Everlasting petal power
Dried flowers are trendy again. Katie Wright finds out why they’ve made a comeback and how to make your own
ALONG with chintzy fabrics, pine furniture and ivy wall stencils, dried flowers were an interiors fad that died out some time in the 1990s.
For more than two decades, preserved petals were – for the most part – consigned to the scrap heap as Scandi-style minimalism took over. But now, the trend pendulum has swung in the other direction, and dehydrated blooms are back with a bang.
“Dried flowers and grasses, also known as ‘everlastings,’ have made a huge comeback over the last few years,” says Ash Read, interiors expert and founder of living Cozy.
“Trendsetters are switching out their fresh bouquets for dried wildflowers, using Instagram and Pinterest blossoms to make beautiful seasonal displays.”
Brands like The Happy Blossoms and Your london Florist have become hugely popular with brides who want a bold bouquet and shoppers who want to brighten up their homes.
“I have not seen such interest since the 1970s when I wrote my second book, Teach Yourself Dried Flowers,” says Judith Blacklock, author of 18 books and founder of Judith Blacklock Flower School. “We have had our dried flower courses sell out and enquiries into these courses have more than doubled.”
Why the sudden resurgence?
“Perhaps it is a result of the pandemic,” Judith says. “Many are working from home or spending more time in the home than before and want it to look its best. While fresh flowers are a lovely way to decorate a home, it requires effort to change fresh bunches and there is also the cost.”
Plus, there’s the sustainability aspect, with some fresh flowers flown hundreds or thousands of miles from where they’re grown in carbon-intensive greenhouses.
Ash agrees, saying: “These lowmaintenance flowers are perfect for those that struggle to maintain fresh flowers, adding amazing textures and personality to the home without the guilt of purchasing fresh bouquets every week.”
There are lots of incredible dyed or painted arrangements to buy online if you love the maximalist aesthetic, including The Candy Corn Dried Flower Baked Blossom Autumn Wreath, £48, and The Sherbert Macaroon Baked Blossom Bunch, £32, inset left, both from The Happy Blossoms.
Or you can also have a go at creating your own dried flowers at home.
“The most popular dried plants this season include eucalyptus, roses, helichrysum and pampas grass,” says Ash. All you have to do is “hang your tied flowers upside down in a well-ventilated, dark room for two to three weeks.”
In terms of which blooms are best, Judith says those that have “a volumetric centre, such as daffodils or open iris don’t dry well – the shape collapses,” adding: “If colour is important, select flowers that have a bright strong colour, as pale colours go paler and dark colours darker when dried.”
It’s better to tie small bunches, with garden twine or ribbon, she continues: “However stems shrink as they dry. Consider using lengths of stocking – their elasticity holds the stems in place much better.”
For optimal drying, she says, hang your flowers in “a bright airy place out of direct sunlight which bleaches the colour. Good air circulation is needed so don’t hang in a cellar or airing cupboard. A loft works well.”
After drying, Ash recommends one final touch: “Spray with an unscented hairspray for protection,” then you’re ready to start arranging.