Sep 2, 2021
How Are Preserved Flowers Different From Dried Flowers?
Flowers have such unique beauty and using preserved or dried flowers opens up a whole new realm of designing possibilities. The art of using dried and preserved flowers is a wonderful way to maintain the beauty of flowers over time. Preserving and drying flowers will help them maintain their natural beauty while also preserving the special feelings and memories they provide.
In current floral trends, preserved and dried flowers are now often chosen to use for weddings instead of fresh flowers. Dried florals and pampas grasses are also often used for centerpieces, decor, and backdrops at events or in homes.
Let’s explore the differences between preserved and dry flowers and how you can use these two beautiful creations together.
What Are Preserved Flowers?
Preserved flowers are natural blooms that make for charming decor and serve as wonderful gifts for loved ones. Flowers that have been preserved have undergone an in-depth preservation process to maintain their beauty and freshness.
Preservation is a form of drying; however, the techniques used on the flowers are typically more refined than those used on dried flowers. Using a preserving technique on a flower allows the flowers to maintain their natural look and feel, just as if it were a freshly cut flower from the garden.
This process is achieved because when a bloom is first cut. Instead of letting it dry out, the budding bloom goes through a rehydration process. This process differs amongst users, but it typically involves placing flowers in a glycerine and plant element mixture. This liquid will replace the water that the flower is used to, and the glycerin then causes the flower to never dry out. After a few days, this process is complete, thus leaving the bloom, stem, and leaves in their natural, glowing appearance.
While most types of blooms can be preserved, the best flowers to preserve include:
- Roses
- Carnations
- Daisies
- Gerberas
- Chrysanthemums
- Orchids
- Lilies
Flowers that have been preserved do not require any sunlight or water and may be used in any season, which is why they are a wonderful alternative to fresh flowers.
There are a variety of uses for preserved flowers, including home decor, vertical walls for photos, centerpieces for tables, and gifts for family and loved ones.
What Are Dried Flowers?
Dried flowers are delicate, dehydrated flowers with beautiful earthy tones. Essentially, dried flowers no longer have any natural moisture and are perfect for creating potpourri, making a dried flower bouquet, or pressing and framing beloved petals. There are several different ways and methods of how to dry flowers at home.
One of the most commonly used methods to dry flowers is hanging them upside down in a dry and well-ventilated area. This is a natural way to dehydrate your blooms. Once the flowers are completely dry, they will be ready for enjoyment. Most flowers will keep their color, and you will be left with rustic and sophisticated blooms.
Here are the best types of flowers for drying:
- Sea Holly Flowers
- Hydrangeas
- Celosia
- Larkspur Flowers
- Gypsophila Blooms
- Statice Flowers
While the above types of flowers are particularly suitable for drying, most types of flowers can indeed be dried. Dried flowers typically symbolize treasured memories and may hold a great deal of sentimental value. Whether it’s the flowers from your wedding, an anniversary, or Valentine’s Day, dried florals are trending and are used by many people to keep their treasured memories alive.
What Are the Main Differences Between Preserved Flowers and Dried Flowers?
Preserved flowers and dried flowers both look beautiful and have their benefits. However, the results from preserving flowers and drying flowers are completely different. Let’s break down the main differences between preserved and dried flowers.
If you love the look of natural, elegant flowers, opting for preserved blooms is the way to go. Preserved flowers are soft to the touch and are much more flexible compared to dried flowers. Many people cannot tell the difference between preserved flowers and fresh flowers.
Dried flowers, on the other hand, are much more delicate and oftentimes may be brittle, which is why they must be handled delicately and with care.
It is also important to note that dried flowers can become moldy if left in a room with a lot of moisture, such as the kitchen or a bathroom. Keeping dried flowers in a moisture-free area is critical to them lasting a longer lifespan. Another alternative is keeping dried flowers in a sealed case. This will preserve their beauty for many years to come.
When looking at maintenance for your blossoms, both preserved and dried flowers require very little upkeep.
As for fragrance, a few kinds of dried flowers will remain scented after the drying process. Examples include roses, lavender, and strawflowers. However, non-scented dried flowers often go well in a potpourri mixture along with dried fruits, herbs, and oils.
For preserved flowers, the natural scent of the flower is taken away during the preservation process. However, most florists will later go in and add new scents to the flowers in order to give the blooms a new lasting fragrance.
Using Dried Flowers and Preserved Flowers Together
After learning about preserved and dried flowers on their own, let’s discover how these two creations can be used together to make a beautiful floral display. Dried and preserved flowers come in all kinds of colors, shapes, and sizes and can be used throughout every season of the year. These flowers are easy to take care of, as they do not require watering, and they allow for year-round availability.
You’ll often see preserved and dried flowers on display at luxury hotels, office buildings, restaurants, and black-tie events. These arrangements are long-lasting and will provide an abundance of beauty for all.
You can also learn how to make a stunning flower arrangement at home. When designing your own floral masterpiece, try using fresh blooms with a mix of dried and preserved flowers. This way, your arrangement will look grand, full, and fresh at your next event. A great perk of using a mixed arrangement is that if you notice that the fresh flowers need to be changed, you can easily do this without disturbing the entire arrangement.
At Venus ET Fleur®, we have built our reputation on delivering real and true, long-lasting roses that will grace your life and home for months. You may choose a piece from one of our special collections or choose to design your own stunning arrangement. Whichever you decide on, you will be surprised and enraptured by the natural beauty of our roses.
Real Roses That Last a Year
Here at Venus ET Fleur, we delight in the creation of our Eternity® Roses, which are full of that beautiful fragrance that you love so much about roses. These crafted beauties are made to enjoy for months to come.
Our blooms are made from 100% real roses cultivated in the fields of Ecuador. Each Eternity Rose is carefully and naturally cultivated until it reaches full bloom. From there, each rose is treated with a formula of non-toxic and non-allergenic wax, in addition to natural oils. After this, the roses are clipped and brought to our facilities in Los Angeles and New York, where they go through a proprietary solution and color pigmentation process that preserves the stunning beauty of each flower.
By partaking in this dynamic and innovative process, our Eternity Roses will last a year or more with the proper maintenance, tender love, and care, allowing you to enjoy their beauty for an extended amount of time.
Here are the steps to care for your Eternity® Roses in order to ensure that your delicate flowers will last an entire year:
- Avoid any direct exposure to sunlight
- Do not water the roses
- Remove dust with a light duster if needed
- Keep the arrangement in a room-temperature space
- Be gentle with the roses, and do not place anything on top of them
- Keep the roses in the box they come in
Taking care of your long-lasting, luxury roses will be simple and effortless and will allow you to enjoy their natural beauty and amazing aesthetic for up to a full year or more.
Final Remarks
All in all, preserved flowers and dried flowers do share some similarities. However, preserved flowers often have a higher feeling of freshness. Remember, you can combine both dried and preserved flowers together in arrangements and even add in some fresh flowers to bring some added life and fullness to your creation of beautiful blossoms.
Consider all of the above factors carefully when choosing preserved or dried flowers for creating your next stunning flower arrangement.
Sources:
The Hottest Wedding Flower Trend: Dried Flowers I One Fab Day
Learn How to Create a Stunning Floral Arrangement at Home I Dandelion Chandelier
