lulu
In our family, when something is abundant we call it _________ heaven. For the last couple of weeks, peony heaven describes the bounty that has existed in the garden.
These beautiful blooms don’t last long especially if there is rain that weights them down, so I cannot resist cutting a few every day.
In a variety of containers, they are placed on every flat surface in the house
from the kitchen
to the bathrooms.
Their variations amaze me. There are tree peonies the blooms of which remind me of a ballerina’s tutu.
Peonies come in shades of pink ranging from bubblegum pink to luscious fuchsia.
There are whites, some with layered petals reminding of ruffles,
others flat with yellow centers and tinges of pink.
What is sad is that these beauties last for such a short while, but even as they fade and petals drop I see them as works of art.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
While I may not be very experienced when it comes to laying out a garden and choosing complementary plants, the garden does provide bountiful beauty from spring until fall.
Gardening is a learning process filled with errors and rewards.
The reward comes when the garden blooms making it possible to cut a few stems varied in color and texture.
The rhododendrons are all but gone,
but coming in right behind them are peonies changing daily from tight little buds
to partially open teasers
to full blown beauties.
They don’t last long, especially if it rains, so I cut them and fill the house where they can be enjoyed.
Their differing colors and textures make each bloom a special gift. Salvia, which tries to take over my little garden, provides wonderful contrast, and the alium which is past its prime adds an interesting texture.
With so many blooms, how is it possible to resist cutting and bringing them inside to add beauty to any room? You can bet that some will always find their way to the dining room table to become the focal point of a tablescape.
My oft used bottles are perfect containers and are so easy to configure in attractive arrangement.
With these beauties on the table, the rest is easy. Dishes and flatware that I found last year on sale at Target are understated additions. Napkins pick up the colors in the antique cloth that is used as a runner and the turned back corners add a little flair. Simple to say the least!
One of the peony blossoms dropped some of its petals and rather than throw them away, I scattered them on the table. I wonder if the folks who ate here thought I’d been negligent in not cleaning them up!
Preparing a table is my favorite part of readying for any meal, and, as this one shows, it doesn’t have to be elaborate to be appealing. When nature provides such abundant beauty as inspiration for creativity, the hard work is already done.
