5 Benefits and Advantages of Dried and Preserved flowers
Have you ever purchased or received dried and preserved flowers? If the answer is "yes", I'm sure you are enjoying their beauty and longevity....but if you have never thought about buying or gifting everlasting flowers...I will show you the top 5 benefits and advantages of these blooms that can make you consider them as the first option to go to!
1. First of all is their longevity:
Forget about wilted flowers after 3 or 4 days! Dried and preserved flower arrangements can last months to years if kept in the right conditions, like a dry place and out of direct sunlight. Some varieties of flowers last longer than others; for example, Australian Native flowers are ultra-long-lasting. I have a bunch of Bankias at home that I bought back in 2019, so 4 years of enjoying them so far! You can check my article on "How to care for dried and preserved flowers? 5 simple steps to follow", so you know how to get the most out of them!
2. Low maintenance:
They don't require water, sunlight, or regular pruning like fresh flowers do, so you can enjoy their beauty without the hassle of upkeep. This also makes them a great option for people with busy lifestyles... like mums always on the move; or people with a full-time job and busy schedule; also, for those who may not have a green thumb, or are recovering from surgery or illness and can't be changing the water every day.
3. Amazing Value for Money:
If you think dried and preserved flowers are more expensive than fresh ones.... let's get a calculator! If you buy a $100 fresh bouquet and it lasts 5 days, then you are paying $20 per day to enjoy them. But if you buy a $100 dried and preserved arrangement and you can enjoy it for a minimum of 4 months (and I'm being super conservative here just as an example), then the cost is 0.83 cents per day! So it's super cost-efficient and you get more bang for your buck! Over time, the cost of constantly replacing fresh flowers can add up, so investing in dried and preserved flowers can actually save you money.
4. They are a sustainable option
When using dried and preserved flowers there is minimal wastage compared to using fresh flowers, as they don't expire or wilt. Little pieces or broken stems can be used for another arrangement or craft project. They are also water-free, so no filling of vases with litters of water every day, saving on that too!
5. And finally, their Versatility
Dried and preserved flowers are incredibly versatile. They can be used in a wide range of decorative applications, from creating wreaths and garlands to adding a natural touch to table centrepieces and wall hangings. They can also be added to candles, arranged in a glass dome or a shadow box. So the options are as many as your creativity can go!
In conclusion, dried and preserved flowers offer many benefits over fresh flowers, including longevity, low maintenance, versatility, sustainability, and a wide variety of colours and textures. So if you're looking for a beautiful and long-lasting floral option, consider trying out some dried and preserved flowers for your next decorating project or special occasion. I'll be always here to guide you on which will be the best option for you!
See you soon xxx
Anabella
How to care for Dried and Preserved flowers? 5 simple steps to follow.
If properly looked after, these flowers are super long lasting, from months to years!
There are 5 very easy steps and tips you can follow to maximise the lifespan of your dried and preserved flowers.
For each arrangement I include a care guide card, which I strongly recommend to follow, so that you get the most of your dried flowers and they stay amazing as when you received them!
Come along and follow these 5 simple and easy steps!
CARE GUIDE FOR DRIED AND PRESERVED FLOWERS
- Keep in a cool, dry spot away from humidity.
This is so important, as the flowers will absorb the humidity from the air, so they are not suitable for bathrooms for example, where there is a lot of steam from the shower.
If there is a lot of moisture in the air, dried flowers can get mould and its lifespan reduces dramatically. If your flowers get mouldy, I’ll recommend to remove and replace that particular flower and move the arrangement to another spot of the house where it is drier, like the living room or bedroom.
- Do not water or spray your blooms
Yes, I know it sounds obvious…but these flowers don’t even need a drop of water! So, watering or spraying for cleaning is a BIG no….and it will actually reduce the longevity of the flowers as they can become mouldy, or the colour can be affected.
A good idea is to use a hair dryer at the lowest setting to remove any dust.
- Don’t expose them directly to air conditioning or heating vents.
Dried and preserved flowers are light in weight and fragile. Wind, air con or heating vents produce a movement in the air, like a gentle blow that for us can be unnoticeable, but if your flowers are exposed to this air movement every day…without noticing, their petals and stems can become more brittle and the shape of the flowers can be damaged over time.
- Avoid direct sunlight and bright light
Sun and bright beams of light affect the colour of the flowers, making it fade really quickly. Don’t place your blooms next to the window if the sunlight is direct or strong.
- Gently fluff and dust them
After a few months of having your dried flowers, you can gently dust them with a soft feather duster. Remember to be gentle and not apply too much pressure with your duster as the blooms are fragile. You can also remove any dust using a hair drier at the lowest setting, from a 20 cm distance.
Also, after a few months, you can gently “fluff” them of shake them very, very gently. But I’ll definitely don’t do this too often and will strongly recommend to avoid over touching and moving the blooms around excessively, remember they have a fragile and delicate nature.
So, if you follow these 5 simple steps and tips, your dried flowers will look and stay amazing for a very long time!
Convenient, water free and gorgeous, they are a great investment and you can see why: they require minimum maintenance and their lifespan is way longer than fresh flowers that will usually live for 7 days at the most.
If you still don’t have one of our beautiful arrangements, you can now explore the latest collection and choose your favourite one with confidence, now that you know how to look after it when you receive it!
Otherwise, let me know if you have any doubts or comments! Send me an email to florals@anabellaramos.com or contact me through my social pages (links at the top right corner)
I’ll see you soon in a new blog post where I’ll continue talking all things dried flowers!
Anabella xxx
What are dried and preserved flowers?
Dried and preserved flowers had become really popular in the last 2 years. They are a great piece of decor and they have become a favourite when buying flowers for birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. They are super long-lasting, don't need water and require very little maintenance!
So the question is...what are they? and what's the difference between dried and preserved flowers?
The short answer to this frequently asked question is:
They are real flowers that have had their moisture removed and can last from months to years with no need for water!
This removal of moisture can be done by applying 2 different processes which will give 2 different types of flowers. The first ones will be:
1. Dried flowers: these blooms have gone through the most common drying process, which is hanging them upside down in a dark and dry place for 2 or 3 weeks.
After this time, the flowers are completely dried and ready to use in a bouquet or vase arrangement. The colour might change or fade a little bit as it is a natural product. They can be used as they are, or they can be dyed with natural pigments to obtain different colours and styles.
This method is easy, natural and convenient.
Naturally, dried flowers are often used in rustic and boho-style floral arrangements. Sometimes the stems can be brittle and break easily, but overall they are a fantastic and beautiful option for floral styling.
Some species will dry better than others and I'll be writing about it soon! Australian Native flowers are my favourites for drying!
The second process of removing the moisture from the flowers, gives as a result:
2. Preserved Flowers: these blooms have been cut at their best stage in life and undergone a rehydration process by being placed in a mixture of glycerine and alcohol for 5 to 10 days. At this stage, natural dyes can be used to add colour to the flowers. This solution is absorbed through the stem until it completely substitutes the sap of the flower.
After that time, the flowers are removed from the solution and placed in a drying chamber at a monitored temperature to finalise the drying process.
The result is a more flexible flower with a natural appearance that will last for years to come!
So, now you know what dried and preserved flowers are and their differences!
The main thing is that they will not need water like fresh flowers and that they will last from months to years if they are placed out of the sun and away from humidity.
The variety and colours that are now available are huge, offering endless possibilities for flower arranging. And they are such a great investment, as they will last much more than a week like fresh flowers!
Stay tuned to discover more interesting things about the world of dried and preserved florals. A world full of colours and textures that I would love to share with you!
Anabella xx