Here are the top 5 foliages that I LOVE to use in my arrangements
There are so many choices when it comes to foliage for arrangements. Foliage can serve as a stand-alone or as a compliment to other flowers in an arrangement. It can provide structure, movement, and add interest to an arrangement as well. Your choice of foliage can make or break a flower arrangement. Choose the right foliage and you are on your way to creating beautiful works of art.
Many types of foliage have accompanied me on my floral journey. As an aspiring floral designer creating bud vases and small arrangements, leather leaf was my safety net. Trial and error came along and proved to be my best teachers. As I matured in my craft and began creating more complex arrangements and installations, I learned there were 5 gems that I needed to bring along on my journey.
To say that my LOVE runs deep for these 5 is an understatement. These 5 have never let me down. They are readily available, play well together in structures and arrangements, and allow me to design without limitations.
What are my 5 favorite foliages? Salal, Italian ruscus, seeded eucalyptus, pittosporum, and huckleberry. Why my love affair with these 5? Read on to learn more!
Salal
Salal reigns supreme on my list of favorites. What is there not to love about these beautiful dark green waxy leaves? Salal is available year-round, is long lasting, and allows you to create the simplest to the lushest arrangements. Its long length provides the perfect foundation to define the overall size and shape for structures, floral arches, and tall centerpieces while its tips are perfect for compote arrangements, floral sprays, and bouquets. Salal has the ability to take center stage in greenery arrangements or act as the main “filler” character in flower arrangements.
Italian Ruscus
When it comes to designing for events, Italian ruscus is a foliage that you will typically find on my “greens to purchase list”. Whether used to accent décor elements or in arrangements, there’s just something classy about Italian ruscus.
It provides the perfect level of sophistication for tall arrangements, cascading bouquets, garlands, and floral arches. Its long trailing dark green leaves provide height, depth, and movement throughout an arrangement. Italian ruscus’ versatility allows it to be incorporated into everything from boutonnieres and corsages to floral railings and chandeliers. When smilax is not an option, Italian ruscus is a great alternative.
Seeded Eucalyptus
One can never go wrong with eucalyptus. Of all the varieties of eucalyptus, there is something special about the green clustered pods of seeded eucalyptus. Its pleasing aroma and long-shelf life make seeded eucalyptus one of my favorites.
Seeded eucalyptus works well with themes from rustic to romantic and pairs well with silver dollar eucalyptus, roses, and hydrangeas. The seeds add just the right amount of pop to corsages and boutonnieres while its silvery green leaves add beautiful texture to bouquets, floral garlands, and wreaths.
Pittosporum
There are three varieties of pittosporum that I absolutely love – green, variegated, and mini variegated. Green and variegated pittosporum with their hardy, uniquely shaped leaves serve as beautiful decorative fillers in any arrangement. The white and gray/silver leaves of variegated pittosporum provide the perfect color contrast in all greenery arrangements, tropical compote arrangements, and white floral arrangements. I often pair variegated pittosporum with my #1 favorite – salal. When a touch of a dainty variegated green is needed for bud vase arrangements or bouquets, mini pittosporum is a win every time.
Huckleberry
To round out my list of favorite foliages, huckleberry or “huck” is the ideal foliage for installations and garlands. Its dark green leaves and thick wood-like stems provide the perfect foundation to support other greenery elements in designs. Huckleberry provides great coverage and has a way of captivating the eye as it trails up and down draping and other installations.
Whether solo, paired with its counterpart, or sprinkled in with beautiful flowers, each foliage has afforded opportunities to create beautiful works of art for others. Works that bring lots of smiles and warms many hearts. For that, each will forever remain staples in my designer toolkit.
What are your must-have foliages for arrangements? Let me know in the comments.
Writer: Lisa Nelson
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Business: Just for the Occasion, LLC
Website: www.justfortheoccasion.net
Handle: @jusfortheoccasion
