Foliage is a collective term for the green leaves, twigs, seed pods or vines from the members of the plant families. Trees, shrubs, ferns, and greens from many flowering plants are used in the vast area that is today's Wedding Event. Most of these greens used are fresh having been cut from live plants, and must be kept in water. But a great deal of them are dried, as fall leaves, seed pods, branches.
The Greens or foliage of the Flower arranging in the Wedding can have great effect on the over all look. Color, for instance, can make a such difference. There are different shades of Green with in the foliage family, light green like a Simlex to the dark green of Leather Fern. Variegated varieties that have white like a Pittoporum. There are the gray of Dusty Miller or the blue green of Eucalyptus and Succulents.
The shape of some greens, like Plummosa has very tiny, hair like leaves on a curvy, vine like stem that gives a light, airy design feel to the Bouquet or arrangement. Where Scotch Broom is a stiff, straight linear green that can be manipulated in to curved shapes but gives a more dramatic feel or look to the bouquet or arrangement.
Size can play a large role, leaves from trees, like the Magnolia can be up to six inches, make a great show in a Ceremony piece but must be wired to be used in a Bouquet for accent.
When You combine these new colors and shapes with Your wedding Colors, Great things will happen!
When purchasing greens for Wedding work or gathering them from a garden, it is important to let them sit in treated water for at least 12-24 hours before you use them in arrangements. This procedure is called hardening the greens. Many greens, like ivy, may look great when first cut and will hold up out of water. However, the longevity of the green will be shortened. Much of wedding work needs to be done ahead of time (up to 3 days), many floral/greens decorations must sit out for many hours on the day of the event in various climates. By giving the greens a chance to harden you can help extend their longevity. Thus, helping them hold-up their appearance through out the event.
If you are bringing greens from the garden, or other out door source, be sure to rinse it down to help remove any dirt or bugs. Carefully check for bugs and remove. It is a good idea to leave the prepared greens out doors over night, if possible. This will give remaining bugs a chance to leave and stay out doors.
Most greens can be enhanced in appearance by using a leaf shine type products, in a can or pump spray. Never use this product on or near any Maiden Hair Fern. Do this work out doors to avoid inhaling fumes. On some larger leaves, a moist cloth is used to evenly distribute the product to get a uniform look or if the green is excessively dirty. If no product is available, a weak solution of milk and water will work.
When doing the greening for several arrangements instead of spraying all the greens in their bunches, go ahead adding the various green in to the arrangements, then spray each arrangement with leaf shine but wait a few minutes before adding any flowers.
Prepared Container
1. Start with the appropriate size container for the greens you have, one that will
help support stems. When doing greens by the bunch, be sure container is not only tall
enough but wide enough to hold water and greens without being jammed together.
2. Clean the container, remember “if you would not eat off it- donʼt put your
greens in it.” Wash container with mild abrasive cleaner or baking soda and rinse several times.
3. Fill container 1/4-1/2 with tepid tap water. Add appropriate amount of
preservative for size of container and amount of water. Stir to dissolve.
4. Cut greens with sharp shears, and for thick, wood stems- smash ends with
hammer to break up bark and leave more surface area for stem to drink from. Remove
any bruised or broken stems, fronds or branches. Any thing that will be below water line.
Below are many of the most popular and regularly used greens for Weddings and other floral arrangements. The stem count of the bunches varies considerably between the different types of greens. Some have up to 24 stems while others can be as few as 5-10 stems to the market bunch. Prices also vary across the United States, most States in the Midwest have their flowers and greens shipped in from the Coasts. The Weather can effect the types of Greens an area can grow, Ferns like Maiden Hair must be grown indoors in cold climates increasing the price. Be sure to familiarize Yourself with the types of Greens available in Your area.
LEATHER LEAF FERN:
Rumohra adiantiformis is a Flat, dark green leaf, about 15”- 24” long ”(including stem), 9-12” wide with taper to point. Widely used in all wedding areas; bokays, personal flowers, ceremony and reception. Very versatile filler or base green when used with other greens in arrangements. Good for scattered flower use.
CARE: Mist with water and keep covered with wet newspaper in
plastic bag. Store in cool place or keep under refrigeration for
long periods. Can be kept in prepared container of water covered
with damp material to keep from drying out. Fern can be cut with
scissors to achieve different shapes.
TEMPERATURES: Does well in all weather, not extreme heat.
Keep misted to prevent curling
Rumohra adiantiformis is a Flat, dark green leaf, about 15”- 24” long ”(including stem), 9-12” wide with taper to point. Widely used in all wedding areas; bokays, personal flowers, ceremony and reception. Very versatile filler or base green when used with other greens in arrangements. Good for scattered flower use.
CARE: Mist with water and keep covered with wet newspaper in
plastic bag. Store in cool place or keep under refrigeration for
long periods. Can be kept in prepared container of water covered
with damp material to keep from drying out. Fern can be cut with
scissors to achieve different shapes.
TEMPERATURES: Does well in all weather, not extreme heat.
Keep misted to prevent curling
SALAL:
Commonly know as Lemon Leaf. Fairly large leaf similar to a Camellia, in dark green (3” wide by 4” length) on light colored stems of about 24”. Large branches used in ceremony and reception pieces, smaller pieces and leaves used in bokays and
personal flowers. Good for loose cut flowers. Can be sprayed to
change color.
