Must-Have Wedding Greenery
Top 6 Foliage Picks for your 2023 Wedding
“Greens” is a term coined by florists that includes a multitude of foliage (some of which is not, in fact, green) and, while it isn’t the most glamorous part of your bouquet or centerpiece, it is the heavy-lifter of the entire aesthetic. Today’s modern wedding demands high-end, on-trend approach to greening. Here are my top 6 picks for the 2023 wedding season and beyond.
For the “true green” greens, there are 3 varieties that I find myself going back to again and again.
Italian Ruscus:
Beautifully light and airy with a deep, rich green color, Italian Ruscus is perfect for garlands, or for creating that elegant vining feeling without having to wrestle with actual vines. The stems come long, between 1.5 and 4 feet, making them perfect for wreaths, or for chopping up to use in smaller bits. The smallest of the bits, the leaves, are flat and elongated, and they end in trios, making them the perfect greens for a classic Boutonniere.
Huckleberry:
She’s not the prettiest, but she is the most inexpensive, useful green for large installations and aisle décor. With wide-set laterals, “Huck” covers a ton of ground. Coming in at a great wholesale price (location and season dependent), this green is the one to grab when creating large show-stopping backdrops and archways.
Magnolia:
Like the tree? You got it! Magnolia leaves are my favorite visually stunning foliage. The tops of the leaves are glossy, deep green - perfect for the elegant bride or the tropical destination on the beach. Turn the leaf over and you have an incredible, medium brown matte that ties into a bohemian, modern, high-end look. These leaves are huge, so a few Magnolia stems go a long way. While they’re pricey, you get a big bang for your buck!
Now for the misnomers: “greens” that aren’t really green at all. Here are a few types of foliage that make for a elegant, edgy, and all around irresistible arrangement.
Smoke Bush:
For those in the PNW, you likely have a neighbor with a smoke bush shrub! It is common, grows easily outdoors, and comes in the most luscious shade of matte burgundy. The leaves are round and poplar-like, and the deep, purple color complements any palette. In the early summer, these branches “bloom” a soft, puffy smoke-like cluster, making them interesting as textural elements.
Dusty Miller:
Okay, this one is a little old-school, but sometimes we could benefit from reaching into the past. Also known as “lambs ear”, Dusty Miller is a velvety, broadleaf that shines like silver. Soft to the touch and a delicious gray tone, this leaf is perfect for a romantic, modern event. I particularly love to use it as a base for corsages, as it’s gentle on the skin and the detail looks expensive.
Mimosa Flower (Acacia):
Flowering or not, blue acacia is a fantastically subtle green. The soft, silvery gray foliage is complementary to a pastel color palette, and offers a break from the traditional green seen in most arrangements. When flowering, acacia is covered in small, polka-dot like yellow blooms that bounce and dangle in the most fun, whimsical way! For a fun loving bride, these little blooms can offer that casual, exciting, pop of energy.
I hope these suggestions have inspired you in your work or wedding planning. Happy designing!
