Green wedding flowers are having a moment, and I’m so here for it.
But first, let’s clear something up: this article is about green flowers, not greenery. We’re talking about actual flowers that are naturally green, from lime green chrysanthemums and Bells of Ireland to green anthuriums, orchids and hydrangeas. No eucalyptus, olive branches or ruscus required.
Green flowers are a little unusual, versatile and super chic. They can be minimalist and architectural, soft and romantic, fluffy and traditional, or completely wild and unexpected.
And because green is so easy to pair with other colours, there really aren’t many ways to get it wrong.
What shades of green flowers can you have?
Green flowers come in far more shades than you might expect.
Lime green is bright, fresh and energetic. It’s particularly fabulous in chrysanthemums, zinnias and some orchids.
True green gives you that unmistakably botanical look, especially with anthuriums and Bells of Ireland.
Soft green is gentler and more romantic, particularly in lisianthus, carnations and some cymbidium orchids.
Sage and grey-green shades are more muted and sophisticated.
Antiqued green is where hydrangeas really shine. As they age, many varieties move through green and antique tones that are beautiful for more relaxed, textural arrangements.
Deep green flowers are uncommon, but when you find them they can be incredibly dramatic.
Green wedding flowers by season
Here’s a selection of green flowers that are available to florists in New Zealand. As always, availability can vary depending on growing conditions, imports and what’s being commercially grown at the time.
| Flower | Shade | Typical NZ season | Florist notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthurium | Green | Year-round, mostly imported, subject to supply | Glossy, sculptural and very contemporary |
| Bells of Ireland | Bright to true green | Summer | Tall, architectural and fantastic for movement |
| Rose ‘Wimbledon’ | Green | Imported year-round, subject to supply | Unusual speciality rose with a distinctive green tone |
| Hydrangea | Soft to antique green | Summer, often antiqued | Large, fluffy and fantastic for colour blocking |
| Cymbidium orchid | Green | Winter-spring | Luxe, elegant and beautifully sculptural |
| Zinnia | Lime, true green | Summer | Fun, colourful and gardeny |
| Viburnum Snowball | Green, light green | Summer | Huge fluffy heads with a lovely natural shape |
| Chrysanthemum, pompom | Lime to green | Year-round, subject to supply | Fun, round and excellent for texture |
| Chrysanthemum, spider | Lime green | Year-round, subject to supply | Spidery, architectural and a little bit funky |
| Gladioli | Green | Summer | Tall and dramatic with strong vertical lines |
| Lisianthus | Soft green | Seasonal, subject to supply | Romantic and ruffled |
| Carnation | Soft green | Year-round, subject to supply | Classic, long-lasting and available in great green shades |
| Helleborus | Green | Winter–spring | Delicate, unusual and naturally moody |
| Green Goddess lily | Green | Seasonal, subject to supply | Large, dramatic and very distinctive |
| Amaranthus | Green | Summer | Technically a flower, technically foliage… we’re counting it |
| Green Wicky | Green | Seasonal, subject to supply | Technically a flower, visually more like a ball of grass. Very fun |
For more information about what’s available during your particular wedding month, check out our NZ Flowers in Season guide.
Green flowers for weddings
If you’re looking for something a little different, green flowers give you plenty to play with.
Green Anthuriums
Green anthuriums are sleek, glossy and architectural. They have a very contemporary look and work beautifully when you want your flowers to feel clean and intentional rather than traditionally romantic.
They’re particularly good for minimalist bouquets and modern installations.
Bells of Ireland
Bells of Ireland are one of my favourites for an unusual green wedding flower.
They’re tall, slightly wild-looking and fantastic for creating movement in arrangements. They’re also a great way to add height without relying on foliage.
And if you’re Irish, Bells of Ireland are a pretty fun little nod to your heritage without having to decorate your wedding in shamrocks.
If you’ve got Irish heritage and want a subtle reference to it in your wedding flowers, this is a much cooler way to do it.
Green Wicky
Green Wicky is one of those flowers that makes people ask, “What on earth is that?”
Technically, it’s a flower. Visually, it looks more like a tiny ball of grass. And that’s exactly why I love it.
It’s weird, textural and fun, and it can add something completely unexpected to a bouquet or arrangement.
Viburnum Snowball
If you’re more into your flowers on the fluffy side, Viburnum Snowball is for you. And Florists absolutely love them.
These big, rounded heads have a similar visual impact to hydrangea but with a slightly more natural, gardeny shape. They’re gorgeous in larger arrangements and particularly effective when you group them together.
Green wedding flowers aren’t just minimalist
A lot of green flowers are quite structural, so a minimalist wedding is an obvious direction.
Green anthuriums, cymbidium orchids, Bells of Ireland, gladioli and Green Goddess lilies can create a very clean, sculptural look with plenty of negative space.
But if you’re a classic wedding-flower person who wants big, fluffy, romantic flowers, you’re absolutely not out of options.
Green hydrangeas, Viburnum Snowball, pompom chrysanthemums, carnations and lisianthus can give you that soft, abundant look.
