362   FLOWER ARRANGEMENT
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ARRANGEMENTS
Fruit and vegetables are not usually combined in the same ar-
rangement. Foliage is employed in most fruit or vegetable ar-
rangements to give height and to supply variety; durable leaves
are favorites, as cedar, cycad, fatsia, loquat, magnolia, palmetto,
pine, yew, and the succulents. A special stem holder in its own
cup should be used for the leaves. It can be hidden by the fruit
or vegetables.
Restraint in the variety of fruits or vegetables is necessary to
avoid suggesting a store display. Usually three different kinds
will provide enough interest if they are different in size or shape.
Two colors in addition to green are usually sufficient, for exam-
ple, green, white, and violet are effective together. A warm color
harmony may be created in a large brass compote on a sideboard
by using two pineapples, one upright and one reclining, with
three or more peaches in front, and standing fatsia leaves, one
yellowed, in the back.
The sturdy mats, trays, or containers suitable for these arrange-
ments may be of basketry, wood, pottery, or metals. Some part
of the surface of a tray holding fruits or vegetables should be
left uncovered, for the empty space has design value. Students
should read the section on Japanese Morimono arrangements in
the book The Art of Flower and Foliage Arrangement by Anna
Hong Rutt.
ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS AND FRUIT
Although it is a generally accepted idea that imitations are un-
desirable the widespread use of artificial flowers and fruit calls
for some comments. Persons who are allergic to fresh flowers
as well as those who do not have the time or money to procure
and arrange living flowers may find that the artificial substitutes
provide the cheerful, colorful accents that their homes need. It
is important to find artificial materials that have excellent quality
and subtle beauty. A few precious things like grapes of green
jade or rose quartz would insure beauty and elegance wherever
they are used.
Knowledge of the same principles of design and color that ap-
ply to living plant materials are needed in arranging artificial
materials. Even the best compositions should be revised frequently
and should be stored away part of the time.