Locally Grown Flowers

It's been a crazy-busy couple of weeks.  I was supposed to post this last week because it tied in with a wedding we were working on for Saturday.  The bride came to us wanting her bouquet and a few other items and was planning on using flowers from the farmer's market and friends and family for reception decor.  This is a request we get fairly often.  Truthfully, I don't mind this.  Sometimes this request is made because the client's goal is to save money (more on the true cost of DIY in other posts),  sometimes it's to get a certain look (usually a more 'natural' or less structured look), and sometimes the goal is to be Eco-friendly.  With all these goals, the Farmer's Market is a natural place to turn.  And there are some truly beautiful flowers at our local market.  

Knowing this, and having some similar goals we've been working with some of the vendors from the Fayetteville Farmer's Market to provide a list of locally grown flowers and the time's that they are generally available.  As the list changes, we'll post updates.

We'll also add photos as we can  (you can also google these for images).  

Oh, and the bride that started this post, well after discussing the time her friends and family would have to spend away from festivities, she decided to hire us for the reception flowers as well.  And, yes, we still used the flowers she'd originally picked from the Market.  

Peonies and Seeded Eucalyptus.  We ordered these items because we are currently past the Peony season locally.

    

These 3 were a mix of local and non-local flowers, including herbs.

These flowers came exclusively from the Fayetteville Farmer's Market.  Using vases provided by the venue and local flowers, we worked with the bride to create the wedding she wanted. (ASIATIC LILIES, DIANTHUS, BACHELOR'S BUTTONS, and a few others.)


And I have to say, this was one of my favorite weddings this year.  A beautiful and fun bride, her wonderful mother, flowers I don't usually get to work with, and some great local vendors (The Garden Room and Dripping Springs Gardens)! 

Going Green With Local Flowers 

Below is a list of  the flowers available specific to the Northwest Arkansas growing seasons.  While this list comes from our local growers, it does not guarantee availability of the specific flowers or specific colors.  Due to the many factors (such as weather) affecting the growing season, a specific flower may be available earlier or later than indicated, in limited quantities, or only in specific colors.   It must be noted, however, that while choosing local is the greenest option, it does limit the availability of your choices.  But if having an earth-friendly event is important to you, we will work closely with you to ensure that your locally grown event flowers reflect the vision you have for your big day!

APRIL

TULIP

MAY

ASIATIC LILY

BACHELOR'S BUTTONS

BEE BALM

DIANTHUS

IRIS

LARKSPUR

PEONY 

SNAPDRAGON

JUNE

AGERATUM

ASIATIC LILY

DAHLIA

GLADIOLUS

MARIGOLD

SUNFLOWER

YARROW

ZINNIAS

JULY

AMARANTHUS

BUTTERFLY WEED

CELOSIA

EUPHORBIA

GOMPHRENA

LISIANTHUS

RUDBECKIA

STATICE

AUGUST

ORNAMENTAL MILLET
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Feel free to ask us about specific flowers you love...we'll research the availability and get back to you.  Or just leave a comment.   

OneWed.com Ask The Experts (see our advice below)

Ask the Experts: Earth Day Tips for a Green Wedding

Apr 22nd 2010 9:30am | by Marta

In honor of Earth Day we asked our Ask the Experts panel to share some of their favorite tips and suggestions for Green Weddings.

Thea of Rose of Sharon Event Florist in Fayetville, Arkansas says:
My favorite practice that I've seen recently is to re-purpose the florals after the wedding.  By collecting the flowers and donating them to a hospital or live-in care facility rather than throwing them away, arrangements can be enjoyed for the full life span of the flowers, residents of these facilities get to enjoy fresh flowers, and the bride & groom get a little more value from this perishable product.  (Plus the florist doesn't have to throw away HOURS of hard work!).

See our answer here: OneWed.com: Ask the Experts

Too Many Vases In Your Closets?

We are happy to announce that we are starting a Vase Recycling Program!  

It is easy to accumulate too many vases without even knowing how it happens; they are too good to throw away but taking up valuable storage space.  Rose of Sharon has the solution to this problem!!  Simply bring in any vases you don’t want or use and we will do one of the following with them:

-          If they are of a quality that can be re-used by us, we will give you a credit for your next floral purchase.

-          If they cannot be re-used, we will donate them to the Peace at Home Thrift Shop, where proceeds are donated to the battered women’s shelter.

-          If they cannot be re-used or donated, we will take them to the recycling facility.

So when you clean out your closets and cupboards this Spring, give your old vases a new purpose by bringing them in to Rose of Sharon!

Please call us at 479.973.0588 before bringing in your vases.  We are often on location and would hate to miss you.