Plants Used in Flower Arrangements

Cultivated Flowers

• Roses take center stage in bouquets. Their bright colors, fragrant scent and beauty have endeared them to flower enthusiasts worldwide. Cabbage roses are similar to roses, but have more tightly clustered petals for an appearance that resembles a cabbage. These flowers are preferred for arrangements that echo a vintage atmosphere or a shabby chic look. Calla lilies have long, graceful stems with a white, cupped flower. You might use these in a remembrance bouquet for a deceased loved one, as they symbolize remembrance, or in a springtime arrangement. Calla lilies work best in simple arrangements. Daisies come in several varieties and colors and make a versatile bouquet flower. Gerbera daisies are larger with bright colors, while the white daisy provides simplicity and charm to an average arrangement. Hydrangeas contain a rounded bunch of flowers on one stem, making them a good choice for symmetrical arrangements, while tropical orchids provide a splash of color and pungent fragrances.

Wild Flowers

• While some wild flowers last for days in a floral arrangement, many do not. For this reason, you should choose your plants carefully in order to create a bouquet that has consistent staying power. While sunflowers are often cultivated on farms, you can find plenty in the wild if you live in an environment that is warm during the summer. Black-eyed Susans resemble yellow daisies with a dark center. They work well in arrangements due to their long, bare stems. Queen Anne's lace serves as a replacement for baby's breath with its long stalk and small clusters of white and pinkish flowers. Goldenrod, with its tall, drooping stalks of small, yellow flowers, provides a background for the main flowers. Asters give wildflower arrangements a boost of pink and purple color.

Accent Plants

• Ferns and palm fronds provide a reliable green backdrop for any bouquet. You can bend and create interesting effects in a bouquet with large palm leaves, or use the entire stem with multiple leaves. Baby's breath is a standard filler plant in many arrangements, but you might also choose ivy with floral wire entwined on the stem to make it bendable. For winter arrangements, use pine tree branches. Not only are they long-lasting, but they also freshen up the house with their clean scent. Eucalyptus also preserves well and emits a pleasing, enduring scent.

Herbs

• Many herb plants provide floral arrangements both color and scent. The passion flower comes in a range of colors, from blue to red. Its daisy-like petals are layered with a feathery fringe surrounding an intricate central corona. Lavender's muted purple color and soothing scent make it a good choice for floral arrangements in bedrooms or other rooms designed for comfort. Mint plants come in a variety of cultivars, but they all give a fresh and aromatic lift to bouquets. Flowers from mint plants grow on tall stalks, with several small bunches per stem. The colors range from white to purple, depending on variety.