Type of Foliage for Flower Arranging

A floral arrangement comprised of fresh flowers and foliage enhances the appearance of the spot and provides visual interest and pleasure for days. While blooms or flowers constitute the major portion, stems of greenery help break the monotony, structure the arrangement and give it a fuller appearance. Depending on the look you want, place intricate foliage stems between flowers or wide-leaved varieties around the edges.

A trailing plant, ivy stems placed around the edges of a floral arrangement resemble cascading water that heightens visual pleasure. Ivy leaves come in a variety of shapes, sizes and hues, ranging from small, heart-shaped ones to the larger varieties that include the triangular Golden Ingot with lemon-yellow leaves surrounded by an emerald-green rim and the fan-shaped, silvery green English ivy. Some varieties are variegated, so select the one that complements your arrangement instead of one that detracts from the blooms.

Commonly used as filler foliage that adds vertical interest to rounded arrangements, beargrass belongs to the lily family and accentuates a centerpiece arrangement. The delicate, grass-like foliage comes in olive-green and variegated varieties that enhance the appearance of an arrangement when placed along the flowers, so it towers over the blooms, or anchored into a loop placed at the base. This long-lasting, evergreen foliage complements all flower shapes and colors.

Depending on the desired look, place the glossy, wide, deep-green magnolia leaves around the edge of the arrangement to structure it, or place leaves between blooms to add contrasting color and break the monotony. When slowed to dry, magnolia leaves turn an attractive bronze or golden-brown and make an attractive addition to a dried flower arrangement.

Eucalyptus leaves feature erect stalks with well-formed, mildly aromatic leaves that draw attention even on their own. The silver-tinted leaves complement an arrangement comprised of pale or bright colored blooms. The leaves are also dried and used for potpourri. Out of the different varieties available, the most commonly used eucalyptus foliage for bouquets and arrangements is the silver dollar.

The maple-like wide and flat fatsia leaves complement any arrangement and provide a bold background to blooms. Use a few stalks with a fresh flower arrangement or pair with elongated beargrass for a visually pleasing centerpiece.

The tip of this foliage is folded like a lamb's ear, hence the name. Two types of this soft-textured foliage are favorite choices for flower arrangements and bouquets --- the variegated variety or the silver-gray green type.