This Floral Design Trend Turns Tradition on Its Head

When conjuring up visions of fashion-forward floral designs, it's the classic blooms that come to mind (peonies leading the pack). But with the turn toward more relaxed styling—and more practical dinner party decor, namely tabletop arrangements you can actually see the other guests through—the name of the game is easy-breezy. Making some of the best flowers to star in arrangements those that are commonly thought of as filler flowers.

Letting them star is simple: Pick a filler flower from the list below, strip away most of the leaves, and arrange loosely in any size container. The key is to let the light shine through them.

With pillows of tiny white blossoms, Spirea is equal parts fluff and lace.

Bouvardia's four perfectly symmetrical white petals come to a pleasing point.

Don't write off this common rose companion—in fact, free it from being second fiddle and you might just appreciate its dainty shape.

When dewdrop-like blooms spill out of silken green leaves, you only need a few to make an impact. (But a lot sure is nice too.)

True to its regal name, Queen Anne's Lace holds its head of eentsy, airy blooms high—but the feel is more wildflower.

"Waxflower in mass provides a meadowy sort of vibe," floral designer Taylor Patterson of Fox Fodder Farm told AD in April.