Seed Heads
Too prompt tidying-up of dead flower heads deprives the garden and the flower arranger of another season of interest. Of course not all plants are beautiful when in seed, but those that are, continue to outline the framework of the garden, retaining architectural shapes against the skyline. And when autumn frosts rime the standing stems the garden suddenly flowers again. The flower arranger is provided with endless opportunities for creating new designs. Whether used green, for those popular green arrangements, or when dried to many and varying shades, from straw, tan, russet and chestnut to darkest brown, these carved shapes are invaluable.
Personally I love the natural look of my drieds so well that I dislike the practice of paint and glitter. But when some magician with Christmas decorations shows me 'frosted' primula heads or gilded sea hollies, I am almost tempted.
All of this needs to be combined with common sense of course. To leave opium poppies to seed everywhere is the greatest source of irritation, while a wind and rain-battered mass of tattered remains is depressing.
-Beth Chatto
The following make good seed heads:
Buy Beth's Handbook here: The Beth Chatto Handbook
Read on: The Beth Chatto Handbook- Seaside Gardens
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