Bring the garden indoors with these simple but striking arrangements of six classic summer flowers.
At this time of year when everything is blooming, it's the perfect time to fill the house with flowers. From classic pink peonies to the eye-catching single heads of agapanthus and sunflowers, there is enough variety to suit everyone's taste, whether you like the cottage-garden look or prefer something more contemporary.
Scabious may sound unsavoury, but that's because the name is derived from the Latin word for 'an itch', as the plant was once used to treat skin complaints. Its daisy-shaped flowers are best bought when half-open, and a single-colour bunch in a shallow vase is a simple but effective arrangement.
Agapanthus has tall elegant stems that finish in a scattering of trumpet-shaped petals. Place in a vase of warm water, or try arranging them in a vase full of coloured sand, topped with bright orange kumquats. Add water and flower food to the sand to prolong the life of the flowers.
The tall stems of larkspur with their densely packed flowers will look good in a tall vase. To give them more space, tie them around the outside of the vase with the ends of their stems in a saucer of water.
For a classic summer arrangement, heap peonies and stocks in a variety of colours in a shallow vase, add water and flower food and use as a table centrepiece. And finally, summer wouldn't be complete without a few sunflowers turning their faces up to the sunshine. Try placing them in a shallow pot supported by pea sticks, and surround the base with herbs for a perfect combination of colour and scent. Keep the soil moist to prolong their life.
This article was first published on Waitrose.com in June 2003.