Flowers are so uniquely beautiful and the use of preserved or dried flowers opens up a whole new world of design possibilities. The art of using dried and preserved flowers is a wonderful way to preserve the beauty of flowers over time. Preserving and drying flowers helps to maintain their natural beauty while preserving the special moments you associate with them.
In the current floral trends, preserved and dried flowers are often used instead of fresh flowers. Dried flowers and pampas grasses are mostly used for centerpieces, decorations and backdrops at events or in homes.
Below we explain the difference between preserved and dried flowers and how you can use these two beautiful creations together.
What are preserved flowers?
Preserved flowers are natural blooms that make an enchanting decoration and a wonderful gift for loved ones. Preserved flowers have undergone an elaborate preservation process to maintain their beauty and freshness.
Preservation is a form of drying, but the techniques used for flowers are generally more sophisticated than for dried flowers. The preservation techniques allow the flowers to retain their natural appearance and freshness.
This process is achieved by cutting a flower first. Instead of letting it dry out, the flower goes through a rehydration process. This process varies from user to user, but usually the flowers are placed in a mixture of glycerine and plant elements. This liquid replaces the water to which the flower is accustomed and the glycerine ensures that the flower does not dry out. After a few days, this process is complete so that the flower, stem and leaves retain their natural, bright appearance.
Most types of flowers can be preserved, but the best flowers for preserving are:
Carnations
Daisies
Gerbera
Chrysanthemums
Orchids
Lilies
Preserved flowers require neither sunlight nor water and can be used at any time of year, making them a wonderful alternative to fresh flowers.
There are a variety of uses for preserved flowers, e.g. as home decorations, for weddings, for Valentine's Day and as gifts for partners, relatives and friends.
What are dried flowers?
Dried flowers can be recognized externally by their beautiful earthy hue. Dried flowers basically no longer have any natural moisture and are ideal for making potpourri, dried flower bouquets or for pressing and framing. There are various ways and methods of drying flowers at home.
One of the most common methods of drying flowers is to hang them upside down in a dry and well-ventilated room. This allows the flowers to dry naturally. Most flowers will retain their color, giving your home a rustic and sophisticated touch.
Here are the best flower varieties for drying:
Hydrangeas
Gypsophila
Although the types of flowers mentioned above are particularly suitable for drying, most types of flowers can actually be dried. Dried flowers usually symbolize precious memories and can have a high sentimental value. Whether it's the flowers from your wedding, an anniversary or Valentine's Day, dried flowers are trendy and are used by many people to preserve precious memories.
What are the main differences between preserved and dried flowers?
Preserved flowers and dried flowers both look beautiful and have their advantages. However, the results of preserved and dried 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, you should opt for preserved flowers. Preserved flowers are soft to the touch and 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 can often be brittle, which is why they need to be handled carefully and gently.
It is also important to know that dried flowers can become moldy if they are stored in a room with a lot of moisture, e.g. in the kitchen or bathroom. Storing dried flowers in a moisture-free room is crucial for their longer life. Another alternative is to store dried flowers in a sealed container. This will preserve their beauty for many years.
Both preserved and dried flowers require very little care.
As far as fragrance is concerned, some types of dried flowers remain fragrant even after the drying process. Examples include roses, lavender and immortelle. However, non-scented dried flowers often go well in a potpourri mix together with dried fruits, herbs and oils.