Welcoming September with Sunflowers and Apples + Autumn Inspiration

Welcome September and find tips to create a flower arrangement and table centerpiece incorporating sunflowers and apples for fall’s arrival. You’ll also find additional floral and table inspiration incorporating sunflowers, as well as an autumn harvest of fresh picked apple recipes.

Hello September and Happy Labor Day for those in the U.S.!

It’s one of my favorite days of the month when I join my

Monday Morning Blooms’ friends to share some flower therapy.

We’re excited to welcome back

Shannon at Belle Bleu Interiors,

joining us as a guest ‘bloomer’ today.

You can my bloggings friends’ links to their beautiful floral inspiration at the bottom of this post.

Our common theme for September’s edition of Monday Morning Blooms was ‘Autumn’.

Autumn is my favorite season! As far as I’m concerned,

there are two times of the year: Autumn and Waiting for Autumn!

With the calendar page turned to September, I’m welcoming Autumn with sunflowers and apples!

🍁🍂🌻🍎🍂🍁

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Sunflowers are the perfect flower to transition from summer to fall

with their sunny yellow rays and warm brown centers.

To create a floral centerpiece using sunflowers and apples,

I used a favorite urn with birds that I’ve had 20+ years.

I recently found this Pillow Floral Cage Arranger.

It works like chicken wire, without the sharp edges,

and is made of plastic so it doesn’t rust.

I wedged mine down into my urn but you could use waterproof floral tape to secure it the top of your vase or bowl.

Mine is 6 inches wide, but it’s also available in a 4 inch size.

Note: Because it’s so lightweight, it works best if you place your floral material evenly to start, working in a north, south, east, west pattern until it’s stable. Alternatively, use tape to hold the cage in place.

Limelight Hydrangeas are taking on shades of pink with their fall metamorphosis

and I cut some for the foundation of my arrangement.

Silver Sage (Salvia argentea) was added next with the fuzzy silver leaves adding texture.

Grocery store blooms. . . alstroemeria, yellow roses and sunflowers

were added to fill in the arrangement.

 Bamboo skewers were used to add apples to the arrangement,

skewering the apple in the blossom end.

Bamboo skewers are food safe so you can still eat your apples or use them for fall baking

after your flowers are spent and you disassemble your arrangement.

Last but not least, wax flowers and hypericum berries

were added to the arrangement for filler and texture.

Two products I swear by for long-lasting flowers are *Floralife Flower Food and

Crowning Glory Solution Floral Spray.

Tip: If you’re buying flowers from the grocery store, always use the flower food packets

that come with your flowers to give them their longest vase life.

Flower food / floral preservative provides nutrients for your flowers and controls

the pH for optimal water uptake, while also reducing bacteria in your vase water.

I like the convenience of the 10 oz. container of flower food for easy mixing,

especially if you’re using a larger vase. You don’t have to fiddle

with opening little packets to mix up 16 oz. of solution at a time,

and it’s more eco-friendly since you’re not disposing of little plastic wrappers.

One 10 oz. container will make 30 quarts of solution.

*currently unavailable in the 10 oz. powder, available in liquid, HERE

If you’re not familiar with  Crowning Glory, it’s an antitranspirant spray

that seals in moisture and dries clear.

It’s safe to use on all flower types and is especially beneficial

for flowers that are prone to wilting due to moisture loss, like hydrangeas.

Note: Remove your apples before spraying your flowers so they’re food safe. I usually cover my table with a towel to catch any drips before spraying. Crowning Glory dries in approximately 30 minutes depending on the temperature.

The arrangement was placed in a wood tray with a pair of mini pumpkins,

Indian corn and apples to celebrate September’s arrival!

Here are few tips to help extend the life of your flowers in your arrangement:

🍂 Cut your flower stems at a 45 degree angle for maximum water uptake and remove any leaves below the water line.

🍂  Always add the floral preservative packets to your vase water that come with your flowers from the store.

🍂 Check your water level frequently, topping off as needed, especially if using thirsty flowers like hydrangeas, and change your vase water every other day if possible.

🍂 Remove any wilting and fading flowers as they produce ethylene gas, which can hasten the decline of neighboring flowers.

🍂 Keep your flower arrangement away from heat or direct sunlight.

“By all these lovely tokens September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather and

Autumn’s best of cheer.” – Helen Hunt Jackson

“If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then Autumn would be the magic hour.”

– Victoria Erickson

“Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul… but I must confess that I love you only because you are a prelude to my beloved October.” – Peggy Toney Horton

Find a harvest of Fresh Picked Apple Recipes for Fall

from salads, soups, cocktails, and desserts!

And find more sunflower inspiration for September:

Sunflower Love: DIYs, Flower Centerpieces and Table Inspiration

Find DIYs, flower centerpieces and table inspiration using sunflowers to transition for summer into fall.

Visit my flower friends to see their Autumn floral inspiration:

Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse

Pam at Everyday Living

Shannon at Belle Bleu Interiors

Thank you for your visit, Sharing with:

 Between Naps on the Porch