How to Easily Create A Beautiful Autumn Floral Arrangement

After all the floral beauty in spring and summer, you may think autumn is a difficult time for flower arranging. But that’s not the case. Autumn’s bounty provides plenty for you to work with to create a beautiful floral arrangement with ease. 

Colour: 

Start by choosing colours in rich hues that naturally appear at this time of year to give your arrangement an autumnal feel. Once you are comfortable with that, add in your own personal touches. In my case that would be a touch of pink.

• Rustic red

• Burnt orange

• Golden yellow

• Forest green

• Deep purple

Flowers: 

Continue using flowers that appear year round - alstroemeria, carnations, gerberas, lilies, roses  - but also use flowers more specific to this time of year. 

• Amaranthus

• Asters

• Celosia

• Chrysanthemums

• Dahlias

• Marigolds

• Zinnias

• Sunflowers

Add-ins: 

This part is lots of fun! Go on a treasure hunt in your neighbourhood to collect seasonal add-ins for your arrangement. Focus on the textures of autumn. 

• Berries

• Branches

• Pine cones

• Wheat

Vessel: 

Focus on a more natural looking container during this time of year.

• Baskets

• Burlap wrapped vases

• Pottery

Have fun creating and recreating arrangements throughout the season, bringing in different aspects that reflect the changes in nature throughout the months.

Thoughts Of Absent Friends

I read recently that this summer there was a big increase in the number of people who started growing zinnias. I found this interesting, as I fell into that category. While I am not a gardener at all, this year I did have a little plot in a community garden - and I did try growing zinnias.

At first I wasn’t going to grow any because they tend to come in big, bold colours and I prefer pastel colours, but the meaning of zinnias won me over - ‘thoughts of absent friends’. I’m sure most people who started growing zinnias this year wouldn't have known that, but I like the fact that in a time when we’ve been separated from so many friends, the flower with the meaning ‘thoughts of absent friends’ is the one people were attracted to.

I was really pleased I did decide to go ahead and plant the zinnia seeds. They were super easy to care for and flowered abundantly. But the best surprise was how long they last after they’re cut and put in a vase. They still look great even after three or four weeks.

And it turns out I’m wrong about them only coming in bright colours. Flower breeders now have gorgeous pastel coloured varieties. Click HERE  to take a look at some of the options Floret Farm grows.

Next year, why don’t you try growing a few zinnias in a pot or in your garden. Or support a local flower farmer or your neighbourhood florist by buying a bunch or two. And then while basking in their beauty, spend time thinking of your friends.

Meaningful Flowers For September Birthdays

If you know someone with a birthday in September and want to give them some flowers, no matter what flowers you give them, they’re going to be well received. But why not make your gift extra special by choosing flowers with a meaningful message.

Here is some information specifically related to the month of September:

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Birth Month Flower/s: 

Flower: Aster         Meaning: Patience

Flower: Morning glory         Meaning: Affection

Zodiac: 

Sign: Virgo                   Date: August 23 - September 22

Flower: Buttercup         Meaning: Cheerfulness

Sign: Libra         Date: September 23 - October 22

Flower: Rose                 Meaning: Love

Birthstone: 

Stone: Sapphire                     Colour: Blue

Seasonal Flowers:

Flower:        Meaning:

Aster        Patience

Chrysanthemum Cheerfulness

Dahlia        Dignity/Elegance

Phlox         Agreement

Yarrow         Healing

Personal touch:

Consider the person you are giving the flowers to. Try adding into your bouquet their favourite flower or flowers in their favourite colour. 

To note: You don’t need to include all of these suggestions. Pick what works for the message you want to send, and you’ll have created a unique and meaningful gift for that lucky September birthday person.

Top Tips For Arranging Sunflowers

Sunflowers have the amazing ability to make it seem like the sun is shining right inside our own home. While it’s great to have these beauties beaming their happiness at us, they can be a little bit tricky to arrange, so here are a few tips to help. 

Basic tips for arranging sunflowers:

• First, make sure you follow the routine for basic flower care. You can find that in my article ‘My Top Tips for Flower Care’.

• Choose the right size vase. Sunflowers tend to be top heavy so you need a vase that won’t tip over from the weight. Choose vases with a wider base and a cinched neck. Pitchers are a good choice.

• When arranging sunflowers stagger the stem heights. This will allow you to see the face of each flower better.

• As the leaves and petals fade, remove them. This will extend vase life.

Four ways to arrange sunflowers:

• On their own: Add marbles to the bottom of the vase to help hold the stems in place.

• Mix with greenery: Choose sturdy greenery to add support to the sunflowers. Salal and eucalyptus work well.

• Make a monochromatic arrangement: Choose flowers in various shades of yellow. Good choices are snapdragons, gerberas, chrysanthemums, lilies, and goldenrod.

