St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, and this everything green table centerpiece will help you be ready to celebrate all things green! Even if you are unable to find blooms, you won't miss them with these ideas for an eye-catching and creative floral centerpiece. Rule number one, have fun and get creative in the produce section of your local grocery store or market. After that, there really aren't any rules! But, I will share the steps I took that will help you create one on your own!
I think using all green is a great way to celebrate March and adding in vegetables gives so much interest to the arrangement. It will be unexpected and also really beautiful! As you can see, I found green "shamrock hydrangeas" at Trader Joe's and used those as the only blooms in the container. To make the green really pop out, I chose a solid white planter.
To start, I cut chicken wire to fit over the top of the white planted -with just enough space to slightly bend the wire over the edges to secure. I used 3 stems of Shamrock Hydrangeas but suggest 3 - 6 stems. You will want 2 bags of small green apples and medium wooden skewers. You want the sticks to be long enough to stay in the arrangement by balancing in the chicken wire. If the skewers are too short, they will also be too top heavy when you put the apples on them. Along with the green apples, I also bought 4 artichokes, 20 Brussels, mini zucchini squash (they came in a bag from Trader Joe's). I also used broccolini but suggest using broccolini sparingly because it will smell like broccolini. Limes could also be a great substitute.
I typically begin by making a "triangle" with the biggest blooms or with greenery. I then use those tree points as my reference for where to add the additional pieces. Be sure that the stems can reach the water. In the photos, you can see that I added apples next and kept the apples close to the edges so that it would hide the chicken wire and give a really nice outside design. After the apples, the artichokes went in next...
I placed the four artichokes evenly spaced around the arrangement. I used the stalks to secure them- be sure to buy artichokes with enough of the stem on them to be able to put them in the arrangement. You can use a skewer, but it is a little tougher to get those in an artichoke. A true floral pick would work if needed. After I added the artichokes, I cut about half of the Brussels Sprouts in half and added skewers to the bottom. They are easy to pierce with a skewer. I also used the whole sprouts around the arrangement- but I like how the halved ones give a different color and texture to the arrangement,
You should have a really nice shape starting to form for your arrangement. In the very top, I would add apples or green hydrangeas to round it out. I chose broccoli this time, and it was different and very pretty. It was just the broccoli smell I wasn't crazy about. Instead of a large amount, I would use broccolini to fill in the small gaps that you will want to look for as you finish the arrangement.
The very last step I did was to add miniature zucchini squash. I like the end that was once attached to the vine- it resembles a flower, and so I put that end facing up. And, here is the completed arrangement! Be sure to check for any areas that you may can see the wire and cover them with one of the veggies or blooms. Look at it from all angles and adjust anything that you think needs it. Store the arrangement in the refrigerator if you are not using immediately- but I would only make this the day that you need it. It doesn't take long to make- the wire will be your best friend and help guide you to get the shape and look that you want! For reference, the white planter that I used is 6 3/4 inches high and 8 1/2 inches diameter. The arrangement should be perfect for using on a dining table without obstructing the view of your family and friends.
I hope you are inspired to create something similar while we wait for all of the spring flowers to bloom. This is a great substitute for flowers- and a fun way to add St. Patrick's Day green to your table! Enjoy, and let me know if you plan to try it!
Cheers,
Lydia xo
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