The Power of Green

Do you really want to leave the market without it?

Just when you thought they couldn't come up with anything new, green flowers started emerging from research programs. These floral oddities delight everyone, perhaps because their appeal reflects prominent themes in contemporary life. People link the color green with the environment, a sense of tranquility, and money, says color expert Leatrice Eiseman, author of 'The Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color.'

Green flowers come in many forms. There are green roses such as light green 'Jade' and yellow green 'Emerald.' There is also bi-color rose 'Cezanne,' a creamy pistachio edged with pink. 'Green Springs' bouvardia and 'Marimo,' a mossy green hybrid gerbera, are other additions.

The power of green lies in its ability to invigorate and transform floral pieces. A touch of green heightens the impact of monochromatic designs. In bridal designs, 'Lime' lisianthus and greenish white roses ease the transition between tones of coral and peach.

Green flowers can change the color dynamic of a design. 'Shamrock,' the large novelty spider mum, intensifies the yellow in yellow and white pieces and is a striking match with red violet flowers. For a soothing effect, add green to yellow and blue flowers. Bells of Ireland combined with cerise snapdragons, orange montbretia, and soft pink larkspur, can make a simple bouquet eye-catching.

"Green flowers show off contrasting colors such as peach, purple, and lavender," says Susan Overton, AIFD, Riverside , Calif.

The trend toward a naturalistic style has increased the importance of green flowers, but they blend well in all types of designs. Green hydrangeas cast a romantic spell; green cymbidiums inject a touch of the exotic. The neon chartreuse button mum 'Kermit' is a cost-effective option for a traditional bouquet.

Green flowers, they are good on so many levels. Can you really afford to overlook them?

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