Welcome summer with a table buzzing with bees and blooms! You’ll find flower arranging and longevity tips to create a floral centerpiece using hydrangeas and garden foliage. You’ll also find summer table inspiration for 16 table stylists.
Happy Tuesday,
I’m welcoming summer as part of a Summer Tablescape Blog Hop!
You’ll find my blogging friends links and summer table inspiration at the bottom of this post.
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Summer officially arrives with the solstice for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere on June 20th this year.
Join me at a table by the lake that’s buzzing with bees and blooms in celebration!
🐝🌸💐
May was a very wet month! If you’ve ever photographed a table outdoors, you know it’s not without challenges . . . too overcast, too sunny, too HOT, pollen, pop up showers, to name a few. I was hoping for a little more sunshine when I photographed my table and had a very small window before showers started up again.
Sunshine vs. shade:
Bright sunshine creates distracting shadows and washes out details and color; overcast days provide the best photos, but they don’t offer a blue sky, or blue waterviews that I was hoping to share with you but I was thankful it wasn’t raining!
Regular readers know my love of all things *bee*, including seeing them buzz and bumble around the garden!
MacKenzie-Childs Thistle & Bee plates provided my summer table inspiration. I purchased them a few years ago on sale and before they retired, but they’re just now making their blog debut.
The four assorted floral plates are served on chargers and framed by black and white checked round placemats.
Embroidered bee napkins are framed by a laurel leaf design . . .
Bees are buzzing on Napoleon Bee Flatware . . .
my favorite flatware for summer and gardening season. 🐝🌸
And Honeycomb Goblets were an addition to my apiary last year. 🐝
Bee magnets got a 2-minute makeover, adding some silver highlights,
transforming them with Rub ‘n Buff.
You can find the quick and easy details HERE.
The enamel surface of the MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Napkin Rings
make them the perfect candidate to buzz with bees! 🐝
You know summer has arrived when
Endless Summer Hydrangeas are blooming!
Endless Summer Hydrangea is a re-blooming variety of bigleaf hydrangea.
Early season flowers are produced from buds on old wood from the previous year,
with the new season’s growth pushing blooms later in the summer.
Endless Summer Hydrangea blooms can be blue or pink depending on your soil’s pH level,
turning blue in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil.
It was a fun surprise to find a combination of pink and blue blooms on the same shrub. . .
I have no accounting for this other than my apparently haphazard application of acid-based fertilizer in March!
I used some garden foliage and flowers to create a centerpiece for my table. . .
And I’m sharing some flower arranging and longevity tips if you’d like to create a floral centerpiece for your table.
🌸 Tip 1 :
🌸 When cutting flowers and or foliage from your garden or landscape, cut your stems in the early morning with they’re fully hydrated and not stressed from the heat.
🌸 Strip all the leaves below the water line and place them in a clean bucket of water mixed with flower food / preservative, in a cool spot, away from sun.
🌸 Allow the flowers and foliage to condition, preferably overnight, or for a minimum of 4 hours, to prevent drooping or wilting of your stems.
🌸 Tip 2: Use Alum!
🌸 Hydrangeas are notorious for wilting and alum allows hydrangeas (and other flowers) draw more water. Cut each stem at a 45 degree angle for maximum water uptake and dip 1/2 inch of each cut stem in alum powder. Keep an alum container dedicated to dip your stems, otherwise transfer some to another container to prevent contamination.
🌸 Place your dipped hydrangea stems in your water mixed with flower food/preservative.
🌸 For best results, remove the leaves from hydrangeas since they cause evaporation loss and take water from the head of the flower.
🌸 Hydrangeas are thirsty flowers, so check your water level frequently, especially the first day, topping off as needed.
A note to the floral foam police :
Whenever possible, I shy away from wet floral foam, preferring to use chicken wire for flower arranging as it’s eco-friendly and reusable.
For this arrangement wet floral foam provided a better base, holding the hydrangeas securely in the sides of the arrangement.
Begin building your arrangement with your greenery to provide the overall shape of your arrangement. I used some Abelia and Baptisia (False Indigo) foliage.
🌸 Tip 3:
🌸 When using wet floral foam, use the “float soak” method and place the floral foam brick on top of the water.
🌸 Let the floral foam gradually absorb the water until it sinks and is fully saturated.
