Dried flowers are currently having a revival. This is a joy to all the British flower growers as it means we can extend our season and sell flowers throughout the winter months too. I sell wreaths, wreath kits and bouquets and many other dried flower products over on my Etsy shop. Have a browse if you would like to add dried flowers into your home decor or give them as a gift.
Having grown and dried flowers in the eighties when they were last popular I was a bit unenthusiastic to start with. However I have definitely fallen in love with them all over again. We are appreciating the natural beauty and form of flowers more which is allowing us to look at dried material in a slightly different way. They are valued as much for their sculptural form as they are for their muted tones and many even hold onto their original colour like larkspur and straw flowers.
Flower hoops and wreaths are amongst the most popular way of displaying dried flowers and will fit into any home decor. Grasses and the ever popular bunny tails popped into an antique pot can look so effective too.
Sustainability
I do have to make my point about the current trend for the bleached look though that we are seeing all over Instagram. Just ask yourself how a naturally green leaf gets to be almost clear, unfortunately the answer is by lots of nasty chemicals and bleach. The process takes a long time and is not just devastating for the environment but also for the people that have to work with these chemicals. And all because we like the ‘look’ it gives, so please consider this if you are tempted to buy dried grasses and flowers.
The most sustainable way to achieve a bleached look is to use natural sunlight. You can leave them to dry where they’ve grown and the sun will gradually lighten them, however remember to gather them indoors before the weather gets too damp. I personally cut mine and put them undercover hanging in little bunches, a conservatory or greenhouse is a perfect place.
As we grow more aware of our responsibilities to the environment I think preserving flowers will be here to stay. If you grow flowers yourself and want to dry a few for your own arrangements I will have further posts sharing more hints and tips for dried flowers soon.
