Locally Grown Options for Every Month of the Year: A Seasonal Guide

The floral industry is set apart by it's reliance on ever-changing seasons. Not only is the local weather a factor - but it also comes into play on a nationwide and international scale. It's crazy to think... EVERY single flower type has a unique growing season, growth needs, and care after being cut.

We'll be zooming in on availability in the state of Colorado specifically, showing off some blooms that can be beautifully grown & harvested in our state's soil! These are my personal picks for each month of the year!

There are truly so many factors to keep up with! Relax those shoulders and breathe easy... I've put together this comprehensive guide to help you out. Whether you're researching for your own wedding or a curious flower-loving soul, let's take the guesswork out of it for you. I've also included a few lovely seasonal pairings for each option!

I'm Allison, the owner of Pictured Petals, a floral design company based in Colorado. I specialize in weddings & events. Brides to Be - I want to get you inspired and showcase some blooms that may be in their prime during your wedding month!

This first one may be a little underwhelming to some... I know, I know, "You mean there's not some bright, big, fragrant bloom I can find locally for my winter wedding?" Foliage-focused designs are the way to go during this month of the year! Options are a bit limited on a local scale in January as the winter blues affect the flowers too... so creativity is necessary! Foliage is plentiful and floral visions that lean into this can often end up more cost-effective too! You'd be surprised at how much visual interest different shades of greenery can add.

If you want a flower-heavy wedding, ask your florist to broaden their sourcing and look into nationwide options! States known to keep warmer weather have growing zones that can sustain all sorts of flower types this time of year! But if your focus is on flowers sourced locally in Colorado, you may find a short list to select from in January!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: pinecones or dried flowers

The month of February is when you see the first glimpse of spring. Colorado growers work hard (and mostly indoors in greenhouses) during this time of year to bring us a timeless favorite, the Tulip! This flower comes in so many unique and eye-catching varieties. You've got a classic, a double, a french, a parrot, and a fringed Tulip, among others. They add a really lovely directional element to designs, creating new shapes and soft, curved, visual lines.

PAIRS NICELY WITH (though tulips are enough on their own!): Solidago

Iris is a gorgeous bloom you may see growing in many yards across the state - an easy annual with some vibrant varieties most commonly in blue, yellow, and white. Later in the season, Iris also come in hues of peach, blush, lavender, and bi-colored tones. When these flowers open, they all share a uniquely colored center - often a sunny yellow, but sometimes a complementary tone to their variety.

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Hyacinth

The springy flower, Daffodil (or Narcissus) is found in cheery warm tones of ivory, pale yellow, and salmon. Their "double" variety boasts, well... double the petals! These gorgeous flowers have a one-of-a-kind center, resembling a trumpet (a very ruffly one!). It sometimes grows with limited length, making it perfect for short designs like bud vases or centerpieces!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: flowering branches or Ranunculus

You can point this flower out in a crowd with its distinct dark centers. The Anemone has delicate petals that start out super compact and open up quick as they warm up out of the cooler. They are a popular wedding flower, adding depth and visual interest to a composition. A white anemone with its nearly black center is chef's kiss for a classy, timeless, black and white wedding!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Agrostemma or Stock

Scabiosa really brings the party! If this flower were a person, I imagine a "go with the flow" attitude, carving it's own path! This flower's often curvy stem brings a whimsy other flowers have a hard time competing with. Some varieties have visible tiny pollen scattered in the center. I like to call these adorable accents their "sprinkles". Though it doesn't have the prettiest name in the book, it sure does look beautiful in any arrangement its in.

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Astilbe or Feverfew

The bouncy Cosmo flower is a staple summer bloom. If you're going for the wildflower look, a Cosmo is a must in the mix! Its paper thin petals and yellow centers bring some happiness to any design! If you plan to get married in the mountains of colorful Colorado and you want your flowers to look freshly picked from a hiking trail, a Cosmo can help achieve that!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Delphinium and Craspedia

Gomphrena is one of the cutest, teeniest, textural blooms out there. In the color white, it brings a monotone palette some texture instantly. In its vibrant red, orange, pink, and purple varieties, you bring an eye-catching touch into your florals. With multiple flower heads per stem, these clustered blooms add the perfect amount of pop amongst other flower friends without outshining what's around it.

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Snapdragons and Aster

Strawflower adds an eclectic touch to your florals. Like its name alludes to, this flower has a simply incomparable texture. Even when its at its freshest, Strawflower feels like a dried flower - a little crispy both to the touch & audibly. Its one of the few flowers to really maintain the true color when dried. It is a gorgeous, long-lasting touch in wearables like corsages and boutonnieres! If you're going for an all dried floral look, Strawflower can blend right in both when its fresh and when dried up. It's one of my favorites for an interesting and warm-toned bloom!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Chrysanthemums and Statice

A fall wedding favorite among many, the Dahlia! A focal flower to the core, becoming the star of the show in any bouquet, arch piece, or centerpiece its placed in. It's hard to take your eyes away from this gorgeous bloom! It comes in gorgeous gradient tones and dominates wedding florals when its in season. When these pretty blooms come out to play, they, they don't mess around.

Something to keep in mind if Dahlias are at the top of your list... they tend to be a bit fussy at times. Their vase life is on short side & their petals delicate. Check out my other article, "Budget Blooms vs. Premium Pretties: My Favorite Flower Swaps" for a more cost-effective and hearty doppelgänger to the Dahlia that is available year-round!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Fern varieties and Explosion Grass

The flowers here in Colorado have started to go into hibernation for the winter. Not to fear - seed pods are here! A variety of blooms are just as fun when dead as alive. Blooms like Echinacea (Cone Flower), Queen Anne's Lace, Scabiosa, and Sunflowers produce a intriguing appeal when the petals have all fallen away. They may look a little out there, but trust me, your wedding guests will "oooh" and "ahhh" at these unexpected additions!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: Sunflowers or Amaranthus

Amaryllis is a tried and true winter bloom. Their vibrant color bounces off the stark wintertime snow so nicely. This flower is large and in-charge! You can't go wrong incorporating this one into your winter wedding. Consider using potted Amaryllis bulbs as table decor and guests can take the plants home!

A slight caveat to this bloom... its stems are hollow and enormous. This makes for a little extra challenge when incorporating into bouquets or designs, but it is a challenge plenty worth the extra creativity!

PAIRS NICELY WITH: winter foliage and Succulents

And to conclude...

Did you learn something? I sure hope so! At Pictured Petals, I strive to educate myself about the world of flowers, which then gives me the ability to pass knowledge along to my clients in turn. If you know a fellow flower lover who may be fascinated by this or someone who would find this helpful for planning their event flowers, would you send this their way? I'd be so grateful!

Pictured Petals is a floral design studio based in Colorado, delivering one-of-a-kind floral designs focused on weddings and specialty events. When I have the chance, I love bringing floral pieces to life for everyday occasions as well. You can check out my work at www.picturedpetals.com or give me a follow over on Instagram @picturedpetals. XO!

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