How to arrange roses in vase

Flower arranging has been a popular art for centuries, and many consider the ability to create a perfectly balanced arrangement to be a great skill. Although styles vary across the globe, many cultures seem to favor the use of floral symbolism, where each flower or aspect of an arrangement has a specific meaning. However, even if you don’t have in-depth floral knowledge or any special floral training, you can still create beautiful and eye-catching flower arrangements by following some simple guidelines.

Plan your flower arrangement

Choose seasonal flowers.

Choosing seasonal flowers will cost you less and make your arrangements more seasonally appropriate. This is especially important when you are making arrangements for a special occasion such as a wedding, anniversary or special birthday party.
Spring: Most popular spring flowers include daffodils, peonies, tulips, sweet peas, narcissus, hyacinths, anemones, buttercups, lilacs, delphiniums and polonia.
Summer: Summer favorites include lilies, gerbera daisies, sunflowers, snapdragons, hydrangeas, delphiniums, freesias, lavender, forget-me-nots, Irish bells, chrysanthemums and tuberose.
Fall: Popular fall flowers include dahlias, marigolds, zinnias, staticas, chrysanthemums and asters.
Winter: Favorite winter flowers include camellias, poinsettias, star of Bethlehem, stargazer lilies, jasmine, holly, cosmos and amaryllis.
Year-round: Flowers that can be found in season throughout the year include orchids, gardenias, roses, lilies of the valley, carnations, baby’s breath, protea, scabiosa, heather, gladioli, eucalyptus and calla lilies.

Select the container.

The container you choose for your flower arrangement will depend on the style you want. Almost any type of container can be used for flower arrangements, as long as it is appropriate for the height, weight, and appearance of the flowers being used.
As far as vases go, long, thin trumpet-shaped vases are best for delicate, thin-stemmed flowers like lilies and crocuses. Shorter, wider vases are more suitable for large-headed, short-stemmed flowers such as roses and chrysanthemums.
In addition to standard vases, feel free to use your imagination when it comes to containers. Use egg glasses, champagne bottles, wide-rimmed bowls, old boots, umbrella stands, tea cups or candle holders.

Use complementary colors.

Color is very important when it comes to flower arrangements, but there are no hard and fast rules as to which color combinations work best. This will depend on your desired style and mood. However, here are some things to keep in mind:[3]
Add complementary colors to your arrangement for a cheerful and versatile look. Try a mix of red and orange blooms, plus a splash of bright green to keep things fresh. Or mix in some pink and purple flowers and add a touch of white baby’s breath for softness.
Try mixing multiple flower varieties into a single uniform color, or in different shades of the same color. Add some depth by placing a ring of green leaves around the outside.

Alternatively, you could try arranging a single variety of flowers with different color options, such as orange, white and yellow gerbera daisies or pink and purple tulips.

Add some texture.

Flower arrangements should be more than just flowers. You can add some texture to your arrangement by adding some greenery, some stems, or other seasonally appropriate items. [4] Try adding some long grass, berry stems, pussy willows, cornstalks, sour dock, or iris leaves. For a more seasonal arrangement, try adding pinecones, pumpkins, holly sprigs, berry bunches and other fruits and vegetables.

Consider where the arrangement will be completed.

One last thing to consider is the purpose and location of the arrangement. Consider the color scheme and general vibe of the room where you plan to place it, so you can choose a design that matches it. You also need to consider the amount of space available.
For example, some brightly colored flowers can brighten a dark hallway or add a pop of color to a monochromatic bathroom, while some soft, pastel blooms might complement an airy, sun-filled room.
In addition, when planning its dimensions, the location of the finished arrangement should be taken into account. A small bowl of colorful daisies may look cute on the coffee table, but get swallowed up on the kitchen counter. A tall vase may look great on a hallway dresser, but it can get in the way of conversation at the dinner table.

Prepare flowers and materials

Collect necessary materials.

Before you jump straight into your flower arrangement, it’s important to have all the necessary materials on hand – this will make the process more efficient. Depending on the type of flower arrangement you are making, you will want to choose some or all of the following:
A clean container to hold the flowers – this can be a vase, bowl or basket (among other things), depending on the number and size of the flowers.
Some floral foam or flower frogs to secure flowers in wide-mouth containers.
Some floral tape or elastic bands hold flowers together, especially in tall, narrow vases.
A sharp knife or garden shears to cut the stems.
Some preservative solution (usually provided with the flowers).
Clean, spacious work surface lined with newspaper.
Selection of flowers and greenery.

