FLOWER ARRANGEMENT 365

Form. Simplicity in design is essential in containers, as the re-
ceptacles must not compete with the flowers for attention. Any-
thing elaborate or grotesque is wrong; ornamentation is lamentable.

A variety of forms in containers is essential for successful flower
arrangements. Low, medium, and tall shapes in large, medium,
and small sizes are all needed. Tray or platter types of containers
may be round, oval, or rectangular; they look well with horizontal,
vertical, or triangular arrangements. Low containers must be deep
enough to provide water well above the height of the stem holders.
Very large containers are needed for foliage arrangements.

Medium-height containers with fairly small openings require
less materials and no stem holders; they are easiest for beginners
and are useful for quickly made arrangements. Tall or medium-
height containers that flare outward slightly at the top happily
repeat the radiating lines of many flowers. Containers that func-
tion best are those that allow plenty of room for stems and for
water.

Geometric -forms such as the cube, oblong, pyramid, cylinder,
cone, sphere, and crescent are needed for Modern flower arrange-
ments. Containers *with stems or toith Pwo handles, such as
epergnes, cake stands, or urns, are desirable especially for sym-
metrical arrangements. Asymmetrical containers such as pitchers,
spiral shells, or horns of plenty require informal arrangements.
Containers of irregular shapes, such as an S, a kidney, or a palette,
also take asymmetrical arrangements.

Color. Containers are generally subdued in color so that they
will not detract from the flowers. Subtle beiges, grays, off-whites,
browns, putty, green glass, and natural colors are the most useful.
Soft dull blue, foliage green, white, dull eggplant, and soft brick-
red are also needed at times. Smoky colors and earthy colors suit
woody material. Stimulating effects occur, however, when small,
clear red-violet, turquoise-blue, jade-green, or lemon-yellow bowls
hold flowers of even more vivid adjacent colors. Such sophisti-
cated combinations must, however, be used with care. Pale blue-
green which is popular for cheap containers should be avoided, for
it is usable only with blue-green leaves and white or lavender
flowers; however, leaf-green containers are most useful. Dark
containers should be used for dark flowers; white containers
should be used for white or very light flowers only.