The market for cut flowers is projected to reach a value of $49 billion by 2028. It’s clear that flowers, and bouquets, are considered fantastic gifts for loved ones and coworkers.
The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of a bouquet is a large bundle of roses. But is it a good idea to use greenery for bouquets, as well?
It is, in fact, a good idea to use greenery. If you’re interested in learning why and which types of greenery work best for bouquets, consider reading ahead.
Using Greenery for Bouquets
Greenery for bouquets is a good idea for a wide variety of reasons. It can serve as a filler to remove gaps, can add texture and unique visual qualities, tack on interesting fragrances, and result in a more cohesive overall look to a bouquet. It can also, somewhat surprisingly, add a ton of color and contrast to bouquets.
Among colorful flowers, tulips, sunflowers, orchids, and gerberas are great choices for corporate gifts. You can make these even better with the addition of certain greenery. Here’s a quick look at the different ways greenery can improve a bouquet.
Interesting Texture and Visual Qualities
You can mix different types of greenery with flowers to add unique textures and visual qualities. These come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, offering a more dynamic appearance overall. Some great examples include ferns, olive branches, lambs ear, and bay leaves.
Mixing greenery with flowers for bouquetes can make an incredible difference. The contrast between usually soft and colorful flower petals with a dark or bright green background of greenery is simply eye candy. And, when you opt for greenery like lambs ear, the textures really do stand out.
Fun Fragrances
Flowers are often a great gift because of their smell. Smelling a flower is usually the first thing a person does upon receiving one. But, greenery as a bouquet filler can also add fun smells.
Some types of greenery have strong scents, such as eucalyptus and rosemary. These, in combination with flowers, can add an additional layer of interest to a bouquet.
A More Cohesive Look
The right type of greenery can function as a canvas for the flowers that are mixed in. It’s important to select the same types of greenery throughout. But, when done properly, they can tie a whole bouquet together for a new and harmonious look.
You can also get creative and do the opposite, though. For example, you can select green floral arrangements that are more stark in contrast, instead.
Greenery as a Gap Filler
While a bouquet of roses or other flowers can be flashy and impressive, they don’t do a great job at filling a bouquet. That is, unless, you bundle a ton of flowers together. This is where greenery can come in to save the day. They’re often more affordable and are an excellent choice for filling gaps for a more dense bouquet.
The Best Greenery for Bouquets
If you want to improve the texture, color, and fragrance of your bouquets, you’ll want to look into the best greenery for bouquets. Luckily, there are a ton of options. There’s also a lot of variety, with many standing out thanks to a few unique qualities. Given the wide variety, you might want to learn a few tips on buying wholesale flowers and greenery before making your first purchase.
Some greenery is more delicate with a consistent shape and size, while others have leathery textures with different colors and sizes. Whatever you might prefer, here’s a quick look at the different types of greenery and why they’d work just right for your bouquet.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is famous for its strong aromatic scent. It’s considered by many as quite pleasant and refreshing. While it does add a touch of fragrance to any bouquet, it also adds a rustic touch and a strong green pop, making it great as a base for flower arrangements.
Some types of eucalyptus have a strong and pungent aroma, so consider using them sparingly in certain bouquets. The most popular options for bouquets include the silver dollar eucalyptus and the seeded eucalyptus. The first has silver-blue leaves, and the latter has small seeds scattered throughout its branches.
Ferns
Ferns are delicate, with lacy leaves that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They’re a fun option, adding a touch of whimsy to any bouquet. They’re a great option as a gap filler, and add a ton of texture whenever they’re included.
If you’re looking for a natural and romantic touch for your bouquet, ferns have you covered. The most popular types of ferns include the maidenhair and bird’s nest ferns.
Maidenhair ferns have delicate and feathery fronds, while bird’s nest ferns are wider with rounded fronds. Keep in mind that ferns are fragile and require a lot of water to stay hydrated. Consider misting them with water frequently.
Pittosporum
Pittosporum is another great option that serves as a filler in bouquets. Its texture is quite unique, and it has a strong green pop. However, its strong color and texture are often considered perfect for flower arrangements where the desired filler won’t overwhelm the flowers.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are popular thanks to their elegant and formal look. They have a soft fragrance, a vibrant green color, and a glossy texture. They’re often used in dried flower arrangements for a rustic and natural look.
While it’s possible to use bay leaves on their own, they typically work better with flowers for a more interesting and varied look. One thing to keep in mind when using them in a flower arrangement is to handle them gently. Bay leaves are easy to bruise or damage when handled.
Olive Branches
Olive branches are another popular choice for adding a natural and rustic look to a bouquet. They have a deep green color with a soft, glossy texture that combine perfectly to create a rich and earthy visual effect.
One thing that’s great about olive branches is that you can use them when they’re fresh or opt to dry them out for dried flower arrangements. Just like the eucalyptus, though, they have a strong and pungent aroma, so it might be a good idea to use them sparingly in a bouquet to avoid their smell overpowering the other flowers.
Ruscus
Ruscus is an interesting pick. It’s an evergreen shrub that’s frequently chosen for its sturdy and flexible stems, along with glossy, green leaves. Ruscus adds a natural and lush look to bouquets and can be used on its own or mixed with other flowers and foliage.
It’s well known for being a long-lasting type of greenery, so it’s perfect for flower arrangements that have to stay fresh for longer periods of time. Just like olive branches, you can dry out ruscus plants for dried flower arrangements.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another great greenery choice, in large part thanks to it’s soft and pleasant aroma that helps it easily mix with other plants without overpowering their smells. It has a distinctive smell and very lush and strong green color. However, it doesn’t stick out too much, making it less than an optimal choice for making a bouquet using only rosemary.
You can also dry rosemary, which makes it a great option as foliage for bouquets when you need a more natural and rustic look.
Lambs Ear
Lambs ear is one of the most unique greenery for bouquets options on this list. It’s a perennial plant, well known for its soft and velvety leaves. It also has a distinct, delicate, and unique silvery-white appearance. Lambs ear is perfect for adding a soft and textural element to the design of almost any bouquet.
Interestingly enough, the plant gets its name from its soft and velvety texture, considered very similar to that of a lamb’s ear. It’s a popular choice for garden borders and ground cover, as it has limited growth and won’t overpower other plants. It’s a top pick for any bouquete.
Greenery for Bouquets: A Winning Combination
Picking out greenery for bouquets is definitely the way to go. It offers interesting texture and visual qualities, fun fragrances, serves as an excellent gap filler, and creates an overall more cohesive look.
There are also a plethora of options when it comes to greenery. Olive branches, ruscus, rosemary, and lambs ear, are just a few that can make all the difference when putting together a bouquet. Many florists recommend combining greenery with unique textures alongside flowers with powerful colors for an impressive combination.
Contact us to learn more about all the flower and greenery combinations you can order. We’re more than happy to help you in the process, from start to finish!
