How would you use these?

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and enjoying the posts. We grow a variety of annuals each year and among our favorites are these "Fireworks" and "Giant Princess" asters (assuming this photo from last summer comes through appropriately). They start blooming in late July here in Zone 5a and peak in early August. What suggestions do you have about how you might use these in an arrangement? What would you see as good compliments in terms of color, size, or shape (among common sorts of garden flowers and foliage, not exotic tropical stuff, etc.)? Thanks.

Those are pretty. I would like them in a tussie mussie type of arrangement with maybe dusty miller foliage. They look so dainty so I wouldn't use heavy or dark foliage.

On second thought, dainty maybe isn't the right word...

Thanks karma,

These are about the size of medium zinnias (bloom the size of a silver dollar) so they may not be as dainty as the photo implies, although the feathery petals give that soft impession, don't they? Obviously they could work as "filler" for an arrangement but I think they are nice enough to be the central focus for a creative arrangement with the right combination. I'm still interested in ideas.

If you want ideas, try these links:

http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/design173.html

Here is the first page - there are about 29 pages of examples.

http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/flowerarranging1.html

Thanks Seandor,

Yeah, I guess that is what I was looking for. Ideas pertaining to "Cut Flowers and Floral Design." I appreciate the link.

....soft...yes that's it, thanks.

This isn't probably what you're looking for, but they would look lovely floating in a shallow vase of water with floating candles.

I should have told you that if you just click on the images from the pages of floral design, you are taken to the instructions. :-)

http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/flowerarranging1.html

I always like to take any flower and:
take a round vase clear.....run tape across the top in strips about 9 for smaller type vase....go in both directions with the tape....creating a small space to put a flower .............then all the flowers mound on the top of the vase.....those are delightfully pretty asters!!!!! (You can always put in the bottom of the clear vase pieces of aspidistra or anything green in the bottom of the clear round vase if you so choose)

Thanks Gessiegail. Great suggestions.

Lovely Asters! Those are so pretty, I wouldn't want to put any other colors or too many textures in with them .... I think they would make a great arrangement with just some greenery .... not ferny type stuff, but maybe a few branches or green leaves.

I hope you will post another photo when you do an arrangement with them!

Picture this with the asters as the main flowers and the dusty miller as the foliage as karmaplace suggested.

http://www.thegardener.btinternet.co.uk/design11.html

You've all given me lots of good ideas. Thanks!!