Reliable Flowers for Foam-Free Installations
Amanda Dumouchelle Photography
Foam-free floral design installations are all the rage in the floral industry, and there are countless resources that give advice for the mechanics of these designs. But what about the flowers and greens? What if you’re unable to give them a water source?
Susan McLeary saw this need and put together a reliable list of flowers and greens that last out of water and are excellent for large-scale designs without a water source. Each of these items have been tested for the length of an event (7+ hours) by Susan and her team and have fared well. She has graciously shared this list with us here at Team Flower, so we hope it is helpful to you in your designs!
We also have a list of the top flowers that last out of water, written by a Team Flower member, Martha White.
Foliages and Branches (in alphabetical order)
Acacia (Knifeblade, Pearl, and Feather)
Acuba
Agonis
Aralia
Bay Laurel
Baker Fern
Brunia
Blueberry branch
Coral Fern
Brake Fern
Boxwood
Calathea
Callaicarpa
Cammellia
China Berry
Datura
Elaeagnus (all varieties)
Eucalyptus (all varieties)
Euonymus
Evergreens (all varieties)
Flax
Fig on the branch
Leucadendron
Ilex
Ivy
Lipstick Pods
Lotus Pods
Magnolia
Maranta
Monstera
Mulberry
Nandina
Oak
Olive Branch
Oregonia
Pieris Japonica
Plumosus Fern
Pomegranate on the branch
Poppy Pods
Privet
Pyracantha
Raspberry, Ornamental
Rose Sumac
Rosemary
Ruscus (all varieties)
Salal Lemon Leaf
Skimmia
Smilax (Southern)
Smilax (Bagged)
Snowberry
Tree
Ivy
Tropicals (most varieties)
Viburnum (tinus)
Nicole Clary Photo
Flowers (in alphabetical order)
Note: Some have soft or fleshy stems that may sag with time, but the blooms will hold well. Take this into consideration and choose your placements accordingly.
Amanda Dumouchelle Photography
Alstromeria
Aganpanthus
Ageratum
Allium (all varieites)
Amaryllis
Amaranthus (upright and hanging)
Anthurium
Artichoke
Asiatic Lilies
Banksia
Begonia
Berzillia
Boronia
Bouvardia (limited testing)
Brassica
Calla Lilies
Calycina
Carnation
Celosia (feather and brain)
Chamomile (button)
Chrysanthemum (the firm, plump varieties)
Crocosmia
Curcuma
Craspedia
Cymbidium Orchids
Cypripedium Orchids (lady slipper)
Amanda Dumouchelle Photography
Limonium
Lisianthus
Marigold
Martigon Lilies
Mokara Orchids
Nasturium Vine
Nerine Lily
Oncidium Orchids
Ornithogalum (Arabicum, Dubium, and Thyrsoides)
Pieris Japonica
Pompon Mums
Protea (all varieties)
Tanacetum (Tansy)
Tulip (Doubles)
Tuberose
Safflower
Sandersonia
Skimmia (blooming)
Statice
Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise)
Squill
Sterling Range (really pretty en masse)
Stirlingia
Rose Sumac
Vanda Orchid
Waxflower
Yarrow
Dahlia (firm ball varieties—locally sourced)
Date Palm
Dendrobium Orchid
Dianthus
Echinops
Eucomis
Eremurus
Eryngium
Festival Bush
Freesia
Fritillaria Persica
Fritillaria Imperialis
Garden Rose (firm, South American—especially Juliet and Campenella)
Gerrondo Gerbera Daisy
Ginger
Gladiola
Gloriosa
Grevillia
Gypsophila
Heleconia
Heather
Hellebore (after seed head forms)
Hyacinth
Hybrid Tea Rose (too many varieties to name)
Hydrangea (late season antique)
Hypericum
Ixia
Kangaroo Paw
Liatris
Amanda Dumouchelle Photography
Sue is a floral designer, artist and instructor who creates unusual, boundary-pushing floral art, including elaborate headpieces, floral wearables, and her signature succulent jewelry. As a passionate teacher, Susan offers private design instruction for new and professional florists in her studio and through destination workshops. Susan’s work has been featured on the cover of Fusion Flowers Magazine twice, and in leading industry publications and websites including Martha Stewart Weddings, Florists Review, My Modern Met, Refinery 29, SELF, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, Belle Armoire, Modern Wedding Flowers, and Grace Ormond Wedding Style. Susan is a member of Chapel Designers and Slow Flowers. Her first book, The Art of Wearable Flowers, will debut spring 2020. Follow her on Instagram @passionflowersue and visit her website to learn more!
