Homegrown Flowers for “I Do”

A recent talk by South Africa’s own garden guru, Tanya Visser, at the Umhlali Garden Club dazzled us with just the right amount of inspiration to bring you this fun piece on growing your own wedding flowers. Now, we are by no means suggesting industrial-scale growing of cut flowers for a grand wedding reception, but rather combinations of plants you can gather and grow at home in hanging baskets and pots to lend a personal touch to an intimate summer garden wedding on the North Coast.

If you’re looking for a plant that blooms year-round and effortlessly does its thing, look no further than the Fuchsia 'Sundancer'. With its beautiful single flowers, the Fuchsia 'Sundancer' is a tough plant that loves a combination of sun and shade and does wonderfully in pots. Combine it with sweet potato (black leaf - specifically bred for its foliage) and a few lovely cascading Everillo ornamental grasses for a dramatic effect that instantly lifts any area.

Tanya calls hanging pots the biggest cheat in the world because they allow plants to thrive with minimal effort. Thanks to its ability to handle the KZN rain, Tanya’s first recommendation here is Supertunia. Compact, self-cleaning (it naturally drops its faded flowers) and producing an abundance of blooms, this vigorous, low-maintenance type of petunia gives instant colour and works well in a large pot.

Another winner that has transformed South African gardens is SunPatiens. This true perennial flourishes in pots and beds, loves full sun and comes in a range of vibrant colours. A true perennial that Tanya highly recommends is the spectacular Begonia Big Red Green Leaf. Expect bold, oversized flowers on lush, nicely branched plants. If it’s trusses of flowers you’re after, then Medinilla Magnifica (also called rose grape) is just the plant to add romantic floral magic to your wedding venue. With beautifully textured leaves and long, arching stems that hold large pink blossoms, Medinilla is a showstopper. When the blooms open, they reveal clusters of delicate, tiny pink flowers inside.

If you are looking for a tough plant that can handle sun, poor soil (even sand) and that flowers for most of the year, Coreopsis 'Bengal Tiger' is your go-to. For dramatic effect, pair it with Angelonia angustiflora. With their relaxed, branching form and stems lined with dainty, snapdragon-like blooms, angelonias bring exceptional summer colour. They’re wonderfully flexible: ideal for mixed beds, stunning in containers where their flowers spill over the rim, and great for adding a gentle touch around bold plants such as cordylines. They also pair well with other perennials in compact townhouse spaces.

Because every container is bound to need a filler here and there, Tanya recommends Alaska Nasturtiums or golden sage. Alaska Nasturtiums - with their distinctive white-marbled foliage and brightly coloured flowers - are not only easy to grow and guaranteed to add pops of colour to your wedding, but have edible leaves that are exceptionally high in vitamin C and are a popular choice for salads and garnishes.

With a little bit of planning, the right plant combinations, and Tanya’s tried-and-tested advice, creating your own homegrown wedding blooms becomes less of a challenge and more of a joyful, creative journey. These hardy, vibrant plants offer beauty, personality and a touch of North Coast charm, ensuring your special day feels as personal and memorable as the love being celebrated.

Instagram: tanyavisserza
Photos: The Gardener