How to Arrange a Dozen Roses in a Vase

Save money by making your own flower arrangements for gifts or decoration. With some roses from the grocery store or flower market, the right supplies and a little bit of time you will be making beautiful arrangements in no time. Use the following tips to arrange a dozen roses in a vase.

Things You'll Need

• 10-14 inch Vase
• One dozen long-stem roses
• Greenery or baby's breath
• Small sheers or scissors

Instructions

1. Clean the stem of each rose one at a time. Remove all of the leaves and thorns from the bottom two-thirds of the stem.

2. Clip off the bottom of each stem. Clip off between one and two inches. Make the cut at a 45-degree angle.

3. Remove any unattractive rose petals. Remove any that droop, stick out from the rose oddly, or are brown or brittle.

4. Choose the first rose to put into the vase. The first rose should be the tallest, straightest and the most closed. This rose should be about 50 percent taller than the vase. If it is not, choose another vase or clip the rose, but do not cut it too short. This rose will stay in the center back part of the arrangement.

5. Arrange the next ten roses in the vase around and in front of the tallest rose. Place the tallest roses near the first flower and the shortest roses around front and sides. Rearrange them until there are no gaps or holes between flowers.

6. Save the most beautiful rose to put in last. This rose will be the most full and lush rose. Place it in the center of the arrangement to be the central point visually.

7. Add volume, texture and visual interest by using a filler in the vase. A classic mate for roses is baby's breath. You may also use different greenery. Trim the stems and place the filler between the roses just below the rose blooms.