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Most arrangements are designed for a particular location such as a dining table. The size of the dining table and the colors in the room will determine the flowers used, the size and shape of the arrangement, and the container chosen. This relationship is known as proportion and scale.
Proportion is the interrelationship of all parts of an ar¬rangement-flowers, foliage, accessories, and container. Flo¬ral  designers generally agree on the following proportion principles: the plant materials should be 1 1/2 times as high as the height of a tall container or 1 1/2 the width of a low container .
These are minimum dimensions. The maximum dimen¬sions depend upon the background space and the weight of the materials to be used. If the materials to be used are light and airy, the arrangement may be 2 to 3 times or more the height of the container. Also, due to their actual and visual weight, containers made of sturdy materials and dark colors can hold much larger arrangements.
Select plant materials that are consistent in size and char¬acter with the container and each other. If a delicate, crystal container is chosen, use flowers in keeping with the fragile nature of the crystal. Large, heavy mums would not be ap-propriate. A better choice would be roses or carnations. Also, select flowers which are alike in size. Tiny flowers, such as baby's breath, would be a poor choice with large dahlias.
Scale refers to the relationship between an arrangement and the area where it is to be displayed. A heavy oak dining table in a large room would need an arrangement of consid¬erable weight and mass. Fragile flowers would look out of place in such a setting. A large arrangement placed before the altar of a church illustrates good scale.
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