roses, peonies and three-tiered cake stands

by Sharon Santoni

 

Sometimes you don’t need a reason to put together some flowers, other than that you enjoy it.  That is what happened here.  We have had too much rain this past week and the roses and peonies were not looking best pleased.  The best solution was to bring some indoors and enjoy them close up.

I filled a couple of trugs with cuttings and dug out an old 3-tier cake stand that I hadn’t used for years.  The cake stand makes for quite an elaborate arrangement, and I had no special occasion but hey!  so what?!

This arrangement could be used for a table where you need something showy that doesn’t take up too much space on the table.

I balanced a plate on each level of the cake stand, with a block of water filled green foam on each one.

As the backdrop to the pink peonies and various roses I used fennel leaves; raspberry leaves; euphorbia; ladies mantle; and nigella.

Once the florists foam was partly hidden, I started adding the huge pink blooms, then simply built them up evenly until every angle of the stand was worth a visit.

Of course this arrangement won’t last for long – florist foam is not the same as water in a vase –  but no matter, I like ephemera ….. I hope you do too.

28 comments

Kathryn June 1, 2014 - 9:25 pm

That’s gorgeous!

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Jeannine June 2, 2014 - 3:28 am

I love your brilliant idea of using the three-tiered cake stand! Your flowers are beautiful! You are amazing Sharon!

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Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon June 1, 2014 - 9:30 pm

What a clever idea, and beautiful as always.

Madonna

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Sarah June 1, 2014 - 9:44 pm

Sharon, I immediately pinned this idea. This is very, very clever. Thank you for sharing. Now if I could just grow my own peonies. ‘-)

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Denise June 1, 2014 - 9:45 pm

Gorgeous, I would that at my table. I can almost smell them.

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Vicky from Athens June 1, 2014 - 10:00 pm

Oh how gorgeous! My peonies bloomed in late April/early May – long before my roses. I love my peonies even though I have to put up with ants when I cut and bring them in. And what a wonderful fragrance. People seem to be surprised that we can grow them successfully in No. Georgia but we can!

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sheri levitt June 1, 2014 - 10:05 pm

………………….now if that doesn’t bring a smile to your face……breathtaking!

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Colleen Taylor June 1, 2014 - 10:43 pm

This is a fabulous idea Sharon! I have a stand here that I’ve never thought of doing this with. Thank you for the idea! X

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Esther George June 1, 2014 - 11:09 pm

Hi Sharon this is so beautiful, I love Roses and Peonies (if only they wouldn’t die on me). Nothing is looking good in the garden at the moment I think it’s going to take more TLC this coming spring, I don’t know what the soil is like in France but over here it takes a lot of effort. Thank you for sharing beauty. Regards Esther from Sydney.

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Melissa June 1, 2014 - 11:38 pm

So sweet and charming! Can’t wait for our peonies to blooms.

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Angelina June 2, 2014 - 12:00 am

What a beautiful floral arrangement!

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Eileen June 2, 2014 - 12:08 am

Simply beautiful ! All my favorites!

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Pat F. June 2, 2014 - 1:57 am

What a truly spectacular centerpiece! Peonies (and lilacs) are my most favorite flowers and we had both growing up. Well, for the last 25 years, I have lived in the desert and they do not grow here. Last week, while at the grocery store, I spotted cut peonies for sale! Oh, I can’t tell you how happy I was to take in the beautiful fragrance of these beautiful flowers! It was the first time in 25 years that I had smelled these gorgeous flowers and I was so happy to buy two bundles! I thoroughly enjoyed just looking at them and taking in their wonderful scent! The flowers are now gone, but I took pictures to remember my happiness!

Thanks for beautiful pictures, Sharon!

Pat F.
Las Vegas, NV
USA

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littlepariscafe@gmail.com June 2, 2014 - 7:28 am

So Clever – I will definitely try this – thank you !

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Julia June 2, 2014 - 8:06 am

That is a splendid idea for a cake stand and it looks so pretty and so casual with still being classy…Perfect for a Sunday Lunch with friends….Champagne and Strawberries for anyone….enjoy xx

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Justine June 2, 2014 - 9:22 am

Amazing flower arrangements:)
All the best:)

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vicki archer June 2, 2014 - 12:56 pm

Heavenly… xv

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Jeanne McKay Hartmann June 2, 2014 - 1:55 pm

Sharon, this is beautiful and brilliant. How clever to use a cake stand for this lovely creation. And the best part? The flowers may fade, but your photos will last. Thanks for sharing them with us! XO

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BrocanteuseRose June 2, 2014 - 3:10 pm

Darling flowers, and idea!!!

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Nancy June 2, 2014 - 4:29 pm

Simply stunning and you are amazing! What a great Idea! So glad I didn’t get rid of my three tier plate stand…..
Nancy

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Peggy Braswell June 2, 2014 - 5:09 pm

what a clever use of a cake stand + adore roses + peonies + will try that one today + now, where did i put the cake stand? xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Lucy June 2, 2014 - 5:11 pm

Hi Sharon, beautiful flowers! I love your arrangement and a great idea using the three tiered stand! Thank you for your post.

Lucy in California

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Emm June 2, 2014 - 5:21 pm

Oh, the peonies! Simply gorgeous.

Somewhere the other day I saw something about how to get rid of the ants — swish the flowers through water?

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Sandra Lambiotte June 2, 2014 - 6:25 pm

Absolutely Lovely! Looks as though it should be on the table for a bridal luncheon.
Just so inspiring!!

I so enjoy your work.
Sandra

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Leslie in Portland, Oregon June 2, 2014 - 11:01 pm

These photographs are so vividly beautiful that they bring your glorious arrangement right here…thank you!

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Sylvia Faye June 3, 2014 - 7:18 am

Sharon this arrangement is truly magnificent………so showy but yet it is truly feminine, n’est ce pas. LOve, love , love it!

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Sophia Home June 4, 2014 - 7:02 am

Just gorgeous Sharon! What a stunning arrangement as always. We too are enjoying an abundance of roses and peonies here in the garden at home in Kent. So sad that the peony season is so short lived, although the roses promise to reward us all summer and early autumn long.

Wishing you a happy week,

Sophia x

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Victoria | the Maypop June 4, 2014 - 12:46 pm

Lovely idea! I just pinned this. I have a two-tiered stand that is nearly identical to yours but hadn’t thought to use it for florals. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration!

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