Green and Gorgeous Garden-Inspired Table Settings

Whether you’re headed for the depths of winter, or just emerging into spring, there’s something inevitably appealing about a table setting that features natural ephemera. From the more obvious (flowers) to the more unusual (vegetables?), tablescapes that reflect the season are a celebration of the season.

But garden-centric arrangements plus dishware and napkins can be tough to pull off. Take inspiration from the tables below, which echo great table setting advice for any time of year. Either keep it simple and mix it up (leaving plenty of white space so unique details can be enjoyed), or go for broke but limit yourself to a chosen color scheme.

Romantic and Elegant

Flowers and plants can of course be very, very romantic. This table setting features fresh from the garden flowers as well as a creative light source fashioned from Christmas lights, bark and roots. The theme is echoed in the tall vases on the tables, which allow guests to see each other easily under the flowers (or over the short arrangements in the middle).

This gorgeous summer dinner table may be on the lawn, and seating may be pillows, but that doesn’t mean it’s not sophisticated. A simple layout with garden-plucked blooms makes this large dinner party both fancy and fun.

This elegant set up lends new meaning to the concept of 'pool party' — This elegant setup lends new meaning to the concept of ‘pool party’

Super Simple

Keep it simple at a weekend brunch with sweet spring blooms; here just pink cherry blossoms grace the table—a bright blue jar brings a touch more color to the table, and pink glasses complement the flowers. Off to the side, bright yellow daffodils draw the eye and bring a spot of sunny warmth while keeping the vignette from being overwhelmingly pink and blue.

A simple background means spring flowers stand out

This summer tablescape from Martha Stewart uses herbs you already have (or can enjoy later), along with brightly painted paper tablecloths. Simple, colorful, low-waste and fun for a summer’s lunch party.

A simple blue and white and green tablescape

Wildflowers & Natives

Proving that even wildflowers can be quietly elegant, this table setting by Athena Calderone utilized native flowers, herbs and greenery, as well as simple brown glass bottles for a farm-hosted gathering.

Look what's growing around you and use it for table setting ideas — Look what’s growing around you and use it for table setting ideas

You absolutely don’t need a lot of money to create a gorgeous tablescape. Case in point: In the gloriously sunny spring-summer spread below, the humble dandelion is gathered into jam jars and paired with bowls of lemons, local white flowers with greenery left on, and a vintage lace tablecloth. Perfection for pennies.

Lemons and dandelions; both incredibly common, used here to lovely effect

Veggies Galore

Who says you have to use flowers to bring the outdoor vibe to your table setting? How about garden-fresh veggies in a panoply of colors and textures, as in this example below? Topped off with a take-home gift of jam, it’s a little different, and totally memorable.

Luscious tomatoes and seasonal greens make a lovely (and edible) centerpiece

Native wildflowers, lettuces and purple artichokes make this fruit-and-veggie combo table incredibly lush, visually interesting, and perfectly romantic for the couple it’s for (one half of the duo is a green thumb!).

Instead of extra chairs, a sofa provides seating on one side

If you are in a more autumnal state of affairs, of course harvest foods also make gorgeous centerpieces and decor as well, as in this pretty table set for dinner in a fall field.