How To Match Blooms to the Right Vessels

HOW TO

MATCH THE RIGHT BLOOMS
TO THE RIGHT VESSELS

Ever pick up fresh flowers in the market, only to get them home and find that none of your vases work? Different vases are designed for different kinds of flowers, branches, centerpieces, and bouquets, and pairing them is simple. Follow our guide, and always remember the first rule of successful flower arranging: get the vase before the flowers.

Story by Bloomist Team / Photography by Kate Mathis & David Chow / Styled by Hilary Robertson

Above, left to right: 3 hand blown glass bottles; recycled glass bud vase; 2 hand blown bottles; bulb vase; recycled glass country vase / Photo: Kate Mathis


BIG IDEAS FOR SMALL VASES

Bud vases are ideal for single specimens, small bouquets, and low arrangements on the table.

They come in many guises; including simple glass, stone and ceramic forms.
Create uneven, multi-floral combos in several small vases, and then group them together to make a loose, natural statement that’s the perfect height for the dinner table.

Left to right: recycled glass bud vase; shallow white stoneware tray holding a stone frog and small beach stone vase; large beach stone vase / Photo: David Chow


BIG IDEAS
FOR MEDIUM VASES

Medium vases are a versatile bunch that show off a broad range of flowers and branches.
Narrow necks: tall, slim bunches of flowers. Or add a single tall stem or dramatic monstera leaf.
Fishbowl: single specimens like roses or daisies, and as centerpiece vessels for at-home dinner parties. Fill them with small, round, flowers, cut to hit just above the top to spill out around the opening.
Column: long stem flowers in different varieties. Trim to size and create a loose arrangement.
Cone: bunches of berries and bushy lilac that complement the drama of the shape; especially effective when kept to a single species and cut to a portion of 2:1, vase to flower.
Left to right: white stoneware tumbler; cylinder vase; and shallow tray; all by Tracie Hervy / Photo: David Chow


BIG IDEAS
FOR BIG VASES

Large scale vases suit tall flowers and branches, especially those with generous foliage.
Tall and narrow: larger flowers with lots of foliage – like lilies and tulips.
Tall and jar-like: single dramatic leaves and
budding branches.
Large flared: bouquet arrangements of seasonal flowers and dried.
Ceramic pitcher: bouquet arrangements with a benefit: you only see the blooms, not the stems.
Tall rounded: a single variety of tall stemmed flowers such as lilies, delphiniums, and foxgloves. Bunch several together and then let them loosen once inside the vase.
Above: European recycled glass jars, available in large, medium, and small / Photo: Kate Mathis

PICK THE VASE BEFORE YOU PICK THE FLOWERS