Pick a Fresh Crop of Table
Toppers—from the Garden!

NATURAL BEAUTIES. Eye-catching centerpieces stem from more than just flowers! Pair brussels sprouts and blooms, pile produce into baskets, line vase with citrus slices, display beet greens.

NOTHING perks up a table in a coun­­try way more than a bright bou­quet! That doesn’t mean you have to stick to picking just flowers. Especially now, with Mother Nature’s bounty at your fingertips, a bumper crop of possibilities awaits in the vegetable patch as well.

Take a look at the innovative ideas here—then try your hand at arranging your own uniquely natural centerpiece.

Pretty Packaging

Brussels sprouts and vibrant mums can be paired to create a feast for the eyes. It’s easy to do—and only looks like you fussed.

Fill a clear glass jar or vase with the sprouts, leaving space in the center for tucking in the mum stems. (We found it was easier to add a few pebbles or marbles to the middle, then slide the flowers in among them to anchor the stems.) Add water to keep your blooms fresh.

Other colorful combinations could include limes and lilies, cranberries and roses, etc.

Citrus slices can also add extra spar­kle to a clear container. Just line a bowl (straight sides work best) with lemon, lime or orange slices, alternating fruits as you place them around the edge.

Fill the center of the bowl with clear marbles or a piece of floral foam cut to fit. Add a spray of daisies and mums (or other flowers of your choice).

Pick of the Patch

It’s the perfect time to bring a basket brimming with garden-fresh goodness to the table. Tie tiny bunches of beans, asparagus, radishes and green onions with bows made from raffia, paper twist or twine. Bundle them into a picking basket, then tuck in golden cobs of corn to sweeten the look.

Or…pile a picnic or market basket with a cornucopia of bright bounty. We chose cherry toma­toes, parsley, zucchini and pattypan squash—but any brightly hued produce will do.

For added interest, slice the top off a red cabbage and carve out the inside, then fill it with colorful broccoli and cauliflower florets. Wrap it with green cabbage leaves and let it take center stage among the other vegetables.

(You could also use the “bowl” to serve veggies at a meal. Or fill with dip and surround with florets, carrots and celery for a fun edible appetizer.)

Pepper Pizzazz

You can spice up your table with a plethora of peppers, too! Place whole green, red, yellow and purple peppers in a wooden or ceramic bowl and display as is…or try “ringing” an arrangement. Fill a glass dish with clear marbles and water. Core peppers, slice into rings… and float them in the water.

Here’s one final fast topper that can’t be beat for its simplicity! Put fresh-cut beet greens in a clear vase and anchor with marbles to show off their ruby stems. Or substitute Swiss chard instead.

Take your pick of any of these fun ideas…or cultivate your own clever centerpiece. The results are sure to be anything but garden variety!

Back to Country Woman Feature»