Woodland Friends Fall Table + DIY Floral Runner

 Create a blooming table runner for fall using fresh flowers with this easy method and flower arrangement longevity tips.

Fall is my favorite season and I’ve been counting down the days since August. . .

ready for crisp, cool weather, a harvest of pumpkins, warm plaid layers,

and cozy meals with the flavors of fall on the menu!

While fall officially arrives by the calendar next week, Mother Nature still has plenty of summer weather

left for us in North Carolina.  For my ‘Welcome Fall’ Table, I chose a bright farmhouse plaid tablecloth

that blends the colors of both seasons. The brighter color palette seems appropriate

for our 90+ degree temperatures.

To create this fresh flower table runner, I started with some chicken wire.

Chicken wire is environmentally friendly unlike wet floral foam and economical too as it can be reused.

You can find chicken wire in small rolls at the craft store and larger rolls at the garden center.

The benefit of using painted chicken wire is that it won’t rust as quickly as  galvanized chicken wire,

but any chicken wire will work to help support the flowers in your arrangement.

For the base for my table runner, I used plastic storage containers,

also used for an Easter Floral Table Runner.  I found the containers sold in packs of two at Dollar Tree.

The dimension of my containers are 5 1/2 inches wide by 8 inches long and 2 inches deep.

Cut your chicken wire a little longer and wider than your container

using pliers, bending the wire to fit inside the containers.

To keep the wire from shifting while arranging the flowers I used some

waterproof floral tape to secure it to the container.

After the chicken wire is in place, arrange the containers down the center of your table.

The containers aren’t attached to one another, rather simply placed in a row, end-to-end.

Fill your containers with water and floral preservative/ flower food and you’re ready to begin!

Now for the fun, creating your blooming table runner!

I started with some greenery I cut, (privet) adding it to the chicken wire,

along with some green oak leaves.

 Mums in assorted fall colors, alstoemeria and cheery sunflowers from the grocery store

were added to fill in down the length of the table. Both mums and alstroemeria have a long vase life,

lasting a week or longer and sunflowers will last around four days or more depending

on how fresh they are when you purchase them.  Arranging mums is easier and they go further

if you cut them apart, placing the individual flowers in the chicken wire.

Sprigs cut from the abelia shrubs (some with little white blooms) were added last.

Let me introduce you to my woodland friends at the table, anxious to welcome fall!

Meet Chloe the Jack Rabbit . . .

Chloe’s whiskers are twitching in anticipation of an abundant autumn.

Daisy the Fox is ready for fall. . .

Daisy is dressed for the season and adorned with a plaid ribbon, leaves and acorns.

Mazey the Squirrel is foraging for acorns and squirreling them away for winter. . .

Mazey’s perched on a pumpkin, awaiting fall’s arrival.

And last but not least, Margaret the Deer. . .

She *deerly* loves fall and is all aflutter!

This is a fun way to add flowers to the length of your table that you can do anytime of year!

You can also divide your centerpiece when dinner is over,

sending your guests home with a mini arrangement.

Here are few tips to help extend the life of your flowers in your arrangement:

🌻 Cut your flower stems at a 45 degree angle for maximum water uptake and remove any leaves below the water line.

🌻 Always add the floral preservative packets to your vase water that come with flowers purchased at the grocery store. If you don’t have any floral preservative, you can make your own with this easy formula.

🌻 Check your water level to top it off as necessary. Some flowers like hydrangeas are heavy drinkers.

🌻 If you’re using greenery from your yard, cut it and condition several hours in advance or preferably overnight before adding it to your arrangement.

🌻 If you’re using cut hydrangeas, use the alum-dipping method to keep them from wilting.

🌻 Keep your flower arrangement away from heat (like vents blowing) or direct sunlight.

🌻 Change your vase water every other day and recut the stems if possible.

🌻 Peel the outer layer of the woody stems with a vegetable peeler rather than smashing the stems which can cause bacteria to grow.

Removing 3 – 4 inches of the outer wood helps the stems ‘drink’ and stay fresh longer.

Table Details:

Woodland Friends Mazey Critters Salad Plates / Pier 1, couple years ago

Harvest Plaid Dinner Plates / Pier 1, several years ago, used here

Carved White Chargers / Pier 1, several years ago

Amber Goblets / Pfaltzgraff

Farmhouse Plaid Tablecloth / HomeGoods, several years ago, used here

Flatware / Mikasa Cameo Gold

Acorns / Pier 1

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 Between Naps on the Porch