The 6 Flower Types for Floral Arrangements

Floral arrangements may differ from each other, but most are made from the same basic elements. Each type of flower or foliage falls into a specific category that serves a purpose within the arrangement. These categories include line, form, mass, focal, filler, and greenery.
Line Flowers
These tall, noticeable blooms are made up of single stems with many blossoms in a row. They add shape and a vertical element to the arrangement, and they tend to draw your eyes upward to create a flowing movement throughout the arrangement. Larkspur, snapdragons, and delphinium are all popular choices.
Form Flowers
Typically large, colorful, and visually distinctive, form flowers draw your eye to the arrangement and keep your attention. Irises, calla lilies, and orchids are all popular examples. Since they tend to be high impact, it’s best to follow a “less is more” approach to ensure they stay balanced with the other elements in the arrangement.
Mass Flowers
Big, bold, and beautiful, mass flowers add weight to the arrangement. Most are round and full-faced, with a single large bloom on the stem. In fact, these flowers have enough standalone impact that they are often used on their own. Popular choices include roses, sunflowers, lilies, tulips, carnations, zinnia, and many more.
Filler Flowers
As the name implies, filler flowers fill in the gaps in arrangements to keep them looking lush and finished. They tend to be small, with clusters of blooms on each stem, and add volume, texture, and color. Think of filler flowers as background characters that offset and enhance the flowers taking center stage. Some top choices include baby’s breath, Queen Anne’s lace, carnations, thistle, spray roses, and more.
Focal Flowers
Similar to mass and form flowers, focal flowers immediately draw your attention. They tend to be large and on a single stem. Most arrangements need only two to three types of focal flowers. Choose from traditional choices like mums, anemones, peonies, and dahlias.
Greenery
Using only flowers can make an arrangement feel uninspired. To add extra visual interest, consider adding some greenery. Not only will this plant material add a lushness to the bouquet, but it helps support the larger blossoms and gives the eye a calming place to rest, so you don’t become visually overwhelmed. You can add as much greenery to the arrangement as you want — in fact, some consist entirely of it.
Take time to appreciate the understated elegance of fresh foliage, and you won’t miss the flowers. Some classic choices include eucalyptus, dusty miller, myrtle, ivy, ferns, and more.