Dinner party fun

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE RITTERBECK

The Studio at Farmer Blue is a floral event and design business rooted in the beauty of a 12-acre sustainable cut-flower farm in Seabrook. Led by artistic director Kim Epley, the studio champions the use of local, seasonal blooms to inspire more eco-conscious floral design. Epley and her team create stunning arrangements with flowers sourced from local growers and primarily with blooms grown on the family farm. 

Floral of the month

This month, we’re featuring the lush hydrangea, celebrating its seasonal abundance and remarkable versatility. This elegant tablescape was created for May River Manor, a boutique hotel in Bluffton, and serves as the perfect inspiration for elevating your next dinner party with a similar arrangement.

Essential flowers in the arrangement 

1. Hydrangeas 

2. Zinnias

3. Celosia

4. Eucalyptus

5. Magnolia leaves

Why it works

Monochromatic elegance: When in doubt, monochrome white with limelight accents is a winner for any floral arrangement — from centerpieces for dinner parties to bridal bouquets in the fall season.

Spotlight on hydrangeas: Hydrangeas quickly fill a simple centerpiece with their large, clustered flowerheads. Adding other structural elements like snapdragons or cascading greenery creates designs that spotlight your hydrangeas.

Ideal vase: Bud vases are simple and cost-effective vessels that showcase the beauty of this arrangement perfectly.

Beauty of simplicity: Beautiful arrangements can be created with just a few types of flowers and greenery, even from your backyard, such as magnolia leaves.

Care tips

Hydrate: Hydrangeas love water. Keep them hydrated by changing the water every two days to maximize their beauty.

Feed: Adding 7-Up or Sprite as flower food will change the water’s acidity, allowing the flowers to soak up nutrients quickly.

Keep it clean: Removing foliage that touches the water will prevent it from rotting and creating bacteria, helping the flowers last longer.

Avoid direct sunlight: Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight to enjoy it longer.

Recommended reading

Kim Epley, co-owner of Farmer Blue, is reading Flower Love by Kristen Griffith-Vanderyacht. This book guides readers through the art of floral arrangements, showcasing how flowers serve as a reminder of life’s fleeting beauty, helping us stay present.