University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Fall News
Article
AUTUMN DECORATIONS
FROM THE GARDEN
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
Autumn is often associated with
certain decorations, including cornucopias, garlands, straw or
grapevine
wreaths, and dried flower arrangements. Although many decorations can
be
bought ready-made, making your own can be a fun family activity for a
fall
afternoon.
For the cornucopia, which signifies
a bountiful harvest with plenty to eat, you'll need the traditional
horn-shaped
basket (available at most craft or basket shops); shellac or paint;
real,
dried, or artificial fruit and vegetables; pine cones; and plant
materials. Paint or shellac the basket before you begin, allowing
plenty
of time to dry, before you fill with your choice of items.
Enjoy your centerpiece, then
in December turn it into a holiday decoration by spray painting the
cornucopia
with gold or silver paint. Then stuff it with greens, berries, and
pine
cones of all sizes. A simple variation is a clear bowl filled with
apples,
walnuts, chestnuts, or other fruits of the season.
Another decoration appropriate for
the fall season is a straw or grapevine wreath. Hop vines work great
too.
Again, supplies are available at craft shops. Wrap the wreath with
colorful ribbon, covering the entire surface, or loosely wrap it,
leaving
sections exposed. Then add the finishing touches--a colorful bow, a
few
sprigs of wheat, or a cluster of fruit. Or, cover the wreath with a
variety of
dried flowers and leaves. Strawflowers and other everlastings are
ideal
for this. Cut blooms and leaves into five- or six-inch lengths.
Work with your largest flowers first, spacing
them in a random
pattern around the wreath. Then fill in with smaller flowers, pushing
the
ends in
firmly. For
a fuller effect, face the flowers in all different directions.
If you dried flowers from your home
garden this year, or have bought some, group these in bouquets with
pods,
cones, and candles for attractive table arrangements. Or buy fresh
flowers, such as chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies, alstroemeria
(Peruvian
lily), and roses for your table in the traditional fall colors of
yellow,
orange, bronze, and maroon.
For a festive harvest touch,
decorate your mantle or door entrance with a garland of dried roses or
other
large blooms. You will need heavy quilting thread, a tapestry needle,
dried flowers, and beads or bows. Use a double thread and string the
flowers together from bloom to stem. You may want to intersperse
colored
beads with the blooms, or alternate with tiny bows. Or you could just
add
a tassel or huge matching bow at the ends of the garland.
Dried hydrangea blooms also make a
nice garland. Use florist's wire to tie them securely to a cord, such
as
the type used to tie back draperies. Add ribbons or colored Christmas
balls. Or wire together shafts of wheat, trimming stems so all pieces
are
about the same length. Add oranges or clusters of dried flowers for a
harvest look. This garland is particularly suited for an outdoor
decoration.
Of course you could also go with the
more traditional fall decorations--pumpkins and gourds, for example, or
bunches
of colorful Indian corn tied with a bow and hung on the front door.
But
whatever you do, adding your own personal touches will make the end
product a
work of art that's truly yours.
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