Spring in South Africa feels lighter and brighter, and it’s the perfect time for catching up outside. A garden tea party keeps things relaxed and stylish without the fuss. Think fresh flavours, pretty touches, and time with the people you love. Pair all this with your favourite LMC blend, perhaps even as an ice tea, and you have the perfect springtime get-together in the making.
Choose Your Spot
Your backyard or patio is the perfect location, as it adds a more personal element to your spring tea party. It’s important that your guests feel comfortable enough to sit, relax and take in the atmosphere, so make sure you have enough seating to make them comfy. Mix garden chairs, picnic blankets, and cushions so everyone can find a spot they like. Low tables, trays on stools, or a vintage crate will hold snacks and glasses without crowding the space.
Set the Scene
Pick a colour palette that feels fresh, soft pinks, greens, and creamy whites, or punchy brights if that’s your style. Seasonal blooms do the heavy lifting. King proteas, pincushions, blushing bride, ericas and mixed fynbos look beautiful in simple jars and small clusters. Add arum lilies, agapanthus or pelargoniums for softness. Weave in greenery like wild olive, rosemary or buchu for a relaxed garden feel. As the sun dips, switch on string lights, paper lanterns, or fairy lights in mason jars.
Build an Iced Tea Bar
Make iced tea the heartbeat of your table. Set up a self-serve station with chilled jugs, ice, pretty glassware, and bowls of fruit and herbs so guests can garnish their glasses.
- Brew LMC Strawberries & Cream Rooibos a little stronger, let it cool, then serve over ice with fresh strawberries and mint. It tastes like dessert, without feeling heavy.
- Chill LMC Pear & Elderflower Rooibos and pair it with pear slices or cool cucumber ribbons. Delicate, floral, and photogenic.
- For a citrus-forward option, pour LMC Ginger & Lemongrass Rooibos over plenty of ice with lemon wedges and a sprig of rosemary. Add a few slices of fresh ginger if you like a gentle kick.
Keep the jugs topped up, let guests mix and match, and watch the favourites disappear first.
What to Serve
Food should be easy to grab between sips. Build a light, fresh menu that suits a warm afternoon.
- Finger sandwiches, cucumber and cream cheese or chicken mayo
- Radish tartines with herbed butter
- Mini quiches or savoury scones
- A bright salad with peas, feta, and mint
- Scones with jam and whipped cream
- Lemon tarts or bite-sized pavlovas
These snacks are the perfect pairing for tea moments in the spring.
Personal Touches
Small details make guests feel special. Handwrite simple name cards, tuck a pressed flower underneath, or tie a narrow ribbon around each teacup. Share a colour palette on the invite so friends can dress to match. A basket of sun hats or parasols invites people to stay and enjoy for longer. If you have garden ornaments stored away, bring them out for character, a bird bath, a or a vintage planter are always ideal.
Entertainment and Extras
Keep music present but gentle, playing soft bossa nova jazz or low-fi beats. A cheerful playlist sets the tone and carries the party into the evening. If you plan to keep things lively, leave open space for a little dance later and pass around a tray of handheld bites when the energy lifts. Create a simple photo nook with flower crowns and gardening hats. The pictures will be as joyful as the setup.
Make It Easy
Prep ahead so you can relax once guests arrive. Brew the teas in the morning, chill the glasses, slice the fruit, and set the table in layers. When friends walk in, you are ready to sit, pour, and enjoy. It is a celebration of the season, with iced rooibos that nods to fresh berries and bright citrus, and a setting that feels welcoming from the first hello.
The Takeaway
Keep it simple. Keep it pretty. Let the tea do the talking. With LMC Strawberries & Cream Rooibos, LMC Pear & Elderflower Rooibos, and LMC Ginger & Lemongrass Rooibos on ice, your spring garden party will feel effortless, playful, and exactly right for the season.