Autumn flower arranging

Flowers are beautiful all through the seasons and autumn is no exception. The autumn colours of deep reds, mustard yellows, earthy browns and burnt oranges bring a richness and warmth.

At first, autumn may not seem like the best season for flower arranging. But, it provides a great excuse to get into the garden and see what is still growing before winter.

There are plenty of possibilities when autumn flower arranging. It really is a case of seeing what is looking good in the garden. These are some of our favourites that may be in flower:

• Sunflowers They often bloom from summer into early autumn. If yours have finished flowering, the dried seed heads can also add an interesting shape to a display
• Dahlias With a wide array of colours to choose from, dahlias can bloom anytime between late June and early December. They come in a range of shapes and sizes and are brilliant in flower arrangements
• Celosias: Vibrant in colour and fluffy in appearance, celosias are a truly striking autumn flower. Find them in a range of autumnal shades, from fiery oranges to bold maroons
• Chrysanthemums In autumn, these flowers really come into their own, with warming shades of orange, burgundy and yellow
• Chinese lanterns These unusual autumn plants are firm favourites once the season changes. As they don’t lose their colouring, they can be used to add a permanent pop of colour to your home
• Hydrangeas These big blooms can last for months, from fresh blooms to dried heads
• Ornamental cabbages These are truly unique and eye-catching, typically with pink or cream centres and green surrounding leaves. They are late autumn bloomers and grow on long stalks, making them ideal for arrangements supported by dark green foliage and delicate blooms such as gypsophila

If you don't have much in flower, you could create an arrangement using foliage. Holly, ornamental grasses and eucalyptus are all options. You can also add things like seed heads, twigs, pine cones, acorns, berries and wheat to give your arrangement that autumn harvest look.

When it comes to creating your autumn flower arrangement, feel free to experiment. These are some basic steps that may help get you started as you build up your arrangement:

1. Prepare your vase or container. Make sure it is clean. Part fill with water (ideally at room temperature)
2. Prepare your cuttings. Remove any leaves that would be below the water level. Cut all stems to the desired height. Cut at an angle so they can better take up water
3. Start arranging, adding the foliage first. The foliage can create the framework for the arrangement. By using different types of foliage, you can establish the shape of the arrangement
4. Add any large focal flowers. Put these in place before the arrangement becomes too full. Nestle focal flowers into the foliage framework. If you have enough, groups of 3 or 5 flowers together can look good
5. Layer in remaining, smaller flowers. Keep turning the vase as you add more flowers. This will help make sure the arrangement is well-balanced. Vary the height of the flowers. Air and space can create as big an impact as a focal flower. Arrangements don’t always need to be packed full or perfectly round
6. Add textural elements. Things like twigs, berries, acorns or cones can create movement and interest. If you have it, finishing by tucking in a few stems of an airy plant, such as pampas grass

Now your arrangement is done, just find a spot to admire it!