Where can I find potted flowers for a wedding in October in LA?

June 19, 2007 4:41 PM

Where can I get potted daisies, chrysanthemums, &c for a 150+ wedding in October, in Los Angeles?

I'm searching for flowers for our wedding in October and would like to avoid getting cut flowers as we plan on giving them to our guests as favors. We're also going for a low environmental impact. Please share any resources for this kind of thing in or around Los Angeles.

We're comfortable doing work ourselves to make them presentable (i.e., we don't need a florist, per say) if wholesale in plastic pots is the best option.

posted by odinsdream to home & garden (3 comments total)

Take a trip downtown to the flower district. Even if no one has what you need that day, you may be able to arrange to order them from one of the vendors there.
posted by kitty teeth at 4:52 PM on June 19, 2007 [1 favorite]

I think this is a really nice idea, but I'm pretty sure that flowering plants such as you describe are grown with giant amounts of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, so I don't know how low-impact they'd really be.

What about organic? A quick search found this family business. I'm sure an independent grower, if you contacted them soon enough, would be able to help, or at least point you in the right direction.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 5:10 PM on June 19, 2007

Definitely go to the flower district a few weeks before and scout things out. Talk to a few places about what you need and get some quotes and biz cards. The competition usually keeps things reasonable. Also, don't use the word "Wedding" if you can help it. Keep referring to your "special family event." Quotes for anything involving a wedding are often 20% higher. You can also just call independent plant places and ask.

You also might try Target or Home Depot, especially if you decide maybe you don't need to give away the plants. Both places are good about letting you return plants if you don't make a huge habit of it. The Target in Culver City has a good garden department.

I do not have a green thumb, but a nice thing may be to look for things that will grow when in water. I know I've seen people do this. You could get small glass containers [or even recycle some clear bottles] with the plant/flower growing in them and cluster them for centerpieces. Add a tiny layer of aquarium rocks for additional color. Of course, giving away something filled with water has some issues. In fact, having water-based centerpieces is normally what I do when I don't want people to swipe the things. Maybe not such a good favor idea...
posted by Mozzie at 9:29 PM on June 19, 2007