My first floral arrangement this week makes me think of fall. In the middle of another heatwave, the cooler temperatures associated with the change of seasons is appealing. To be honest, my area hasn't had temperatures soar as high as they have in Southern California's inland valleys, much less other parts of the United States and elsewhere in the world. However, even temperatures in the low 90sF (33C) get tiresome by late August, especially when you're getting itchy about plunging into the projects you've sidelined while waiting for the heat to abate.
While the colors used in the following arrangement conjure images of pumpkin spice, crackling fireplaces, and comfy sweaters, the flowers that make it up are all summer bloomers, at least here.
![]() |
| The seed-sown branching sunflowers are blooming at last so I built on their colors by adding several stems of Rudbeckia 'Cherokee Sunset' in varying hues |
![]() |
| Back view: I also added the burgundy foliage of Hibiscus 'Haight Ashbury' |
![]() |
| Top view |
![]() |
Top row: Coleonema album, Hibiscus acetosella 'Haight Ashbury', and Leptospermum 'Copper Glow'
Middle: Helianthus annuus 'Brown-Eyed Girl', 'Greenburst', and 'Joker'
Bottom: Rudbeckia hirta 'Cherokee Sunset' in varied colors |
![]() |
| I included a proper prop this week, featuring 2 mice working to hasten autumn by painting green leaves orange |
Instead of hot cocoa, the second arrangement may make you think of tropical punch.
![]() |
| 2 Dahlias are debuting this week: 'Belle of Barmera' and 'Labyrinth' |
![]() |
| Back view, showing just how large one of the dinnerplate 'Belle of Barmera' blooms can get |
![]() |
| Top view |
![]() |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Agonis flexuosa 'Nana', Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder', noID Plectranthus scutellarioides (coleus), Dahlia 'Belle of Barmera', peach Zinnia elegans 'Candy Mix', Z.e. 'Queen Lime Orange', Z. e. 'Benary's Giant Salmon Rose', and Dahlia 'Labyrinth' |
I had a handful of stems left when I finished stuffing my second vase. I couldn't bring myself to toss them out so instead I cut a few more flowers and some foliage for a third arrangement.
![]() |
| This small vase features Dahlia 'Summer's End', which didn't make the cut when I put together vase #2 |
![]() |
| Back view with coordinating Zinnias |
![]() |
| Top view |
![]() |
| Clockwise from the upper left: Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', Alstroemeria 'Claire', Zinnia elegans 'Queen Lime Orange' (and Z. e. 'Salmon Rose', not shown in closeup), Z.e, 'Lemon Peach with yellow 'Candy Mix', and Dahlia 'Summer's End' |
I can't claim that my dahlias are coming on like gangbusters but they've definitely stepped up production. They're flopping all over one another in two of my raised planters because I did a very poor job of supporting them this year. I hustled to get my plants in the ground in June once the raised planters were cleared of the cool season flowers but I thought there was plenty of time to put in place the tomato cages I use to support the taller varieties. I dragged my feet too long and was forced to use less effective supports when it became clear that it was too late to insert the cages without breaking stems in the process. Another lesson learned: the supports need to go in place when the plants do.
For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy in Rambling in the Garden.
All
material © 2012-2023
by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
