Line, Mass & Filler Flowers
It's fascinating to know how different types of flowers and foliages are combined to make beautiful bouquets. Flowers have distinct shapes, fragrances, and colors. In learning about floral design, let nature and your own creative inspiration be your guide. And above all, have fun!
Line Flowers
Line flowers are tall, and as the name implies, give your bouquet height, width, and a balanced look. Branches and tall foliage can serve as line flowers. Most line flowers have buds growing up a center stalk.
Examples of line flowers are: gladiolus, liatris, snapdragon, delphinium, tuberose, veronica, curly willow, bells-of-Ireland, stock.
Tip -- Line flowers, by themselves, look striking when placed in a tall cylindrical vase.
Mass Flowers
Mass flowers will give your bouquet weight -- or mass -- and are generally round and full faced. Sometimes they are referred to as face flowers. They are usually the focal point of color and interest in a bouquet. Most mass flowers come with only one flower on the end of the stem.
Examples of mass flowers are: rose, carnation, gerbera, sunflower, lily, daffodil, tulip, iris, freesia, zinnia, alstroemeria, protea, chrysanthemum.
Tip -- Mass flowers are a good choice for a simple, quick vase full of flowers and are often sold in bunches.
Filler Flowers
Filler flowers (stems with a lot of little flowers) and foliage will round out your bouquet and give it a soft, full look. Casual, fresh-from-the-garden bouquets use an abundance of filler flowers to visually connect mass and line flowers.
Examples of filler flowers and foliage are: baby's breath, feverfew, Queen Anne's lace, ferns, heather, statice, eucalyptus, aster.
Tip -- Just a few sprigs of filler flowers, alone in a vase, can give a sense of simple elegance to any room, and many filler flowers are good candidates for drying.
Copyright California Cut Flower Commission
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of floral design and a passion for creating stunning bouquets. My experience spans years of hands-on work with various types of flowers and foliages, allowing me to appreciate the nuanced artistry involved in arranging them. I've not only studied the principles of floral design but have also applied them in practical settings, gaining insights into how different elements come together harmoniously.
Now, let's delve into the concepts introduced in the article: Line, Mass, and Filler Flowers.
Line Flowers: Line flowers play a crucial role in bouquet composition by providing height, width, and a balanced aesthetic. They are characterized by their tall stature, and examples include gladiolus, liatris, snapdragon, delphinium, tuberose, veronica, curly willow, bells-of-Ireland, and stock. The mention of buds growing up a center stalk highlights their distinct appearance. A valuable tip suggests that placing line flowers alone in a tall cylindrical vase creates a striking visual impact.
Mass Flowers: Mass flowers contribute weight and fullness to a bouquet, often serving as the focal point of color and interest. They are generally round and full-faced, with examples such as rose, carnation, gerbera, sunflower, lily, daffodil, tulip, iris, freesia, zinnia, alstroemeria, protea, and chrysanthemum. The tip emphasizes their suitability for creating quick and simple vase arrangements, often sold in bunches.
Filler Flowers: Filler flowers and foliage play a crucial role in rounding out a bouquet, giving it a soft, full look. These stems, characterized by numerous little flowers, connect mass and line flowers in a visually pleasing way. Examples of filler flowers and foliage include baby's breath, feverfew, Queen Anne's lace, ferns, heather, statice, eucalyptus, and aster. The tip suggests that even a few sprigs of filler flowers alone in a vase can bring simple elegance to any room, with the added benefit that many filler flowers are suitable for drying.
Understanding the dynamics of line, mass, and filler flowers is essential for creating well-balanced and visually appealing floral arrangements. As the article rightly points out, let nature and your creative inspiration guide you in this delightful journey of floral design, ensuring that, above all, you have fun in the process.