Plunging the floral foam in the water creates air pockets in the foam and will cause stems to dry out, shortening the life of your flowers.
🌸 Soak your wet floral foam in water mixed with floral preservative until it’s fully saturated (about 2 minutes).
I placed my wet foam in a shallow plastic container so I could add additional water for the foam to soak up. The foam will continue to soak up water so your flowers have a steady supply of moisture.
I added the hydrangeas, placing some along the sides to conceal the plastic container and foam. Hosta leaves from the garden, along with spikes of white Veronica (Speedwell) were added last.
This is the finished arrangement placed on my MacKenzie-Childs Flower Market Pedestal, ready for my table!
🌸 Tip 4:
Regular readers have heard me sing the praises of Crowning Glory, as I have had flower arrangements that last easily two weeks when using it!
🌸 If you’re not familiar with Crowning Glory, it’s an antitranspirant spray that seals in moisture and dries clear. It’s safe to use on all flower types and is especially beneficial for flowers that are prone to wilting due to moisture loss, like hydrangeas.
🌸 I usually cover my table with a towel to catch any drips before generously spraying my arrangement with Crowning Glory. Crowning Glory will dry within 30 minutes to an hour, depending the temperature and humidity.
Note: Wait to spray roses with Crowning Glory after they are open as it will prohibit them from opening further.
Table Details:
Plates / Thistle & Bee, MacKenzie-Childs, couple of years ago
Flower Market Enamel Pedestal Platter / MacKenzie-Childs, couple of years ago
Honeycomb Goblets / Williams Sonoma
Flatware / Wallace Napoleon Bee
Tablecloth / Maison d’ Hermine
Napkins / Maison d’ Hermine
Black and White Checked Placemats and Bee Napkins / Crown Linen Designs
MacKenzie-Childs Courtly Check Napkin Rings
Many thanks to Rita of Panoply for organizing
this Summer Tablescape Blog Hop!
Buzz over for more summer table inspiration from my blogging friends at the links below:
🐝 Panoply – Summer Tablescape: Stars, Stripes, Checks and Plaids Forever!
🐝 Home is Where the Boat Is – Lakeside Table with Thistle and Bees
🐝 Hyacinths for the Soul – Marching Into Summer
🐝 Everyday Living – A Garden Table to Welcome Summer
🐝 Pandora’s Box – A Berry Good Brunch
🐝 Celebrating Everyday Life – Poolside Patriotic Party
🐝 Life and Linda – Adventure in the Skies
🐝 The Cat’s Whizkerz – Come Sail Away
🐝 My Thrift Store Addiction – Heavenly Honeysuckle Picnic in the Garden
🐝 The Little Yellow Corner Store – What is Growing in the Garden Tablescape
🐝 Belle Bleu Interiors – A Quiet Summer’s Afternoon
🐝 Dinner at Eight – Summertime Blues on a Carefree Table
🐝 Thrifting Wonderland – Summertime…Living is Easy
🐝 Olla-Podrida – A Patriotic Tablescape
🐝 Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Summer With a Cherry on Top
🐝 Mantel and Table – A Beautiful Red Table Setting – Roses Make It Easy
🐝 The Bookish Dilettante – Americana Tablescape for Summer
🌸 🐝 💐
Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Tablescape Thursday
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Wowee, Mary! That tablecloth is so perfect for the base to Thistle and Bee chargers and small plates! I love the contrast between the blue/white and black/white. Those chargers are so beautiful as stand alone. I have the dinner and b&b plates in that line, but the chargers are the piece de resistance! Love the hydrangea arrangement for the table to complement both colors and patterns. One of my hydrangea bushes came out multi-colored this year also. Those newest stems are a beautiful addition to your ever-growing apiary! Your helpful tips and tricks are duly noted, and certainly used by me, as I’m sure countless others. You share so many worthy details in your posts. Thank you so much for participating in this blog hop and sharing the love of the tabletop and flower arranging, Mary!
Good morning, Mary. I always enjoy a virtual seat by the lake. How perfect are the thistle and bee plates for one that loves the bees! The chargers and checked placemats frame the floral plates beautifully. I love the honeycomb goblets, I don’t remember seeing them before. Your Endless Summer hydrangeas make a gorgeous floral arrangement. Thank you for sharing your tips! I still have a lavender hydrangea bloom that looks great after 2 weeks. Crowning Glory is amazing!
Happy Tuesday!
