Greens are a necessity for every florist! Greenery is available in all shades of green, sizes and textures. They are fillers that add colour, contrast and character to designs. Brightly coloured flowers come alive in floral arrangements against the green background. They also help make arrangements appear fuller. Greenery or foliage is a cost effective method to hide those unsightly floral foams.

When creating your own arrangements, you can look to your garden for the perfect greenery. Look for greens with texture, interesting shapes and colour.

Here are some of the popular greens that florists use:

Boxwood – Dark & thinly branched with small oval leaves. Very hardy and is great for creating uniquely romantic wedding bouquets, table centerpieces & flower arrangements.

Emerald – Makes a wonderful decorative filler. Adds an unusual look to commonplace designs. Has a palm leaf shape with a “feathery” look.

Jade – One of my favourites due to its interesting colour and attractive leaf shape. Adds beauty to just about any style of arrangement.

Leatherleaf – A very popular green amongst florists due to its full triangular shape which provides an ideal background for showcasing flowers. The foliage is dark green and branches symmetrically from a central stem.

Pittisporium – Long lasting foliage available in green and variegated. Both colours have a very shiny texture & it’s very popular for wedding work.

Plumosa – Compact and has lace-like, flat,light green leaves. Within the floral trade there are two sizes available, tips and long. Interestingly, it is related to the asparagus spears that we eat!

Tree Fern – A dark green, fluffy fern and is commonly called “Tiki”. Tree fern has soft, feathery shoots around a central stem. This airy look makes it perfect filler, enhancing the beauty of flowers. With its fine, lacy texture it is especially great for small or oriental style arrangements.