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Selecting the Perfect Flower Vase
Whether you need several fun and festive arrangements for a holiday party, a set of coordinated centerpieces for an elegant wedding, a few casual bouquets for a garden luncheon, or a bold arrangement for a business dinner, the right flower vase can make an incredible difference when showcasing beautiful blooms. Selecting the perfect flower vase does not have to be difficult, however, if you keep certain factors in mind as you envision your arrangements.
The Purpose of a Vase
A vase is more useful than just serving as a water source for cut flowers. The right vase will help a flower arrangement keep its form for the most attractive display throughout your event, and it will help support blooms in the best position. Vases can also serve as dramatic focal points and decorations for dining or buffet tables, mantles, altars, entryways, restrooms, and other locations. To properly fill all these roles, however, the right vase must be paired with the right flowers.
Choosing the Perfect Flower Vase
There are as many vases to choose from as there are flowers to put in them, so how can you select that one perfect flower vase for your arrangement? There are many different factors that should be considered when choosing a vase, such as…
- Vase Volume A larger vase can hold more flowers, but it also has to hold enough water to sustain those flowers. Choose a vase that will not be so crowded with stems that there isn’t enough room for the water necessary to keep the flowers lush and vibrant.
- Vase Height As a general guideline, stems should be no more than 1.5-2 times as tall as the vase. Also bear in mind where the vase will be displayed so it is not too tall for the space, such as a tall table vase that might block conversation between those seated at the table.
- Shape A vase’s shape should coordinate with the shape of the flowers, such as using a tall, thin vase for a single long-stemmed rose or an elegant orchid. Vases come in rectangles, squares, spheres, tapered shapes, cylinders, hourglasses, and many other shapes for every arrangement.
- Material Vases come in all types of materials, from cut or plain glass to porcelain, galvanized tin, glazed pottery, metal, and more. Coordinate the vase with the look of the arrangement and the setting it will be displayed in for the best effect.
- Color Clear vases are popular, while a colored vase can conceal the stems and be eye-catching, but should not overwhelm the blooms. Neutral tones such as gray, black, or white are popular, or choose a color that will coordinate with the flowers or overall décor for more flair.
- Formality Consider the formality of your decorations or event when choosing flower vases. A tin bucket or nostalgic pitcher can be a fun choice for a more casual event, while elegant, classic vases may be the better option for formal decorations.
Ultimately, your flowers should help you choose the perfect vase. The number of flowers, their sizes and shape, the colors in the arrangement, and how you envision the result will help you select the perfect flower vase for a stunning display.
Creating the Perfect Vase From a Less Perfect Container
Not all flower vases will work well for all flowers, and sometimes you just won’t have the perfect vase available for the type of display you want to create. With a little creativity, however, you can easily adapt even a less-than-perfect vase into a brilliant showcase for your blooms.
- Adding filler to a clear vase conceals stems, adds a touch of color, and fills in extra space so the vase doesn’t seem disproportionate to the flowers. Pine or herb sprigs, greenery, cranberries, sand, gravel, rocks, and shells are all fine filler choices.
- Tying a ribbon around the vase can add a decorative accent and coordinate with the colors in the arrangement and other table linens. This works best with hourglass or tapered vases, and you could use raffia, twine, yarn, or other materials to form a bow or knot.
- Trimming the stems of your flowers can solve several vase problems by cutting the blooms to a manageable size. Removing some foliage can also help adjust the arrangement’s size so it will fit better in a less-than-ideal vase.
- Grouping several small vases into one arrangement is a creative way to break up a larger bouquet when you may not have a large vase to work with. This also allows you to work with a more eclectic set of vases and is a great option for larger tables.
No matter what flowers you want to display or what vase you may have to work with, there are ways to select the perfect vase to go with your arrangement, even if you need to tweak either the vase or the flowers for the best result. With a little creativity and thoughtfulness, your arrangements will be stunning displays everyone will enjoy.
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