“Autumn teaches us the beauty of letting go. Growth requires release—it’s what the trees do.” ~Ka’ala, @alohakaala
The weather had been cooling down with daytime temps topping out at the high 60s, low 70s. And nighttime lows were going down into the upper 40s. Fall was in the air already much to the chagrin of summer lovers. But our weekend and this week’s forecast has summer returning with highs in the 90s and lows in the upper 60s maybe even 70. Yikes.
School starts here this week after the Labor Day holiday today And in the past we expected a cool down. We even consider it fall before the equinox. But with these temps, summer is blazing back. When I was teaching I used to resent the hot start to the school year because I was indoors and couldn’t be outside enjoying a late summer. My soul was craving time outside in my garden or sunbathing by a pool or lake.
Oh well. Now that I am retired, I can enjoy my summers. And I still crave the cool down of fall. Once I see signs of fall, like these leaves on my native coral berry bush (above), my thoughts turn to fall….it’s cooler weather and slowing down.
So in honor of the fall starting to show, I picked a few bunches of flowers that remind me of autumn colors as we are “glowing” into fall.
The first is a reddish bouquet. I use the word red in a broad sense, including all the hues. Red flowers are often associated with romance, deep desire and passion. It is filled with a dahlia and other annuals from around the garden containers…mostly.
You can see fuchsias, gerbera daisy, coral bells and a deep reddish-purple zinnia.
Also included are nasturtiums and different varieties of reddish-purple cosmos.
Next I turned to the yellows and oranges that say end of summer. Orange flowers speak of excitement, joy, positivity, passion, energy, and enthusiasm. While yellow flowers can meaning happiness, optimism, loyalty, and positivity.
In this vase are a couple of sunflowers, black-eyed susans, marigold and a native helianthus prized in the fall garden for pollinators and butterflies.
A deep reddish-orange zinnia and different yellow calendulas.
Turn it around and there is nasturtium and another view.
I just noticed that these small vases were both photographed in the same spot. But I will be placing these small vases in special spots around the house.
With this week’s lovely vases, I am linking in to the wonderful meme, In A Vase On Monday, at Rambling in the Garden.
All the pictures shared in this post were taken with my Nikon Coolpix or iPhone camera, and manipulated on my iPhone using the apps, Pixlr and Prisma. You can follow my progress with #the100dayproject in my Instagram and Facebook feed.
All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2023. Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.
We have heat in the UK this week too, Donna – up to 28 degrees (82F) …a bit hot Your autumn colours are pleasantly refreshing, and how lovely to have several to spread around the house
This late in the season I was happy to have such variety too!
I love the reddish bouquet, Donna. So many people seem to be riding a weather roller coaster of late. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make it any more fun. I hope your temperatures don’t soar as high as forecast.
Trust me they will with humidity. That reddish one is my favorite too!!
Nice littles, Donna! I’ve come to expect a bit of a heat wave in early Sept. I always feel for teachers and students being in hot, stuffy rooms trying to adjust to being in the harness again. Luckily, those days are behind you. Stay cool!
Thanks. Yes I do expect heat in early September but boy this is too hot. Staying cool here!!
Very pretty, Donna. We’re having some of the hottest weather of the summer this weekend. 21 days without rain again, so the challenge is watering parts of the garden, and letting the wild areas go dormant. Cooler next week, so that will be more comfy. 🙂
That is outrageous not having water that long. Can’t wait for the cool down.
The pinky red dahlia and fuschia in your first vase are especially lovely Donna. Beautiful colours. And how nice to have so much to bring indoors from your small garden and containers!
I love them both too. I am pleased this year with how the garden is growing and sharing her bounty with me!
That red Dahlia is spectacular. Your vases remind me to wonder what happened to my nasturtiums this year, no-shows.
Oh no. That is too bad. Not sure how hot they like it. But right now they get part shade and lots of water. Hope you have better luck next year.