The autumn season brings with it the freshness of crisp,
cool air, the glow of rich, warm colors, and an abundant harvest of floral
materials. As the leaves begin to display their brilliant hues, we find
ourselves irresistibly drawn to the natural symbols of fall pumpkins and
gourds, dried wheat and cattails, berries and pods, and of course, vibrant
fresh flowers and your local professional florist has just what you need to
complement your seasonal decorating theme.
We can celebrate the bounty of autumn and simultaneously welcome our guests
with a seasonal wreath of dried and permanent materials placed on the front
door. A circular frame of grapevine or twigs can be embellished with any
combination of fall leaves, preserved eucalyptus, artificial blossoms or
fruits, and grasses or pheasant feathers, all coordinated with a patterned
ribbon.
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| Bountiful Rose Bouquet |
We have all seen pumpkins carved into jack-o-lanterns, but a fresh pumpkin can
also become the container for a novel autumn centerpiece.
Fresh flowers for the autumn season include soft-textured red or green
amaranthus, velvety celosia, tall purple liatris, a variety of asters in a wide
range of colors and sizes, bristly orange safflower, cheery golden sunflowers,
delicate montbretia, and crunchy yellow or purple statice. Of course, roses,
alstroemeria, carnations and gerberas are available year round in a palette of
autumnal hues such as orange, red, burgundy, and gold. For an interesting
contrast in form and texture, consider using the waxy, mahogany-toned hypericum
berries (better known as St. John's Wort), or bright red-orange bittersweet on
it's tendrilled stems.
Perhaps the quintessential flower of autumn is the chrysanthemum, which is
available in a tremendous selection of colors, sizes and shapes.
"Spray" chrysanthemums feature several individual flowers on one
stem, whereas "disbuds" have their lateral shoots removed as they
grow, resulting in one, large flower at the top of the stem. Football mums,
spider and fuji mums and "Red Rovers" (with a large, reddish- rust
colored, daisy-type flower at the end of the stem) are all examples of disbuds.
Spray chrysanthemums are available as "cushion" or "daisy"
types, as well as small, round "button" varieties, and
anemone-flowered, or "duet" styles, which feature semi-double,
ruffled centers.
Spray chrysanthemums are one of the best flower values around. They are
inexpensive, they have many blossoms per stem, they offer a huge choice of
colors and styles, and they are long lasting, often enduring for up to two
weeks or longer in a vase. It's no wonder they have been so popular for so many
years.
Bring the blaze of autumn colors into your home or send some to someone you
know. Call or visit your local professional florist to see what's been
harvested for you!
