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Foliage plays an important role in an arrangement because it can hide the mechanics of an arrangement. For example, to cover exposed foam in an arrangement, foliage is used. To make an arrangement look 'fuller' and more compact, the right foliage type can help. Common colors of foliage are green, yellow, red and brown. Green foliage is commonly used in flower arrangement; colored foliage also can be used depending on the flower arrangement. Green is considered natural in an arrangement, so need not worry about color balance so much. But for colored foliage, one should pay extra attention on which flower color to go with it, as it can make or break the arrangement.
The common foliage that florist use in their arrangements or bouquets.
Lambs Ear
This foliage looks like the lamb's ear and it feels very soft. There are two types which are commonly used. One is the plain green color and looks frosted. Second one is green color with white around the sides. Both make lovely foliage for bridal bouquets.
Magnolia Leaf
Magnolia leaves look like normal green leaves. When it turns brown, it gives the impression of 'fall' because of the color. It can be used both in arrangements and bouquets.
Song Leaf
Song leaves are spiky, dark green leaves. It can be used both in arrangements as well as bouquets. Stems of song leafs are quite hard, so it is easy to work with.
Bear-grass
Bear-grass is special foliage. There are two types. One is the normal green color bear-grass and the other is the green with white stripes. It is not used as 'foliage' but rather to introduce lines in an arrangement or bouquet.
Some use it as it is (looks like jutting out of the arrangement), while some control where the lines go by inserting both ends of the leaves back into the arrangement. A little bit of bear grass can make a huge difference to the arrangement.
Fatsia leaf
Fatsia leaves are popular foliage, too. It is a wide flat leaf that looked like maple leaf. Mostly used in arrangements but can be used in bouquets as well.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has several types quite common is the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus. Some type of eucalyptus have seeds and flowers, they are also used in flower arrangements. Eucalyptus oil is also known to have an aromatherapy effect and widely commercialized.
Ruscus
Ruscus are long and straight foliage but its leaves are sparse and not close to each other. They can be used as it is or cut short for insertion into an arrangement.
Philodendron
Philodendron are big and wide leaves. There are many types of philodendron for example Boody Mary, Emerald Duke and Swiss Cheese. All of them have their own characteristics and can be used in arrangements as well as in bouquets.
Japonica
Japonicas are really straight and long foliage. Its stems are bendable and have small leaves all along the stem. Most of the people like this foliage because most of the time the color is bright green.
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