By Lana Johnson

Fall is the perfect season for creating arrangements that bring in rich, earthy colors to your decor.

Owner Karen Yould and floral designer Brittany Sherman at Corona del Mar Florist shared some of their favorite tips on putting together fall centerpieces and arrangements. They work with a variety of vendors from Carlsbad to Los Angeles to acquire their blooms and foliage.

Here's the four "Cs" in arranging:

Container: Stretch your imagination when choosing a container … pretty much anything will work. Rustic containers add a natural look. Try organic vessels such as hollowed out tree branches for earthy appeal. Add color to glass vases by lining the inside walls with dried citrus. Scrounge garage sales and flea markets for vintage vessels such as old tin cans and art deco vases. If a palm frond falls off your tree, fill it with grasses and organic greens, or a little water and float flower petals – t's an eye-catching focal point on a long dining table.

Contents: Think texture and visual weight. A good rule of thumb for height is two times the height of the container … but you can also break the rules. Try moss with foliage such as silver dollar eucalyptus, echinacea pods and berries. Sliced fruit or veggies add color and freshness. Fruit branches with the foliage left on and exposed sticks add interest, and they can be found in your own backyard. Dahlias are popular right now through October. Later in the fall, incorporate pumpkins, which come in a variety of colors such as blueish gray, green, white and of course, orange. Gourds also work well and the larger ones can be transformed into containers themselves. Rounded European hand-tied bouquets fit beautifully into round and square vases.
 
Color: Oranges, reds, browns, plums, gold, yellows and greens.

Care: Keep the container clean by changing the water often. Clipping stems will increase the life of the foliage.

A few thoughts on wreaths and garlands: Fresh herbs (you can grow in your garden) or dried add lots of texture and a nice aroma. Use any herbs with woody stems such as fresh oregano, bay or eucalyptus – they dry nicely. Dried hydrangeas add muted color. An Indian corn garland with mini pumpkins hung on your front door welcomes your guests with visual appeal.

Corona del Mar Florist is at 3337 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. It has been serving the community for more than 25 years. Specializing in one-of-a-kind bouquets and arrangements for any special occasion, CdM Florist encourages you to bring in your own containers, too.  Call 949.673.8270. www.coronadelmarflorist.net