Oasis: A malleable, foam-like sponge that serves as the base for flower arrangements. It is soaked in water, and retains moisture to nourish flowers. Stems are poked in the oasis directly.
Orange Blossom: Small clustered white blossoms from orange tree branches. They are very fragrant, though the smell of orange is not pervasive. Orange blossom is a very traditional wedding flower. Spring and summer.
Orchid: Usually white, or in shades of pink, lavender or yellow. Expensive, but popular and easy to locate. Available year-round through florists. (See also Cattleya, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis).
Pansy: Small to medium in size, velvety blooms, often with a "face" of darker color inside. They are available in mixed colors, though purple and yellow are most common. Pansies can be found year-round, and since they are edible, they're ideal decorations for the wedding cake.
Parrot Tulip: Slightly larger and more costly than conventional tulips, these are distinguished by their ruffled, feather-like petals. Available in an array of solid colors, usually in hues of red, yellow and orange, as well as two-color varieties. Most are readily available in the spring and early summer.
Peony: Large ruffled, round bloom with soft, feathery petals. The colors range from white to a variety of pinks to deep red. These pricey blooms are available in the spring and summer.
Pepperberry: Available as small branches with yellow-tinged red berries. This plant is often used as a colorful filler for bouquets with a wilderness look. Available year-round, this is a particular favorite at holiday weddings.
Periwinkle: An evergreen shrub with small five-petal blooms. Similar in look to stephanotis without the high price tag. They are available in mixed colors throughout the spring and summer.
Phalaneopsis Orchid: Beautiful, elegant phalaneopsis plants can be used at the center of any table if the budget allows. The blossoms are available in several hues of pink and yellow, though white is most often seen. The petals are broad and flat, making these ideal for boutonniers.
Phlox: A small, thin-petaled flower that blooms in large clusters. They are available in mixed colors throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Pittosporum: A green shrub bearing fragrant tiny white flowers that are often used in bouquets as accent and filler. Available spring through fall.
Poppy: Various sized blooms featuring bright, papery petals. The single or double blooms appear individually upon very thin stalks. Poppies are available in mixed colors, but are most commonly found in red. Also available are the orange California poppy and the rare blue Himalayan variety. They first appear in spring and bloom through mid-summer.
Queen Anne's Lace: A white-bloomed filler flower usually seen in large arrangements. Not the best for bouquets, but useful in filling empty spaces when the budget won't allow more highly priced flowers. Available year-round at a low cost.
Ranunculus: Large multi-petal bloom resembling a cabbage rose. Their stalks are thin and not particularly sturdy. The color range is astonishing, making them a versatile flower for bridal bouquets. They bloom from spring through the summer.
Rhamnus: Lovely broad, flat leaves available in a dark green year-round. These evergreen leaves are wonderful for the base of a bouquet or in table arrangements.
Rice Flower: A light pink to white spray of tiny round blossoms actually resembling rice, this flower is an elegant filler for bouquets. It adds a lightly fragrant, elegant look.
Rose: Available in a number of colors, rose buds appear at the end of a long, thorny stems. Roses vary in size from six inches across to the miniature variety whose bud is less than one inch across. Naturally, roses are a very popular and fragrant wedding flower. Summer is their season, but they are available year-round through florists.
Rosehips: Small russet-colored berries presented on slender branches, rosehips work particularly well when mixed with yellow, orange, burgundy or red flowers. Available in fall and winter.
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