So don’t assume green wedding flowers automatically mean minimalist.
Green can be architectural. Green can be fluffy. Green can be wild. Green can be romantic.
What colours go with green wedding flowers?
Honestly? Everything.
Green is one of those rare colours that doesn’t really clash. It can sit happily next to soft pink, bright orange, burgundy, blue, yellow, peach, purple or almost anything else you want to throw at it.
Green is basically the neutral of the flower world.
That said, there is one combination I absolutely love.
Green and white wedding flowers
Sorry. I know it’s not the most exciting answer.
But white and green is timeless.
There is something incredibly fresh and sophisticated about masses of white flowers next to masses of green flowers. It doesn’t need lots of different colours to make it interesting.
And this is where I love colour blocking.
In floristry, we’d usually call this grouping, but I call it colour blocking because that’s literally what we’re doing. Put a chunk of white flowers next to a chunk of green flowers instead of mixing every single flower and colour throughout the arrangement.
White on one side. Green on the other. Simple. Graphic. Gorgeous.
You can take this approach through bouquets, ceremony arrangements, table flowers and large-scale installations.
For more ideas, check out our guide to white wedding flowers.
Green flowers with other colours
Of course, white isn’t your only option.
Green and soft pink
Soft pink takes green in a more romantic direction. This works particularly well with softer green hydrangeas, lisianthus and delicate seasonal flowers.
Green and peach
Green with peach or apricot feels warm, fresh and summery. It’s also a great way to bring some colour into an otherwise green-and-white palette.
Our guide to orange wedding flowers has more ideas for peach and apricot flowers.
Green and burgundy
Now we’re getting moody.
Deep burgundy and berry flowers against green create a rich, sophisticated palette, particularly for autumn and winter weddings.
Have a look at our guide to burgundy wedding flowers for all the berry, wine and plum-toned flowers that work beautifully with green.
Green and bright colours
Green also looks fantastic with strong colour. Bright orange, fuchsia, yellow and even blue can all work.
If your wedding style is colourful, don’t be afraid to use green wedding flowers as part of the palette rather than relying on greenery to provide all the green.
Can you have an all-green wedding?
Of course!
I’ve never actually done an entirely green wedding, but oh my god, I’d love to.
An all-green wedding flowers situation could be so cool. You could use different shades, shapes and textures rather than relying on different colours to create contrast.
Imagine lime chrysanthemums alongside soft green hydrangeas, green anthuriums, Bells of Ireland, cymbidium orchids and Green Wicky.
You’ve got round flowers, spiky flowers, tall flowers, glossy flowers, fluffy flowers and weird little grass balls.
That’s plenty of visual interest without introducing another colour.
If all-green wedding flowers is your idea, contact me. I’m your girl.
Why are green wedding flowers becoming so popular?
Green wedding flowers offer something a little different from the usual wedding colour palettes.
They’re unusual without being difficult to style. They’re naturally suited to modern and minimalist weddings, but they can also work beautifully in lush garden-style arrangements.
They also give you the option to create a monochromatic wedding flower palette using different shades and textures of the same colour.
And because green is so easy to combine with other colours, you can make the palette as subtle or as colourful as you like.
Green wedding flowers: my florist take
Green wedding flowers are so cool. There, I’ve said it.
They’re unexpected, they’re incredibly versatile and there are so many varieties that most people don’t even realise exist.
If you want something minimalist, you’ve got structural anthuriums, orchids and Bells of Ireland.
If you want something romantic, you’ve got hydrangeas, lisianthus and carnations.
If you want something weird and wonderful, you’ve got Green Wicky.
And if you’re Irish, you’ve got Bells of Ireland sitting there waiting to give your wedding flowers a little nod to your heritage.
Personally, I’d love to see someone go all the way and give me entirely green wedding flowers. Different shades, loads of texture, serious colour blocking and absolutely no conventional greenery needed.
Come on. Someone has to be the first.
Planning green wedding flowers in Auckland?
At Avant Garden, we create wedding flowers for couples across Auckland using seasonal New Zealand flowers alongside specialty and imported flowers where needed.
You don’t need to know the name of every green flower before you get in touch. Show me the colours, shapes and wedding flowers you’re drawn to and we can work out what’s going to give you the look you want for your wedding date.
See our Auckland wedding florist services or check out our affordable wedding flowers if you’re looking for ways to get maximum impact from your flower budget.
Continue Planning Your Wedding:
Explore More of Our Wedding Guides
- Wedding Flowers in Season – See what’s in season in NZ throughout the year.
- Wedding Flowers by Month – See what our top flower picks are for the month you’re getting married
- Wedding Flowers by Type – Get to know different flowers and when they’re available.
- Wedding Flower Colours – Check out our guides to different wedding flower colour palettes.
- Wedding Flower Planning – Get practical advice on budgets, costs and choosing your florist.
- Auckland Wedding Venues – Check out our florist’s take on some of Auckland’s wedding venues.
View the Avant Garden wedding flower portfolio for more wedding flower inspiration.