Plant a Garden Party

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When winter’s chill recedes and the first spring blossoms appear, our thoughts naturally turn to the outdoors — and perhaps outdoor entertaining. The allure of an al fresco party may be hard to resist, but pulling one off can be tricky this time of year, when Mother Nature’s moods are whimsical. But the focal point of the garden party described here is an unusual tabletop arrangement, which helps make your gala seem spingtime fresh, even if it’s forced indoors by rain.

A plain pine tabletop is where the celebration begins. Covered with velvety moss, wheat grass and spring flowers, it provides a garden landscape beneath an array of desserts. Everyday clay pots, painted and weathered to a pleasing patina, are carefully sized and stacked to form the centerpiece for these treats. Garden-themed plant stakes announce the dessert menu. Rooted near potted desserts, these markers add ambience and direct guests to the sweets. The recipes are infused with fresh herbs, which add to the feeling of celebrating the season.

Tips for Tablescapes

1 PREPARE GARDEN POT DESSERT PLANTERS

ASSEMBLE SEVERAL GARDEN POTS and liners (the trays that go under the pots), new or old, allotting five to eight for a centerpiece stand or two to four for a smaller, footed stand for an individual dessert. Make sure at least half the pieces are liners, as they will be needed to create broad serving surfaces. To add interest to plain pots, paint and texture them: First, apply a coat of flat white paint, and then dab on moss green or brown glaze with a rag. Allow the pots to dry completely. For a weathered appeal, sand the pot edges to expose some of the underlying terra cotta. Use a damp cloth to clean off any excess sanding dust.

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