Abstract: Horticultural items are displayed in a vase which includes a base for supporting the lower ends of stems of the items at locations spaced from the vertical axis of the vase assembly, and a retainer ring supported exclusively on the stems for holding the stems together in intersecting relationship in an area which is substantially smaller than the area of the base and is spaced above the base and substantially centered on the central axis of the vase assembly. The lower portions of the stems converge upwardly to form a tripod made of stems which support each other and the retainer, with the upper portions of the stems diverging upwardly away from the retainer. A display of horticultural items is prepared by binding the items together by placing a ring around the stems, inclining the stems relatively to each other so the stems diverge from each other in directions leading away from the ring, and inserting the lower ends of the stems in a vessel which prevents the splaying of their lower ends.