Plants for flower arranging

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Almost any plant with adequate sized flowers and foliage can be used in flower arranging with some more suitable than others. Choose plants that can offer interest all year round - this includes many shrubs with attractive foliage.

Plants for winter

Evergreens are the first choice and Elaeagnus, with its wide range of varieties is a must, as are the ornamental types of Ligustrum (Privet), Aucuba (Spotted Laurel), Prunus Laurocerasus (English Laurel) and Prunus Lusitanica (Portuguese Laurel). In sheltered southerly gardens evergreens such as Pittosporum and Eucalyptus (Gum Tree) are possible.

Many conifers are useful, in particular the larger-growing varieties such as Chamaecyparis (Lawson Cyprus) in its range of foliage colours from green, grey and blue to gold. Likewise Cupressocyparis leylandii varieties and Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar) offer glossy emerald green fronds which are always useable.

Winter stems of Cornus (Dogwood) and Salix (Willow) can add to the choice of all-year round material offering red, yellow or silver stems. An oriental contorted effect can be achieved by cutting stems of Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa' (Contorted Willow) or Corylus avellana (Corkscrew Hazel).

Plants for spring

Bulbs, in particular Narcissus (Daffodil) can be planted in large numbers either in rows or naturalised to provide Spring colour. It is best to avoid Tulips as once these are cut much of the leaf is removed, and this weakens the bulb for future growth and flowers.

Posies cut from Polyanthus offer early Spring colour, likewise many shrubs such as Forsythia and Salix (Willow) can be cut just prior to flowering, then brought into a light warm room where they will quickly open their flowers and provide a bold display.

Plants for summer

Plants normally fit into the following scale:

	Sweet William
	Gladioli

Roses of all types can brighten a display and produce their flowers year after year.

The stars of flower arranging are Summer-flowering perennial plants such as Phlox paniculata, Delphiniums, Paeonies, Solidago (Golden Rod) and, in the Autumn, Michaelmas Daisies.

Using houseplants

Houseplants can offer interesting foliage and the Maidenhead Fern and Asparagus Fern are especially worth growing for this purpose.

Dried flowers

Helichrysum, the Everlasting Flower, can be cut and dried for Winter use as can the flowers of Alchemilla mollis (Ladies Mantle), Limanthus, and the heads of Hydrangea hortensis (Mop-Headed Hydrangea).

Perennials

Although any part of the garden can produce material for the flower arranger, perennial plants are worth considering for planting in a 'picking' bed or border to avoid cutting flowers from your main garden displays.