I love using locally grown, seasonal flowers.  Not only are they more affordable than imported flowers, but they are better for the environment, too!  Since they don’t need to be transported thousands of miles to get to market, locally grown flowers have a much smaller carbon footprint than imported flowers.

I’ve been looking and looking for a comprehensive guide to the availability of Midwestern locally grown flowers, with limited success.  If anyone knows of such a guide, please let me know!  Until then, I’m going to begin compiling one through this blog!  So here we go…

For August, many of the locally grown flowers are available in a rich, bright color palette.  A wedding color scheme based around jewel tones is a great for an August wedding.  You’ll see burgundy, orange, hot pink, and gold.  Berries (which I love) are becoming more available, too.  The following is a list of some of the flowers you’ll find locally in August.

Asclepias  (Asclepias tuberosa or  Asclepias curassavica)

Also known as butterfly weed.  This is a very interesting little flower that comes in gold, orange, and sometimes a bi-color yellow and orange or yellow and red.  Asclepias tuberosa is related to milkweed, and like milkweed, will exude a milky sap from its stems when cut.  For this reason, I prefer not to use them in bridal bouquets, but they are lovely in vased arrangements for little pops of color.

Coneflower Pods  (Echinacea purpurea)

These are often listed on my invoices as Rudbeckia, but I’m 99.9% certain they’re actually purple coneflower.  These pods are de-petaled heads of the purple coneflower, and can range in color from orange to brown.  They are pretty sturdy and add great texture to an arrangement.   A good option for an unusual autumn boutonniere!

Dahlias (Dahlia sp.)

These beauties are available in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, red, orange, peach, pink and burgundy.  Dahlias also come in a number of bi-color varieties.  Their big, bold, round flowers add impact to bridal bouquets and arrangements.  Dahlias are versatile, almost chameleon-like.  They can look elegant if paired with lilies and roses, or casual if included in a more gardeny mix.

Celosia (Celosia cristata, Celosia plumose, Celosia spicata)

Brains!  I love, love, love crested celosia, also known as cockscomb.  And, yes, they look like brains.  I love their velvety, contorted texture tucked in bouquets and low centerpieces.  In addition to crested celosia, plume celosia is available in August.  Plume celosia is a linear flower.  Celosia is available in yellow, gold, orange, peach, salmon, hot pink, pink, red, and burgundy.

Those are just a selection of what locally grown flowers are available in August.  More to come!  Check back for viburnum berries, sedum, and zinnias!