To choose a vase, start with what will go in it. Flowers should stand about one and a half times as tall as the vase, so a 20 cm vase suits stems of about 30 cm. A narrow neck holds a few stems upright; a wide opening needs a full bouquet. If you want a vase that looks good empty, choose it for its shape and its material.
Which height do I need? Three sizes cover almost every home. A small vase of 10 to 15 cm for a bedside table or a single stem. A medium vase of 20 to 28 cm for a bouquet on the dining table. A tall vase of 35 cm or more for branches, pampas grass or long lilies on the floor or a console.
Which shape suits which flowers? A narrow neck with a round body is for three to five stems, or one dramatic branch: the neck does the arranging for you. A straight cylinder is for tulips, roses and any bouquet tied by a florist. A wide, open mouth is for big, loose garden bouquets and hydrangeas. A bud vase is for one stem, and three bud vases in a row look better than one large empty vase.
Glass or stoneware? Clear glass shows the stems and the water, so it feels fresh and light, but the water must be changed often. Stoneware hides everything, feels calm, and is beautiful with dried flowers. Glazes fired in a kiln come out a little different each time, so no two pieces are quite the same.
What can I put in a vase besides flowers? Dried grasses, eucalyptus, olive or palm branches, cotton stems, or nothing at all. In a warm climate dried stems are the easy choice: they need no water and last for months.
Where should it stand? At the dining table, keep it low, under 30 cm, so guests can see each other. On a console or by the door, go taller. Group vases in odd numbers, three or five, in different heights, and leave space around them.
Three quick answers
How tall should flowers be for a vase? About one and a half times the height of the vase.
What do I put in a tall floor vase? Branches, pampas grass or dried palm, 80 cm or longer.
How do I clean a narrow vase? Warm water, a spoon of rice and a little vinegar; shake and rinse.
