Flowers for Halloween
Halloween is now the second most popular event for decorations after Christmas. Not only do people add witches and ghouls to their front yards, but the feeling of the holiday is spread though out the house. Flowers and plants play a large part because of the wide variety and low cost of the materials that are available. Dried flowers from the garden or fallen branches from trees can be bunched together and give an abundant look that screams fall… or Halloween. Be careful that there are no little critters catching a ride on some of these stems. Usually, by the time a frost has arrived, there is little chance for bugs. But it is always wise to check.
Hardy mums are everywhere. The ones that we now grow are very large and instead of a cluster of several, one will do the trick. The many shades of fall are covered by the many varieties of mums available. These popular autumn plants can be planted in focal points of the garden, changed for the waning summer annuals in patio pots, or just placed at the entrance way to the home. The plants begin to show their color in September and last through October. Because of their low cost, they are a great value.
For inside, mum plants combined with accents of fall leaves can fill an empty fireplace before it is needed for the colder late fall days. Or, create a warm entrance by the front door. Wherever they are used, be sure to keep them well watered. The plants have a lot of exposed foliage and will use up water quickly. Since they are at the end of their growing period, no fertilizer is necessary. And, once you have received the benefit of their beauty, they can be discarded. These plants can be planted in the garden for re-blooming next year. However, since they cost so little and the best plants are ones that are grown each year from new cuttings, it is best to discard the mums when it is time to change to winter greens or, if inside, poinsettias.
Cut spray mums, or pompons, along with all the other types of chrysanthemums are very good value. They can last for two weeks or more. As with all cut flowers you should buy from someone you trust and follow proper care and handling procedures; re-cut the stems, put them in a clean vase; add flower food to the water. The long stems of the pompons can be put together in a tall vase and all the colors go together. They truly reflect the colors of fall. You should break a few of the side shoots off and arrange them in small vases for an accent in the bathroom or the kitchen window sill. Research has shown that when we are exposed to flowers and plants, we feel better, think better, and just enjoy life more.
Our talented designers love working with the wide variety of fancy cut flowers, greens, dried materials, and accent pieces. If a very special arrangement is desired for a gift or your home, we can do it all.
There are many novelty items that are now available and we have enjoyed seeking out some that are the most fun. That is what Halloween is all about. Designers have produced high quality decorations that will be appropriate in any home. Include some in yours and feel the spirit…or spirits.
