It's late autumn here in Australia and though there are a few flowers in my garden, I thought I'd have a go at creating an arrangement that draws on foliage colours and forms rather than flowers for interest. Though Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate, I grow a fair number of tropical foliage plants in pots, moving them undercover in winter to keep them dry in the cooler weather. Here's what I came up with: Foliage: Iresine herbstii , Aucuba japonica , Plectranthus argentatus , Hypoestes phyllostachya , Alpinia sp., Syngonium podophyllum 'Neon Robusta' (I think), Ctenanthe setosa , Ctenanthe setosa 'Grey Star'. Flowers: Begonia 'Mega Red'. Fruit: Sold to me as 'Chinese 5 colour chilli', from a garage sale over a decade ago - I've been saving the seeds and growing it every year since.       Here's the arrangement with a few props: Props: being late autumn, it's persimmon season. Yum. I like the vanilla type; the knitted black ca...

Autumn is by far my favourite time of year.  Our (often hellishly) hot summer temperatures gradually subside to cooler nights and UV radiation levels dip low enough to allow for gardening sessions without the non-negotiable long sleeves, sunscreen and hat of summer outdoor activities. Lagerstroemia indica x fauriei 'Natchez' in autumn regalia Many of my favorite perennials are in full flower frenzy, intent on making the most of the warmth before the cooler weather sets in. Plants in the tropical garden look good too. After months of balmy temperatures, they have likely forgotten they are living in a temperate climate.  Backlit Canna 'Tropicanna' But more than anything, the reason I like this time of year is for the glowing ethereal quality of autumnal light. The way it comes in sideways, backlighting foliage, seedpods and flower stalks, transforming the mundane into something magical.   Begonia sp. lit up like stained glass I attempted to capture this light during...