SAYING IT WITH FLOWERS (AND TREES)

Spring flowers will brighten up even the plainest crockery and bring a fresh look to your dining room. Sara Gordon of the florist Bloom & Wild (bloomandwild.com), which offers next-day delivery, gives her top tips for Easter entertaining.

British tulips

For an informal arrangement, go for tulips in a variety of colours. “British tulip season provides a riot of colour for the table and feels very fresh. As they have short stems, arrange them in a low vase: cut or coloured glass adds an antique feel to the table.”

Coral peonies

French peonies in a vibrant coral shade become available from now until late April, and their blowsy flower heads make for a stylish setting. “Dressing an Easter dinner table with show-stopping single stems of the Coral Charm variety in vintage green medicine bottles is a modern look,” Gordon suggests. “As the petals unfold, they reveal ombré shades that fade out to a soft ivory.”

The Easter tree

“For an Easter table centrepiece the whole family can get involved in making, hang fresh branches with a multitude of coloured egg ornaments and ribbons,” says Gordon. Try arranging branches of pussy willow in a large vase and hanging painted eggshells off them. First make a hole at either end of the decorated egg and blow out the contents, then submerge in water to rinse it.