Harvest sun

Our favorite seasonal sunflower display creates a casual interplay of earthy, rustic colors and textures. Brimming with several types of sunflowers, this makes an ideal centerpiece for an outdoor celebration. Start your arrangement with the biggest sunflowers, then add smaller blooms around them. Do as the pros do and remove the outer ring of yellow petals on a few of the sunflowers to focus attention on their showy, seed-packed brown centers. To finish, add a few tall grasses or grains (we used millet) to arch gracefully over the sides of the vase. The arrangement is heavy, so be sure to choose a sturdy container. All types of sunflowers are widely available this month, and accents like grasses can be foraged from the garden or purchased from a florist. —Abigail Peterson