That table is the BEES KNEES!! Love it all!! ♥️🐝
Mary, great kick off to summer! Beautiful table setting. I am a lover of bees so your bee touches on the table are especially sweet for me! Love the honeycomb goblets! The McKenzie Childs plates are so pretty.
My hydrangea bush is multicolored this year too!! I wondered what was going on with it, but I love the pinks and blues mixed together.
Your photography, as always, is amazing.
Very lovely!
Your table and location is so inviting! But I must admit my ADHD tendencies kicked in a little with the patterns. 🤪🤪 I checked out the napkins and found several I must add to my growing collection of cloth napkins. If I could only convince my hubby it’s ok to get them dirty…he still uses paper towels which drives my recycling heart crazy! Peace.
Your centerpiece is lovely with the different shades of color in the flowers – I will remember your tip of using alum!! I adore the table covered with MacKenzie-Childs and little bee accents. I could site here all day, sunny or cloudy, admiring your view! Enjoy summer!
Oh my, Mary–what a spectacular summer setting! Your centerpiece is stunning and I adore the floral plates and bee accents! Happy summer, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
You nailed this one! I have the large McKenzie Childs pedestal, and I never know what to do with it. Your flower arrangement was inspirational, and I just bought the Wallace B flatware as a wedding gift last month. One of my favorite table scapes that you have done.
Mary, buzzing with joy at viewing this table. I just added the Honeycomb Goblets to my WS wish list.
I have a set of the MKC bee dinner plates, so I think I need the goblet. Ha! Ha!
It’s always fun to sit lake side at one of your tables. It’s been a bit humid here for alfresco dining. We had a delightful few weeks, but now it can be pretty miserable.
Your hydrangea arrangement is gorgeous. I rarely use floral foam, but that’s a good suggestion for when I want to use a pedestal. You are full of helpful hints as well as endless inspiration for creating beautiful tablescape.
I need to order more Crowning Glory!
Happy Summer!
Wow Mary – another gorgeous table! I LOVE your plates, the black & white, and of course your stunning flower arrangement! I’m right there with you on photographing outside – you just never know how long you’ll have out there! Thanks for the flower tips. I always learn something new from you, and it’s always fun hopping with you too! Take care and Happy Summer!
Good morning, Mary! Your lakeside setting is gorgeous. You have inspired me this morning. I have several MC cake stands and never thought of making an arrangement on one of them. Your floral centerpiece is beautiful! I am swooning over the MC floral plates. They are so pretty sitting atop your lovely plate stack. The CLD placemats tie back beautifully. I love your new glassware too. It is always a treat to hop with you. Have a wonderful week!
Mary, your table is lovely as always. I love how you’ve used your MKC pieces and your love for bees is always strong and upfront and personal. I also appreciate the tips and have used the crowning glory with much success. I always envy Norman Lake so close to you as you use it for a backdrop for many of your tables, which makes it just perfect. The Captain and I were traveling for the past two months in the motorhome so I was not able to join the blog hop, but I’m looking forward to the next one and for more inspiration from you! have a great week and wonderful day
Those bees knew exactly where to land in this beautiful table setting!
Good Morning Mary,
WOW!
The MKC debut of her plates was a knockout! Gorgeous with a capital G! They are show-stoppers!
The other showstopper is your centerpiece. I love the mixed greens within it. So fresh and a garden centerpiece like no other!
I am going to sit here all day and gaze at your stunning table. The rain has stopped.
Thank you for all the loveliness!
Hi Mary,
I am swooning over your gorgeous collection of McK-C plates and floral pedestal. It is beautifully matched with your delicately printed tablecloth and the black and white checkered placemats. They are work so harmoniously. Your outdoor setting is always the perfect tablescape setting. It looks so serene and with this floral tablescape it is very cozy. I finally purchased a hydrangea plant for my front yard since I admire all that you can do with the flowers. Big, bright and bold, the flowers make a exqusite centerpiece like the one you have in your Bee tablescape. As always, Mary, your tables are so beautifully done and inspires us all. It is great hopping with you. Happy Sunny/Shady/Rainy Summer!
