Planting anemones or poppies for summer bloom?

Question

I am looking for red anemones or poppies to use in bouquets for a July wedding, and have been unable to find any to order (no help from local florists either considering budget restraints). Do I have time to grow my own? I am in zone 9-10. Any specific varieties?

The map claims i am zone 9-10 here, but the temp is virtually never above 80 deg. F. Also, I am allergic to silk (bummer, huh?), so silk flowers are out of the question.

Answer 1

Try looking at your local seed suppliers (oddly enough, most hardware shops carry seeds, but so do garden centers and nurseries) for annual "corn poppies." They might also be available as "Flanders poppies." You can start them right now and have decent flowering-sized plants by July. The seed is very tiny, so start them in pots, barely covering the seed with soil and watering carefully so the seed doesn't wash out. They grow agonizingly slowly at first, but then sort of inflate and bloom like crazy when happy.
They are a little tricky in bouquets, though. When you cut them, the flowers need to be open, and as soon as they are cut, either burn the cut end with a match or plunge the stems into nearly boiling water. No, really--this keeps the flowers from immediately dropping their petals. Then put them into cool water like any other cut flower.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Probably not, I worry about the hot growing conditions.

Japanese anemones are fall blooming.........

One thought is to have silk versions made and incorporated into the bouquets with fresh flowers.

Have you looked at : http://www.onlinewholesaleflowers.com/Thumbnailcatalog.html

for possible alternatives??