All periods of architectural history have used flowers as a popular decorative motif and tend to be combined with other motifs such as foliage and fruit, creating formations such as swags and garlands or more geometric patterns.

The Anthemion may have been based on the honeysuckle and was used both vertically as a central element on acanthus ornament and horizontally, in bands, alternating with stylised lotus or palmettes.
Commonly seen examples being Anthemion; Palmette; Swag (Garland); Rosette, Fleur de Lis.