gladiolus

Flickr Source:  Gladioli, originally uploaded by PJ.

Daisies

Flickr Source:  White Bouquet, originally uploaded by myruby.

Carnations/Mini Carnations

Flickr Source:  Carnations, originally uploaded by vestaligo.

Alstroemeria

Flickr Source:  Alstroemeria pallida, originally uploaded by nftodd.

Spray Roses

Flickr Source:   Birthday Wishes, originally uploaded by myruby.

Orchids!!

Orchids are often a wedding and special event favorite because of their diversity, versatility, and sheer elegance.  Decide which orchids best fit YOUR style and needs!

Phaelanopsis Orchids.  Beautiful, delicate blossoms available in pinks, magentas, and white.  Great for creating a striking, modern look.

Cymbidium Orchids.  Available in a wide range of colors.  Great for creating submerged centerpieces.  Blooms can be cut from stem, and used in bouquets or as floating flowers.  Mini cymbidium orchids are often used in corsages or boutonnieres.

Dendrobium Orchids.  Available in a wide range of colors.  Great for creating dramatic, "spray" arrangements.  Provides an elegant, but affordable alternative to cymbidium orchids.  Blooms are small and work well in corsages and boutonnieres.  

Vanda Orchids.  Available in a wide range of colors.  Similar to dendrobium orchids, but stems are truncated at their tips.  Blooms are more "plate" shaped and do not have a "throat."

Mokara orchids.  Similar to dendrobium orchids, but stems are truncated at their tips.  Blooms are smaller, more "star" shaped, and do not have a "throat."  Great for creating contemporary, submerged flower centerpieces.

Cattleya Orchids.  Large, gorgeous blooms with a dramatic "throat."  Available in a variety of colors.

Oncidium Orchids.  Only available in yellow.  Small, delicate, paper-like blooms inspire their alternative name, "Dancing Ladies."  Great for creating dramatic, "spray" centerpieces.

Lady Slipper Orchids.  Modern, fun, and unusual!