The leaves are changing and that familiar Autumn chill is in the air. Gone are the sunny, balmy days of summer, as well as the bright sunflowers and daisies, green grass and our summer garden harvest.

But just because the grass in your yard may be turning brown and your garden which was once thriving a few months ago might resemble a wasteland doesn’t mean you cannot get a few more months of color in your yard, add some fun fall touches to your front porch, as well as prepare for next Spring.

Planting Fall Color

Once all the bright summer color has vanished, it may seem as if your porch and yard are gloomy and boring. They don’t have to be! Plenty of flowers can flourish in a pot or bed in the Autumn. Chrysanthemums, Asters and Pansies are a few flowers that can grow heartily throughout Fall. Try big pots of beautiful chrysanthemums on both sides of your door to welcome guests.

For a fun weekend project, try container gardening with Fall perennials. Use seasonal perennials that will survive well in your area and plant lovely combination arrangements in large pots. You can get really creative but usually the large pot is filled with a taller perennial or decorative grass in the center, some ‘filler’ plants or flowers in the middle, and some ’spiller’ plants as the final, last layer; these will spill over the pot in a nice fashion. Here is a great step-by-step video on the process. Cheerful pots and beds of pansies will add color to your yard as well.

Cleaning up the Garden

Once you’ve enjoyed your summer harvest, it’s time to start preparing your garden for Fall and Winter, as well as start your planting and/or sowing for fall vegetables. Check out these guidelines:

• Replace all spent annuals
• Prepare soil for autumn planting
• Plant spring bulbs
• Rake and remove all fallen leaves
• Cut back the spent perennials / biennials
• Remove annuals damaged by frost
• Harvest all herb stems and roots
• Fertilize remaining plants as needed
• Sow seeds for succession planting
• Plant peonies, poppies and irises
• Add winter mulch, if needed
• Prepare bulbs for forcing and chill
• Divide and transplant perennials and ground covers
• Apply dormant fertilizer to trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines
• Plant and mulch hardy annuals for winter
• Plant bare-root trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines
• Transplant roses
• Plant bare-root roses
• In southern zones, stop watering to induce dormancy

You can also start planting your bulbs for Spring, such as bright yellow daffodils, gorgeous and vibrant tulips and many more types of bulbs to make a beautiful show once Spring arrives.

Decorate for Fall

In addition to adding mums and container gardens throughout your yard, there are several other things you can do to decorate and beautify for Fall.

• Make an easy Autumn wreath for your front door
• Decorate your front porch and stairs with gourds and pumpkins
• Make a scarecrow
• Pick beautiful fall leaves and flowers, preserve them in glycerin for three days (two parts hot water to one part glycerin), then display in a beautiful cast iron pot or wicker basket on your front porch
• Fill an old children’s wagon with hay, pumpkins, gourds and leaves to display
• Tie dried cornhusks from your front or back door
• Fill window boxes with mums and pumpkins

As you can see, there are so many ways to brighten up your yard and porch this Autumn. Do you have a great Autumn decorating idea we’ve missed? Please share it in our comments section!

One of the most fun ways to collect items to use in your Fall decorations is to take a long drive in the country to enjoy the beautiful Fall foliage, collecting items and produce from local farm stands and markets along the way.

Stop back by later this week for ideas about how to bring the beauty of Fall indoors!

Someone you care about has a birthday coming up. Are you planning on waiting till the last minute and sending a gift card again? Don’t do it! Send thoughtful birthday flowers or gifts instead–read on for personalized flower and gift ideas for that birthday girl or boy in your life.

Family and Friends

Mom

What Mom doesn’t like to get flowers? Below are some personalized ideas for your Mom, tailored to her style!

The How Sweet It Is flower bouquet is a good choice–and safe bet–for your Mom, regardless of her personal style.

A unique flower trend is “flower cakes” like this Wishes Come True bouquet.

Best (Girl)friends Forever

What better way to make your B.F.F.’s day then sending her a beautiful flower arrangement? The Fashionista Flower Bouquet is absolutely for your best fashionista girlfriend.

Or, send a gorgeous orchid!

Sister, Aunt or Cousin

A cheerful and pretty flower bouquet like the Polka Dots and Posies bouquet will certainly bring a smile to her face!

Romantic Birthday Flowers

Express your love, passion and devotion with these flower arrangements perfect for making her birthday one to remember.

Fragrant and gorgeous lilies mingle with classic roses in this gorgeous and romantic Celebrations bouquet

This Rambling Rose Bouquet is a unique and romantic spin on classic roses and sure to convey your love and affection.

Or, satisfy her sweet tooth with a delicious chocolate gift basket like the Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Basket.

Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Boyfriend

Guys love flowers and gift baskets too! This Home Run bouquet will definitely hit the ball out of the park!

Or, a great idea is to send a great plant for his home or office like this Areca Palm–a lasting way to spruce up any home or office.

Say Happy Birthday this year with style–send birthday flowers or gift baskets and make their special day even happier!

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Send Father’s Day flowers and gifts, Birthday Flowers, Get Well Flowers, Romantic Flowers and more.

Make someone’s day today—send fresh flowers or a unique gift from FromYouFlowers.com!

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Summer flower arrangements

FromYouFlowers.com has a wide assortment of spring and summer flower arrangements guaranteed to set the tone for fun in the sun! Whether you want to show Dad how much you care, send a thank-you gift to the hostess with the mostest, bring a smile to your summer love’s face or add some cheer to your home for a summer BBQ or party, FromYouFlowers.com has you covered!

A Homerun for Dad

Father’s Day is fast approaching—hit a homerun with your gift choice this year with our Big Hit Bouquet! This bright bouquet gives Dad fresh flowers in an oversized baseball mug that he’ll be able enjoy for years!

Cheerful Daisies

Our Delightfully Daisy bouquet is the perfect choice for a hostess thank you gift or a “Just Because” bouquet. Lavender daisies make a bright impression and add warmth and cheer to any home or office.

Sunny Day

Mimic the sunshine with our gorgeous Sunny Smiles flower bouquet! A cheery bouquet of yellow, peach and white blossoms is like a vase full of happiness! This floral gift is an excellent “Get Well” choice, or just the right touch to perk up someone’s spirits.

Wish Come True

Help someone make a summertime wish come true with our Make a Wish Bouquet. A cheerful mix of daisies, carnations and alstroemeria in summery tones of yellow, purple, orange and hot pink, are delivered in a miniature ginger vase adorned with a plaid yellow ribbon. Perfect for any summer love or friend.

Perfect as a Posy

Make someone’s day with this Polka Dots and Posies bouquet! For a treat that can’t be beat, this delightfully cheery bouquet of white daisies and pink roses - presented in a delicately tinted pink glass cube vase, accented with a matching pink polka-dot ribbon - is like a gift of pure joy! It’s an adorable birthday gift as well as a charming arrangement for your summer sweetheart.

Just Like Heaven

Have a summertime anniversary to celebrate? Send our Heavenly Hues bouquet to your sweetie. The enchanting arrangement includes a fragrant mix of blooms in soft blues, light yellows, and white, perfectly accented by a cylindrical vase with a light blue satin finish.

Everything’s Coming up Roses

Make anyone’s day rosy with this charming Stratford Gardens Bouquet! A wonderful centerpiece for any summer day, this bouquet is as lovely as a stroll through the English countryside in the summertime. Pink and peach roses mingle with cool lavender mums, creating the perfect complement to a misty lavender glass vase.

Oh Baby!

Welcoming a new baby into the world this summer? Send our adorable Just Ducky Bouquet, available for a newborn boy or girl, to the new parents and guarantee even more smiles! Displayed in a ceramic duck wearing a sailor hat, this darling bouquet in a yellow and white color scheme includes mums, roses, and carnations. Too cute!

Rare Beauty

Want to let your summertime sweetheart how rare a beauty she is? Send a beautiful orchid. Our striking Dendrobium Orchid plant exudes rare beauty and is a long-lasting reminder of how you feel.

Red, White and Blue All Over

Happy Independence Day! Spruce up a 4th of July BBQ with cheerful Red, White and Blue flower arrangements. Surround one of these bouquets with your hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings and you’re good to go!

Summer Smiles Flower Bouquet

Sometimes it’s hard to admit to a mistake, especially in business, however when mistakes happen apologies are always in order. Whether it was your fault or not, let From You Flowers help you express your sentiments in a way that is clear and concise. A subtle and beautiful gift from fromyouflowers.com can turn a business blunder into an opportunity to reinforce important relationships.

Few gifts have the expressive qualities of fresh flowers (see Rutger’s study). Send an arrangement that not only says I’m Sorry, but shows how much you truly value your business relationships. Our corporate service staff are experienced in conveying difficult messages. Let us find a gift that expresses your sentiment in an elegant and professional manner. We will help you every step of the way from choosing the appropriate gift to the best card message.

Apologies can be difficult, but building great business relationships are even more challenging. Let fromyouflowers.com help maintain and reinforce your important partnerships.

For additional details, contact our Corporate Services Department at 860 510 0636 or email corporateservices@fromyouflowers.com to be partnered with an Account Manager who will help you design a program that fits your needs and budget. With a 100% service and product guarantee you can be assured your efforts will always be a huge success.