• Mix sunflowers with other coloured flowers: White and blue flowers work especially well. Try delphiniums, hydrangeas, lisianthus, and lilies. 

Now a few interesting things about sunflowers:

• Sunflowers are the flower for the zodiac sign Leo.

• A single sunflower can yield up to 1,000 seeds.

• When growing, the sunflower’s face follows the sun throughout the day from east to west.

• The meaning for sunflower in the language of flowers is adoration.

Dahlias - Easy Care Tips to Lengthen Their Vase Life

It’s dahlia season! These vibrant beauties are abundant during August, September, and even into October. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colours making them a favourite flower choice to use in bouquets and arrangements. While known for having a relatively short vase life (3-4 days), there are easy things you can do to make them last longer.

Follow these steps and you’re sure to find success:

1 - Fill a vase with warm water. Dahlia stems are hollow, so getting water into them quickly is very important. Warm water will flow into the stems faster than cool water, and that in turn will prolong the dahlias' vase-life.

2 - Clean all the leaves off the stem that would sit below the water line. Then, holding the stem under the water, use a sharp knife to cut about 1 inch off the bottom. If you cut the stem at an angle it will give a larger surface area from which to absorb water.

3 - As much as you can, keep your vase of dahlias in a cool place. This means away from direct sunlight, heating vents and any warm appliances. If you’ll be using them as a centrepiece for a dinner party or event, keep them in a cool room for as long as possible before placing them on display.

4 - Change the water every day. Fresh, clean water will make a huge difference in how long your dahlias will last. 

5 - Dahlias can be a bit top heavy. They seem to last a bit better if the flower bloom is supported by other blooms. Experiment a bit when arranging them and see what you think works best.

Follow these tips and you’re sure to enjoy your spectacular dahlia blooms for days on end. Now I’m off to buy some dahlias …

Of special note: As mentioned, dahlias come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and not all varieties will last the same amount of time. Tighter, more compact varieties like ‘pom-pom dahlias’, will last longer than the big ‘dinner plate’ varieties like ‘café au lait’. 

PS: In the language of flowers dahlias have the meanings of dignity and elegance.

Amaranth - A Must Read

Last week I came across a great article in the Guardian titled: “It Could Feed the World: Amaranth, a Health Trend 8,000 Years Old that Survived Colonization”. I was so intrigued.

The only things I really knew about amaranth before I read the article were how it has a unique appearance that adds interest to a bouquet, and sometimes it’s referred to as ‘Love-lies-bleeding’. Not the nicest sounding name, but somehow it does suit the look of the flower.

But after reading this article, I’m looking at amaranth in a whole new light. I’ve learned that amaranths are very nutritious. They’re full of vitamins and minerals with every part of the plant  - flowers, stems, leaves and seeds - all being edible.

But that’s not all. This article is also about the incredible “indigenous women in North and Central America who are coming together to share their ancestral knowledge of amaranth”.

I hope you’ll take the time to read this fascinating and informative article.

You can access the article HERE

(Note: You must make sure any flowers you are consuming are safe to eat. Learn more from my article ‘Top 3 Rules for Using Edible Flowers’.)

3 Quick & Easy Ways To Use Dried Lavender At Home (In a sachet is not one of them.)

Lavender is a versatile plant with many uses both in fresh and dried form. One of the best things about lavender is it emits a sense of calm and relaxation. Today I’m sharing three quick and easy ways you can use dried lavender in your home, helping to create a calming atmosphere.

1 - Use while vacuuming:

Sprinkle your flooring with dried lavender buds before vacuuming. As you vacuum the lavender’s gorgeous floral fragrance will be released into the air. 

2 - Lavender and rosemary fire logs:

The fragrance of these herbal bundles will create a relaxing atmosphere when added to your wood burning stove.

To make them all you need to do is take 10 stems each of dried lavender and rosemary. Layer the herbs, alternating ends, and tie tightly with raffia. Place them in the fireplace along with your wood logs.

3 - Lavender Vinegar:

This is super simple to make and a great natural cleaning product for your home. Put one part dried lavender buds to 4 parts white vinegar in a glass jar and cover with a plastic lid (or cover with a piece of plastic wrap before adding a metal lid). Let sit for a couple of weeks, then strain the lavender buds out and put the infused vinegar in a spray bottle. Use as an all purpose cleaner on sinks, countertops and mirrors. 

I hope you enjoy these uses for dried lavender. If you have any other suggestions please share them in the comments below.

Meaningful Flowers For August Birthdays

If you know someone with a birthday in August and want to give them some flowers, no matter what flowers you choose, they’re going to be well received. But why not make your gift extra special by choosing flowers with a meaningful message.

To help you make your flower choice, here is some information specifically related to the month of August:

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Birth Month Flowers:

(Every month has a flower or two that represents it.)

Flower: Gladiolus Meaning: Strength of character

Flower: Poppy             Meaning:  Remembrance/Restful sleep

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Zodiac:

(Every zodiac sign has a flower that represents it.)

