We all know what is flowering in our gardens on a week by week basis and also what is looking its seasonal best, but that is not the same as really taking the time to seek out the beauty, to see not just the freshly blooming flowers but also the seed heads and foliage that are part of the gardens own special atmosphere. Walking through my beds, taking time to really look and consider the elements that are pleasing me whilst thinking about how they might come together in an arrangement is a very peaceful and relaxing experience, the antithesis of walking around my garden , pen at the ready, composing a list of jobs that need doing. The first is very much about beauty in the moment, whilst the latter defines the more stressful prospect of creating planned beauty at a future moment.This week the starting point had to be the beautiful chrysanthemums that are flowering in my greenhouse. As many of you know I grow indoor chrysanthemums every year and they provide huge joy in the dark months of November and December. I will write a separate post very soon about the varieties I like and my growing techniques. Whilst walking around the garden I was delighted to find a couple of roses ( from the glorious rose Golden Wedding), in bloom and a few white snapdragons which always last well into the autumn. Added to these are some stems of the winter honeysuckle Lonicera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty, some weed seed heads including my favourite dock, a few dried stems of perovskia 'Blue Spire' and some beautiful arching rose stems with perfect hips, also from the Golden Wedding bush.
There are plenty of beautiful chrysanthemums that can be grown outside, but these late flowering heavy headed incurved varieties are best grown under cover where autumn rains and frosts will not damage the petals. Chrysanthemums are said to symbolise optimism and joy and coming during these dark months when so little else is available how could these blousy beauties do anything but lift our spirits. Unsurprisingly they are the birth flower for November. When I was child my grandmother always had a vase of white chrysanthemums in her window in November and December and I know from sharing this story on Instagram that many of you also associate chrysanthemums with your grandmothers. Since then they have gone through a period of being deeply unfashionable, but their star is rising again as many growers and gardeners are starting to appreciate the value of a flower that blooms so beautifully so late in the year.
Whilst late chrysanthemums are at their best in November, a newly flowering rose is a rare and precious gift. I noticed that this rose Golden Wedding was full of buds a couple of weeks ago and wondered whether any of the buds would bloom - and here is the answer - 2 perfect flowers that have proved deliciously scented in my warm kitchen. The outer petals are slightly brown complimenting the multi petaled pristine centres perfectly. Without those browning petals this would be a June rose, but that little touch of decay on a new flower places it firmly in the autumn season.
This is a tricky time of year for floral photography. The light is hard to find and doesn't last long, even on a bright day. I used my 100mm macro lens to capture these shots as it performs well in low light situations. I also upped the ISO and bumped up the exposure compensation by a couple of stops to get enough light for these pictures. My favourite autumn/winter set up is here, on my kitchen worktop, with a large south facing window casting side light onto my flowers - in the summer this position is far too bright. I only like to take flower photographs in natural light as any electric light will cast a yellowish tint to the photos, so my window for indoor photography at this time of year is short.I hope that you have enjoyed my Monday Flowers and that it will mark my return to a regular Monday routine. As ever I am linking this post to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden, who has been inspiring increasing numbers of flower lovers to make a Monday vase for about 5 years now. Last week I wrote my Autumn Musings and shared a lot of photos of my garden under a carpet of leaves, so please take a look if you have the time. Later this week I will return with a post about growing chrysanthemums in my greenhouse, including my favourite suppliers and varieties. Do ask any questions you have about growing chrysanthemums below as that would be a great help in preparing my post.Next week will be the beginning of December and to mark the start of the festive season and to say thank you to everyone who is still reading despite my long absences, I will add a little Give Away to my post.Wishing you all a lovely flowery week ahead! 
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