Greenery Used in Floral Arrangements

Boston Fern

• Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) enjoys continued popularity as a filler in floral arrangements. The slender, long shape of the fronds earned it the nickname of sword fern. Leaflets grow along the frond on both sides, giving the fern a lacy appearance. Victorian era decorators popularized this type of fern, using it in solariums, on verandas and in bright sunny windows. The leatherleaf fern, another popular greenery for arrangements, has a larger triangular shape and lacy pattern.

Eucalyptus

• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) remains popular for floral arrangements. A few varieties of eucalyptus have blue-green long or oval leaves that stand out from a hardy stem. This makes the plant easy to work with and long lasting. This greenery suits both fresh and dried arrangements. Some growers cut crops back to keep leaves smaller for a more pleasing appearance. Once dried, eucalyptus pales to various shades of light brown, still suitable for arrangements.

English Ivy

• English ivy (Hedera helix), with its flexible stems and hardy foliage, is a good choice for greenery in both planter and hanging floral arrangements. The leaves range from an olive green to deep forest green. The dustier-green varieties commonly have white veining throughout. This variegated coloring lends itself to many styles of arrangements, including wedding displays. Ivy continues to be a favorite during winter and Christmas celebrations as an addition to holiday arrangements.

Lamb's Ear

• Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) offers a soft textured foliage for arrangements. This evergreen grows leaves up to 4 or 5 inches long, covered in silvery hairs. The grayish-green color creates a contrast to deeper green foliage-like ferns. Lamb's ears dry out very slowly, keeping their suppleness for a long time. They're named for their long shape and fuzzy texture. They're a favorite choice for baby and child arrangements.

Xanadu Leaf

• Xanadu leaf (Xanadu philodendron) lends large and glossy accents to any arrangement. Its hand-shaped leaves span up to 18 inches long, curling slightly in from the center vein. Often used with larger flowers such as lilies, this shiny dark green leaf adds a tropical flavor. Philodendron thrives as an indoor plant and can be repotted from an arrangement for use in the house.