Branches in a vase: which branches and which vase?

Branches in a vase work with or without water. Choose a heavy vase with a wide base that is about half as tall as the branches, put the branches in water if you want buds or catkins to open, and leave the water out if you want dry branches to last for months.

Which branches look good in a vase in autumn and winter?

You do not need flowers to fill a vase beautifully. Autumn and winter offer plenty of choice, and many branches can be found in your own garden or after pruning. Take them from your own garden or somewhere you have permission, not from nature reserves.

• Dogwood and willow: colourful twigs in red, yellow or orange, lovely in a slim vase.
• Hazel and alder: with hanging catkins that slowly open in water.
• Birch: light, graceful branches that give a heavy vase some air.
• Beech and oak: hold on to their brown leaves for a long time, ideal for a warm autumn look.
• Berry branches: such as firethorn or holly, for colour in December.
• Forsythia and cherry blossom: cut in January or February, they flower in a warm room within a few weeks.

Branches in a vase with or without water: which is better?

It depends on what you want. With water, branches stay fresh, buds can open and you bring green or blossom indoors. Cut the stems at an angle, strip leaves below the waterline and change the water every week. Without water, branches dry slowly, they stay attractive for months and you avoid smelly water or a leaking vase.

For dry branches, keep the shape open and airy. For more ideas on that dry style, read our tips on choosing the right vase for dried flowers.

Which vase suits tall branches?

A rule that works well: the vase is about a third to half as tall as the branches. A 120 cm branch fits nicely in a vase of 40 to 60 cm. Taller branches of a metre and a half call for a real floor vase of 60 to 80 cm. The more the branches fan out, the wider the opening can be. A narrow neck keeps branches together, a wide opening gives a loose, natural shape.

How to choose a large vase by size, weight and place in the room is covered in our article on choosing a floor vase. At Masr Potten & Vazen the sizes in the collection run from compact bowls to amphorae of about 120 cm.

How do you stop a vase with branches from tipping over?

Branches are light, but tall branches with a wide crown act like a sail. A small nudge and the vase is on the floor. Three things help:

• Choose a vase with a wide base and low centre of gravity: weight at the bottom helps more than a tall slim shape.
• Fill the bottom with pebbles, sand or small stones. That adds weight and keeps the branches in place.
• Keep the vase away from walkways, and with small children or pets place it with one side against the wall.

A handmade mosaic vase has a thick wall and laid glass pieces, so it is naturally heavier than a thin factory vase. That works in your favour here.

Can you use a mosaic vase for branches in water?

You can, but be careful. Every piece from Masr Potten & Vazen is laid and grouted by hand, and not every vase is made to hold water for long. Not sure? Place a glass or plastic inner vase inside your mosaic vase. The water stays put and the branches are easy to refresh. To test for leaks, read the article on whether your vase is watertight.

How do you style branches in a vase for Christmas and winter?

Christmas branches such as pine, nobilis fir or holly work well in a large vase by the entrance or on a side table. Keep it simple: one kind of branch, one vase, perhaps some warm light. Too many colours and decorations spoil the calm effect of branches.

If you group several vases, play with height and colour. We explain how in our piece on grouping vases as decoration. Is the vase outside or in a cold hallway? Watch out for frost: around zero the water freezes. The forecast from the Dutch weather service KNMI helps you judge.