Choosing a vessel for the flowers you actually buy

Most disappointments here are structural, not aesthetic. Three measurements decide it.

Neck width

A narrow neck holds a few stems upright on its own. A wide mouth needs a full bunch, or the stems fall to the sides. If you usually buy five or six stems, a narrow or waisted neck will serve you better than a wide bowl.

Height against stem length

As a working rule the vessel should be about half to two-thirds the height of the finished arrangement. Taller than that and the flowers disappear; shorter and the whole thing topples.

Base and weight

Heavy glass with a wide base takes a top-heavy bunch. A tall narrow form with a light base needs water in it to stay put, which also means it should not be left standing empty on a windowsill.

Single stems

For one or two stems, a small vessel is the correct tool rather than a compromise. Several in different heights, grouped together, do more than one large piece half filled.