Blooming Branches
Blooming branches – that harbinger of new beginnings, a flower whose very appearance serves as the epitaph to winter. But that sweet symbolism isn’t the only reason we love them! Very few botanical elements feature both soft edges AND the jutting architecture of flowering branches. As floral designers, we adore the juxtaposition of soft, demure pastels with their sheer height and commanding presence. There’s just something about that that just screams wedding, don’t you think? So don’t be afraid to branch out and get creative. Blooming branches look spectacular in weddings – in everything from ceremony arches to reception decor – and create a big impactful look. Let’s talk about our favorite blooming branches.
Quince
Quince is one of the earliest blooming branches available. In salmon pink or crisp white, the delicate florets accent tall (spiny) branches. The fragrant flowers of quince are a lovely prelude to spring when budded branches of this favorite garden shrub are forced indoors in late winter. Available January – February.
Forsythia
Another spring blooming branch is forsythia. If you’re a fan of yellow and the time is right, this could be the blooming branch for you! A generous cascade of bright yellow flowers covers each and every sprig. At its peak, forsythia shrubs are something to behold! This kind of cheer brightens your wedding tenfold. Available mid-March to mid-April.
Cherry
With our annual Cherry Blossom Festival, the beginning of spring wedding season in DC is often synonymous with cherry blossom season. The festival celebrates the 1912 gift to Washington, DC of 300 cherry trees by Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo, and the tidal basin remains a popular spot for engagement and wedding photos. While there are thousands of varieties of cherry trees, all native to Japan, there are quite a few varieties here in the United States.
With its delicate pink or white flowering branches, cherry is easily one of our favorite blooming branches. A little goes a long way with these lofty branches. Choose them for your escort card table or altar arrangement. For the ultimate wow factor, use them in tall centerpieces. For a real luxe treat, use them for your wedding arch or chuppah!
Available April, sometimes late March, and very, very rarely in early May.
For more cherry blossom inspiration, check out our Pinterest board!
Dogwood
Just as the cherry blossoms in the tidal basin bring pride to Washington, DC, dogwood garners equal pride for the Commonwealth as Virginia’s state flower. Dogwood has a *very* short season of availability of only few weeks in the spring. We love to use dogwood in arches, centerpieces, and of course, bouquets, though the flowers are very delicate. Faux dogwood, though, can look very convincing.
Spirea
The most popular variety is appropriately named “bridal wreath”, and features cascading branches of clustered white blooms that spill from this shrub every spring. The gracefully arching branches can be 2-6′ tall, making it a wonderful element in designs tall or low. The most well known varieties of spirea are white, though there are plants with pink or yellow blooms. Most spirea bloom in late spring to early summer.
Other Fun Facts About Blooming Branches
As beautiful as they are, blooming branches are also a notorious challenge for florists. Most branches are cut when in bud and need to be “forced”. This mean giving the branches clean water with frequent water changes to keep them free of bacteria, a warm room and time. How long forcing takes is the ultimate question, and one we struggle with every year. Because the blossoms are very delicate, if they were cut in bloom, the flowers would shatter.
