Green is Pantone’s color of the year. It is a symbol of nature and new beginnings. Yet often, green does not get the attention it deserves when we’re decorating with flowers. Instead of always leaving it out of bouquets, it’s time to use green to accessorize!
With so many bright and beautiful flowers available, it can be easy to overlook the types of greenery and filler flowers that accompany them. However, it’s the fillers and greenery that complement and complete the bouquet. They add texture, interest and shape to floral decor.
It can be fun to play around with the different types of plants available to find out what kind of look is best for you. Here is a list of the top 20 types of greenery and filler flowers that are trending right now. We have also created two visual guides to help you better understand and differentiate the types of greenery and filler flowers.
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.
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 aling 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.
