We usually take the stem of a plant for granted. It’s often thought of as the structure that grows the leaves and flowers. Less frequently, the stem is the sole subject of a composition.
That is the case in some obscure, chic, stark arrangement standing in a primitive vase placed into the corner of an ultra-modern room. I like the radical, the subdued and the in-between approaches.
Today, I want to focus upon the in-between, utilitarian way of using a stem based style.
When the stem is emphasized, the arranger is looking to highlight height, slenderness, and strength. Even the appearance of full leafiness and scattered blooms doesn’t hide the nature of stems when considering this tourist vase filled with stems. To enhance the vertical structure, I used faux tail feathers within the composition. This has an almost wild quality about it.
The two Royal Haeger 1960s vintage ewer pitcher floor vases are perfectly suited for stem displays. The orange vase stresses verticality and line. The brown vase shows off rugged raw brush type stems. They’re almost tree branches. These arrangements work to bring earthiness into a room.
I wanted to bring a playful aspect to a large, spherical Haeger vase. The counterpoint to the nearly perfect sphere, is a complex design of the various tree stems used in this wintery statement. The shape and coloring anticipates the transition to eventual springtime. Evergreen plays against dyed pussywillow. With two different berried branches used as fill.
You can experiment widely with different stem types and containers. You might use large pieces inside of a big, old creamery milk can or snake grass and bamboo within a delicate art glass vase. The use of stems as composition allows for either more defined form or, on the contrary, a more abstract shape. Use your imagination and have fun with stems.
Ciao
The Blue Jay of Happiness hopes you want to experiment with variations on these idea starters.
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