A fall centerpiece easily be made from plants and flowers in your own backyard. Learn how to create something stunning and free for your holiday table.
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You really can’t beat the beauty of fall foliage. Spring and summer flowers are gorgeous, but I equally adore the dark hues of red, orange and the almost black currently found in the garden. Autumn in the garden has a wonderful warmth and richness that makes it a great time to create a fall centerpiece for your home.
You might be surprised to find that you can create one with materials found right in your backyard, including cuttings from spent perennials, wildflowers, trees, shrubs and yes, even weeds.
The Process
Walk around and cut interesting foliage, flowers, and possibly weeds that have interesting texture and color. Take a closer look at branches from shrubs and trees. I especially love the ones with fruit, berries or interesting seed heads. Also, consider grasses and wildflowers like Queen Anne’s Lace and goldenrod.
Start with a container. This one is going on the dining room table so I want it to be low and wide so that it does not block the view when people are seated.
Give your container some structure to hold the plant material using oasis, a floral frog, chicken wire or simply make a crisscross pattern across the top with strong floral tape
Add water now. If you are using a tall vase consider only filling it part way so that it isn’t too heavy and doesn’t spill when you move it to your final spot.
Start with the larger sturdier pieces first and work your way through by adding more delicate pieces last.
Turn the arrangement around as you go to see it from all angles. Stand back and assess your work. Invariably you will want to tweak the look by adding just a few more pieces here and there to fill in bare spots or to adjust the balance. Just go with your gut and do what is pleasing to you.
Fall Centerpiece Foraged from the Backyard
Depending on what you are using this centerpiece should last for 1-2 weeks indoors.
A beautiful showpiece for your holiday table.
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lauren says
love this and natural it looks! I took a flower arranging class to learn how to do exactly this – but I don’t have any florals to pick since we have a townhome with contracted landscaping. I am thinking about taking walks at dusk with scissors to see what I can secretly come up with from other neighborhoods 🙂 haha!
Patti Estep says
Hi Lauren,
That’s a great idea. I doubt anyone would mind or maybe go to a wooded park and snip a few pieces. There are tons of beautiful plants growing wild where I live. I usually go to a popular bike trail in the fall around here to find some wild bittersweet. It’s an invasive vine that no one wants to grow but makes beautiful wreaths and other fall decor.
Carole says
You know…. I love the natural look there’s just so many fun things you can do year round. This centerpiece is beautiful Patti and I love all the different elements. Moss is another neat addition to cover any tape the foliage may miss. I bet your home is going to look amazing this holiday season.
Patti Estep says
Hi Carole,
I usually stuff my container full of materials but I do love the idea of adding moss. Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!