What’s in season (October)?

I often observe that our customers fall into two halves …those who wait with anticipation for the first tulips or peonies and then there is the Autumn Army .

So many of you embrace this dramatic change in season , we have a few deliriously beautiful weeks where the seasons cross and we have cobalt blue delphinium and powder pink hydrangeas sitting next to crab apples and golden mop headed chrysanthemum blooms .

There is definitely a shift in energy when the Autumn stock starts to filter into the shops. Copious amounts of love for the tiny pumpkins and gourds , the warm golden foliage and russet blooms.

As the evenings draw in and the Winter skies deliver East African sunsets so do the flowers. So much of our Autumn stock is long lasting , often limping towards Christmas ! It makes it very easy to keep a seasonal vase going when you have the basis of rich copper and burgundy foliage topped up with fresh flowers to complement.

Physalis or Chinese Lanterns are always a big favourite, drying out in the vase whilst maintaining their vibrancy .

Bright red chilli peppers to spice up any arrangement , the first Amarylis, velvety celosia , suddenly the flower wall is dominated by rich colours that sit effortlessly together.

My seasonal favourite has to be the chrysanthemums. Though sadly this beautiful flower family has been given a bad name with its association with supermarket and garage bunches.

As with anything you get what you pay for and the most stunning chrysanthemum blooms are unrecognisable from their cousins working in Esso and Lidl !
Fun Fact ….my Granny was called Chrysanthemum !