Incredibly, we made it all the way to November 1st before we had a killing frost, weeks beyond the average. I decided to comb my yard on Friday beforehand to see what flowers I could glean that had survived the light, spotty frosts we had previously. Protected by overhanging shrubs, I was surprised that I came away with four small bouquets, two of which I share here.
The blue pitcher above contains Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), gold Nasturtium flowers and stems (Tropaeolum majus), wild white Malva (M. moschata alba), Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota), white Chrysanthemums and a few pitiful Zinnia ‘Yellow Profusion.’
The milk can vase above holds Beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma), Cigar Plant (Cuphea ignea ‘Vermillionaire’) and a vigorous late-blooming Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) tinted lavender from the cold weather.
As my gardens faded through October, I found I missed the creativity of making multiple flower arrangements every week from my garden, so this was an unexpected treat.
fall in a vase
Earlier in the week, I realized that I had never made one of my large arrangements the whole summer long. So I set off walking the trails by the river cutting berries from invasive Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) and European privet (Ligustrum vulgare), and seed heads of Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica). They thrive down by the river and sadly, are slowly taking over, so a few less seeds self-sowing around works for me. From the woods, I added foliage of red oak (Quercus rubra) and American Beech (Fagus grandifolia). Passing through the garden, I cut Miscanthus seed heads, Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) and several branches of white Chrysanthemums.
Hope you enjoyed my encore of In A Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. Definitely the last of the seasons fresh flowers, if I get the creative urge from now on it will have to be twigs, berries and seed heads, so stay tuned, I might not be finished yet.
Eliza Waters 
Such a creative use of the flowers you still have available before the winter sets in, It is hard to believe it is this time of the year already and only 6 weeks to Christmas!
Thank you, Carol, don’t remind me, lol!
I love all of them, and I do have some Cupheas I’ve seen in Florida.
Gracias! Cuphea has become a new favorite – it blooms non-stop!
Queen Anne’s lace dried up here a long time ago. I thin of it as an early summer flower, but have never grown it in an irrigated garden where it might last longer.
Sometimes I let it grow in my gardens, but mostly it self-sows itself around in the fields here.
I’ve really been missing out lately being absent from WordPress! These are spectacular, Eliza! 😍 👏❤
Thank you, Julie. You have been missed here. I hope all is well with you and yours and you were just taking time off. x
All is well for the most part, thanks Eliza. I was pretty sick for a couple of weeks though, and I’m still trying to build my strength back up. Hope all is well with you and yours! x
Gorgeous arrangements, Eliza! It has to be a joy to see your weekly arrangements on display in all those beautiful vases in your home. You have a wonderful eye for color and arranging!
Thank you, Donna. I sorely miss having all the choices of flowers to play with each week. Until next spring, I’ll have to make do with what the florist offers. Not quite the same!
Its just perfect ❤❤
Thanks so much!