Today, we’re featuring a bouquet of fall leaves and the last roses of the season. It is representative of the flora and coloration found in Greensboro this time of year. We put the arrangement together this past weekend, just before the first frost. It was our little effort at Ikebana– the Japanese tradition of bringing together nature and humanity.

North Carolina is fortunate to have extensive diversity in our woody plant species with 487 native and 159 introduced species of trees, shrubs, and woody vines (reference). It is so rewarding to walk through one’s yard and see the diversity nature has to offer. The holly leaves and nandina berries seen above will last through the winter; however, the red and orange leaves, as well as the roses, are on borrowed time. While outside relaxing in the quiet of the afternoon, we could smell wood burning in a distant fireplace. Like the wildlife, during a harvest moon, we’re getting ready for a few months of challenging weather and this photo allows to hold on to fall a little longer.

Time for eating Brunswick stew and making apple butter with this arrangement on our kitchen counter. What’s it like in your neck of the woods?