The Best Focal Flowers for NC Spring Weddings

With the return of daylight and green things, spring is the quintessential flower season for couples planning weddings in North Carolina. Our state offers an abundance of seasonal flowers for springtime celebrations. Whether you are planning your event indoors or out, you can capture the beauty of the spring season by using locally-grown wedding flowers from a North Carolina flower farm.

In this seasonal spotlight, I outline some of our favorite focal flowers for spring weddings in NC and when they are available on our Pittsboro, NC flower farm.

What’s a focal flower? It’s the money-maker. The show-stopper. The big, luscious blooms that take center stage in a bridal bouquet or arrangement. Most often they are roses, but NC offers some beautiful and more sustainable options to choose from.

Here are some of our flower farm’s spring wedding favorites:

1. Peonies: Lush and Romantic Blooms

Known for their voluminous, lush petals and captivating fragrance, Peonies are a favorite among brides (and flower farmers!) for spring weddings. These romantic blooms come in shades from white to pink, and coral, offering a diverse color palette for dreamy and elegant arrangements.

Peonies are generally available from late April - early June on our farm. Despite their short bloom period, the beauty of Peonies makes them well worth incorporating into your springtime celebration.

Pink peonies

2. Ranunculus: Layers of Romantic Ruffled Petals

Renowned as the "rose of spring," the ranunculus is a captivating and versatile flower ideal for spring weddings. Its delicate, paper-thin petals unfurl into an elegant bloom, exuding romance in various soft pastels and vibrant hues. They add timeless beauty and air of sophistication to wedding arrangements.

Ranunculus can be delicate but have a tremendous vase life (up to 2 weeks). They are usually available from April - May on our farm.

White and blush ranunculus

3. Anemones: Charming and Colorful Bouquet Additions

Anemones are an enchanting choice for spring weddings, captivating with their striking contrast of dark centers against delicate petals. These flowers, often symbolizing anticipation and excitement, add a sophisticated allure to wedding arrangements. Available in shades from classic white to pastels and vibrant hues like deep red and blue, anemones offer versatility that complements modern wedding color palettes.

Their dainty yet bold appearance makes them an ideal focal point in bouquets and centerpieces, contributing to an air of sophistication and elegance. Anemones are usually in bloom in March/April on our farm.

A purple anemone

4. Iris: Elegant and Timeless

Iris flowers, with their intricate and elegant blooms, add a timeless and sophisticated touch to spring wedding floral designs. Available in a range of colors, including blues, purples, and whites, Irises symbolize hope and faith, making them a meaningful choice for couples embarking on their marital journey. The unique shape and vibrant hues of Iris flowers make them a standout element in bouquets and arrangements. Iris are usually available in April on our farm.

A purple bearded iris

5. Tulips: Graceful and Versatile Blooms

Tulips, with their sleek, elongated stems and multiple form options, are synonymous with spring. These graceful and versatile blooms come in an array of colors and styles including singles, doubles, fringed and parrot forms. Whether used in monochromatic arrangements or mixed with other spring blooms, Tulips bring a sense of freshness and simplicity to spring weddings in North Carolina.

Tulips are available in April on our farm.

Fancy fringed pink tulips 

6. Narcissus: A Symbol of New Beginnings

Narcissus, or daffodils, with their early trumpet-shaped blooms, symbolize the arrival of spring and new beginnings. These cheerful flowers come in whites, yellows and pastel pinks and forms from tiny blooms to bold doubles. They add a sunny and optimistic vibe to spring wedding arrangements. Daffodils work well in both bouquets and centerpieces, creating a fresh and inviting atmosphere for couples and their guests. Narcissus are available in March and April on our farm.

White narcissus

7. Sunflowers: A Spring Surprise

Yes, sunflowers in spring! But not the fields of yellow ones. Creamy white sunflowers join the wedding party adding their signature joy to wedding bouquets and arrangements. These pastel beauties can be tough to find except through a local flower farm, but they are so worth it for their long life and ability to blend with many color palettes and wedding styles. Spring sunflowers are usually available in May and June on our farm.

White sunflowers in a NC spring wedding bouquet

8. Hydrangeas: Beauty in Bulk

Hydrangeas are like the laid-back rockstars of spring weddings—effortlessly cool and always stealing the show. With their big, fluffy blooms and a color range that spans from soft pastels to vibrant blues, hydrangeas add a touch of easygoing charm to any celebration.

Whether casually tucked into bouquets or playfully scattered on tables, hydrangeas effortlessly capture the carefree spirit of spring, infusing weddings with a natural, garden-party vibe that's both relaxed and utterly beautiful. Hydrangeas are usually available in May and September on our farm.

A blue spring hydrangea

9. Roses: Classic Romance

Roses are usually the first flower that comes to mind for weddings, especially in spring. So why did I list it last here? Mostly because our climate is not ideal for the varieties of cut roses you’re probably imagining. Over 95% of the roses you see in wedding photos are flown halfway across the world from Northern Africa or South America.

Yes, there are some roses grown in California or even sporadically in our area. But after 30 years of growing, I’ve found that the chemicals required to produce the blooms just aren’t worth it, especially when there are so many other beautiful and sustainable options. But what if you love roses? No judgement. They are beautiful. And, yes, I can get roses for customers, but I’ll save my field space for lush organic blossoms that want to be here.

A bouquet of pink roses

Embrace the Beauty of North Carolina's Spring Flowers

Think of flower planning like menu planning. Most people aren’t serving thick stews in May or cantaloupe in January. It just doesn’t go. But because we have access to anything at any time in grocery stores or online, we’ve lost our sense of seasonality - savoring the best of the season when it’s in season.

Flowers are the same.

if you’re planning a spring wedding in North Carolina, choose blooms that fit with your venue and date to make it feel in sync with the landscape. Consider working with a florist who uses local flowers or work directly with a flower farm to ensure that your arrangements showcase the best spring blooms North Carolina has to offer.

Want to Talk Wedding Flowers?

If your wedding is in central North Carolina (Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Holly Springs, Pittsboro areas) and are interested in locally-sourced wedding flowers, I’d love to hear about your plans. Send me an email and let’s see if we are a good fit for your flower needs.

A blush and burgundy spring bridal bouquet