CARE: Remove broken branches, fresh cut
with sharp shears (woody stems should be smashed), place
in prepared container. Keep in cool place.
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to hot climates.
These next six are a group of Greens used in design that are closely related to the popular vegetable Asparagus.
TREE FERN:
asparagus virgatus, also called African Broom Fern, native to East Africa. A Light, airy green. Dark to medium green in color, single stem with many branches. Excellent for all bokays, personal flower, reception, ceremony use, limited use in large ceremony pieces. Very good in loose cut flower use.
CARE: Remove any damaged pieces, cut with shears. Keep in prepared container under refrigeration
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to mild climates, curling of ends will
occur in hot, dry climates. Light misting with water.
SIMLEX:
asparagus asparagoides, Old fashioned green called Bridal Creeper is a herbaceous vine native to Lower Africa. It has shiny flat leaves about 1 1/2” (4 cm) by 3/4” (2 cm), which are flattened stem rather than true leave, on thin central stems, sold in lengths of about 3ʼ-4ʼ-longer pieces available in garlands. Brought to California and Australia for commercial wedding work, escaped cultivation and has become a nuisance weeds in those areas.
Long pieces use in bokays, ceremony and reception pieces;
shorter pieces in bokays, personal flowers, ceremony and
reception pieces. Good for loose cut flower work. Can be an
expensive green.
CARE: Remove broken stems and mist well.
Keep covered in plastic under refrigeration.
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to moderate climates only, hot
climates will cause leaf curl.
PLUMMOSA:
asparagus setaceus, Dark to medium green, with tiny needle-like leaves grouped in branches on a long, thin central stem of about 10” up to 36”. Long pieces use in bokays, ceremony and
reception pieces; shorter pieces in bokays, personal flowers,
ceremony and reception pieces. Good for loose cut flower
work.
CARE: Remove broken stems and mist well.
Keep covered in plastic under refrigeration. As greens get
old, leaves will rapidly drop and make a mess on surfaces this
can be temporarily stopped by spraying whole stem with hair
spray to stabilize. Watch out for hidden thorns on stems
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to moderate climates only, hot
climates will cause leaf curl.
SPERNGERI:
asparagus aethiopilus, also known as Sprenger’s Asparagus, native to South Africa and Cape areas . Light to medium green, airy but stiff green. About 24”-36", can be found up to 4-5 feet. Long pieces use in bokays, ceremony and reception pieces; shorter pieces in bokays, personal flowers, ceremony and reception pieces. Good for loose cut flower work.
CARE: Remove broken stems and mist well.
Keep covered in plastic under refrigeration. Watch out for hidden
thorns on stems.
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to hot climates.
DYSFLEXSIS:
Light to medium green, similar to Sprengeri in size but not
as stiff, very airy and droopy. Can be an expensive green.
Long pieces use in bokays, ceremony and reception
pieces; shorter pieces in bokays, personal flowers,
ceremony and reception pieces. Good for loose cut flower
work.
CARE: Remove broken stems and mist well.
Keep covered in plastic under refrigeration.
TEMPERATURE: Use in cool to moderate heat.
PLUMED OR CIGAR SPRENGERI:
asparagus densiflorous, medium green with a cylinder shape and tapered end. Found in stems of 2-3 feet. A native of South Africa and Madagascar, can not tolerate frost and is cultivated indoors for commercial use. breeding has produced a variety “myersli” a denser plant with 1-2 feet stems prized for floral arranging. Use in bokays, ceremony and reception work.
CARE: Remove any damaged pieces, cut with shears. Keep in prepared container under refrigeration
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to mild climates
RUSCUS:
Two types available:
Italian;
dark green leaves (about 2” long, less than 1” wide)
grouped on arching stems of 24”-30” long. Whole
branches use in ceremony and reception pieces, limited use in
bokays. Smaller pieces and leaves used in bokay and personal
flower work.
Two types available:
Italian;
dark green leaves (about 2” long, less than 1” wide)
grouped on arching stems of 24”-30” long. Whole
branches use in ceremony and reception pieces, limited use in
bokays. Smaller pieces and leaves used in bokay and personal
flower work.
Holland;
Medium green leaves (about11/2” wide) on central stem
(12”-18”), very linear green. Use in bokays, personal flowers,
ceremony and reception pieces.
Both are good for cut flower use, and can be sprayed to change color.
CARE: Remove broken or damaged stems and leaves, fresh cut
with sharp shears, place in tall prepared container. Keep in
cool place.
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to hot climates.
GALAX LEAVES:
an ever green, herbaceous perennial plant, native to the South and Eastern US where it grows in shaded forest. Used as a medicinal plant and as ornamental in gardens. Leaves are slightly heart shaped, dark green with serrated edges, turn brown in winter, about 3”-5” across, stem up to 6-8”. Very useful in all bokays , personal flowers, and reception pieces; limited use in ceremony pieces. Leaves can be manipulated in to different shapes for use.
Can be sprayed to change color. Good for use with loose cut flowers
CARE: Remove bruised and broken pieces, fresh cut with shears
and place in prepared container. Keep in cool place or under
refrigeration
TEMPERATURES: Use in cool to hot climates