Amy Sanderson Flowers

{September 22, 2015}

Guest post from Amy of Amy Sanderson Flowers:

“Fall, for me, is a season of frantic harvest – apples, tomatoes, squash and so on, all need to be picked and processed. But it’s also when we end up having a lot of gatherings to celebrate and share the beautiful produce. A family birthday on the weekend featured applesauce cake from our own apples, and a plethora of vegetables from the market (you know you’re in for a treat when they start selling entire stalks of brussels sprouts and cauliflower in multiple colours). And just last week, we picked buckets of strawberries, including my favourite little Tristars – perfect for a spontaneous strawberry shortcake party.

All this is to say that my hosting strategies in fall begin and end with simple, seasonal food. The less prep, the better. So for tea with Funmi and Christina yesterday, I decided to make some fresh biscuits to eat with tomatoes from the garden and local cheese. Or, for a sweeter touch, jam from our rhubarb and raspberries. Simple, yes, but satisfying for a cool day.

As an Edmonton wedding floral designer, September is one of my favourite months to work in. There are so many beautiful textural elements available like ‘Frosted Explosion’ grass, rosehips or poppy pods. When mixed in with flowers such as roses, dahlias and chrysanthemums, they give voice to the chaotic overgrowth and rich colours of the fall garden. But fall texture is equally at home with more neutral palettes. One of my favourite September bouquets mixed blush and tan roses and a plethora of textural elements including beautiful pink snowberry, white astrantia, flowering oregano and drying astilbe. And let us not forget my favourite flower of the season – Hydrangea paniculata. If I wasn’t totally obsessed with spring, I would get married in September so I could have a bouquet of Hydrangea paniculata ‘Kyushu’.

Happily, I had also made a few fall-inspired flower arrangements, which Funmi captured beautifully. For some low table centerpieces I mixed leftover red ranunculus with clippings from the garden.

However, it was the giant dinner plate dahlias that I had rescued from the frost that got the most compliments. Admittedly, they are pretty impressive.Thanks for visiting, Funmi – I hope you and all your readers take the time to glory in fall. All the fresh fruit and vegetables, beautiful colours outside, and golden afternoon light make for perfect parties! And if you lack motivation, just remember, it could snow any day now.”

I had a wonderful afternoon with Christina & Amy. These flowers are just an absolute joy to behold! Are you planning an Edmonton wedding with a desire to include some locally grown by Amy flowers? Contact Amy right away! Hope you enjoyed this guest post as much as we did putting it together for you.