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 florist has just what you need to complement your seasonal decorating theme.

Celebrate the Bounty of Autumn

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.

We’ve all seen pumpkins carved into jack-o-lanterns, but a fresh pumpkin can also become the container for a novel autumn centerpiece, such as the one shown here.

Flowers of Autumn

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.

The Quintessential Flower of Autumn

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!

Fall arrangement inside a pumpkin by Old Dominion Florist, Tazewell VA