Hello, Mary! I love your bee and thistle theme for this post. The MacKenzie-Childs plate stacks are so pretty, and I love the plates with the thistle and bee on them, and then the plates with the blossoms are stunning, too. I also like how your flatware and goblets have little bees. Thanks for the alum tip: I tried it with my last large hydrangea centerpiece, and it worked nicely. Your centerpiece is inspiring. I think your photos look amazing. I had a very difficult time taking photos for my post because it has been terribly overcast…VERY dark due to all the rain and storms. We are enjoying sunshine today, but it’s too late for my post, lol! Happy summer! ~RJ
Mary, your table is a delight, as always. The MKC bee and thistle plates and chargers are just lovely and so perfect for your bee themed table. Love the new bee goblets from WS. The linens are beautiful and I love how the placemat frames your plate stack. The flowers are gorgeous and how great that you have multi-colored hydrangeas this year. It is such a pleasure to have a virtual seat at your beautiful table even without blue skies or waterways. Wishing you a fabulous summer!
Oh Mary, I LOVE LOVE this ! 😍 You had me at black and white, but then the stunning flowers bring out the colors of the flowered MKC and the T&B plates, be still my heart! The way you combined the different patterns is masterful, Gorgeous!!!
💕 Jenna
Mary, love everything bees 🐝 the MKC plates are so pretty with your CLD placemats. The Sonoma Williams bee goblets are lovely. Love the bee magnets to create a napkin ring. The Maison d’ Hermine tablecloth makes for lovely setting with your plate stack. I forgot about using alum for hydrangeas. The hydrangeas are absolutely gorgeous. A beautiful table to welcome summer.
Mary, this is eye popping! I never would have thought to put this combination of linens together along with those dishes and expected it to work as magnificently as it does here. The floral tablecloth with the check, ruffled p-edge placemats look amazingly good. You are going to send me to my linen cupboard, and I’ll be rethinking the way that I pair things from now on. The dishes are beautiful, and the black in the salad plate picks up the placemat and looks fabulous. You certainly have an eye for this sort of thing, but then I’ve been saying that for 10 years. Well done!
Mary, This is a gorgeous summer table! I love the plates; they are beautiful! They pair so well with your other MC items. Your linens are lovely. The tablecloth and napkins are a nice complement to your dinnerware. It has been a challenge with all the rain to arrange any outside activities or short trips. Our hydrangea blooms are variegated as well and I’m pleasantly pleased. We don’t have any baby blue blooms but plenty of pink and purple blooms. I do throw out the coffee grounds around the flower beds to deter the deer so I know that’s the reason. Enjoy the rest of your week. Clara❤️
Such a lovely table setting by the lake. Makes me want to while away in that spot with a great book and a few spare hours. The combination of black and white plus hydrangea colors in your plates and as your overall color scheme is lovely. Creating a centerpiece that uses those same colors and the glorious hydrangea blooms pulls the entire table together. Love the bee flatware. I use mine all summer long and it makes the table feel special. the bee magnet on the simple napkin rings works really well. Thanks for the floral tutorial. Hydrangeas do wilt easily. Wishing you a wonderful summer. Always lovely to do a hop with you.
Lynne, Thrifting Wonderland
Mary, your table has me buzzing with joy!!! Your MC pieces are fabulous and so beautifully shown off here – I like the way you highlighted the blue from the plates with the tablecloth and hydrangeas. I always adore all of your bee pieces- the flatware is always my favorite🖤🐝 Anoher gorgeous table in such a wonderful setting! Thank you for all of the flower tips! Enjoy your summer at the lake!!☀️🕶️
Absolutely stunning, Mary! You have such a talent for gorgeous tablescape design.
BEAUITUFUL!!!!
This is truly stunning Mary! I love everything from the Thistle & Bee plates, flatware and goblets, beautiful setting and gorgeous flower arrangement. Thank you for the DIY details!
Mary, as always the lake scenery makes a beautiful backdrop for your appealing tablescape. The graphic black and white patterns really set off the colorful florals in the dishware, on the tablecloth and of course that beautiful centerpiece of hydrangeas. The bees are a delightful addition both here and in gardens everywhere. I’ve never attempted to build a centerpiece on a pedestal plate, but with your excellent how-to I might give it a try. Wishing you a wonderful summer — a bit dryer perhaps ;)
Oh, Mary, your lakeside setting always feels like something out of a dream, and this bee-and-bloom-filled table is summer magic! The floral centerpiece is so clever and stunning. And I love your bee magnet glow up!! Every detail is buzzing with charm. Just beautiful! 🐝💛