Summer is the time when we appreciate nature in all its abundance. The flower garden, bursting with blooms is a celebration of the season and a party that we want to carry on into our homes. Cutting fresh flowers from the garden to arrange in vases is one of a gardener’s rewards. The display is a trophy that acknowledges the efforts that go into creating a beautiful garden.

It’s only fitting that one of the vases cherished by Elaine Martin of Vintage Gardener is a trophy that belonged to her grandfather. The vintage trophy functions as a vase, complete with florist frog and supports for individual stems. The container is one of the three elements to consider when bringing your garden indoors, advises the seasoned gardener.

In addition to what container you choose, the style of arrangement and its placement within your home are all factors in creating an arrangement. Martin has been collecting vases over the years providing her with assorted shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of garden offerings. Some have been discovered at garage sales, others are gifts.

“Slowly collect the things you love,” Martin suggests.

The idea is to have a variety of vases on hand, from tall slim bud vases to generous jugs to delicate decanters. The next step is to know what to put into the various types of vases. A tall thin vase will provide to support to a long stem. Petite vases marry well with lily of the valley and other tiny flowers. A florist frog placed in the bottom of a low bowl will allow for a full display as each bloom can be held upright by the weighted frog’s pins.

There are two types of florist frogs. The straight pin variety is used for flowers with woody stems like sunflowers and delphiniums. More delicate stems are held in place with a frog that provides hair pins for support from its anchored position at the bottom of a vase or bowl.

Martin repurposes a silver-plated mint julep cup to accommodate flowers with large blooms and long stems but cuts them short to work in this container. The big bursts of colour add drama to the display, mingles with herbs and other flowers from the garden.

Pour new life into jugs as ideal containers for large, upright bouquets. Martin sometimes approaches such bouquets from a different angle, allowing the stems to lean over.

“When I lean it I like to tie it with a bow so that it looks purposeful…It’s a pretty look,” she says.

A style of vase that’s a real find, according to Martin, is one with a narrow neck and a larger mouth. It will hold the stems tightly for support but then allows the flowers to cascade and fall away as it widens at the top.

For more ideas on bringing your garden indoors, Vintage Gardener hosts workshops with topics like drying flowers and growing edible flowers. You’ll find details at www.vintagegardener.com.