If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed standing in the floral aisle—or scrolling endlessly through online supply shops—trying to figure out what flowers and greenery to choose for your wreath, you’re not alone. One of the biggest hurdles we hear from wreath makers, especially in the beginning, is this: “How do I know what to use and how to make it all work together?”
With so many beautiful blooms, greenery options, and color choices, it’s easy to second-guess yourself or feel like you have to buy it all “just in case.” But the truth is, wreath design doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you understand a few basic principles, you’ll gain the confidence to choose materials that work together beautifully—without the stress or overwhelm.
Here’s how to simplify your decision-making process and choose flowers and greenery that will bring your designs to life.
1. Let the Season Be Your Guide
One of the most helpful ways to narrow your options is to let the season guide your selections. Each season has its own natural color palette, flower types, and textures. When you create with the season in mind, your wreaths will not only look more cohesive—they’ll also resonate with what your customers or gift recipients are already looking for.
- Spring designs often feature soft colors and delicate florals like tulips, daffodils, dogwoods, and peonies. Greenery such as eucalyptus or fern adds a light, fresh feel.
- Summer calls for bold, vibrant colors. Sunflowers, hydrangeas, daisies, and wildflowers shine during this season. Pair them with lush greens like lemon leaf, pittosporum, or salal.
- Fall brings in warm, rich tones like rust, burgundy, mustard, and burnt orange. Mums, dahlias, and fall berries are perfect here. Look for greenery with a touch of brown or red for a seasonal touch.
- Winter designs are often grounded in evergreen textures—think pine, cedar, and magnolia leaves. Add in red berries, snowy twigs, or even faux florals like poinsettias for a festive look.
By starting with the season, you immediately eliminate a large portion of the decision fatigue and ensure your wreath feels timely and relevant.
2. Choose One Focal Flower to Build Around
Instead of trying to choose all your flowers and greenery at once, begin with just one: your focal flower. This is the flower that draws the eye and sets the tone for your entire design. It’s often the largest or most colorful flower in your wreath.
Once you’ve chosen your focal flower, you can use its color, size, and texture as a foundation for everything else. Look for accent flowers, fillers, and greenery that complement it rather than compete with it. For example, if your focal flower is a large blush peony, you might add smaller ivory roses, soft greenery, and a pop of dusty pink or lavender.
In our Design With The Pros Club, we teach our members exactly how to identify focal flowers and pair them with other elements to create balanced, eye-catching arrangements.
3. Stick to a Simple Color Palette
When it comes to color, it’s tempting to use every beautiful flower you find. But using too many colors can quickly lead to a wreath that feels chaotic or unintentional. To keep things cohesive, we recommend sticking to a limited color palette—ideally two to three main colors.
A great formula to follow is:
- One primary color that dominates the wreath
- One accent color to add interest or contrast
- One neutral to balance the design and add softness (think white, cream, or greenery)
Keeping your palette focused makes shopping for supplies faster and designing feel less overwhelming.
4. Mix Textures by Combining Different Types of Greenery
Greenery is what gives your wreath structure, depth, and texture. It frames your flowers and fills in the empty spaces, helping the whole design feel full and intentional. While it’s easy to reach for just one kind of greenery, mixing two or three types adds visual interest and creates a more natural, layered look.
Some combinations we love:
- Soft lamb’s ear with rounded boxwood
- Airy eucalyptus with ivy
- Magnolia leaves with cedar or pine for winter
Be sure to balance your greenery so it doesn’t overpower your florals. Use it to enhance the overall shape and movement of the wreath without making it feel heavy.
Inside Design With The Pros Club, we guide our members step by step through layering greenery for depth and fullness without overdoing it.
5. Save Time and Energy with Coordinated Bundles
If choosing individual stems still feels overwhelming, consider using coordinated floral bundles. Many craft stores and online retailers offer pre-matched stems or bushes that include flowers, greenery, and filler that are already designed to work together.
These bundles can be used as-is or taken apart to rearrange as you like. They’re a wonderful option for beginners or anyone who wants to speed up the design process without sacrificing beauty.
6. Create an “Inspiration Library”
One of the best things you can do as a wreath maker is build a collection of inspiration. Save photos of wreaths you love, take note of flower combinations that catch your eye, and keep a running list of favorite stems and greenery types. You’ll start to notice your own style and preferences, which makes choosing your materials feel second nature.
Many of our Design With The Pros Club members tell us that having our monthly tutorials, flower recipes, and seasonal supply lists takes the guesswork out of shopping and designing. Instead of wasting time wondering what works, they’re able to get started right away and see beautiful results.
You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Learning how to choose flowers and greenery doesn’t have to be a struggle. When you have a simple process to follow—and a community to support you—it becomes something you actually look forward to.
That’s exactly what we offer in Design With The Pros Club. Each month, we provide clear tutorials, seasonal flower guides, and expert tips to help you create wreaths you love—without feeling overwhelmed or stuck.
If you’re ready to simplify your design process and start creating with more clarity and confidence, we invite you to join us.
Click here to learn more and become a member of Design With The Pros Club. You’ll be amazed at how much easier and more joyful wreath making can be with the right support.
