Greenery is a trend that has quickly taken over the wedding world. It can make or break a floral arrangement adding texture and complexity to the simplest of styles. Brides are using it everywhere from bouquets to backdrops. However, with the many different types of greenery it can be difficult to decide which style is right for you.

To help you choose the types of greenery that are right for your floral arrangement, FTD has put together a visual guide discussing the different types and where they look best. Did you know that ivy is best for accessorizing and can make a stunning floral headdress? They have also included a guide to the most popular types of filler flowers to accompany them!

Types of Greenery

Greenery can make or break a flower arrangement. When used correctly, it can add interest and variety and is an attractive companion to an assortment of floral designs. While it is up to you what types of greenery you choose to accessorize with, here is a list of our favorite types and where we think they look best.

Myrtle

Myrtle is one of the most popular types of greenery because of the variety of ways that it can be used. It has long stems which are lined with glossy leaves. The thick foliage that this creates looks best in floral centerpieces. It also exudes a sweet fragrance that makes it perfect for home decor. The myrtle is a representation of love and for that reason is often found in wedding arrangements as well.

 

Ivy

Ivy is perfect for accessorizing and can be added to anything from floral headdresses to table centerpieces. The leaves of ivy are unique in their triangular shape. The leaves cascade down its branches, making it ideal for wrapping around wreaths and adding flow to floral baskets. Ivy has a longer lifespan than most types of greenery; it lasts for months or even years, so it works great for home decor during holiday months or celebrations.

 

Leather Fern

Also known as the leatherleaf fern, this plant grows year-round and can last anywhere from seven to 21 days. The leather fern is thick and extends out on the sides in a unique formation. The way the stem branches out creates a triangular shape and is great for adding body to floral decor. It can stand alone in a vase as a centerpiece or add a tropical flair to a floral arrangement.

 

Tree Fern

The epithet name for the tree fern is virgatus, which means twiggy. Because of its extremely thin stem, the tree fern is one of the easiest types of greenery to use. Unlike its namesake, the tree fern has thin, wispy branches and leaves that are often used in corsages and boutonnieres. The tree fern also works well as a solid background in a colorful bouquet.

 

Dusty Miller

Because of its unique frosted foliage, the dusty miller has a wintry vibe. It is often used in winter weddings or in fall tablescapes. The gray and white color of the dusty miller’s leaves pair nicely with pastels and look great in bouquets. We recommend matching with light orange or pink roses to create a soft, yet chic look.

 

Lemon Leaf

The lemon leaf has round, thick leaves that resemble the shape of lemons. Like the leather fern, it has a long lasting vase life. It can stand alone or be a subtle companion to a beautiful bouquet. Its shiny leaves work well with all flower types and are most fitting in vases as table centerpieces. The lemon leaf is great for adding fullness to floral designs.

 

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

The silver dollar eucalyptus has one to two inch circular leaves that resemble silver dollars. It has alluring matte gray and blue foliage, making it a great pair for whites and pastels. Its thin, bendable branches mirror that of the ivy’s, making it ideal for decorative wreaths and displays. The silver dollar eucalyptus is often used fresh, but can also be dried out and dyed to different colors.

Eucalyptus ‘Baby Blue’

The eucalyptus baby blue is more dense than its silver dollar cousin, with smaller leaves. Its color changes as it matures and morphs from a smooth blue to a rich green. It’s great for adding texture to bouquets and as an accent in floral wreaths.

Honey Bracelet

The honey bracelet has long stems that are decorated with soft, thin leaves. Its thin stem is easily molded into any shape and can be used for just about anything. However, it is most frequently used to create flow in floral arrangements because of its long drooping stems.

Grevillea

The grevillea is a unique type of decorative greenery with red stems that branch out into multiple green leaves. The branches vary in their length causing them to add depth to floral decor. They look best when adding accents to a bouquet or centerpiece.

 

Types of Filler Flowers

Filler flowers can add pop to a floral arrangement or mellow it down. They aren’t quiet as exciting on their own, but when paired with other flowers they can make a monumental difference. Adding even the simplest of filler flowers can make a bouquet look more sophisticated. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors, so have fun testing out different types to find  what is right for you. Here is a list of the most popular types of filler flowers right now.

Stock

Stock flowers bloom from spring to fall and come in a multitude of colors ranging from soft white to bright purple. They develop small blooms that are perfect for adding a pop of color to any bouquet. It is up to you what color looks best with what you are pairing it with, so don’t be afraid to mix and match styles to see what feels right.

Statice

The statice flower, also known as the sea lavender, is a beautiful purple flower that grows even smaller blooms than the stock. It is a simple yet elegant flower that symbolizes remembrance. It has long, thin stems that branch out into dense flower bunches and look best in bouquets.

Snapdragons

The snapdragon is arguably one of the most unique flowers. Its bizarre name represents the face of the flower that opens and closes like the mouth of a dragon. It has long, slender stalks that blossom from bottom to top in a variety of colors. They are most often used in bouquets to add height and diversity.

Poms

Poms are identified as spray flowers, which means they have more than one flower head on each stem. This makes them easy to include in any arrangement to enhance the look. You can mix and match with multiple colored poms and throw them in wreaths or bouquets to add accents of color.

Delphinium

Delphinium gets its name from the Greek word “delphis,” which means dolphin. This refers to their beautiful purple and blue hues and closed flower buds that are shaped similar to the nose of a dolphin. The delphinium has multiple blooms on long stems that are similar to snapdragons. They are perfect for adding a dramatic look to any bouquet or centerpiece.

Bells of Ireland

The stalk and flower petals of the bells of Ireland embody the same soft green color and have a beautiful shape resembling a bell. They look best when creating an eclectic look on a dining room or coffee table and can stand on their own or be paired with other flowers in centerpieces and bouquets. The stems of the bells of Ireland are hollow and can be easily broken, so putting them in vases is the most ideal.

Gyp

Gyps are also known as baby’s breath and are members of the carnation family. They are cute, tiny flowers that look finest when grouped in bunches. White is the most commonly used gyp color, but it also comes in other shades like light pink. It looks best in bouquets and centerpieces, but can also be included in floral crowns!

Dianthus

More commonly known as the carnation, the dianthus is an extremely popular flower that comes in a plethora of vibrant colors. The name dianthus comes from the two Greek words, “dios” and “anthos.” Dios refers to the Greek god, Zeus, and anthos means flower. Thus, they are known as the “flowers of God.” As regal and beautiful as they are, dianthus flowers look best as statement fillers in bouquets.

Feverfew

The feverfew is a medicinal plant used to prevent headaches. When it is not treating migraines, it makes the perfect filler flower for just about any sort of flower arrangement. It has long, flimsy stems that blossom into tiny bunches flowers resembling daisies. The feverfew is a modest flower with tiny white petals that pair nicely with bright colors or pastels.

 

Alstroemeria

Also known as the Peruvian lily, the alstroemeria originated in South Africa. Like its exotic name, the inner petals of this flower have stripes on them that create texture and diversity when added to bouquets.  They come in a range of colors from whites and golds to pinks and purples. The alstroemeria symbolizes friendship and devotion and is often seen in bouquets for friends or relatives.

Types of Greenery and Filler Flowers: Visual Guides

From centerpieces to wedding bouquets, it can be difficult to find what types of greenery and filler flowers are right for your floral arrangement. To help you better visualize the different types, we’ve created two visual guides listing the most popular types of greenery and filler flowers.

Now that you have picked out your favorite types of greenery, it’s time to choose some flowers to accompany them. From tiny gyps, to vibrant snapdragons, here is a list of the most popular types of filler flowers.