Designing with Dried Flowers: Things You Need to Consider

As florists, the details in our designs often represent our brand, and many of our clients come to us because of those details. And at the same time, our industry is continuously changing, and we can choose to evolve with it as we push ourselves creatively to find our voice, test new mechanics, explore fresh ideas, and develop our artistry.

Dried flower arrangements is a trend that has been experiencing a resurgence and is gaining momentum as floral designers continue to find modern ways to showcase dried flowers. If you have a desire to work with these or have been approached by a client (as I was) whose vision includes dried flowers, consider the following before working on your proposal:

Pricing: Dried flowers are typically more costly than fresh. Price check before you quote.
Availability: Popular demands have greatly affected supply. Be sure you can obtain the products in time by ordering well in advance.
Quantity: Dried flowers take up less space in our designs and may require higher stem counts.
Sourcing: Will you dry your own product, forage, outsource, or possibly do all three? Determine what you have time and space for, and make sure to locate wholesalers who carry product for dried flower arrangements.
Planning: Unlike fresh flowers, dried floral arrangements will not perish, allowing you to design in advance—provided you have proper storage.
Tools and Mechanics: What medium will best suit your dried flowers (foam, frogs, or chicken wire)? And how will you address their light weight if outdoor winds might come into play?
Colors: Determine which flowers hold their colors once dried (if drying yourself) and what color options are available.
Storing: Dried flowers will do best when stored in a dry, cool, and dimly lit or dark space.
Transportation: Dried flowers can be boxed (with a lid) and easily transported, but be mindful of their delicate nature when packing.

For pricing, availability, and sourcing, I went to my local flower farmers and wholesale reps. I then scoured the internet and reached out to other florists right here at Team Flower. Because of the additional work required to dry flowers, the cost is higher than fresh. Also, the demand for dried flowers had spiked, and many items were out of stock or back-ordered, so be sure to confirm availability prior to committing.

If you have time and space, drying flowers yourself is a wonderful and cost-effective option (and can be a great way to use up any leftover flowers from previous events). If you are unable to source all your products in the desired color scheme, or if some of the flowers you dried yourself did not hold their color well, consider using spray paint for flowers as an option. There are so many possibilities to play around with here, so have some fun with it.

Another tip: If you happen to work with a major wholesaler who offers both fresh and dried flowers, order a few dried products along with your current events. By doing so, you eliminate extra delivery fees and allow yourself some additional time to experiment with the product in advance.

Being able to work with the dried flowers well in advance of the actual event helps eliminate stress—while allowing the freedom to be creative. Without the pressure of working with perishable product under a short deadline (like the typical wedding workflow), you now have the option of completing these over a more extended period, taking time to allow for trial and error while letting your creativity soar. It can even be a therapeutic process for many. During this period, you may discover and develop new mechanics, such as extending the length of stems using sticks and floral tape or perhaps working with flower frogs or moss as your anchor medium. Take time to test the mechanics for any large-scale or outdoor installations, especially when working with dried product, as it is extremely lightweight and can blow over easily.

Lastly, if working with a combination of dried and fresh flowers, try to add the dried product at the last possible minute, because once it’s placed in water, dried flowers will start to rehydrate. This causes their stems to lose rigidity, and they will become limp.

Dried and bleached floral products will also turn brown when placed in water, so you may want to test these beforehand to determine how long they will last if you plan to use them in a design that requires a water source. Because dried flowers are preserved, they should hold their beauty and last for years if stored with care. This is one of their best qualities. It means your clients will have the option to enjoy their wedding bouquet or centerpiece as a keepsake for years to come!