7 minute read
My Flower Shop
A Guide to Fall Flowers
By Amanda Hammond, Harmons Floral Production Manager and Certified Florist
With summer in the rearview and autumn right around the corner, it is time to welcome the fiery reds, burnt oranges, deep purples and golden yellows of fall flowers. Amanda Hammond, Harmons Floral Production Manager and Certified Florist, answered frequently asked questions about fall flowers, sharing insights about what blooms to expect, how to care for them and how to create stunning arrangements that capture the essence of the season.
Floral Stars of the Season
Q. What are the best fall flowers to decorate with and how can these flowers be incorporated into seasonal home decor?
A. Personally, I love foliage. There are so many varieties, textures and tones. Foliage is also longer-lasting than most cut flowers. For variation in color, you can choose tinted varieties like Eucalyptus, Grevillea, Safari Sunset and Cotinus. Mums, however, are a great fall flower that come in many colors and are still found blooming in our climate into November if the weather cooperates.
Tablescapes are very popular for fall decor and are quite easy to put together. Using trailing greenery and sporadic vase placement, incorporating single stem items such as Ranunculus, Mums, Sunflowers and Alstroemeria along with fall accents like Cattails, Wheat and Yarrow can complete a beautiful fall tablescape.
Q. Are there any specific fall flower arrangements or color combinations you would recommend for the season?
A. Giving a florist the opportunity to design and create is your best bet. Asking for a designer’s choice in fall colors and flowers allows the designer to pick from the seasonal best available in the cooler. As things are new and changing with every flower delivery, leaving this option open is less limiting and gives the designer the ability to do what they do best.
Q. Are there any specific fall flowers that have symbolic meanings or cultural significance?
A.Yes! Typically, Mums are seasonal to fall. However, Marigolds are very popular flowers for the fall season as Dia De Las Muertos is celebrated October 31st to November 2nd. Marigolds are used to guide the spirits to their altars or graves using their bright colors and pungent scent. They also represent the frailty of life. The specific breed of Marigold most commonly used is the Cempasúchil, or the flower of the dead. We will be offering Marigold plants and cut stems in Harmons stores during this time.
Q. Are there any fall flowers that can thrive indoors as potted plants throughout the season?
A. Many flowers thrive indoors. Coleus, Mums, Antherium, Bromeliad, Orchids, Cyclamen, Holiday cactus, Kalanchoe and Polka dot plants are just a few of them.
Q. How can fall flowers be integrated into seasonal events, such as Thanksgiving or Halloween gatherings?
A. Pumpkin arrangements are fun. Hollow out a pumpkin, put a plastic liner or some cellophane to keep the water from the shell of the pumpkin, then cut and add floral foam. (Oasis is a foam meant to retain moisture and hold the flower arrangement in place.) Insert desired fall flowers and foliage using the pumpkin as your container. Cornucopias are also a fun way to bring out fall as you can use the same floral foam and create a design with various produce and mixed fall flowers and foliage.
Fall Flower Caretaking
Q. Which fall flowers are low-maintenance and ideal for beginners in flower care?
A. Mums are one of the easiest fall flowers for beginners. Other good choices are Carnations and Alstroemeria. Filler flowers that also tend to be longer-lasting are Statice, Safflower and Thistle.
Q. What is the ideal water temperature for cut flowers?
A. When changing out the water after freshly cutting the stems, filling the container back up with a lower temperature water is best. Ideally the cooler the better, however not under 40° Fahrenheit.
Q. Should I add any flower food or preservatives to the water?
A. Our designs at Harmons are made with a flower preservative in the water, however when you change out the water you lose this. The flower shops have food packets and they are happy to give you a few extra for water changing days.
Q. What are the key tips for extending the lifespan of fall flowers once cut and arranged?
A. Cut flowers continue to drink through their whole life. To prolong that life, a fresh cut is needed daily. As cut flowers try to heal themselves, the stem base creates a natural scab, lessening the ability for the flower to drink. This is why a fresh cut is needed upon changing out the water. Keeping the flowers away from heat will also prolong life.
Q. Are there any flowers that should be kept separate from others due to their ethylene production?
A. Most commonly, Daffodils have a sap that can be harmful to other flowers. This is one best kept separate from other flowers, however a fresh cut and keeping them in their own vase or bucket overnight is long enough to rid the flower of this sap and they can be incorporated into a mix with other flowers at this point.
Q. What are some ways to revive wilted or drooping flowers?
A. Hydrangeas love water. Soaking the actual blooms in water, shaking off and recutting the stem will perk them right back up. As always, a fresh cut to the stems, fresh water and keeping them in a cooler place should help. Some flowers last longer than others. If you have one droopy flower that can be taken out of the arrangement, the water and space can be used by the happier, longer-lasting flowers.
Q. What are the most common mistakes people make when caring for cut flowers?
A. Not changing out the water frequently enough and not recutting the stems.
Ordering from Harmons Flower Shop
Q. How can I order flowers from Harmons?
A. Deliveries are made from our central production location in West Valley. There are many ways for people to contact us. On the Harmons website, select “Flower Shop” and make your arrangement selection. This option is most commonly used for deliveries.
If you are looking for something more specific, making a same day order, or would like to place a larger custom order, call us at 801-957-8477. This way, you can speak to someone onsite who can better accommodate special requests.
Q. How far in advance should I order fall flowers to ensure availability for my desired date?
A. When ordering any specialty items, the more notice the better. However, we always have flowers on hand if a specific item isn’t necessary.
Q. Why should I get flowers from Harmons?
A. We order directly from the farms, which gives us the ability to order a wider variety and guarantees cut-to-truck without holding. Our design team is very experienced, talented beyond measure and capable of meeting requests from small bouquets to large events like weddings, funerals, banquets, etc.
Q. What are the fall offerings at Harmons Floral Shop?
A. Look in store for the following fall offerings:
Fall Plants: We are excited to carry Caladiums, Brain Celosia, Autumn Poinsettias, Marigolds, Hybrid Lilies, Pele Mums and Decorative Pepper plants in store.
Fun Fall Cut Flowers: Hypericum, Crespedia, fall leaves, Wheat and Cattails along with the everyday staples like Carnations, Lilies, Sunflowers, Alstroemeria, Mixed Foliage bouquets and so much more.