Cut off the stems and peel off the leaves.

Before you place the flowers in an arrangement, it is necessary to cut off the stems. This makes it easier for the flowers to absorb moisture, keeping them fresh. Using a sharp knife or garden shears, cut the flower stem diagonally, about an inch from the end. Kitchen shears are not recommended as they can crack the stems and prevent the flowers from getting enough moisture.
If you plan to leave your flowers in a vase for a while before arranging them, remember to give the stems a second snip directly before placing them into the arrangement.
You’ll also want to remove any leaves that are below the water level before placing the flowers into the arrangement. This is important otherwise the leaves will rot and contaminate the water.
One tip for keeping your roses extra fresh is to soak the stems in an inch of boiling water immediately after cutting. Leave them there until the water is warm, then give them a second snip before placing them in cold water. Wrap flowers in brown wrapping paper to protect from heat.

Prepare the container.

The next step is to prepare the vase, bowl, box, or whatever container you plan to use for your flower arrangements. Make sure the container is clean and free of residue or dirt.
If you use floral foam (which is good because it holds the arrangement in place and also provides water for the stems) let it soak in the preservative solution for 15 minutes, then use a sharp knife to cut it into containers. Place the wet, cut foam into the container and secure with a bit of floral tape.
If you’re using a flower frog or cellophane grid (good for top-heavy flowers or flowers with woody stems), place it in the container and secure it with some tape or a little floral adhesive.
Alternatively, you can criss-cross the bottom of the container with the woody stems of your chosen greenery. This creates an organic grid that successfully keeps your arrangement in place.

Add water.

If you are using a flower frog, a trellis, or letting the flowers stand on their own, you should add water to the container at this time. If you use floral foam, there is no need to add additional water.
Pour water into the container and add one packet of preservative solution. If you don’t have any preservative solution, try adding a few drops of Clorox bleach to the water – this will kill any bacteria and help keep the flowers fresher longer.
If you have any sealed teeth and want them to open quickly, use warm water instead of cold water. This works best with flowers like roses and buttercups, which have tight flower heads

Arrange flower arrangements

Add the larger, more dominant flowers first.

When you begin your arrangement, start with the largest or most prominent flower varieties first.
Rather than adding one type of flower and then another, use one flower at a time. This way, you can evenly layer flowers of different varieties, shapes, and colors to create a more balanced arrangement. [8]
Arrange the flowers in a circle around the outer edge of the container. If you use wet foam, the rhizomes should slide in easily. If they don’t, poke a hole with a sharp object and insert the stem – be careful not to make the hole wider than the stem or the flower won’t be secure.
Turn the arrangement as you work to make sure it looks even on all sides – a lazy susan is perfect for this!

Layer the flowers.

After completing the first circle of flowers, continue with a second circle using a different type of flower.
This circle of flowers should be inside the first one. Try creating a dome effect by making the stems on the inner flowers slightly longer. The finished arrangement should look like a bouquet of flowers growing on a hilltop.
Continue layering flowers in this manner, one variety after another, depending on the size and number of flowers in your arrangement.

Use an odd number of flowers per layer.

One of the main rules of flower arranging is to use an odd number of each type of flower.
For example, you might have 7 red roses in the outer circle, 5 white roses in the inner circle, and 3 baby’s breath sprigs interspersed between them.
This uneven number of flowers helps the arrangement look less uniform and more organic.

Pay attention to height and width.

The height and width of the arrangement is another factor to consider when laying out.
A general rule about height is that your arrangement should be one and a half times the height of the vase or container it is in. [9]
There are no clear rules for the width of an arrangement, but it should be wide enough to balance the height.
Workers rotate the arrangement to ensure uniform height and width on both sides.

Finally add any leaves, berries or other greenery.

Once you have all of your flowers arranged to your liking, you can add the finishing touches by inserting any greenery, foliage, berries, or other embellishments.
This step is important—not only to add interest and texture to your arrangement—but also because the greenery helps separate the flowers and allows air to circulate between them, keeping them fresh.
Using filler material also helps give the impression that there are more flowers in the arrangement than there are actually, so you can create a luxurious arrangement without breaking the bank!