The main types of bouquets are the hand-tied bouquet (stems arranged in a spiral and tied), the round or Biedermeier bouquet, the small posy, the loose field or garden-style bouquet, the trailing cascade bouquet and the long presentation bouquet carried on the arm. Beyond bouquets, florists also create arrangements (in a vase, box or foam), funeral formats (sheaf, wreath, cushion, heart) and wearable flowers (buttonhole, corsage, flower crown).
This glossary defines each term clearly, so you know exactly what you’re ordering, whether for a birthday, a wedding or a funeral.
Bouquet styles at a glance
| Style | Shape | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Hand-tied (spiral) | Natural, stands in a vase | Everyday gifts, birthdays, thank-yous |
| Round (Biedermeier) | Dome, dense and symmetrical | Classic gifts, bridal bouquets |
| Posy | Small, round, compact | Bridesmaids, small gifts, births |
| Field / garden-style | Loose, airy, “just picked” | Romantic, rustic, summer |
| Compact | Tight, short stems | Desks, small spaces, bouquets in a box |
| Cascade / shower | Trailing, waterfall shape | Formal weddings |
| Presentation / arm sheaf | Long, carried on the forearm | Ceremonies, awards, some weddings |
| Monochrome / single-variety | One colour or one flower | Modern, elegant gifts |
| Tall / statement | Long stems, high volume | Reception areas, big occasions |
Bouquet terms
Hand-tied bouquet
The most common style for gifts. The florist arranges the stems in a spiral in one hand, adding flowers and foliage one by one, then ties them at the binding point. The spiral lets the bouquet stand on its own and helps water reach every stem. Often sold with a water bubble (“aqua pack”) so it can be given straight away.
Round bouquet (Biedermeier)
A dense, dome-shaped bouquet, often with flowers arranged in concentric circles. Named after the 19th-century Biedermeier period, it is a classic in German-speaking countries and a popular bridal style.
Posy
A small, round, compact bouquet that’s easy to hold, perfect for bridesmaids, flower girls or a modest thank-you. A nosegay or tussie-mussie is a very small posy, historically carried for its scent; a tussie-mussie is sometimes held in a cone-shaped holder.
Field bouquet or garden-style bouquet
Also called a wildflower or country-style bouquet (bouquet champêtre in French). Loose, airy and natural, with a mix of flowers, grasses and foliage that looks freshly gathered from a meadow. Very popular for summer weddings.
Compact bouquet
Short stems and a tight shape. Practical for small spaces, offices and hospitals, and typical of bouquets sent in a box.
Cascade or shower bouquet
A formal bridal bouquet in which flowers and foliage trail downwards like a waterfall. Often made with orchids, roses, ivy or trailing greenery.
Presentation bouquet (arm sheaf)
A long bouquet carried on the forearm, with stems visible. Used at ceremonies, prize-givings and some weddings.
Monochrome bouquet
A bouquet in a single colour, or made of a single variety (all tulips, all roses). Modern, elegant and easy to coordinate with an interior.
Seasonal bouquet / florist’s choice
A bouquet composed by the florist with the freshest flowers of the moment. Usually the best value and the freshest choice. Our guide to seasonal flowers in Switzerland shows what you’re likely to find each month.
Arrangement terms
Arrangement
Flowers fixed in a container (vase, basket, box, bowl), as opposed to a bouquet you hold. Arrangements are ready to display and don’t need a vase.
Flower box (hatbox)
Flowers arranged tightly in a round or square box, often with a water-retaining base. Popular as a luxury gift.
Bouquet in a box
Not to be confused with a flower box: a hand-tied bouquet shipped in a cardboard box, usually with a water reservoir around the stems. This is how most online florists deliver outside their local area.
Centrepiece
An arrangement designed for the middle of a table, kept low so guests can see each other across the table.
Garland
Flowers and foliage woven into a long rope, used to decorate tables, arches, doorways or banisters.
Floral foam
A spongy material that holds water and stems in arrangements. Because it is made of plastic and can break down into microparticles, many florists are moving towards foam-free techniques using chicken wire, moss, pin holders (kenzan) or water tubes.
Ikebana
The Japanese art of flower arranging, based on line, space and asymmetry, using few stems with great care.
