A bud vase is a small vase which is designed to held several cut flowers, especially young flowers and buds. Bud vases are often used to make dainty arrangements of young flowers in the early spring, when there aren't a lot of blooms to choose from. They can also be used to display single stems of showy or aromatic flowers, and they have classically been used to showcase roses and other elegant blooms. Many shops which stock home décor carry bud vases, and they can also be purchased from a florist, with and without flower arrangements.
The design of a bud vase can vary widely. Typically, the neck of the vase is relatively narrow, whether or not the vase bulbs out. Some are designed in a classical vase shape, with a narrow neck and a bulbous base. This style can be convenient for heavy arrangements which could tip more slender vases, or fluffy arrangements, as the bulbous base can visually balance the large blooms. Bud vases can also be made in intriguing geometric shapes, or they may be more architectural, as in the case of a bud vase made from a cylinder suspended in a framework.
In all cases, the vase is designed to be watertight so that it can hold water and food for the blooms it displays. Materials used to make bud vases include porcelain, ceramic, glass, plastic, and crystal; it is also possible to find watertight wood bud vases or vases made from lined baskets or beaded containers. The style can be simple, as in the case of a basic clear glass bud vase, or ornate, in the case of a cut crystal bud vase.
Many people enjoy displaying cut flowers because they can brighten a room as well as adding distinct scents. Flowers are also traditionally used at events like weddings and dinner parties, and some people associate a display of flowers with a formal event. Flowers are also given as gifts; for example, a small display of flowers in a bud vase can be brought to a party hostess, or the room of someone who is staying in a hospital.
Many florists offer basic arrangements in bud vases for people who do not want to arrange their own blooms. It is also possible to order a custom arrangement, or to choose individual cut stems and arrange them yourself. Gardeners, of course, have access to their own plants for flower arrangements. The trick with a bud vase is to not overfill it; a single bold flower like a Gerbera daisy, for example, can be far more stunning than far too many roses stuffed into a vase which is too small.