Capturing the culmination of nature’s beauty and admiring it for a long time-a possibility offered by natural dried flowers. In fact, the long life of dried flowers allows anyone to enjoy their colors and shapes for a long time, without seeing them fade over time. And thanks to dried flowers, it is also easy to add a touch of elegance to the environment you want to decorate, even in the absence of a green thumb.

What are natural dried flowers

Dried flowers are 100% natural products that have undergone a dehydration process, which is why they can be kept for several years. Once the water is eliminated, the flower retains up to 85% of its original colors and shape that characterizes it. It should be pointed out, however, that not all flowers can be dehydrated. Some, in fact are too delicate and lose their petals during the process.

So, what are the flowers that can be dried? Some of the most common and suitable ones include:

• rose
• hydrangea
• peony
• lavender
• helichrysum
• gypsophila
• statice
• echinacea

How to dry flowers

The simplest method of drying a flower is something we have probably all done once in our lives: place it between the pages of a book waiting for it to dehydrate completely. In this way, however, the cut flower flattens out. How, then, to dry it without losing its shape? It’s possible to use a dehydrator, or a special oven where the flowers are exposed to heat in a controlled manner. Among the most common treatments, we also find the silicon treatment, where the flower is completely immersed in the drying agent until it loses all the water inside. Of course, there is also the more classic and homemade method of hanging the flowers upside down and drying them in the sun.

The difference with preserved flowers

Both dried and preserved flowers (link to: article preserved flowers) are made by total dehydration, but the processes and results between the two are very different. In fact, preserved flowers first have all the plant sap removed and then are rehydrated through a mixture of water and glycerin, which restores their full original volume. During this process, called “preservation” , the flowers can be bleached or colored as desired.

Preserved flowers also last a long time, as do dried ones, although they can poorly tolerate direct exposure to the sun. For this reason, they are not recommended when you want to create decorative arrangements to be set up outdoors: dry flowers are definitely more suitable for such occasions.

Advantages of dried flowers

Dried flowers always remain a great classic of floral decorations. They have been used for centuries to beautify interiors, creating delicate points of color, or to embellish important events, especially winter and fall events.

Their centuries-long success is due to their undisputed advantages:

1. Very long duration: thanks to dehydration, dried flowers can be kept for several years without losing their beauty.
2. Perfect for decorations: from bouquets, to centerpieces, to vases and even for candles, these flowers lend themselves to so many creative purposes;
3. Easy maintenance: do not require special care, just a few cares
4. Sun exposure: unlike fresh or preserved flowers, they retain their beauty even under direct sunlight
5. Cheap: their cost is similar to that of fresh flowers and they last much, much, longer.

How to store dried flowers

Storing dried flowers requires very little:

1. Dust off: occasionally you need to dust them off with a soft brush or hair dryer with cold air at low speed;
2. No fertilizer: they do not need nutrition;
3. No water: water baths and rinses would ruin them and they should not be exposed to rain;
4. Away from heat sources: although they are resistant to sun rays, excessive heat damages them; therefore, they should not be placed near radiators or similar heat sources.