Autumn Table Wreath by Sarah Raven

Today on Floral Media I'm wanted to show you this real showstopper autumn table wreath by Sarah Raven. She has used many of my favourite colours that are around at this time of year.

I featured this video back in 2014 - but I like it so much I thought it deserves a second viewing - same video but I've written all new text this time. Enjoy!



Sarah's choice of plants are an unusual mix of scented pelargonium foliage, hydrangea flowers and seed heads, hawthorn berries and Chinese lanterns. There are also some unusual little surprises such as ornamental cucumbers and strawberry popcorn. 

In the middle are five flame coloured candles picking up all the colours in the wreath. Sarah has used an oasis base so both spent flowers and candles can be replaced which means that the whole centerpiece will last well into the holiday season. 

Celebrate Autumn with Flowers and French Apero - Funny How Flowers Do That

I love the autumn - bright summer colours change to more muted tones. Life slows down after the holiday period. We bring out the warm blankets and light a fire. 

Invite your family and friends and enjoy all the fruits and vegetable that the autumn season produce. Farmers' markets are full of food that are easy to prepare - leaving you time to spend with your guests.


Make big loose flower arrangements using things like branches with berries that you might have picked from your own garden mixed with seasonal cut flowers bought at the local Farmers' Market.

Here is a link if you want to know more about the flower arrangement. 



Here is a short video and a quote from Funny How Flowers Do That:

"It’s autumn. We’re embracing the season of mellow fruitfulness in a chic way, indoors with friends. We’re thereby dressing the French tradition of apéro in a new, dazzling floral outfit."

Enjoy what the season has to offer!

Here is a short video and a quote from Funny How Flowers Do That:

"It’s autumn. We’re embracing the season of mellow fruitfulness in a chic way, indoors with friends. We’re thereby dressing the French tradition of apéro in a new, dazzling floral outfit."

Enjoy what the season has to offer!

[Video & image from Funny How Flowers Do That.]

Floral Media - Make Your Own Autumn Flower Arrangement from Martha Stewart

                                                                                     

It's the beginning of much cooler weather in London and autumn flowers are starting to appear in the supermarkets, florists and flower stalls.

So today I'm featuring a short YouTube video from Martha Stewart on how to make an autumn flower arrangement.

                                                                                    

Todd Carr, the senior gardening editor, is using spider and pom-pom Chrysanthemums - in beautiful autumn yellow and orange colours. Mixed in as a filler is also some Golden Rod.

Ingrid xx

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 59 - Ornamental Cabbage

'A Bunch for the Weekend' is back for a new season and what a season it is! Autumn has some of the most fabulous colours and Ornamental Cabbage is one of my favourites. Big, bold and colourful - not a shy wallflower.

HOW TO:

You'll need:

- 10 Ornamental Cabbages with tall stems. By florists they are also called Brassica.

- a very large clear glass vase or jar - in this case I have used an oversized vintage pickling jar. 

- a piece of fabric in the same bold colour as the flowers. In this case I have used a Mexican shawl that picks up the bright pink.

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- a pair of florists scissors

- a florist bucket filled with fresh water

Condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase. This is to reduce any growth of bacteria from deteriorating leaves. Also remove any broken or bruised leaves.

Cut the stems at an angle - this is to increase water absorption.  

Put in a clean container with fresh water and leave in a cool, dark place over night or at least for a few hours, to let the flowers absorb the maximum of water, before making the final arrangement.

You might have to re-cut the stems while making the final arrangement to suit the size of the vase or container and to get the right proportions.

Method:

This type of Ornamental Cabbage usually comes with long stems - without leaves. Remove any yellowing top leaves as well as any small dried bits on the stalks. 

Fill the container one third with fresh, clean water. Trim the stems so that the lower leaves rests on the edge of the vase.

I love seeing the colourful stems through the clear glass criss-crossing and making interesting angles. 

Turn the flowers so that you can see the colourful centre of the flowers. Add a colourful tablecloth or other piece of fabric.

Change the water every 2-3 days and keep removing any yellowing leaves. The flowers lasts for about 7-10 days. 

Enjoy this unusual flower while it is available at this time of year. It might not be to everyone's taste but it will certainly add a splash of vibrant colour and texture to your arrangement.  

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a great floral day!

I will be back on Sunday with another Florets - floral quotes by people passionate about flowers!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

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A Bunch for the Weekend - # 27 - Autumn Flowers and Grasses

This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend - I'm featuring some autumn flowers from my garden and some Chrysanthemums from the farmers market.

I had a few Chrysanthemums left over from a previous project - they were still going strong, looking good and not at all ready to go on the compost heap.

So I decided to try to find something in my own garden to combine them with. I found some Sedum in a dark, rich maroon colour, a few pink little flowers from the ground-cover Heuchera and some fluffy seed heads from the lovely grass Miscanthus.

You'll need: 

- 3 stems of Sedum 

- 3-5 multi-stemmed light coloured Chrysanthemums

- 3 stems of Heuchera flowers

- 6 stems of Miscanthus grass 

- a medium sized vase or container with maybe a coloured detail that picks up some colour in the arrangement - in this case I have used a vintage milk jug with a brown stripe across the middle

- a small light coloured jar or container 

- a few vintage books

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- florists snippers or scissors

- a florist bucket

As always - condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase. Cut the stems at an angle - to increase water absorption. Put in a clean container with tepid water and leave in a cool place over night or at least a few hours before making the final arrangement.

Start off with the larger Sedum flowers - cut the stems so that the flowers are resting on the edge of the container. Cut some of the Chrysanthemums the same length - so they also rest on the edge and others a bit longer to go in the middle of the arrangement. Then feed the thin stems of the Heuchera flowers and the grasses evenly throughout the arrangement to give a bit of height and movement.

Make up a second small arrangement in the smaller vase using the offcuts from the multi-stemmed Chrysanthemums and give the small arrangement a more prominent raised position by putting it on a few books.

A quick, easy and seasonal arrangement for no extra cost at all. Brilliant!

Have a lovely Floral Friday and a Happy Weekend!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]

Florets - Floral Quote - # 75 - by Paula Pryke

" One of the reasons I adore autumn is it gives me an excuse to use more colour, and particularly to enjoy the more vibrant colours in the spectrum. The fading light levels make us naturally drawn to the warmer, richer colours of nature and as our mood turns to heavier choices for food, so does our taste for colour and heavier decorations. My work throughout the year is always inspired by texture, but never more so than in this season."

~ Paula Pryke ~

[Paula Pryke OBE: British, London based florist, founder of Paula Pryke Flower Shop and School; and author of fifteen books.]

[Quote from: Flowers Every Day by Paula Pryke.]

[Flowers: Callistephus from the Aster family.]

[Vases: New purple pot from Homebase and a dark blue 'Blå Eld' toothpick holder from the 1950s.] 

[Other props: Different coloured garden twine, Swedish rag rug, vintage cake tin, flower scissors and ethnic carved black wooden figures.]

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]

Have a Wonderful Floral Sunday!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid