What flowers go in this vase?
August 28, 2020 8:31 AM Subscribe
I bought a vase at Ikea a few years ago, but I can't figure out what flowers to use it for. It's similar to this one, but larger and clear.
The one I have is clear on the top and frosted on the bottom (not blue). It's about 14" wide and about 8 inches tall, with a narrow opening that's just raised enough that flowers with rigid stems won't drape (not quite as tall as in the pictured vase, but pretty close). My thought would be 3-4 droopy tulips, but I can't ever guarantee my tulips will droop beautifully, and if they don't they just stand upright and look stupid. I do feel like it wants something that goes low / horizontal, but I don't know what that would be.
Please only recommend flowers that can conceivably be bought without going to a florist. Photos are appreciated!
The one I have is clear on the top and frosted on the bottom (not blue). It's about 14" wide and about 8 inches tall, with a narrow opening that's just raised enough that flowers with rigid stems won't drape (not quite as tall as in the pictured vase, but pretty close). My thought would be 3-4 droopy tulips, but I can't ever guarantee my tulips will droop beautifully, and if they don't they just stand upright and look stupid. I do feel like it wants something that goes low / horizontal, but I don't know what that would be.
Please only recommend flowers that can conceivably be bought without going to a florist. Photos are appreciated!
I find that ranunculas tend to droop in that creative way. (When they're in season, I can find them at Trader Joe's.)
But I also think that vase shape is inherently beautiful, so I'd just stick all sorts of stuff in there until you find a combo you like. Maybe something cut shorter, and that would puff out wide?
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:57 AM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
But I also think that vase shape is inherently beautiful, so I'd just stick all sorts of stuff in there until you find a combo you like. Maybe something cut shorter, and that would puff out wide?
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:57 AM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
You might try for tall and sculptural; maybe a branch or two of eucalyptus, or a single tall daisy/dahlia/peony.
posted by stellaluna at 9:06 AM on August 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by stellaluna at 9:06 AM on August 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
Agreed this is a single-stem vase meant to hold more branch-like things. This person who bought similar vase at west-elm put some fluffy pampas-grass style floofs into it. "Balloon vase" on wayfair.
posted by FirstMateKate at 9:29 AM on August 28, 2020
posted by FirstMateKate at 9:29 AM on August 28, 2020
Yeah, tall and sculptural is the way to go. Dried grasses or twigs, a single branch of fruit tree blossoms, a few gladiolas, or tall purple globe alliums. Think of the wideness of the vase as a visual anchor so you can go tall to balance that out.
posted by Mizu at 9:29 AM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Mizu at 9:29 AM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I would go with low sprays of something small, like meadow rue or baby's breath. Something that would match the width of the vase and emphasize the delicacy of the flowers, taking up roughly the equivalent visual shape and space as the vase itself.
This is meadow rue if you haven't come across it. Really pretty. Columbine would work too.
I wouldn't use larger flowers, personally--I'd go for sprays of sprinkley flowers.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 9:44 AM on August 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
This is meadow rue if you haven't come across it. Really pretty. Columbine would work too.
I wouldn't use larger flowers, personally--I'd go for sprays of sprinkley flowers.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 9:44 AM on August 28, 2020 [2 favorites]
Oooh or a single hydrangea!
posted by A Terrible Llama at 9:45 AM on August 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by A Terrible Llama at 9:45 AM on August 28, 2020 [3 favorites]
Flower ideas for your vase. Dried flowers or plant matter with stiff stems, feathery or lacy ferns, spiky monstera leaves, and branches work, too.
(Cut flowers can be anchored with glass marbles and/or given a straw collar or other supportive tubing. Here's a technique for cheering up tulips.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:58 AM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
(Cut flowers can be anchored with glass marbles and/or given a straw collar or other supportive tubing. Here's a technique for cheering up tulips.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:58 AM on August 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by zadcat at 8:50 AM on August 28, 2020