Barnacle centerpiece from Anthropologie

Set your summer table with fresh flowers or greens from your urban garden or bring a bunch home from the local farmer’s market. But what do you put them in? I’ve used mason jars, old galvanized French buckets and pitchers from tag sales, beat up watering cans and objects not generally meant as vases, but they hold water…

This glass pitcher from Wisteria reflects the garden around it

Be inventive. Place a glass inside a paper bag for a different look. The one below is porcelain to look like paper, but you could create the same look yourself.

Galvanized metal canisters and  watering cans are great for showcasing flowers in the garden. Many are low enough to work well on the table.

Containers from Pottery Barn

Sometimes I like a fancier item to contrast with less formal settings. The silver plated pitcher below would be fantastic filled with wildflowers.

Photo, Wisteria

Experiment by mixing and matching containers or place flowers at each place in individual multi-colored glasses.

From Elle Decor

To create a seaside ambiance within city limits, place a small glass container with a beautiful cluster of green Hydrangeas within a larger one filled with sand and shells.

You’ll need:
-Cluster of green Hydrangeas, stems newly cut.
-Two cylindrical vases, one small enough to fit inside the other, with room to spare.
-A bag of white sand
-Two dozen seashells

Ready, get set!