idea for branches for large arrangement: need green with white

14 years ago

I am putting together some large arrangements for next Friday. I like to use some large branches at the back, and Japanese maples work great and have the sort of open, "in the forest" look we like , EXCEPT that this time of year, in my area, they are starting to turn and we are looking for something that is only green and (hopefully) white. Also, the arrangement needs to look good for about 28 hours.

We prefer to use greens that we can cut from peoples' gardens but can order from the floral wholesaler if I knew what we were looking for and it is something they can get.

Some shrubs I have tried with that sort of variegated leaf either wilt too quickly (ie a variegated dogwood) or arent't tall enough for what we need (need branches between two feet but some as large as 5 feet).

Also, I am looking for something to add to the arrangement that is has a lacy look, and is white. But not Baby's Breath. We have tried Queen Anne's lace, which is just the look we want, but the heads drooped over before a few hours had even passed.

your suggestions for either or both of these problems would be muchly appreciated.

susan

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Comments (7)

sarosen
Original Author
14 years ago
PS: forgot to say that I am in Portland, OR, zone 7 or 8 (depending).
magz88
14 years ago
The leaves on our forsythia bush are still green and lush - false indigo leaves are still looking good too. Those might work.

For white all I can think of would be white New England Asters.
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steve22802
14 years ago
How about Dahlias? Mine are blooming great at this time of year. There are pure white flowering varieties as well as many other solid and mixed colors. The foliage is usually a dark green shade. They last about 4 days in water.

You could also look for white Lisianthus, mine is still blooming at this time of year. (Just search Google images for white Lisianthus for photos.)

White chrysanthemums should also be readily available this time of year.

For greenery you might look for Euonymus kiautschovica 'Manhattan':
or Euonymus japonicus 'Silver King' which has green and white variegated foliage:

Ornamental grasses (Miscanthus, etc.) are very nice (and very tall) to use too and at this time of year they should be starting to bloom as well.

Some cut flower growers raise a plant for cutting that is similar to Queen Anne's lace called Ammi. I've grown it but I thought it smelled too bad to use in cut arrangements. ;( Perhaps you could use it if the arrangement is only viewed from a distance.

Another nice lacey plant that you could look for is called Trachelium. It's available in white as well as several other colors including violet, mauve, pink and blue. I grew a dark violet shade this season called Black Knight which is still blooming although the flower heads have gotten smaller and the stems thinner as the season has progressed.
gardengirl77
14 years ago
A wonderful long lasting airy filler is white Monte Casino Asters.
Noni Morrison
14 years ago
I lost my Monte Casino asters years ago and have not been able to find a replacement. Do you have a source for them, Garden Girl? They were my favorite fall filler!
gardengirl77
14 years ago
Sorry it has taken me a while to get back you. I haven't been on here for a few days. The only place I know of that sells Monte Casino Asters is Forest Farms Nursery. There are a couple of other Asters sold by Bluestone Perennials called Snowbank and Bonnindale White that look kind of similar to the Monte Casino. You can check out both their sites online and see if they are what you are looking for.
Noni Morrison
14 years ago
Gardengirl, just caught the message! Got on line and ordered 6 plants from ForestFarm. Yippeee! I was so excited to see your post! BOught other Asters from BLuestone last fall so should have lovely asters this fall!