A pastel pink garden party

Millennial pink, blush and rose create a fairytale scene

Summer gardens are the perfect place to gather with friends and family for a lazy get-together. This year there may not be weddings and festivals filling our calendars, but by following government guidelines around social distancing, we'll still be able to meet up for a low-key garden party. Create a soft, romantic summer scene with pastel pink planting and delicious rose-coloured recipes.

A pastel pink garden party - Thejoyofplants.co.uk

Pink plants

Create a garden party atmosphere by setting the table for guests in a pink and green bower, surrounded by the best of nature's millennial pink plants. Our arrangement of plants includes mandevilla, campanula, gerbera, fuchsia and rose. Together, they perfectly complement the soft pink table linens and white porcelain plates. Read more on the different blush pink varieties in our planting guide for a romantic summer garden.

An alternative to a prettily-decorated table, if you're short on space, is to encourage guests to pick up their cup and plate and adopt a picnic mentality. One person can sit at a small side-table, another two can camp out on the grass, and the others can sit on chairs brought out from the dining room. Balancing your plate on your lap isn't really an inconvenience, after all — it actually adds to the summer camaraderie.

pink snacks and drinks

When it comes to the food and drink, treat the occasion like a potluck party. Create a feeling of togetherness by inviting guests to bring dishes on a summer pink flower theme. There are several ice cold drinks with summer fruits to make (delicious with or without alcohol), and doughnut-like begonia fritters that can also be made with other edible flowers like violets or hibiscus. The star of the show, however, will always be this pistachio and lemon tart topped with sugared flowers.