Fall flowers include chrysanthemums, zinnias, sunflowers and other bright blooms in oranges, reds, and yellows. Besides these flowers, you might want to try leaves and other fall finds to decorate your classroom or home for the holidays.
A Different Flower – The Leaf
When the fall colors are at their height, who can resist the bright yellows, oranges, reds, and purples? Maple leaves and sweet gum make pretty mixes. The distinct shapes of the leaves add interest. Take a fall walk and gather a few branches of the prettiest leaves of the season. Pull the leaves along the cut ends so the stems can be put in water with no leaves under the water. You will need a heavy vase that will be capable of holding the tall sprays. A crockery or pottery vase looks nice with this sort of bouquet. An orange or red shimmery ribbon will complete the arrangement.
Manolia leaves studded with a bright red seed pod make a spectacular display. Oak leaves may not have a pretty color, but they can be brightened with acorns attached to wires and sprays of berries. Mini-pumpkins or ears of Indian corn can be added, or use dried flowers on wire stems to add color. Try a red checkered ribbon tied in a large loose bow.
Make "flowers" with pressed Gingko tree leaves by stacking eight to ten leaves and rolling them into a rose shape. Pinch one end of the roll and tie with wire to hold the rose shape. A bouquet of these will last all year.
Fresh ivy and holly can be cut and will stay nice in a vase of water for weeks. Use holly with some berries for color. Silk butterflies or dried straw flowers are beautiful.
Dried Seed Pods and Thistle
Dried thistle heads and stems and grasses can be arranged into a bouquet for the fall table. The thistle stems are hard and painful to harvest, so wear gloves. Water lily pods can be dried and then wired to stand up in a vase. Fill in with interesting grasses, wheat heads with the wheat berries still intact, or dried pussy willow for shape and interest.
Crepe Myrtle flowers leave behind sprays of seeds which dry and leave the open casings on the bush. These can add texture and interest to a centerpiece.
Nature Finds in Arrangements
Many items can be used to make a fall arrangement. Pinecones make beautiful artsy additions. Use Douglas Fir cones as they are unusual, small, lightweight and can be easily wired to stick out of the bouquet.
Mini-pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn also liven up a bouquet. Acorns, berries, and bright colored silk flowers add needed color. Chinese lanterns are a great addition to any fall bouquet.
A bouquet of interestingly shaped bare twigs in a vase with a ribbon to dress it up makes a centerpiece, or cut out and add leaves of construction paper. Children may be encouraged to write on each leaf something they are thankful for.
With Thanksgiving coming and holiday decorations needed for special occasions, add some creativity to what is available for an arrangement that is certain to catch everyone's attention.
