Foliage is the collective term for the leaves, stems, and secondary branches used in floral design, acting as the foundational green material that supports and highlights the primary blooms. It is a fundamental component required for structural integrity and aesthetic completion in nearly every arrangement. Successful floral compositions rely on a balance between the vibrant colors of cut flowers and the diverse textures and forms of plant matter that make up the foliage.
Defining Foliage in Floral Arrangements
Foliage consists of all the non-flowering, vegetative parts of a plant incorporated into a floral design. This includes individual leaves, leafy branches, grasses, and sometimes non-traditional elements like moss or bark used for decoration. Florists use the term to distinguish these materials from cut flowers, which are the main, typically colorful, focal points of an arrangement. Foliage offers a framework and a neutral, often green, canvas against which the blossoms can be displayed, adding a perception of volume and abundance.
The Functional Role in Design Composition
Foliage provides the structural support and visual framework that anchors an arrangement, allowing the design to take a specific shape. Many designers begin by establishing the arrangement’s outline using foliage, which dictates the height, width, and overall form. This material creates visual lines and movement, with trailing vines like ivy or upward-reaching stems like flax directing the viewer’s eye through the composition. The varying shades of green, ranging from deep forest tones to silvery-blue hues, introduce depth and contrast against the softer petals of the flowers.
Beyond aesthetics, foliage is instrumental in concealing the mechanical elements of an arrangement, such as floral foam, wires, or the edges of a vase. Its bulk and density contribute significant visual weight, ensuring the design feels grounded and balanced rather than top-heavy. The juxtaposition of textures, like the glossy surface of a camellia leaf next to the matte finish of a rose petal, introduces tactile interest. Foliage often accounts for a significant portion of the total material volume in professional arrangements.
Categorizing Common Foliage Types
Foliage is categorized based on its function within the arrangement, which helps designers select the appropriate material to achieve a desired effect.
Mass/Filler Foliage
This type is characterized by its density and is used to create bulk and a solid background for the flowers. Examples include Leatherleaf fern and Salal, which offer broad coverage and volume at the base of the design. These types are robust and long-lasting, providing a sturdy foundation.
Line Foliage
Line foliage is used to establish height and flow, featuring long, slender, or arching forms that define the arrangement’s shape. Materials like Bear Grass, with its fine, linear strands, or Italian Ruscus, with its elongated stems, help create repetition and unity by extending the lines set by the flowers.
Novelty/Accent Foliage
This foliage is selected for unique visual or aromatic qualities, adding a specific character to the design. Silvery-blue Dusty Miller, with its soft, felt-like texture, or the aromatic, round leaves of Silver Dollar Eucalyptus provide contrast in color and scent.
Preparing and Maintaining Foliage
Proper post-harvest care, known as conditioning, is necessary to ensure the longevity of cut foliage. Immediately upon receiving the material, stems must be re-cut at an angle using a sharp tool to maximize the surface area for water absorption. The stems should then be placed into a clean bucket of warm water mixed with a commercial floral preservative solution. Any foliage that would sit below the water line in the conditioning bucket or the final vase must be meticulously removed, as submerged leaves quickly begin to decay, creating bacteria that clog the vascular system of the stem and drastically shortening the lifespan of the material. Allowing the prepared stems to hydrate in a cool, dark place for several hours ensures the foliage is fully turgid and ready to withstand the design process.