Flowers have been cherished by humanity for centuries and admired for their ephemeral beauty. However, their short lifespan has often left us yearning to prolong their beauty. Recently, preserved flowers have gained popularity as alternatives to fresh-cut blooms, offering extended lifespans and unique textures and even colours. There are benefits and drawbacks of each type of flower. Let's help you make the best choice for your floral arrangements by exploring the characteristics of both dried and preserved flowers.
Drying flowers is an age-old technique that involves the removal of moisture from fresh blooms to preserve them. Methods of drying includes, including air-drying, pressing, and using desiccants like silica gel. Preserved flowers on the other hand are made by treating fresh flowers with a series of complex processes such as dehydration, decolourisation, drying and dyeing.
Dried flowers maintain their natural appearance and often have a delicate, papery texture. Preserved flowers retain their soft, supple feel and vibrant colors for months or even years. They look and feel like fresh flowers, creating lasting impressions.If you prefer a vintage, rustic look, dried flowers may suit your taste. Conversely, if you fancy a fresh and lifelike appearance, preserved flowers are the clear winner.
Depending on environment, dried flowers may have a shorter longevity in comparison to preserved flowers. Dried flowers can become moldy when conditions are humid. This is especially so in Singapore, where humidity is high. Humidity causes preserved flowers to deteriorate in a different manner, where they will turn translucent. However, this can be fixed by placing the flowers next to a dehumidifier.
The decision between dried and preserved flowers ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Dried flowers will be a better fit for a more rustic and natural aesthetic. Preserved flowers are the ones to pick if you desire long-lasting blooms with vibrant colors and even colours that are only achievable by colour dye. One does not necessarily have to make a choice between the two beauties. Sometimes, a mix of both flower types will create a good balance of a floral arrangement with vibrancy and rustic aesthetic. Whimsical Emporium often uses both dried and preserved flowers to craft our floral arrangements, having the best of both worlds.
The usage of the two types of flowers will largely depend on your aesthetic preferences. So let your creativity bloom and use the floral materials that best suit your vision and revel in the everlasting allure of nature’s creation.