With entertaining season on the horizon, we're looking for fun alternatives to the standard floral display centerpiece. Here are a few smile-worthy ideas straight made from one of our favorite produce aisle staples — asparagus!

Our local grocery store has been selling big bunches of elegant asparagus for stalks for under two dollars a pop which got our wheels turning...
•1. The slender stalks add a lovely element of interest when affixed the outside of a cylindrical vase. To achieve the look, slide a rubber band over the outside of a vase, slip a single layer of asparagus stalks between the vase and rubber band, and then tie a ribbon over top the rubber band to hide it.
•2. Asparagus topiaries make sweet whimsical centerpieces, especially when arranged in groups. See Rachel Ray's full instructions here.
• 3., 4. Pair asparagus with their artichoke friends, add some candles, and you've got one fresh table arrangement to celebrate the harvest. For a detailed how-to, visit Harvest's instructions here.
• 5. Or you can embrace simplicity and arrange them as you would flowers in a clear case with stems unadorned.

(Images: 1: via Paris Hotel Boutique, 2: Antonis Achilleos for Rachel Ray Magazine, 3: Better Homes and Gardens, 4: Harvest.org, 5: via Hello Designers)

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