Now that peony season has sadly passed us by and the temps are soaring, it’s time to look elsewhere for ways to adorn a tablescape. Mid and late summer give us plenty to choose from!
The Cast
Sunflowers are a summer staple. Native to the Americas, one bloom has such high impact that it can stand on its own.
I also love zinnias. Before I had flower beds of my own, I bought fistfuls of zinnias at the nearest farmers’ market and shoved them into whatever I had on hand—usually a Mason jar.
This is also a great season to let wildflowers shine. Got an overabundance of daylilies or Queen Anne’s lace nearby or on the side of the road? Great. Collect a bunch for a free and delightful wildflower bouquet. They’re only weeds if you don’t appreciate their beauty.
Dahlias are my all-time summer favorite. There are so many varieties; depending on the variety and the way they’re arranged, the end result can range from violently wild, like the hottest August day, to elegant and perfect for a simple centerpiece.
The Arrangement
Be sure to vary the heights, lengths and types of your flowers and greens, especially in larger arrangements. Look for variance in colors and textures. I’ve seen clothing store windows featuring deep burgundy with bright yellow for late summer; that color combo would make an amazing floral arrangement as well. Cockscomb could be a really nice way to pull this off—the fuzzy, brain-like shaped flowers bring a ton of texture and visual interest to an arrangement.
The Vessel
The vessels you have on hand will not only determine the type of arrangements you can create, but will also influence the overall feel of the bouquet. Mason jars have become a bit overpopular, but don’t be afraid to make use of them anyway. They’re easy, casual, abundant and classic.
Another recommendation: pitchers. I have a few vintage pitchers that often act as vases when I end up with bouquets that are too fat to fit into any vessel in my extensive milkglass collection.
Look around the kitchen to see what’s available and can be temporarily repurposed. Those antique apothecary bottles could perfectly house a couple baby Queen Anne’s lace or other small blooms. One of my favorite results of this use-what-you-have-on-hand method was a few white spider mums in an empty Knob Creek bottle.
Creative Twists
Traditional floral arrangements don’t need to get all the glory this summer. Small succulents planted in a small vintage cup are both sweet and unexpected as a centerpiece. A bunch of cut lavender or other flowering herbs will delight while also providing a dose of aromatherapy. Air plants, or tillandsias, are definitely having a moment and would look great arranged with some decorative stones in a low-profile bowl or even a piece of driftwood. I’ve recently seen some stunning bouquets featuring actual artichokes as the focal point.
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To sum it up, flora plus vessel equals arrangement. It’s as simple as that! No matter if it’s a fancy cut flower, a weed, an herb, produce or an air plant, there are so many ways to think outside the box and grace your tablescapes this summer.
- Photos: Lisa Yoder
