Greenery Used in Cut Flower Arrangements

Greenery is an important part of flower arrangements.

Creating a cut flower arrangement for a wedding or any event is not only about choosing the right types and colors of flowers. Understanding the different types of greenery or foliage used to complete the arrangement is also key.

Function

Greenery adds fullness, hides the structure and adds an aesthetic appeal to the arrangement.

Types

Cut flower arrangements such as bouquets, centerpieces and wreaths commonly use greenery.

Significance

Like flowers, different types of greenery hold special meaning. For example, fern means "magic, fascination, confidence and shelter." Ivy means "wedded love or friendship."

Texture

Greenery comes in various textures. Lamb's ear, for example, is soft, whereas song leaf is spiky and Xanadu leaf is glossy.

Warnings

According to Judith A. Blab of ArtisticFlowerArrangements.com, "dead" organic greenery, like dried leaves, should not be used in fresh-cut flower arrangements because dead greenery decomposes and makes the water source stagnant.

References

• Artistic Flower Arrangements
• Flower-Arrangement Advisor
• The Gardener

Resources

• Flower Dictionary