Floral summer dining

At social gatherings with family and friends, geranium table centrepieces create a summery atmosphere and a cheerful mood. They never get boring, as geraniums cater for every decorative wish, with their diverse flowers and many different uses. And if you make your own, you'll have the perfect table centrepiece! The experts at Pelargonium for Europe (PfE) showcase geranium table designs that’ll go down well at any occasion, from everyday family dinners to barbecues, birthday celebrations and Sunday brunches.

A wide range of possible uses 

Whether as potted plants in pretty containers, cut stems in vases, or blooms scattered loosely on the table, geraniums are ideal for floral dining décor. As well as classic upright geraniums, butterfly and noble varieties also make beautiful centrepieces. With the right care, you can enjoy a lush flowering potted geranium for many months.

In addition to the types above, hanging varieties also make excellent cut flowers. Geraniums can easily cope with having their stems cut, as it actually encourages them to produce even more blooms than before. This round wicker tray of cut geraniums and drumsticks (Craspedia globosa) in small ceramic vases (right) is a good example of a cut geranium arrangement that will brighten up any table.

Vintage-style upcycled table displays

In this vintage chic table design, the lush blooms and bright colours of cut geraniums adorn a beautifully laid table in cups and small glass vases. Twisted candles in brass holders provide additional colourful accents, while grandma's china and cutlery add a nostalgic touch.

This homemade tiered stand of vintage cups and plates, topped with a glass vase holding a vibrant posy of geraniums, is the highlight of any summer table display. Using cups and plates of different sizes from grandma's crockery cabinet, a hot glue gun and hot ceramic glue, making the upcycled decor idea is super easy. Could little delicacies be presented any more attractively?

Right: In keeping with the style of the table, an old soup tureen serves as an alternative planter for a lush flowering geranium plant. When watering, remember to remove excess liquid from the bowl after 15 minutes maximum, as geraniums don't like being waterlogged.

Papier-mâché floral centrepiece project 

If you value originality, you can't beat homemade items. This creative centrepiece, made from wire and papier-mâché, is a multi-armed candle and flower holder in one. With this unique, colourful DIY idea you can display cut geraniums to great effect. Just a little skill and the right materials, mean anyone can make this creative designer piece in just a few steps.

You will need: chicken wire, wire cutters, large stones, wallpaper paste, newspaper, white spray paint, mini candleholders with drip catchers, white pillar candles, test tubes and cut geranium stems in various colours and shapes. 

And this is how it's done:

Step 1: Cut a piece of chicken wire for the base of your floral centrepiece and wrap it around the stones. The weight of the stones will ensure the finished design stands securely. 

Step 2: Shape the chicken wire into tubes of different heights at the four corners of the base. Model further tubes from additional sections of wire and attach them to the wire base. Make sure half the wire tubes you’ve made are wide enough to fit your test tubes and the other half can accommodate the candleholders.  

Step 3: Mix the wallpaper paste. Tear the newspaper into narrow strips, moisten with paste and stick them all over the wire structure. Then spread more paste over the first paper layer and apply more newspaper on top. Repeat this process until the entire wire mesh is covered with several layers of paper. You want the surface to be uneven. Tip: Insert the test tubes and candleholders into the wire tubes before adding the paper strips. This prevents you accidentally pasting over the openings. After drying, remove the test tubes and candleholders and clean with warm water. 

Step 4: Once your centrepiece is completely dry, spray it (including the candleholders if you wish) with white spray paint and leave to dry.

Step 5: Finally, place the candles in the candleholders, fill the test tubes with water, insert them into the openings and arrange the cut geraniums in them. Place the finished centrepiece on the table.

 On a pedestal: Geraniums in upcycled pots 

Upcycled containers with cheerful stripes literally put these flowering geraniums on a pedestal and show them off perfectly. This decor idea is perfect for your next garden party and can be created in just a few steps.

For these colourful striped geranium stands, you will need flowerpots, round bowls, a glue gun with ceramic glue, masking tape, waterproof spray paints in different colours and flowering geranium plants.

Here's how to make it: 

Step 1: Thoroughly clean the pots and bowls and mask them with vertical or horizontal strips. Press the masking tape down firmly so the paint can’t run underneath.

Step 2: Next, spray your pots and bowls with the waterproof paints in your chosen design. Once the colours are completely dry, remove the masking tape. 

Step 3: Place the bowls on the table upside down and apply the ceramic glue to the bottom rim using the glue gun. 

Step 4: Press your painted flowerpots onto the upturned bowls and allow the glue to dry. 

Step 5: Finally, place the flowering geranium plants in your flower stands and arrange the finished pieces on the table however you like.

Reproduction is free of charge, please credit "Pelargonium for Europe". You can find further information and download our latest press content and photos at

www.my-geranium.com

Ends

Editors notes

From strategy to tactics, project management to copy-writing, Hornby George PR offers flexible, proactive public relations expertise, founded on real business and marcomms understanding.

Our dedicated team specialising in building hardworking, results driven B2B and B2C strategic campaigns for clients within the garden, home, leisure and lifestyle sectors. From manufacturers and charities, to trade associations, exhibitions, retailers and individuals our reach stretches from local to international.