How to Make a Eucalyptus Greenery Table Runner

While my inner floral designer loves nothing more than a beautifully designed bouquet of flowers on the dinner table, it’s important to branch out. Family-style dinner parties and long dining tables lend themselves to greenery table runners, whether you’re hosting a wedding reception, a romantic dinner party or holiday meals. Here’s my DIY greenery table runner with step-by-step instructions for making this elegant table centerpiece and its colorful, mini flower bouquets. You’ll also find more information about the number of eucalyptus bunches to use to make a garland and a floral table runner design video demonstration.

According to Flower Info, the eucalyptus flower and tree are symbols of both protection and healing. As a gift, these flowers are frequently given as “get well” gifts, or to show the giver’s desire to shield the recipient from harm. If you’re concerned about the symbolic meaning of eucalyptus in wedding centerpieces, you can substitute olive or bay tree branches, as shown in my Thanksgiving Table Decorations Garland Table Runner. Olive branches are an ancient symbol of peace, historically worn by brides.

For the Sunset Supper at Jordan Vista Point, I created fresh eucalyptus table runners for the first time to bring more natural plants into the tablescapes. For this outdoor summer dinner party, I used pink spray roses and red scabiosas for pops of color, but the flowers can be changed according to the season or event theme. Orange and yellow roses would be equally beautiful.

Eucalyptus Greenery Table Runner

(Designed for one, four-foot table)

Materials:

• Floral tape 
• Floral wire
• Wire cutters

Ingredients:

• 24 stems of silver dollar eucalyptus (creates 4 bunches)
• 24 stems of seeded eucalyptus
• 2 branches of bay leaves
• 6 pink spray roses
• 1 handful of Spanish moss
• 3 red scabiosa flowers
• 3 David Austin roses

How to Make the Eucalyptus Base Table Garland:

1. Gather one eucalyptus bunch (about 6 stems per bunch).
2. Cut floral wire in half.
3. Wrap floral wire around bunch to secure.
4. Repeat on three more bunches for a total of four.
5. Layer bunches.
6. Wrap floral wire securing one bunch to the next.
7. Repeat three times so all four bunches are connected in a line.
8. Trim endings.

How to Create Mini Seeded Eucalyptus Clusters:

1. Trim seeded eucalyptus to create small cluster.
2. Secure with floral wire.
3. Attach cluster to base with floral wire–the same place each foot of garland was attached, which will help hide the mechanics of your base garland.
4. Repeat two times so there are three eucalyptus seed clusters on your 4-foot table runner. But of course, artist’s choice.
5. Attach bay leaves near clusters for aroma.

How to Create Mini Flower Bouquets:

1. Cut floral wire into thirds.
2. Trim 2-3 heads of each flower to create four (artist’s choice) mini bouquets.
3. Poke floral wire through the stem at the base of the flower.
4. Bend wire so both ends meet.
5. Wrap floral tape around wire to secure stem.
6. Organize your flowers into bouquet groups.
7. Bend flower bouquet stems together.
8. Wrap stems in floral tape creating a cluster.
9. Bend and attach to base garland, near seeded eucalyptus clusters.
10. Repeat steps 3-9 for each mini flower bouquet.
11. Add Spanish moss around each cluster as a final touch this also helps hide any exposed mechanics.
12. Mist your beautiful greenery table runner with water prior to placing on table.

More Greenery Table Runner Floral Design Tips:

• Less is more.
• One bunch in the base garland is equivalent to one foot; the more bunches you create, the longer diy eucalyptus garland you’ll have.
• Garland and flower clusters should last about a week on your dining table but for a longer lasting eucalyptus table centerpiece, consider creating a hardier cluster by substituting the flowers for succulents.
• Choose different flowers for mini floral bouquets based on season and colors.
• Don’t be afraid to get creative with placement and quantities.

Making this for a party? Don’t forget the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon.