Sing a song of seasons, something bright in all...

Sedum and Chinese Lanterns

Poppy heads and Chrysanthemums

autumn basket top

Cheering colour

Purple asters add beautiful colour

Autumn hypericum

Memories of a poem I learnt in primary school, ooh so many years ago I haven't enough fingers and toes myself , nor if I borrowed my twin sister's as well, to count them all but it is funny as you get older things come into your mind that you had long since forgotten! Flowers in the summer, fires in the fall are the next two lines in this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson but now I know this is not so true a statement and, this year, as I said in my last blog, is especially not so with the beautiful end of summer that we have had... mind you the grass seeds I have sowed in my garden in an attempt to repair our lawn are taking too long to start to grow, or is that me being too impatient!!! mmmm! will leave that there I think but I thought you might like me to share some autumn flowers with you.

Asters - My garden has the biggest and brightest display of Asters this year although for many years now they have been admired by my old neighbour who always used to comment on how they cheered him up to see them everyday as he came out of his house. The beautiful purple star like flowers look beautiful in the Autumn sunshine.

Chysanthemums- Everyone knows the old fashioned, reliable chysanthemum but they make a long lasting display of colour in any display. The flamboyant single bloom or the spray of flowers on a single stem is the national flower of Japan but did you know it has it's very own day on the 9th of September which is also known as the Festival of Happiness! It certainly brings it's own happiness to arrangements and bouquets.

Sedum- Dozens of delicate pink, tiny, star shaped flowers are clustered together on these flat flower heads are beautiful to use in arrangements that will last and last. The meaning of these flowers is tranquility which beautifully describes this flower which is sometimes called the ice plant as it collects sparkling droplets of water because the flower heads are so full and dense they don't escape!

Papaver- The beautiful poppy is the papaver! It is so well known at this time of year as the universal symbol of remembrance but unfortunately they do not last long to use in arrangements once they are cut. The distinctive seed head though is great and adds such shape, form and texture to any display that contrasts with the soft petals of the flowers. The seed heads contain so many tiny seeds remind me of a pepper pot and year after year help this flower seem like it is eternal and give such pleasure to so many. It was a perfect choice for the wreath I made for a beautiful lady who collected the seeds for her own garden each year too.

Physalis- The bright orange of the Chinese Lantern as it is more commonly known is so distinctive and makes a wonderful addition to any arrangement at this time of the year. Particularly at Halloween they bring something to the arrangement nothing else can do.

Hypericum- The red, white, pink and black berries on the hypericum replace the yellow buttercup-like flowers with an abundance of hair like golden stamens in the centre that you see in the garden. The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the hypericum wards off evil spirits so adorned their homes with it above the statues they had but look wonderful in an arrangement or bouquet and complement the larger blooms as well as adding colour.