Funeral and sympathy formats
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
| Sheaf (spray) | A flat, tied arrangement that lies on the coffin or at the grave |
| Wreath | A circular arrangement symbolising eternal life |
| Cushion (pillow) | A rectangular or square arrangement, flat and dense |
| Heart | A heart-shaped arrangement, often from close family |
| Coffin spray | A long arrangement placed on top of the coffin |
| Standing spray | An arrangement on an easel, displayed at the ceremony |
| Condolence bouquet | A bouquet sent to the family’s home |
| One-sided arrangement | Designed to be seen from the front only, placed against a wall or coffin |
Our funeral flowers guide explains which format to choose and how to send it to a funeral home in Switzerland. For the card, see our condolence message ideas.
Wearable flowers
- Buttonhole (boutonnière): a single flower or small cluster worn on the lapel, traditionally by the groom, best men and fathers at a wedding.
- Corsage: a small arrangement worn on the wrist or pinned to a dress, for mothers of the couple, proms or ceremonies.
- Flower crown: a circlet of fresh or dried flowers worn on the head.
- Hair comb or pin: a few flowers fixed to a comb, popular with brides.
See our wedding flowers guide for more on bridal and ceremony flowers.
Florist’s vocabulary: other useful terms
- Binding point: the spot where stems are tied in a hand-tied bouquet.
- Conditioning: preparing flowers after delivery (cleaning stems, recutting, hydrating) so they last.
- Filler: small flowers or foliage that fill gaps (gypsophila, waxflower, eucalyptus).
- Focal flower: the star of the bouquet (a peony, a large rose, a protea).
- Aqua pack / water bubble: a sealed bag of water around the stems for transport.
- Spray rose: a rose stem with several small flowers.
- Stem count: the number of stems; some bouquets are priced by stem.
- Wiring: reinforcing delicate flowers with wire, used for buttonholes and some bridal work.
Shapes and sizes: how to describe what you want
When you talk to a florist or fill in an order note, these simple descriptions help:
| If you want… | Say… |
|---|---|
| Something airy and natural | “Loose, garden-style, with foliage and movement” |
| Something neat and classic | “Round, compact, tightly arranged” |
| A big impression | “Tall, generous, statement bouquet” |
| Something for a small space | “Compact, short stems, fits a small vase” |
| A modern look | “Monochrome, one or two varieties, minimal greenery” |
| A romantic look | “Soft pastels, roses and peonies, round shape” |
| Low maintenance | “Long-lasting flowers, delivered in water or a box with reservoir” |
Mentioning the budget, the occasion and the recipient’s taste (favourite colour, style of their home) gives the florist everything they need.
A short history of bouquet styles
Bouquet fashions change like clothes. In the 19th century, the Victorian posy and the tightly structured Biedermeier bouquet were in vogue, often with flowers chosen for their meaning in the language of flowers. The early 20th century favoured large, formal cascade bouquets for weddings. More recently, the hand-tied garden style, with loose shapes, seasonal flowers and plenty of foliage, has become the dominant look in Europe, alongside a growing interest in dried flowers and foam-free techniques. For long-lasting bouquets, see our guide to dried and preserved flowers.
Which style should you choose?
- Birthday or thank you: a hand-tied seasonal bouquet.
- Romance: a round bouquet of roses or a monochrome bouquet.
- New baby or small space: a posy or compact bouquet.
- Wedding: depends on the dress and venue, from field bouquet to cascade.
- Funeral: a sheaf, wreath or cushion for the ceremony; a condolence bouquet for the family.
For the meaning behind the flowers themselves, see our language of flowers dictionary, and for occasion-specific ideas, which flowers to give for every occasion.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of bouquets?
The most common are the hand-tied bouquet, the round bouquet, the posy, the field or garden-style bouquet, the cascade or shower bouquet, the presentation or arm sheaf bouquet, and the compact bouquet in a box.
What is a hand-tied bouquet?
A hand-tied bouquet is arranged in the florist's hand with the stems in a spiral, then tied at the binding point. It can stand on its own in a vase and is the most common style for gifts.
What is the difference between a posy and a bouquet?
A posy is a small, round, compact bouquet that is easy to hold. Bouquet is the general term for any arrangement of cut flowers held or tied together.
What is a funeral sheaf?
A sheaf, or spray, is a flat arrangement of flowers tied together, designed to lie on a coffin or be placed at a grave. It is one of the classic funeral formats alongside wreaths and cushions.
What is a buttonhole?
A buttonhole, or boutonnière, is a single flower or small cluster worn on a lapel, traditionally by the groom, best men and fathers at a wedding.