Floral design is not a static art. Novel materials are added to the palette every single year. So when you´re looking for something out of the ordinary, you can always find something of interest.

Flowers are by far the most popular kind of materials we use in floral design. However, there are many other non-flowering things that are commonly available. Let´s look at some of those.

Globalization touches every part of our lives. Floral design has certainly not been the exception to the trend. This has already had tremendous impact on the floral industry in the last few decades and will continue to do so.

"Flowers Over 200 Ways To Use Flowrs in Your Home" belongs in every flower lover´s library.

During the summer and fall months, perennials provide lots and lots of cut flower stems. Here are some of my favorites.

When we are looking for seasonal material for floral design, don´t forget flowering shrubs. Though the stems aren´t always available commercially on a regular basis, thess plants are often present in our landscapes. The spirea or spiraea is an example.

When choosing perennials for the cutting garden, we often prefer those that are hardy and low maintenance. The black-eyed Susans are an excellent choice. These stems are perfect for late summer bouquets.

When you´re looking for ideas on how to display your floral arrangements, books on interior design are a great source of information.

Along with the usual commonly available cut flowers, we are seeing more and more of the tropical ones. That´s a good thing. Tropicals can serve as an accent by providing unusual forms, colors, and texture to floral design. One of my favorites is the Heliconias.

Celosias are a great choice for the cutting garden. These can be used as both fresh and dried flowers.