Loading...
Dried flower bouquets: The latest trend
All of a sudden, dried flower bouquets seem to be popping up everywhere: you’ll have seen them in your friends’ homes, in displays at your local florists and in magazines. But what’s so great about them? Well, first and foremost, dried flowers last a long time; you can put together a dried flower bouquet and enjoy it for months without much effort. And because they don’t need any water, dried flowers are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for wreaths, garlands, chandeliers and mobiles.
Dried flower bouquets are nothing new; in fact, they were incredibly popular in the 70s and 80s. But now they’re making a comeback and have shaken off their dusty image. Putting together your own dried flower bouquet is great fun – just head into the garden, cut your chosen flowers and then mix and match them to your heart’s content. The possibilities are endless!
How to dry beautiful flowers
Dried flowers are timeless and they come in a vast array of beautifully muted tones. More subtle than the brighter hues of the original blooms, the understated colours are still expressive and intense – and we get to enjoy them for longer.
The secret to drying beautiful flowers lies in cutting them at the right time:
- Cut the flower before it has fully opened.
- Only cut flowers in dry weather.
- Remove all the green leaves from the bottom of the stem.
- Hang the flowers upside down in a dry, dark and warm room with good ventilation. An attic space is ideal. Make sure the flowers get enough air by hanging them far enough apart.
Optimum conditions
To maintain their original colouring, flowers are best dried in a warm, dry and dark room. The faster they dry, the better the result. Drying the flowers quickly also reduces the risk of mould. The flowers are dry when they start to feel a little brittle, which can take anywhere between one and eight weeks, depending on the size of the flower and the conditions, such as the climate and the space, which can vary significantly.
Testing dried flowers
Once the flowers look like they have dried, it’s a good idea to pop them in a vase for one or two days. If they remain upright, they’re definitely dry – but if they start to droop, hang them back up to dry for a little longer.
Tip: Spray a little hairspray on the dried flowers; this will help them keep their shape and make them less susceptible to damage.
What are the best flowers for a dried flower bouquet?
We absolutely love dried dahlias . They’re incredibly versatile, and our number-one favourite is the pompon dahlia. Tulips and narcissus aren’t suitable for drying, as they have soft stems and contain a lot of moisture, which means that they don’t dry well. Some annual flower seeds are also ideal for dried flower bouquets, including Papaver, Amaranthus, Delphinium and Linum.
Make sure you cut your flowers at the right time, otherwise your beautiful dried flowers will disintegrate. Pampas grass – which you can grow in your garden or find in nature – makes a wonderful addition to complement your bouquet.
