Foliage Queens
Why flower free can be more fun
It’s the middle of winter. There are few flowers to be seen, and you’re looking for something to brighten your home. Perhaps the Paperwhite, or Amaryllis planter someone gave you over the holidays are starting to fade, and you’re desperate for something fresh. Well… why not go out and harvest some greenery to bring that freshness into your space?
Foliage is an overlooked medium. I LOVE IT ALL!!! Something about the simplicity of fresh greenery in a bud vase is so stunning and elegant, yet so simple and effortless. There’s tons of greenery options available, and depending on where you live, you probably have at least a couple options to bring in from outside to add some grace to your space.
“But it snows where I live. I couldn’t possibly have anything green to bring in!”… What about some branches? Bare branches can also be super elegant, and create a sense of spirit of winter beauty when placed in the correct vessel. In fact, branches are so hot right now, I’m seeing them all over social media to create linear depth, and airinesses for weddings and events.
Speaking of which. Can we talk about the most overused greenery (in my opinion)? Eucalyptus.
By now you’ve seen the Eucalyptus trend. Here in the Central California Coast, they grow like weeds (which they quite literally are). You can’t drive a few blocks without seeing groves of them in our little seaside town. And why not? They are an important part of the Monarch Butterfly migration, and without them this population would be even more vulnerable than it was before. But did you know that it’s actually considering invasive here in California?
The California Invasive Plant Council states “Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian blue gum) is a tree (family Myrtaceae) found throughout California, but has primarily escaped to become invasive along the coast. It has effects on fire danger, native plants, and wildlife.”
They also are very dangerous. Just ask my neighbor who lost their house (albeit, it’s been rebuilt now) to a giant Eucalyptus tree in a January 2020 wind storm. The cyclical arid conditions in California make for excellent growing conditions for this species, however, once rains return, these trees can’t hold themselves up, and come down durning extreme wet seasons (such as the one we’re experiencing right now)!
This is not to say Eucalyptus should be banned from the floral design world. I do think it has it’s place. However, when considering greenery, this is not the only option. Sure it’s stunning in shades of pearly blue-green, which can really compliment many different color palettes. However, it’s so commonly used now, you may wonder if there is something else that can make your design stand out from the others. The answer is yes!!! There are so many unique, and seasonable options, it can become hard to choose!
Here is a list of my top go-to foliages:
1. Short Toothed Mountain Mint
BY FAR my favorite go-to foliage. It’s dusky-minty green easily trumps Eucalyptus in any arrangement. This workhorse gets bonus points for adding texture and form with it’s luscious leaves, and textural bracts. If let go to flower, it will be a buzz with bees, eager to drink it’s nectar. Despite its name, this plant is actually well behaved, and isn’t aggressive like other true mints.
2. Thornless Blackberry/Raspberry
I love this foliage! It’s perfect in the Spring, with bright green chartreuse coloring, deepening in summer to a rich dark green, finishing out the autumn with fiery reds, yellows, and oranges. Most florists love the unripe berries (I know I do!), but I find that I’m cutting it faster than the berries can develop, and will save stems with berries (ripe or not) until later in the season, when more interesting pods and textures become the center of attention. These stems have a significant vase life, although I do find they wilt out of water faster than other greens. I don’t use these for bouquets, or personal flowers, and stick to designs with a water source.
3. Bupleurum
Almost impossible to say correctly (for me at least!), this stunner is a reminds me of Mountain Mint crossed with Dill. On the more yellow side of chartreuse , this delicate green adds grace and airiness. A cool season plant, Bupleurum is best grown over the winter as zoning allows. While available at wholesale year round (isn’t everything), this plant despises the heat, and is in its prime during the spring/fall seasons.
4. Dusty Miller
I have had a love affair with this foliage for a very, very, very long time. It’s so versatile, and really bring elegance to almost everything. Dusty comes in two different leave shapes, the lacy one above, and a more broad leafed style. I use them both depending on the look I’m going for. Dusty is similar to lamb’s ear, although I don’t grow that one. Additionally, I’ve seen lamb’s ear in farmer’s market bouquets, and I am not sold on it for intricate wedding work. But who knows, ask me again in a couple years….
5. Passion Fruit Vine
Oh passion fruit vine…. I was so lucky to stumble upon this amazing greenery. It’s so sustainable, regrowing all its length after pruning, as well as a vase life that is INCREDIBLE!! I’ve seen passion fruit vine outlast almost all foliages I typically use. It has more structure to it than Love in a Puff (below), and still has the elegance of flow with its wave like grace. Not to mention, the cute little tendrils that curl around themselves, which offer interest for those that catch a glimpse of them.
6. Grapevine
Grapevine is an amazing foliage to use through out the season. While I don’t typically use this in bouquets, I find this to be an amazing foliage to use a a greenery base in centerpiece arrangements. I’m especially fond of using it in the autumn, once the leaves start to turn. The vase life on this foliage is just okay, often only lasting for a couple days before curling, and becoming brittle, but when it’s used for wedding day-of work, it’s a spectacularly unique option.
7. Herbs
Herbs are some of my go to foliages in the late spring and early summer when the plants are sending up new growth. I LOVE to use herbs in my bridal bouquets, as it can bring an element of scent that is so familiar, but subtle. I find herbs compliment any other scent flowers used, rather than overpower them.
8. Artichoke Leaves
Artichoke leaves are the first foliage options in the winter and early spring, while I’m waiting for some of the other structure type foliages to come in. I LOVE using them in hand-tied bouquets, or to give linear depth in long and low type of arrangements. They are VERY thirsty, so when used in containers, replace the water daily. I also find they are dirty drinkers, so best not to use them in clear glass containers.
9. Love in the Puff
While sold as a cut-flower seed, Love in the Puff is all greenery. You’d try not to use their flowering vines, although you can, rather opting to let the flower go to ‘puff’ instead. I love the shape of the leaves on this vine, so dainty and delicate. As a result of their sweet petite look, they are useless for adding any structure, and should be used as a fill, or accent.
10. Kiwi vine
Lastly, Kiwi Vine. Similar to Grapevine, I typically use this foliage for a structural base in centerpieces. I do like to use their shoots for linear interest, but find myself cutting them down to use as a base mostly. Their leaves are super soft, and fuzzy like lamb’s ear, and their vase life is again, exceptional. I just adore the leaf rosettes that appear in the spring, and sometimes will take those vines to use in place face flowers.