Sign: Leo          

Date: July 23 - August 22. Flower: Sunflower Meaning: Adoration

Sign: Virgo          

Date: August 23 - September 22. Flower: Buttercup. Meaning: Cheerfulness

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Birthstone:

(Use the colour of the birthstone as inspiration for what colour flowers to choose.)

Stone: Peridot. Colour: Light green

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Seasonal Flowers:

(Every season has flowers that bloom locally in your area. Adding them into your choice gives your flowers a fresh feeling.)

Flower: Meaning:

Aster Patience

Cosmos Harmony

Dahlia Dignity/Elegance

Hydrangea Perseverance 

Nigella Independence/Prosperity

Sunflower Adoration

Zinnia Thoughts of absent friends

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You don’t need to include all of these suggestions. Pick the ones that work best for the message you want to send, and you’ll have created a unique and meaningful gift for that lucky August birthday person.

Here's Why Flowers Are So Great

I’ve spent years collecting information on all things floral. I’ve learned all about edible flowers, flower arranging, travel destinations with a flower focus, the language of flowers, flowers in art, music and literature, and how to care for flowers. But by far, the most important thing I’ve learned is that flowers have a positive impact on our well-being.  

Flowers boost our mood, brighten our environment, improve our sleep, increase our productivity, decrease our anxiety and strengthen our memory. The bottom line -  flowers are good for our mental, physical and emotional health.

One of the most amazing things is that flowers work their magic on us without us even realizing it. And it doesn’t require a lot of effort or a big budget to reap the benefits flowers offer. A few stems from the garden, a small arrangement from your local florist or a quick grab-and-go bouquet from the grocery store – all will do the trick.

Having flowers around us is a small step we can take to promote the mental, physical and emotional well-being for ourselves and those around us. Why not give it a go and add some flowers to your life today.

Rest Your Eyes - Flower Therapy

Welcome to my shortest blog post ever! It may be short, but it’s meaningful. Here is my best tip on how to effectively use flowers to decrease anxiety and stress.

Most of us have ‘our special spot’ at home where we sit to unwind. Place a floral arrangement within eyesight of where ‘your spot’ is. Then sit down and just rest your eyes on those flowers. No reading, no watching tv, no checking your phone. Just rest your eyes on the flowers.

It’s amazing how quickly you start to feel less stressed and be more at peace.

5 Easy Ways To Use Edible Flowers

Flowers not only brighten an environment, they can also brighten up your culinary creations - and it doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are five easy ways to use edible flowers:

1 - Decorative ice cubes:

In each compartment of an ice cube tray add a bit of water and a flower and freeze. Then add more water and freeze until solid.

2 - Garnish sweet or savoury dishes:

Choose flowers with colours, shapes and textures that compliment what you’ve made. Either use the whole flower as a garnish at the side of the plate or sprinkle petals over the whole dish.

3 - Steep as tea:

Chamomile, lavender, jasmine, and rose all make delicious floral teas. Use either on their own or mix with black, green, or white tea. 

4 - Infuse syrups:

Combine 1 cup of water and 1-2 cups of flower petals to a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and let sit for at least an hour. After the syrup is cool, strain and then add to your favourite beverage.

5 - Crystalize:

Dip flowers into egg white and then into fine sugar. Shake off any excess and lay to dry before using to decorate your baking. For more details you can look at my previous blog post ‘Edible Candied Flowers’.

Always make sure the flowers you are using are edible - even if you just mean to use them as a garnish. You can find safety guidelines about edible flowers in my post ‘Top 3 Rules For Using Edible Flowers’.

Meaningful Flowers For July Birthdays

Do you know someone with a birthday in July? Are you planning on giving them some flowers? An easy way to make your gift extra special is to choose flowers that will create a meaningful message.

With knowing just a few things, your floral gift can be personalized specifically for someone with a July birthday.

Birth month flower:

Every month has one or two flower/s associated with it - its birth month flower/s.

Flower: Larkspur Meaning: Levity/Lightness

Flower: Water lily Meaning: Purity of heart

Zodiac:

Every zodiac sign has a flower that represents it.

Sign: Cancer Date: June 21 - July 22

Flower: White Rose Meaning: Eternal love/Innocence

Sign: Leo Date: July 23 - August 22

Flower: Sunflower Meaning: Adoration

Colour:

Use June’s birthstone for colour inspiration.

Stone: Ruby Colour: Red

Seasonal Flowers and their meanings:

Choose flowers locally in bloom during the month of July.

Flower: Meaning:

Dahlia Dignity/Elegance

Hydrangea Perseverance

Larkspur Levity/Lightness

Lily Beauty

Top tip:

You don’t need to include all these flowers. Pick what works best for the message you want to send and you’ll have created a unique and meaningful gift for that lucky July birthday person.