Spring’s here, and it’s not just about the flowers. As a season of new beginnings, growth, and fresh energy, nothing reflects this better than the color of greens ready to fill floral designs with more life. Greens are doing just as much heavy lifting when it comes to building great designs. From structure and texture to subtle color shifts, the right foliage can pull everything together. At Continental Floral Greens, the selection is not only diverse but also deeply meaningful. Here are five greens that are showing up strong this season, why they’re worth using, plus a side of meaning to each of them.
The Green Lineup for Spring and Their Meanings by Continental Floral Greens
Not all greens are just fillers. This spring, Continental Floral Greens highlights five standout varieties that bring more than just structure to a design. Each one has its own purpose, look, and meaning, adding depth without overcomplicating the arrangement. Here’s the lineup and what each brings to the table.
Salal (Gaultheria Shallon) - Abundance and Steadiness
Also known as 'lemon leaf', salal is a favorite for its rich green color and abundant texture. Steadiness is what it symbolizes, as well as abundance and resilience, making it the perfect base for spring bouquets that celebrate new beginnings and personal growth. It adds weight and structure, making it useful for both weddings and daily arrangements. Designers like it because it holds up well and doesn’t fall apart easily.
Some of the benefits of salal include:
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They are wild-harvested and native to the Pacific Northwest
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Harvest season typically ends in spring
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Holds exceptionally well in coolers for extended periods, often lasting for months
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Maintains a long vase life even when used outside of refrigeration
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Strong, woody stems make it ideal for building solid bases in floral installations
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Durable and versatile, suited for both large-scale designs and more detailed arrangements
Israeli Ruscus - Everlasting Friendship
The Israeli Ruscus (Ruscus hypophyllum) offers a dark and consistent green leaf color and stands tall and straight, adding height and volume to any bouquet or arrangement. With its slender, narrow leaves and lasting nature, this green is a must-have in floral arrangements. It's easy, breezy, and fresh for the spring season.
This product embodies loyalty, friendships, and relationships, making it especially meaningful in springtime designs that focus on connection, from Easter to Mother’s Day and beyond, with its inclusion in friendship bouquets.
Israeli Ruscus is exclusively grown in California and design wise adds structure and verticality, making it a great choice for elongating arrangements.
Huck (Huckleberry) - Protection and Prosperity
These broad-leaved shrubs can reach a height of 25 cm (10 inches) and be half as wide. Green huckleberry grows better in the shade, often alongside salal in decomposing stumps. Its thin leaves grow on distinctively angled, broom-like branches.
Huck is admired for its deep green leaves and its ability to create wild, natural textures. It carries the symbolic meaning of protection and prosperity, harkening back to folklore where huckleberry bushes were seen as sacred and protective. Its versatility makes it a go-to for rustic spring themes.
As for huck, they are:
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Wild-harvested in the Pacific Northwest
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Available in red, green, and sweet varieties
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Harvesting season ends in spring, and it stores well in a cooler temperature
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It builds volume and dimension in arrangements
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It's an excellent filler for large-scale installations and design work
Pittosporum - Harmony and Tranquility
With its variegated cream and green tones or the classic dark green version, pittosporum by Continental Floral Greens brings both softness and brightness to any arrangement. It is well known to bring fullness to any arrangement while also being a nice complement to orchids, working well in tropical designs.
It represents peace, balance, and harmony, reflecting spring’s gentle return to balance after winter. But also towards summer, it’s a much-used greenery. Designers love it for its texture and airiness look, but also for its strong stems and lasting quality.
Grown in both California and Florida, this greenery is a go-to for adding depth and interest to floral designs. Its ability to create visual layers makes it especially useful in arrangements where texture and movement matter. The variegated varieties—marked by their white or yellow streaks—add contrast and brightness, helping to break up darker palettes or heavy flowers.
A fun bit of plant science: variegation happens when only parts of a leaf produce chlorophyll, which is why those lighter areas don’t photosynthesize. As a result, variegated plants grow more slowly and typically require more light to thrive.
Think garlands, candle rings, and a few timeless floral décor staples you’ll want on hand for the season...
Nagi - Longevity, Resilience, and Protection
As a standout alternative to ruscus, Nagi brings a fresh look and dependable performance to spring designs. Grown on CFG's Florida farm and available from winter through spring, this greenery features dense, glossy foliage that instantly adds fullness and structure to arrangements.
Nagi, besides being beautiful, is also practical. With a long vase life and the ability to hold up in cooler storage for months, it’s a reliable choice for both everyday use and large-scale events. Whether you’re building out a bridal bouquet or stocking up for seasonal installs, it is a solid, stylish workhorse in any floral lineup.
Flourishing Greens for Spring
Greenery is never simply used to fill in gaps—it plays a vital role in adding texture, depth, and character to every arrangement. Each type of green serves a purpose beyond just decoration, offering structure and nuance that enhance the overall design. Whether you're into the idea of creating a stunning centerpiece for a spring wedding, making a fresh atmosphere for an Easter celebration, or adding a touch of freshness to someone’s home, Continental Floral Green's assortment provides much more than visual appeal. They bring a sense of balance, meaning, and life to floral arrangements, making sure each piece feels complete and thoughtfully designed.
Let your greens speak for you this season!
Photos by Continental Floral Greens.
