Photography by Britt Willoughby Dyer, for Gardenista.
Chinese lanterns have a mystique that may be lost on the innocent gardener.
Chinese lanterns are also known romantically as Amours en Cage (Love in a Cage), because of the fruits that are revealed after the cases have dried out.
Hedgerow gatherings, including spindle and hawthorn, joined by magenta chrysanthemums and Chinese lanterns.
Being a highly innovative flower decorator (this year’s floral artist in residence for the Royal Horticultural Society among other things), Fiona is not short of homegrown flowers to complement Chinese lanterns, taking “autumnal” to a different level.
Hazel, field maple, and old man’s beard are twisted around a super-size aluminum ring.
When the lanterns are left in bright light, they can be drained of their color, which actually adds to this scene of gentle decay.
The other side of the circle. The hoop shown here is a useful metal frame for floral decoration, standing at a height of 3 feet.
Ghostly pale calyses of Physalis alkekengi. Other members of the Physalis family include Cape gooseberry and tomatillo, which becomes clear when the cases go from being papery to becoming completely desiccated, the little (edible) fruit gleaming inside.
“I’ll be using it again for a Winter Sprite Festival in January, when it will be covered with moss, ivy and hanging snowdrops,” she says.