Using Autumn Foliage in Flower Arrangements
Foliage is often the part of an arrangement that people think least about, but in autumn it is frequently the most interesting element in the vase. The California coast does not give us the dramatic maple reds of the interior, but there is still a lot to work with: oak, eucalyptus, rosehip, dried seed pods, and the turning colour of ornamental grasses. Here is how we use it.
Picking at the right moment
Foliage picked too early, before the colour has fully developed, will continue to change in the vase but often in unpredictable ways. We prefer to pick when the colour is at or just past its peak. Oak leaves at that point are deep rust and hold well. Eucalyptus, which does not change colour dramatically, is best picked in late summer and early autumn when the oils in the leaves are highest.
Conditioning foliage before arranging
Foliage benefits from the same conditioning process as flowers: a fresh stem cut, a long drink in cool water overnight, and the removal of any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Woody stems, like oak or rosehip branches, benefit from being split at the base with a knife rather than just cut. The split increases the surface area and helps the stem take up water.
Foliage that has been properly conditioned will hold in an arrangement for a week or more. Foliage that goes straight from the garden into a vase often wilts within a day, which is where the reputation for short-lived foliage comes from.
Combining foliage with fresh and dried material
In the studio we often mix fresh foliage with dried stems in the same arrangement. The contrast in texture works well and the fresh foliage adds movement that dried material alone lacks. The key is to keep the fresh material in water and let the dried stems sit above the waterline. A tall vase makes this easier to manage than a shallow bowl.
For the autumn arrangements we build here, rosehip branches are a particular favourite. The berries are long-lasting, the stems have good structure, and the red of the hips reads well next to the burgundy and rust tones of dahlias and dried grasses.
Autumn foliage is available for a short window. If you are picking from a garden or a hedgerow, do it in early October before the first hard winds strip the colour.