I set out today to create a Halloween themed vase which would complement the display on top of our piano. I wanted to use black Rudbeckia seed pods from the rock garden, and assumed I would add some orange marigolds or zinnias, since we still have not had a killing frost! As I walked through the Terrace Garden, however, my eyes fell on a broken-off stem of a ‘Mountain Fire’ bush (Pieris Japonica), and I decided I must use that, in spite of the salmon-pink hue of the flower buds it has already set for next year’s Lily of the Valley like blossoms.
While collecting the Rudbeckia seed heads, I spotted several stems of black, berry-like fern seeds, and knew a few of those would be perfect for this arrangement! I combined these elements with the now twice recycled Miscanthus plumes. I had thought that by now these feathery, fluffy flowers would have shed all over the furniture, but they are holding themselves together remarkably well!
Despite the lack of bright orange, this arrangements fits into the Halloween decor quite nicely!
I had some leftover seed pods, so I combined them with some more recycled Miscanthus and did pick two very mature orange zinnias (‘Fruit Smoothie’ mix) for a second vase, on display in another room.
I think the plump brown center cones of the zinnias nicely reflect the Rudbeckia seed heads, and the wide open flowers convey a late-in-the-season feel.
Last week’s rustic mixed bouquet held up well for the most part. The sunflowers and cosmos wilted after four or five days. I simply snipped those blooms off with scissors once they lost their attractiveness, rather than try to pull the whole stem out and disrupt the rest of the arrangement. This morning I did deconstruct the whole vase, trimming the stems of the flowers that still look good (most of the zinnias, the cleome buds, and more than half of the marigolds), and plunking them all back into the same jar, filled with fresh water. 
I think there are several more days of life left in this vase jelly jar!
Thanks as always go out to Cathy of Rambling in the Garden for faithfully hosting this weekly party of gardeners and their vases! Happy Halloween!
Cosmos and Cleome 
I love your halloween themed vase this week – suitably dark and eerie! It is good to see how your flowers from last week got on – zinnias and marigolds last so well and what a good idea just to cut faded flowers out of an arrangement – I will certainly try that in future.
Thanks for stopping by, Julie! I am amazed at how long the zinnias will last.
The rudbeckia seed heads are good, aren’t they? And those pieris flower buds look great. I was hoping for a zinnia or two in mine today, but although there are still buds there was nothing opening. Seeing your black fern seeds made me me think of ophiophogon berries, which I have not used before in a vase, so that’s a new idea…. need to write some of these ideas down, I think! It’s good that you are able to recycle previous vases – so thanks for telling us about what’s lasted well.
Yes, I thought it would be a nice touch to let people know what lasts well and what doesn’t, and I like to have that information for my own reference, too, since I don’t always remember things like that very well!
I think your seeds and grasses arrangement is more effective than a orange one. I love it. P. x
I tend to agree, Pam! Thanks for stopping by!
I adore your vases. Great idea to use the rudbeckia seedheads. The first is elegant but holiday themed. The second is sweet and perfect for Halloween and the third is bright and autumnal. Three wonderful vases!!!
Thanks, Donna! I’ve certainly been inspired by what I see other bloggers doing. I’m going to miss the bright colors of that third vase!
Those seed heads are perfect for a Halloween theme! I like the orange zinnia arrangement too, but must admit the colourful summery last vase is my favourite. I’m hankering after colour for as long as I can get it!
I’m going to miss all of those bright, happy colors too!
I like all three. The first looks particularly fancy and I have to remind myself it’s made up of mostly castaways and the remains of summertime blooms! I bet with a few adjustments you could make that into a dry, all winter arrangement.
Odd that frost has held off so long. I’m almost wishing a freeze would put my last annual out of their misery, but the warmer weather is much nicer for planting!
Today was a gift day in my book! I took full advantage and planted about 200 of my bulbs. Looks like this weekend will be the end for the annuals, don’t you think?
I am interested to see how long I can keep using that Miscanthus in arrangements!
I bet the miscanthus could make it all winter! Someone told me hairspray is a good idea for keeping the fluff from flying all over.
I love seeing rudbeckia seed heads and think they are perfect for your piano arrangement! All three of your vases are gorgeous but, like Cathy, the last picture really catches my eye as I’m in denial about summer ending already!
Thanks, Peter! Yes, I’ll really miss the happy colors in that third vase.
Love your mix of Miscanthus and Rudbeckia plumes. The Zinnias in the second vase add a nice touch of colour. Happy Halloween to you.