OCTOBER FLOWERS
Asters for autumn
Asters are a sign that autumn is upon us. They literally grow everywhere—as wildflowers tend to do—and are incredibly hardy plants with thick stems that yield gorgeous star-shaped blossoms. “Aster” is actually the Greek word for star. The star-shaped flower was very important to the ancient Greeks as they placed them on altars for worship. In Greek mythology, Astraea was the star maiden whose tears turned into tiny aster florets. Because they come in many colours, they truly add a pop of colour to any arrangement. We, however, adore the indigo hue of the New England aster. If you look at the Chelsea Flowers website, there’s a pictorial guide for floral hues and seasons where you can find which botanicals are available in plentitude at any given time of year.
Another type of purple aster beloved by Chelsea Flowers is the China aster (which has a much fluffier head than the demure, simple New England variety). Asters, when in bloom, make a masterful display of colour. Even though their blossoms are small, they are incredibly plentiful. They also add sustenance to any garden because their seed heads are beloved by all sorts of birds; this is an ideal scenario for any thriving ecosystem because of ample seed distribution. Asters also attract a multitude of bees and butterflies.
Glorious Morning Glories
“A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.”
–Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
Morning glories are, by nature, glorious in their renewal and symbolize resurrection. They bloom in the morning, and their funnel-shaped flowers close in the afternoon. Because they grow on a vine, they are ideal for trellises, fences, and any vertical structure where they can climb and readily spread. Even though they are technically annuals, they drop seeds and re-sow themselves year after year.
Morning glories thrive through summer into early fall, making them a suitable choice for October. Morning glories are delicate beauties that only last until the first frost of autumn so they should be enjoyed while they last, which isn’t very long. While their beauty is fleeting, it is not only visually beneficial but also works as a wonderful source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Morning glory, when planted correctly as a cover, creates splendid shade surrounding the area where it grows and can be an effective method of keeping nooks in outdoor spaces cool.
Cool Colours
The incredible corresponding shades of dreamy blue morning glories pair beautifully with indigo New England asters. Talk about a winning colour combination! Morning glories and asters also grow in several other colours, most notably white, pink, and yellow.
It’s a proven fact that other than scent, colour is what draws us to certain flowers and why we’re attracted to specific arrangements. There’s nothing more enticing than an exquisite colour to add a bit of flair or elegance to a room. If you’re looking for a colour scheme to match the irresistible blue, violet, or indigo of an unfurled morning glory or autumnal aster, look no further than the irresistible One Colour Choice bouquets offered by Chelsea Flowers. To make a monochromatic statement, simply visit the website and the link below:
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/one-colour-choice
To see what’s in bloom, which flowers match your favorite colours, and to learn more about asters and morning glories, click the following links:
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/whats-in-bloom
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/colours-gallery
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/one-colour-choice