I read the other day that the on~trend technique for transitioning from summer to fall in fashion is to layer a bulky sweater over summery skirts and dresses. As I was walking in the backyard and saw the last of my summer flowers still in bloom it occurred to me that I could use them in seasonal bouquets by layering them with autumn foliage. So autumn foliage has become the bulky sweater of the botanical world here at the market.
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To make this, and most every bouquet, all you need to do is follow 3 simple steps.
Number one involves greenery or foliage, using two or more different types of foliage adds an interesting base color and texture to the bouquet. In addition to forming the color and structure base, the branches and leaves become a natural support system for the other elements that will be added to the bouquet.
I started with plenty of sage, that soft, dusky gray~green is complementary to any flowers.
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Next came some color and height with some branches from a Snowball Viburnum. This is a garden bouquet, so I’m not seeking perfect symmetry here.
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Hydrangeas are beautiful all year long, but I especially love them this time of year, when they are dusted with with a little fall patina.
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This leads us to step number 2, the floral. Here the hydrengeas add some balance to the shape and some floral color.
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My brave Japanese Aneomes keeps blooming and holding on, even as the weather cools. They add freshness and brightness to the bouquet, I also love the interesting element the of the petal~less flower heads floating in the bouquet.
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I positioned these stems to fill any “holes” in the bouquet and to help create an overall full shape. The flowers look beautiful with the greenery from the viburnum and the golden~green hearts of the Hydrangea.
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You could stop there, but I like adding an extra boost to my bouquets, something unexpected, like branches of blackberries, draping ivy vines, rose hips, fruiting crabapple branches, or, as you see here, just craggy looking branches covered with beautiful lichens and mosses.
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What’s still growing in your garden, why not give it the 1-2-3 and send me some images?
Gorgeous, Emily. Your Japanese Anemones look so bright and pretty. I just clipped the last two English roses from our garden and have been enjoying their heavenly scent all week. Enjoy the weekend! XO
Such beautiful arrangements, Emily! Thank you for sharing! Not much is still blooming in my garden but the fall color is magnificent here in Connecticut.
Have a beautiful weekend! xoxo
Emily you are so talented in bringing these beautiful flowers and greenery together!
xoxo
Karena
2013 Designers Series
Emily. Seriously!?
You are rubbing your PNW garden elements in my Face!
So I will come back at ya' with: it's 80 here. My potted Aneomies formed dried brown balls when the flowers barely opened. BUT! This is the first year they have survived to bloom. So, I got THAT go'in for me.
Here the roses are bursting forth again and it's cool enough to wear layers after the sun has set. yipee Fall in SoCal.
So pretty!
Our weather has been so odd here in Illinois near the lake…. not much is living in my yard that has not seen a much better day!
Nothing left worthy of being cut to make a gorgeous arrangement like yours.
Have a great weekend.
I love hearing about what is blooming around the world. Linda, you have me, I was actually in California last weekend and the botany there is so intoxicating!! Jeanne, did you see the full moon> so gorgeous!
Alison, thanks for visiting, where do you live on the lake? Chicago is my fav big city, I run love running thorough there as I go to see my son in Indiana.
Emily-
You always motivate me to get busy! With the gorgeous leaves now, I think I can do this, and what is greater than sage or rosemary in any arrangement? LOVE IT!!
Tereas
xoxo
On a recent visit to the nearby Stone Barns, there were mason jars to pick the last blossoms for $15 – so I was inspired to come home and see what I had left, and managed to rustle up some herbs, a few last blooming roses and an assortment of colorful leaves – it made for a natural bunch.
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This looks beautiful! I cannot wait to go out and see what I can find in my garden and yard.
I miss so many of the blogs that left comments on the original post, they were all wonderful and lovely ladies.