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