Greenery..

When envisioning floral arrangements most people think of beautiful blooms. Our minds are trained to see focal points in shapes and colors and we tend to believe the true beauty lies in that realm. I want to challenge you to see beyond that image. Discover what helps to creates that image. Greenery........

Greenery has a bad reputation in the minds of consumers. Known as a filler, an inexpensive con-artist. It is just not true. Greenery is the backbone of most arrangements, lending itself to support the design. Expert floral designers use various greenery to create texture, movement, contrast and/or harmony.

Ivy paired with roses and hydrangea creates a soft English garden design. Ivy also creates movement whether trailing down or weaving throughout the arrangement.

Texture is achieved using greenery with natural seeds,buds or berries still attached. Seeded eucalyptus, snowberries, juniper and camellia are great examples. Texture is also achieved using soft greens like papyrus or dusty miller. This silver grey foliage of the dusty miller adds an interesting felt texture to your design. These types of foliage just cant help but to touch!

Contrast and harmony are achieved using foliage based on its color. Unusual foliage adds striking visual interest to arrangements. Coleus plants vary with the most amazing color combinations. Dracaena,aspidistra and ti leaves can range in color from light green to dark green as well as shades of dark pink and red. Some have variegations of stripes or speckled spots. Using green variegated foliage with white flowers brings repetition and rhythm to an arrangement. Your eyes will travel around and around. Pairing deep reds leaves with blue or violet flowers creates contrast, enhancing the individual blooms. Incorporate blue/grey or deep evergreen foliage to compliment the cool colors of blue, green and violet. Use solid green foliage like hosta or monstera leaves to highlight the warm shades of red, orange and yellow.

Greenery moves from support to center stage in modern contemporary designs. A dramatic arrangement can be created using only large impressive leaves like banana ,monstera , palms and elephant ears. Flowers are not missed in this style arrangement!

Take a look at some of the interesting foliage below! What do you think? Have I captured your interest?