How to Arrange Roses In a Vase - Thistlewood Farm (2024)

Discover step-by-step instructions on how to arrange roses in a vase. Learn simple tips for creating easy rose arrangements in minutes.

When the clock struck midnight last night I felt like Cinderella with a glass coach and footmen that turned into pumpkins and mice.

My birthday was over and it won’t be back until next year.

Sigh.

I wish I could turn back the clock and live yesterday over again.

And again.

And again and again.

There were calls and cards and visits and a dinner with the best conversation and a day full of the sweetest messages and emails (if you sent me one I’m sending you with all the thanks in the world).

And when I walked in the door yesterday afternoon, these roses were waiting for me on the counter with the sweetest note from my sister-in-law. See what I mean? Who would ever want a day with roses on the counter to end?

In amazing news? I have the BEST way to arrange roses that my mother learned from my grandmother who learned from her mother.

Because now these roses? They look like this.

Don’t they look fancy?

They went from roses in my sink to roses that look like they won the Kentucky Derby.

And it’s the EASIEST tip on the planet.

Because all you need is this.

A flower frog.

My mother had one.

And my grandmother had one.

This one is vintage, but you can find similar ones at yard sales (if you are super lucky) or you may already have one from your grandmother, too.

There are TONS of different flower frogs that work amazingly well for different types of flowers. But these types of frogs are perfect for roses because they have such sturdy stems.

Here’s how I made this arrangement (in five minutes when I was on the phone with my sister-in-law telling her how thankful I was for the roses).

Supplies

fresh roses (especially if they are birthday roses)

vase (I used a blue and white container)

flower frog (also known as a floral frog or pin holder)

floral sheers

Step 1: Prepare Your Roses

Start by preparing the roses.

I know this is Captain Obvious, but the arrangement will last SO much longer with just a little bit of prep. Carefully remove any leaves that will fall below the waterline in the vase. This prevents bacterial growth and keeps your arrangement looking fresh for longer. Use floral shears to trim the stems at a 45-degree angle.

This is so important. Cutting at an angle allows for more water to get into the stem, making sure the roses stay hydrated.

Step 2: Prepare Your Vase and Flower Frog

Fill your vase with water, making sure it’s at room temperature.

Position the flower frog in the center of the vase.

Flower frogs come so many different designs, including metal grids and pin holders–but again—this type of flower frog works perfectly and provides so much support for the roses.

Step 3: Start arranging

Once the flower frog is securely positioned in the vase, it’s time to start arranging your roses.

The flower frog serves as a stable base, keeping the roses in place and helping to create an arrangement that looks like it walked out of a florist shop.

Select the focal rose—the one in the center of the arrangement. Place this rose in the center of the flower frog, adjusting the height as needed to create the desired focal point.

(quick tip: always cut them a little longer—you can’t go longer but you can go shorter).

Step 4: Add the rest of the roses

Next, add the next row of roses around the main rose in the center (there are holes in the flower frog to take the guesswork out of where to put the roses) to fill out the arrangement.

Again, start longer and go shorter.

It takes me a little bit of clipping to get them looking the way I want them.

Once you have everything where you want it to go? Step back and take a moment to look it from different angles.

Do NOT skip this step. Turn it and look at it from all sides. There’s nothing worse than a flower arrangement that looks good from one side and super lame from the other.

Here are a couple of tips to make your roses last longer:

1. Clean Vase: Before arranging your flowers, it’s so important to make sure your vase is clean. Wash the inside of the vase with warm, soapy water, and rinse thoroughly before filling it with fresh water for the roses.
2. Flower Food: Use a packet of flower food to nourish your roses (this usually comes with the arrangement) and prolong their freshness. Flower food contains nutrients and additives that help inhibit bacterial growth. Follow the instructions on the packet for the best results.
3. Change Water Regularly: Replace the water in your vase every two to three days, or whenever it starts to look cloudy or smell unpleasant. Stinky water is NO GOOD for flowers.
4. Avoid Direct Sunlight and Heat: Place your vase of roses in a cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight. Too much sunlight can cause your roses to wilt.
5. Trim Stems Periodically: Every few days, recut the stems of your roses at a slight angle and change the water. This refreshes the stems and allows the water to hydrate the roses. Make sure to remove any wilted blooms to encourage new growth.

From this…

…to this.

Another birthday is in the books.

It went by so quickly, but it was the most amazing 24 hours ever (I stayed up until midnight to watch the coach turn into a pumpkin).

But in the good news department?

I have these beautiful roses to keep me company.

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