How to Make a Flower Arrangement in a Tall Glass Container

Place the tall glass vase on the worktable. Roughly “eyeball” the container to determine the width of its opening, its length and its shape, so the flowers you arrange inside complement its style. Ideally, the vase should be one-third the height of the flowers. Step back and review the height of the container, and determine its line, or the vertical and horizontal boundaries, you do not want the contained flowers to exceed. If needed, clean the vase with soapy water and leave it to dry so the glass appears clean and clear.

Pour a two-inch layer of marbles or stones in your desired color into the glass container to add a decorative touch to the space, anchor the stems of the flowers, and prevent the vase from toppling over. Pour water into the vase until it is two-thirds full.

Insert two to three stems of greenery, such as ferns, magnolia, eucalyptus or camellias, into the vase to frame the flowers and offer contrasting color. Arrange the stems diagonally into a wide vase, or insert them straight down for a cylindrical vase. Ensure the foliage protrudes from the top of the vase by several inches.

Insert three to five tall focal flowers in the vase, such as calla lilies, gladiolas, chrysanthemums or orchids. Use striking flowers in bold colors to form the height outlines of the arrangement. Insert the lower ends of their stems into the marbles or stones and space them equally apart.

Insert into the tall glass vase, the mass of flowers, such as gerbera daisies, peonies, roses or carnations. Arrange them around the focal flowers. Snip off the lengths of these flowers as needed so they are slightly shorter than the focal flowers. Use seven to nine flowers, arranged evenly around the vase, to add color and depth to the arrangement. Ensure the flowers do not excess the heights of the focal flowers.

Insert fillers into the arrangement, such as sprigs of baby’s breath or St. Anne’s lace, to add color at varying eye levels. Review the tall arrangement and adjust the flowers or foliage, if needed, to keep it from appearing cramped.