Fashion Flowers For Autumn - Natural Chemistry

Agapanthus >

Agapanthus (from the Greek for 'flower of love') came to Europe in the 17th century; brought here by the merchants of the Dutch East India Company. Although these flowers are normally purple, there are some pure white and some blue varieties.

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< Dill

Dill is a plant long grown for its medicinal and flavouring properties. As a herb, dill's soft, feathery, foliage is often used in cooking.

Left to flower, its flowerheads are a delicate lime or golden yellow, spreading out like an umbrella above thick ridged hollow stems.

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Celosia >

This type of Celosia (pictured) is Celosia cristata, meaning crinkled celosia. This unusual appearance is where the flower gets its common name of cockscomb celosia. Some are so crinkled they are almost circular, though most are a fan or cockscomb shape.

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< Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum comes from the Greek "khrus anthemon", meaning "gold flower". The flowers were highly prized by the Greeks.

Chrysanthemums are available in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes. From spray varieties, to single blooms they are amazingly versatile and very long lasting.

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Dendrobium >

Dendrobium orchids used to be considered exotic and extravagant, but in recent years they have become much more widely available. They still ooze glamour and elegance, however, with just a couple of stems adding a sophisticated touch to a room.

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< Amaranthus

Amaranthus is native to tropical South America, and has an exotic appearance.

There are two main colours, a dark red - hence the common name for the plant, "love-lies-bleeding" - and a lime green. The same colours are found in the upright variety, though those reds can also have dark brown tints.

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