Sometimes it seems like greenery is the theme of the century. In 4 out of 5 of the inquiries I receive, the bride requests “greenery.” It’s always a vague request and is typically inspired by the hundreds of photos on Pinterest of leafy runners snaking along farm tables and eucalyptus garlands gracing the chiffon curtains of a barn. As florists, it can be frustrating to receive the same requests over and over (I see you nodding your head in agreement over there). However, instead of allowing these monotonous inquiries to push us to burnout, we should look at them as a creative challenge.

One of my favorite things about foliage is that there is SO much to choose from! Most often, brides only know of certain types of greens - just like they know certain kinds of flowers - and I can’t tell you how often I hear the word “eucalyptus.” Don’t get me wrong, it is fantastic foliage, and I enjoy using it, but it is vital that as florists, we educate our clients on all of their options. It is also important that we remember that green is a color as well and that each type of foliage carries its own hue. Some leaves simply don’t mesh well with others (like silver dollar eucalyptus and Italian ruscus), and certain hues bring out the undertones of blooms.

In addition to the large variety of greenery offered through wholesale, there are hundreds more species provided by nature. These vary greatly depending on where you live, and it is crucial that you know which plants in your area are poisonous and which are not. Once you know which greens you should stay away from, test out others! When you’re taking a walk around your neighborhood or even on a drive around town, keep snips handy, so you can make a cutting and see how it lasts in and out of water.

This year, I booked a wedding where the bride requested only greenery. I included a few blooms in her bouquet and the groom’s boutonniere, but other than that, there were no flowers. It turned out beautifully! The ingredients I chose were a compilation of items from a local farm, from a local wholesaler, and from my backyard. While it was much more difficult than I thought it would be to narrow down the ingredient list and choose shades of green that told a cohesive story, I enjoyed the challenge and would welcome it again!

Ingredients:

Boxwood

Rhodedendron

Salal

Feather-leaf Eucalyptus

Rosemary

Leather-leaf Fern

Italian Ruscus

White Wax Flower

White Anemone (bridal bouquet only)

Maroon Hellebore (bridal bouquet only)

All photos by Katie Whalen Photography