Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM Wildflowers and Autumn Berries

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements

In my gardens everything is beginning to dry out and brown. The annuals have had their summer fling, and the perennials are beginning to nod off too, ready to be put to bed for the winter months. I thought instead of picking flowers from my gardens for this week’s In a Vase on Monday, I would take a bike ride and see if there were any wildflowers to be found. 

I was surprised to find a few sprigs of honeysuckle having a bit of a renaissance, blooming, and still spreading a bit of fragrance. Since it was in a spot no one would see, I didn’t feel badly picking it for a bouquet. I kept riding, picking berries, and Autumn leaves, surprised to find the goldenrod was over, I had been sure it would still be available. 

A neighbor saw me peddling up the street, took note of the sprigs I held in my hand, and asked if I was giving my flowers a ride. I answered yes, and that they were free flowers. 

One wild stem I found was Porcelain Berry, something new to me, and a little dangerous in appearance. If a berry ever looked poisonous to me, this one surely did. I had a plastic bag in my pocket and I wrapped it around the stem after I picked it in case the sap was deadly. 

For a bit of clarity, and peace of mind, before I handled it further, I used my photo search app. Ampelopsis glandulosa is its classification. It isn’t poisonous at all, and has some health benefits. These are the culinary uses I found when I researched the plant: Leaves and buds can be consumed after being cooked, the fruit (berries) can be consumed raw or cooked.

I find the porcelain berries beautiful, however, they are very invasive and can kill native plants. Birds eat the plump berries and the seeds are spread in this way. 

Health benefits of Ampelopsis glandulosa: Some health benefits are treating boils, abscesses and ulcers, bruising. They are anti-inflammatory, diuretic, has been used to treat breast cancer.

The plants used in today’s IAVOM are: honeysuckle, bittersweet berries, porcelain berries, crabapple, frost aster, autumn clematis seedpods and sassafras leaves. 

18 thoughts on “Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM Wildflowers and Autumn Berries”

  1. What a lovely collection of wild blooms and foliage – those porcelain berries are certainly pretty, but I think too would have wondered if they were toxic. The sassafras leaves are a great addition to the blooms. We have had late flowering honeysuckle in the garden here this year too

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  3. krispeterson100's avatar krispeterson100

    Your arrangement is perfect to celebrate autumn. I’m a little in love with those porcelain berries but I’ve never seen them here and they didn’t even make it into my western garden guide so I’m guessing they don’t like Southern California 😉

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    1. Oh I’m in love too. I was sad to read they are invasive. I didn’t see many of the berries, but I’ve read the vines can become massive. I think I was lucky to find the berries. I’m sure the birds must feast on them.

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Thanks so much for your comments. They fill my life with sunshine.