Sunday in my neck of the woods began stormy and transitioned into a cool, overcast day (high of 80 degrees F) My husband and I sat on our screened porch for the first time in months. Fall is elusive in South Florida and sometimes the flowers speak for the season. Chapman’s Goldenrod is flowering in my garden, an indestructible and polite native wildflower that reminds me of much more Autumnal months spent further north. Our weather is not reliably cooler until mid October, so this first whisper of Fall was a welcome respite from the usual steamy late summer temperatures.
The Chapman’s Goldenrod (Solidago odora ‘Chapmanii’.) is the yellow flower in the middle of the arrangement. Here is a link to More about Chapman’s Goldenrod .
Clockwise from the Goldenrod, in red spikes, Tropical Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea); a sprig of Blueberry Flax Lily (Dianella); The orange tubes are Firebush (Hamelia patens var patens);white buds from a Tropical Gardenia (Tabernaemontana divericata); Daisy mixture is Beach Sunflowers (Helianthus debilis) and Gallardia pulchella. The far left side of the arrangement has a Red Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeana); the background plants are Wireweed (in white); and a bit of Dwarf Pineapple foliage (the spear).
For an arrangement in a vintage Dansk candleholder- there is a lot stuffed in there. Initially, I decided to try a hand tied bouquet (which I do not know how to do) gave up on that, kept adding flowers, changed vases three times and ended up here.
Listening for more whispers of Fall.
The Shrub Queen 
After looking for Fall for many years, I can finally tell by the subtle change in light. The heat and humidity stay to November and sometimes beyond. Are you expecting the heavy rain in your area? We are getting some here and many people are still not in their homes from Harvey.
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Yes, I notice the light changing and the day length. The difference between summer and winter in shade and shadow here is huge. It is raining now and I can feel the tropical moisture in the air, we are out of the cone – I am on the Atlantic side north of West Palm, it looks like Louisiana right now might get it, I looked at NOAA, but who really knows? Stay safe.
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Today they are saying that we are not getting Gordon. They got up to 10 inches along the coast and Galveston yesterday. We got enough to turn the sprinklers off for a couple of days.
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Yay, Gordon seems unsure but, I think he will be a Rainmaker. Are your neighbors that got flooded out back?
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There are still people in our community that are living in a camper or their second floor. I just ran into an acquaintance, who ran out of money to finish their house and do not qualify for any assistance. It has affected people on both ends of the economic spectrum.
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I hate to hear that, I have run across similar stories here. Not sure of a solution.
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My friend did not have flood insurance. I think that is the first step if you are anywhere near water. Everyone in my community should be able to afford it. Also, houses were built up above the 100 year flood level by adding soil and people were told they would be OK. It turns out that besides the river, many streams drain in our direction. We also have a huge lake north of us that drains into our river and then our lake. They decided to open the dam at 2am when everyone was asleep. People woke up with water in their bedrooms. I was very lucky, but there are lots of upset people here.
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Houston’s cavalier attitude towards zoning and stormwater was a long term recipe for disaster. Here as well, I am 28 feet above sea level and chose the house for that reason. Would not live near 100 year flood plain -but you are right flood insurance is necessary.
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Lovely bright bouquet heralding in the beginning of fall. It probably still feels very much like summer in South Florida as it is still very hot and humid here in Ohio.
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“…try a hand tied bouquet (which I do not know how to do) gave up on that, kept adding flowers, changed vases three times and ended up here.” made me laugh. I often try things for IaVoM that fail miserably. Nice to know that I’m in good company. Your end result is gorgeous! Florida in fall and winter must be divine. Here, it’s currently 55 with a predicted high of 70. Fall is definitely knocking at summer’s door.
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Peter, Thank you, I love to try things, my garden is a constant experiment. That said, many things do not work out. It is divine here from mid October until June or so. I am unsure I could survive winter anymore. We are also in the midst of Tropical Storm Gordon.
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A hand tied isn’t too hard to do, I’m sure you’ve looked on YouTube. Try looking also at Sarah Raven’s site she has a cheats method which is a good way to start.
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Thank you, cheats sounds like a plan.
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Yes, those Autumn colours are creeping into our vases aren’t they. A handsome arrangement!
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I laughed when I read that you changed your vase 3 times – the chuckles were entirely in sympathy as I did the same thing with my second arrangement yesterday. Fall is whispering to us too. I feel it drawing closer but I know we’ve got a long way to go yet before summer puts its tail between its legs and runs away. In the meantime I’m finding myself drawn to fall colors as well, although my garden is not nearly as well filled as yours with blooms in the appropriate color range. I love those beach sunflowers.
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Lovely bouquet, hand-tied or not. Hope the weather treats you well this week. Fall is definitely in the wings.
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Thank you. I have been referred to a hand tied video! May learn some new tricks.
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South Florida gets autumn?
These flowers look more seasonable than those you featured earlier, but I certainly am no expert on autumn either. Ours does not start for a while. (However, it did get noticeably cooler here all of a sudden!)
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Fall is very, very subtle. I call the seasons here Summer and Not Summer.
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Yup. We get a bit of rain and perhaps a slight frost in ‘not summer’.
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Beautiful! I love those sunflowers, they are always so cheery. Wireweed may be a weed, but I think it looks great in arrangements. If I had it, I’d probably be using it a lot! 😉
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I’m in denial. Pretending Autumn isn’t just behind me, nipping at my heels.
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Lurking…beautiful fall colors I will never see!
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