Focal flowers in contrasting colors make beautiful floral arrangments.
Flower arrangement is an art form that has existed for generations. This art form can be as complicated as ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, or as simple as collecting wild flowers in a vase. Whatever your level of expertise, there are rules of thumb one needs to follow to create beautiful and balanced floral arrangements. Three main types of flowers are used for the basic elements of floral design. How these flowers are used will determine the size, shape and appearance of your bouquet.
Line Flowers
Tall stalks of delphinium are often used as line flowers.
Line flowers are used to define the shape of the flower arrangement. These are often placed first to determine the vertical height and/or horizontal width of the arrangement. Line flowers must be sturdy and usually have multiple flowers on a single stem. Flowers commonly used as line flowers, according to Flower Arrangement Adviser, include delphinium, gladiola, stalk, cattails and snapdragons Line flowers are not always flowers, eucalyptus, with its distinctive appearance and color, is often used to give shape to a bouquet. According to Florist Register, line flowers make a beautiful arrangement by themselves in a tall, narrow vase.
Mass Flowers
Sunflowers make a bright, cheerful focal flower in floral arrangements.
These flowers are not named for their weight or number, but the sense of stability they give each bouquet, according to Florists' Register. Mass flowers also are called focal or face flowers. These are the flowers that draw your eye in the bouquet and set the tone for the bouquet. Mass or focal, flowers are added after the line flowers are in place. Each focal flower blooms on a single sturdy stem and is usually cut a little longer than other flowers in the bouquet, to fill out the shape the line flowers have defined. Mass or focal flowers are located near the center, or the heart of the bouquet. Varieties of focal flowers include roses---one of the most commonly used focal flowers---tulips, lilies and daffodils. These are the flowers you usually find sold in bunches at flower stands and garden stores.
Filler Flowers
Filler flowers are small and complement other flowers.
Filler flowers are generally small and bloom in clusters, or panicles on a single stem. These flowers fill in the empty spaces in your bouquet, creating depth and fullness, that is why they are added last. Baby's breath is a popular filler flower, as it complements almost any flower arrangement with its small white flower heads and airy appearance. Statice is another favorite of florists, usually blooming in shades of pink or lavender. Both of these flowers dry well and are long-lasting fillers. Other examples of fillers, according to Denver Plants, include varieties of aster, heather and limonium. Also, greenery, such as the fern, is considered a filler in floral design.
