Although autumn didn’t officially begin until Sunday September 23rd, last Saturday I attended an autumn wedding. I was told, the date was selected because the Farmer’s Almanac said it would be a nice fall day (meaning it would be cool). Evidently someone forgot to tell Mother Nature; because Saturday in Paragould Arkansas was hot and this autumn wedding was held outside under a tent. Luckily a light breeze began during the ceremony.

Despite the warm temperatures this wedding was the ultimate autumn experience. A beautiful sheer moss green ribbon hung between stakes lining the pathway to the tent. Each stake had moss green ribbon intertwined with gold ribbon forming a bow. This set the foundation for the look of autumn. But, it was the wedding flowers that brought home the feel of autumn. The bride didn’t carry the traditional autumn wedding bouquet; instead she held a hand-tied bouquet of orchids wrapped in ivory ribbon. Some of the dendrobium orchids were tinted a chocolate-green color. The bridal bouquet also had rusty red spider, green lady slipper, and golden orchids. The intensely beautiful orchid bridal bouquet was only the beginning of an exceptional display of autumn wedding flowers.

Most fall weddings include chrysanthemums and over the top arrangements. However, traditional flowers and style were absent; replaced by exotic flowers, unusual foliage and simplicity in design. Unique fall colors like chartreuse, moss green, deep rusty red and golden-orange were present during the ceremony and reception. Square glass vases filled with the rusty red spider orchids, golden-orange orchids, bear grass, Bells of Ireland and hanging green amaranthus created a simple, yet, elegant display on the wedding reception tables. The same unique fall flowers and foliage adorned the cake and food tables. The weather may have said summer; but the atmosphere was definitely announcing autumn.

The beauty of this autumn wedding makes me want to get married again, only this time in autumn instead of winter. I wonder if my husband would be willing to renew our vows? I’m sure, I could find everything I need for a fabulous autumn wedding. Although, he’s more likely to agree to a blowout anniversary party in January.

You can find great tips at Wedding and Party Network if you’re planning an outdoor wedding. Find autumn wedding flower ideas at Flower Shop Network. Their “Fall in Love with Fall Wedding Flowers” newsletter describes colors, flowers and foliages that work well for a fall wedding.

I would be interested in the opinions of those of you who had or are having an autumn wedding.

I constantly advocate the use of local florists. After all, hometown flower shops are the life force of the floral industry. So when I read “A Dozen Reasons to Shop at a Local Florist” on Dirt (a blog by Amy Stewart), I was thrilled. Florists often don’t communicate their value and strengths to the consumer. Amy does a fine job in reminding florists what their value and strengths are and how they should relate them to the consumer. But this article is more than a reminder to florists. As Apartment Therapy points out it is also “… a good read for the consumer, to know what to look for and expect in a good local florists, and also know why it is good to support them.”

Here is an abbreviate version of Amy’s article

12 Reasons to Shop at a Local Florist

1. Local florist flowers are better.
2. Local florists take better care of their flowers.
3. Local florists take better care of the customer.
4. Local florists offer a money-back guarantee.
5. Local florists can handle long distance orders.
6. Local florists are part of the community.
7. Local florists give back.
8. Local florists care about the environment.
9. Local florists go the extra mile.
10. Local florists are artists.
11. Local florists affordable.
12. Local florists have more fun.

Go to Dirt for a more in-depth explanation of A Dozen Reasons to Shop at a Local Florist. Amy’s article begins on September 4th and goes through September 17th.

I would like to add another reason — making it a bakers dozen.

1. Local florists know their flowers and their customers.

Ok, so your thinking isn’t that implied somewhere in the other reasons. Yes and No. Local florists know what is in season in their area and what is available for a special occasion. They also know the meaning of flowers. Lets say your need to convey a message such as “I have lasting affection”; your local florist knows that magenta zinnias represent lasting affection. With this in mind, they can design an arrangement with magenta zinnias as the predominate flower.

Knowing their community and their customers is a critical aspect of being a local florist. They are more than part of the community; they know the community. Local florists. with a strong Chinese community, know that red flowers are not appropriate sympathy flowers for a Chinese funeral. Florists are people who want to know who you are and because of this can provide you with better service. When I send my mother flowers, my local florist knows that she hates the color orange. As a result, they steer away from oranges when they design her arrangement.

So whether you’re a florist or a consumer, it is good to know all the reasons you should shop at a local florist.

Ask the Expert: grave blankets i was wondering if you could email me directions on how to make a christmas grave blanket for my dad and my sister? thanks norma

Ask the Expert: what makes the leaves have black spots some leaves on my chinese evergreen have black spots on them why is this

It may seem a little early to talk about poinsettias. After all poinsettias are a seasonal plant used as Christmas decorations. Or are they? This past July, Florists Review had an interesting article called 21st Century Poinsettias. Accordingly, this lovely Christmas favorite is making a showing year round. In fact, in Japan and Korea a significant quantity of poinsettias are sold year round as potted plants. Poinsettia visibility is on the rise in the United States as well. Spring and early fall availability is increasing as poinsettia color choices reflect the season rather than the Christmas holiday. Look for pastel colored bracts in the spring and intense orange, red, purple and yellow colors in the fall.

As a complement to seasonal decorations or even as an alternative, non-traditional poinsettia holidays may see a new face emerge with these color choices. Picture Halloween decorated with ghosts, witches, hay bales, and orange poinsettias. If poinsettia colors and blooming times change, allowing us the opportunity to use poinsettias year round, think of the possibilities. For example, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) pink poinsettias could be sent to survivors as a symbol of their cause.

If you believe poinsettias should only be used during the Christmas season, but feel that they don’t reflect your holiday color theme, there is hope. Another 21st Century Poinsettia trend is customization. A poinsettia can be customized to fit your décor and color scheme. There are several types of spray dyes, translucent colorants, glitter sprays, shimmer sprays and floral fragrances that are safe to use on poinsettias.

The 21st Century Poinsettia trends are not just about color change; form and uses are also changing. Poinsettia hanging baskets, miniature poinsettia trees and column shaped poinsettias are taking their place beside the traditional ones. One of the most successful trends for the 21st Century Poinsettia is cut flower production. With the Paul Ecke Ranch ‘Winter Rose Renaissance’ and ‘Jester’ series poinsettias, consumers will see more cut poinsettias used in floral arrangements.

So for consumers and florists, the 21st Century Poinsettia trends should provide an exciting and thrilling potential for the future.

Ask the Expert: Need help identifying a flower. I found this plant at our old hunting club and rescued what look kind of like an iris. The leaves have a iris appearance with flat tall leaves but it is more like a fan because they are on one stalk that gets up to about three feet. I have put some in shade and some in full sun, and it seems to like full sun best. The flowers are like a tiger day lily (orange with specks) but they tiny (when fully open they are a little larger than a quarter and only stay open a day like a day lily) Can you identify this flower? I don’t have a picture.Thanks for you help. Kim

Kim,

I think you have a Blackberry Lily (Belamcanda chinesis) also known as Leopard Lily. I found this picture of a Blackberry Lily on Encyclopedia Britannica Online.

Ask the Expert: What is this tree? Can you identify this tree? It is growing wild alongside my house, with no clear water source. I live in West San Bernardino county. thanks! Renee

Ask the Expert: Chinese Evergreen light requirement Can my dark green with lighter green Chinese Evergreen take low light or is bright indirect light what they need? SLS

SLS,

Similar to the Peace Lily, Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) can thrive in bright light and some low light levels.  The variegated varieties need more light. However, I have found that direct sunlight tends to burn the leaves.  An optimal location would be a bright room with indirect light -  a sunroom or a room with many windows.  Humidity is a key factor in the health of a Chinese Evergreen.  Mist the air surrounding the plant or use a wet pebble method for humidity.   Place pebbles in a shallow container without a drain , then place the potted Chinese Evergreen on top of the pebbles.  Water the pebbles every few days .  This technique will produce a humid condition around the plant.

Ask the Expert: Peace Lily - Lighting shade or brighter light? I’ve read conflicting care info specifically light requirements for the peace lily. One plant book says bright indirect light, another source says low light. Mine currently is receiving low light- does it need more? No signs of yellow leaves. SLS

SLS,

The great thing about Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) is that it can take both bright indirect light and low light levels. I have noticed that in low light levels it tends to stretch and may not be a full as it is in bright indirect light. The important question for you is “Does my plant look healthy and green?”. If your answer is yes then your lighting is fine. If it doesn’t - rule out pests, fertilizer and watering problems before you change the light exposure.

Ask the Expert: Why is my Lily (red hot) dying on the stems only?

The leaves on this plant look just fine, but, the stems are turning brown then just dropping down and are dead in the stem only….. What am I doing wrong?

Crystal

Crystal,

Your Kniphofia (Ret Hot Poker) probably has Rhizoctonia (a soil borne fungus) or another kind of fungus. The spread of Rhizoctonia and other fungus is caused by poor watering practices. Water your Kniphofia in the morning if possible and you may need to cut back the water. You want to keep your plants moist but not soggy.

Remove all parts of the plant that are infected. You can trim the stems completely down to the ground. Between each cut, dip your pruner in a solution of bleach water to prevent the spread of the disease. Solution should be 1part bleach to 3 parts water. If the plants are in a container remove all the soil and re-pot in new soil after you have clean the container with bleach water.

You will need to treat your Kniphofia with a fungicide. I recommend a systemic fungicide with the active ingredient propiconazole. Fertilome liquid systemic fungicide is one I often use, but there are other brands that contain the same chemical. Your local garden center should carry a fungicide that will work for you.

Jamie