Red Flowers

Festoon your wedding with bold, irrepressible red, and you'll be recalling a tradition from ancient Rome in which the bride donned a vermilion veil, called a "flammeum," as a symbol of love and fertility. Flowers saturated in brilliant red have an almost regal feel. Paired with splashes of yellow, the blossoms are as cheerful and buoyant as a warm summer day.

ABOUT THE FLOWERS

• 1 The deep burgundy of the 'Schwarzwalder' calla lily
  is a beautiful choice for fall and winter arrangements.
• 2 The slender, spidery petals of the 'James Storie'
  orchid are deep, rusty red dotted with yellow making
  it a beautiful accent flower. Though delicate looking,
  many orchids are resilient and can withstand heat.
• 3 Like their larger counterparts, mini gerbera daisies
  come in a rainbow of colors. These 'Salsa' are stunning
  when massed together in arrangements.
• 4 Vivid anemones, such as 'Mona Lisa Red,' have little
  or no scent, and their papery petals and stems are
  fragile, so use in arrangements that do not require
  floral foam. Available in winter and spring.
• 5,6,7 Try a composition of resilient red roses in many shades:
  The large, vibrant 'Black Magic'starts red then deepens to brown.
  The opulent, unscented 'Grand Prix' variety is a classic true red.
  The smaller 'Black Beauty' rose is unscented and has dark velvety
  buds that take at least four days to open.
• 8 The bright, friendly zinnia is an informal flower.
  Tends to droop its head within a day or two. It's most
  affordable and abundant from July through October.
• 9 Velvety cockscomb is a long-lasting, resilient flower;
  with its potent burst of red and its irresistible texture,
  it's great in bouquets and arrangements. Pair it with
  velvet ribbon to highlight its lush feel.
• 10,11 Available from late fall through spring, the radi¬ant ranunculus
  is prized for its high petal count and dense, ferny foliage. It wilts
  in extreme heat, however, and its delicate stems can break easily                                                                                                                                      and therefore may need to be wired for added support.
• 12 Try the resilient gloriosa lily for a burst of exotic
  color. Its thin stems can be either very short or very
  tall. Remove the stamens to preserve its appearance
  and to prevent staining on clothing or table linens.
• 13 The vibrant 'Tamango' looks especially beautiful
  in bouquets. Its clusters of lance-shaped petals open
  to a fullness that is unparalleled by other spray roses.
• 14 Precious, fragrant peonies are quintessential spring
  flowers and are popular with brides. The long-stemmed
  'Red Charm' peony has a fainter scent than other vari¬
  eties. When selecting, choose blooms that are soft to
  the touch with petals that are not closed too tightly,
  as they may refuse to open all the way.
• 15,16 "A dahlia's first duty in life is to flaunt and to swagger,
  " wrote Gertrude Jekyll. Ephemeral dahlias bloom from midsummer
  through fall and make cheerful centerpieces. Purchase them when
  the blos¬soms are three-quarters open.
• 17 These durable chrysanthemums, known as Santini
  chrysanthemums, are small and uniform in size, ideal
  for graphic arrangements.The yellow centers of the
  'Tigerrag' allow them to mix well with yellow flowers.
• 18 Long-lasting, inexpensive carnations are great for
  creating large blocks of red in arrangements as well
  as in bouquets; they also make classic boutonnieres.
• 19 Tall, proud amaryllis bruises easily and can be costly,
  but its striking presence, as displayed by this 'Red
  Lion,' is worth it. A winter-to-spring flower, it needs
  three days to open. Remove stamens; support stems.
• 20 A feathery filler, the astilbe is a sweet accent
  flower; use when spiky wisps of texture are needed
  in an arrangement of mixed blooms.
• 21 The tulip is a true spring flower, now available
  November through May. The blood-red 'lie de France'
  variety is marked by its dramatic black center.