The Beauty of Woody Ornamentals in Floral Design

Woody ornamentals are the unsung heroes of floral design—branches and stems harvested from trees and shrubs to bring structure, movement, and seasonal interest to arrangements, large installations, and even craft projects. While I often distinguish between flowering trees (Flowering Branches) and shrubs (Woody Ornamentals) when discussing what we grow on the farm, they all fall under the broader category of woody ornamentals.

To better understand their role in floral design, we can break them down into four key groups: Flowering Stems/Branches, Foliage Stems, Fruiting Stems, and Plain Stems. Each serves a unique purpose, adding texture, color, and charm to floral compositions.

Flowering Stems & Branches

These branches are prized for their delicate blooms, whether sold in the bud stage for forcing indoors or already in full flower. They bring an ethereal, seasonal beauty to any arrangement. Some beloved varieties include:

🌸 Forsythia – Bright yellow harbinger of spring

🌸 Flowering Quince – Vibrant coral, pink, or red blossoms

🌸 Lilac – A fragrant favorite in beautiful colors

🌸 Redbud – A burst of purple-pink blooms

🌸 Dogwood – Graceful white, pink, or red bracts

🌸 Flowering Cherry & Peach – Romantic, delicate petals

🌸 Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus Mas) – Golden-yellow blooms

🌸 Viburnum – From snowball types to lacey clusters

🌸 Mock Orange – Delicate and fragrant flowers

🌸 Spirea – Arching branches of white flowers

🌸 Hydrangea – Several types offering a variety of colors and forms

Foliage Stems

Foliage adds depth and contrast to floral work, often chosen for its color, shape, or variegation. Some of the most sought-after options include:

🌿 Ninebark – Deep burgundy or golden foliage

🌿 Smoke Bush – Blue purple foliage

🌿 Forsythia (late summer to fall) – Green in summer turns shades of chocolate and plum in Autumn.

🌿 Weigela – A mix of deep greens to almost black and variegated tones

🌿 Boxwood & Camellia – Glossy and timeless

🌿 Winter Evergreens & Magnolia – Classic seasonal favorites

🌿 Eucalyptus – Aromatic and elegant

Fruiting Stems

There’s something undeniably magical about fruiting branches. They add a natural, foraged feel and a pop of color, making them a favorite in autumn and winter arrangements. Some standouts include:

🍇 Winterberry Ilex – Bright red berries on bare stems

🍇 Snowberry & Coralberry – Soft pink or white berries

🍇 Beautyberry – Jewel-like purple clusters of berries

🍇 Rosehips – A rustic, romantic touch

🍇 American Bittersweet – Perfect for wreaths and garlands

🍇 Viburnum – Berries in Autumn in blue and red

🍇 Raspberry & Blackberry – Textural and unexpected

🍇 Persimmon, Pear and Pomegranate Branches – A touch of orchard beauty

Plain Stems

Sometimes, simplicity is best. These winter-harvested branches, stripped of their leaves, offer stunning lines and texture. Whether dramatic or understated, they provide a sculptural quality to arrangements. A few favorites include:

🌾 Curly Willow & Pussy Willow – Playful, twisting forms

🌾 Twig Dogwood – Rich red, yellow, or coral-hued stems

🌾 Birch Branches – Sleek and architectural

Of course this list doesn’t cover every variety, but it provides a great starting point for understanding the four basic groups and their roles in floral design. If you're considering adding woody ornamentals to your cut flower farm, this list can help you get familiar with the types that are popular in the floral industry. In our next blog we will look closer into planting and growing some of these woodies so that you can confidently add them to your line up!

Lyndsy Clayton

Terre à Terre Farm