Hydrangeas had a rough go of it this year on Cape Cod—a severe late spring frost killed off the buds, leaving us largely bloomless. I was filled with joy when a few meagre stems made it through, and I was eager to make the most of them.
Enter the bud vase.
I trimmed most of the leaves from each mophead and arranged singular stems in a dozen or so clear glass bud vases.
When collected together, it gave a glorious bountiful appearance. The only trouble was the flowers were very top-heavy—a slight breeze would set the whole thing tumbling over, so I needed to be quick in snapping the pictures.
A runner purchased years ago on final sale from either Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma formed the base for the table. Its chocolate brown background highlights blooms in pale blue, peachy pink and ethereal white.
Merletto Aqua dinner plates are topped with antique Majolica oak-leaf patterned salad plates, on which antique Venetian glass footed compotes rest.
The rest of the peachy-pink glassware is Depression glass in the June Pink pattern by Fostoria. I used water glasses as wine glasses and iced tea glasses as water glasses.
It was a glorious day in August. The brilliant pink phlox and the blue platycodon have done well. I’ve lavished attention on the garden this year, and assiduous attention to frequent dead-heading has paid off. Without the hydrangea to rely on, I’ve appreciated the other flowers much more. Every cloud does have a silver lining, it seems.
The visual fishes-and-loaves trick worked out despite making several dashes to secure the vases when a breeze whipped up.
It’s Labour Day weekend, with its usual mixed feelings and bittersweet sensation: sadness at the end of summer with its light-filled days and long walks on the beach alongside elation at the onset of fall with sweater weather, rich, slowly-cooked food and Christmas beckoning in the distance. The seasonal wheel has clicked over in its most pronounced turn. For me, September is the real New Year.
One last look at the table.
Wishing everyone a happy end of summer and much joy for a lovely fall.
Dear Helen, It does seem as if fall is coming early this year.; it’s been unseasonably cool in Cascais. I like this combination of pink, blue, and brown, but aren’t those Fostoria glasses? With sails that big, you’d need ship’s decanters, with glass marbles as ballast. It’s wonderful how other flowers can fill a void if one type underperforms….our platycodon filled in, too.. Let’s look forward to Christmas!
Hi Beatrice. Are you settled in Cascais now for a bit? We so enjoyed our time there with our friends. Such a rugged coastline and seafood to die for.
Yes indeed, those glasses are Fostoria. I realized my mistake almost immediately and updated the post. You must have got here before me. 🙂 You’re an excellent editor, Beatrice. I’m so grateful!
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Best,
HK
The color scheme on your table seems to transition very well from summer to fall. Yes, fall is here but a warm welcome from the humidity. I also have a meager showing of hydrangea flowers. Not enough to pick but nice to look at. Hopefully next summer!! Enjoy your travels.
We are all hoping for a bumper hydrangea crop next year, Maura! Interestingly, my shrub limelights close to the house perked right up towards the middle of August. Loads of blooms.
So lovey Helen! I’m glad you got a few hydrangeas for the gorgeous table. Thanks for another round of inspiration – I’m going to look for some of that lovely blush glassware! Happy Labor Day!
Happy hunting, Barb! I use the pink glassware much more frequently than I ever imagined I would. It works surprisingly well in a lot of settings.
Our hydrangea only had three blooms this year. It’s usually loaded. Like your blue platycodon, ours bloomed continually for almost two months which is a record here! Our pink phlox was 6’ in height and gorgeous.
Your end of Summer table setting is delightful and so very pretty. I love pink depression glass and wish I hadn’t given it all away when I see a table setting as beautiful as yours.
The Labour Day weekend does mean the end of summer even though summer is far from over. The past few days have felt quite fall like, especially in the early morning. Hopefully, a cold fall won’t come too soon.
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous table scapes.
It’s interesting how each flower has its day, isn’t it? Poor old hydrangeas – here’s hoping for a good recovery and lots of blooms next year.
It looks like we are going to have a warm early September. I’m planning to enjoy every minute of it!
Have a good week, Rachelle!