Fig. [496].—Another good shape.
Colored Vases and Jars
will sometimes enhance the brilliancy of flowers of contrasting or complementary colors. A pale-yellow jar will intensify the richness of the purple of the violet, and a soft green will harmonize with it most delightfully. The neutral gray often found in Japanese ware will not clash with any color, and is especially suited to brilliant red flowers; yellow flowers in a dark-blue jar are quite effective.
Do not use ornate or highly decorated vases. No design should conflict with the natural flowers, and the shape of the vase should also be simple.
Cylindrical jars, like [Fig. 495], are suited to heavy clustering flowers like the lilac and also to the large chrysanthemums. [Fig. 496] is another good shape; but avoid vases like [Fig. 497] with a neck so small it will admit only one or two stems, while the bowl is much too large for the few flowers standing stiffly erect.
Fig. [497].—Avoid vases like this.
Place short-stemmed flowers, like the pansy and violet, in low jars or bowls, and it is not necessary to have them lie flat on the water. A friend of mine has invented for her own use this little
