How to Choose a Vase Height for Flower Arrangements

Fresh cut flower arrangements are elegant when the vase complements the fresh flowers. A vase that is too large, small or wide can make a flower arrangement look out of balance. Professional florists choose vases with colors that complement -- rather than overwhelm -- a flower arrangement because they want you to notice the flowers rather than the vase. Florists also choose a vase that is the correct height for the flowers they are using. If you are arranging flowers, you can choose choose the correct vase height for flower arrangements by following a few steps.

Vase
Ruler
Fresh cut flowers

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of the tallest flower in your arrangement with a ruler or measuring tape.
- 2
  Calculate the vase height by dividing the length of the flower by 2.5. For example, if the flower height is 25 inches, 25 divided by 2.5 is 10. So 10 inches is the correct height of the vase.
  
  Another way to look at it is the tallest flowers should be the height of the vase plus 1.5 times the height of the vase in a finished flower arrangement. For example, if the vase is 10 inches high, the height of the tallest flower in the arrangement should be the height of the vase plus 1.5 times the height of the vase, or 25 inches. Or, simply multiply the height of the 10-inch vase 2.5 times to get the correct height of the flowers for the arrangement, which in this case is 25 inches.
- 3
  Find a vase at the correct height. If you cannot find a vase at the preferred height, cut the flowers to the correct height by cutting the stems with a sharp pair of floral shears.

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