Remember the days of hanging flowers upside down to dry them, or pressing them in a book? Well, it’s back, and it’s a big trend for 2019.

Drying flowers dates back to the days of the Egyptians, 4,000 years ago. Dried flowers were presented in funeral ceremonies, with each flower being chosen for a symbolic meaning within their religion.

In Victorian Times, pressing flowers was the popular pastime. Flowers were combined with ribbons to create pretty pictures, and a flower was often slipped between the pages of a book to preserve the memory of a special day.

In 2019, the trend is back, and it’s a great opportunity for florists to create more customer engagement by showing them how they hang and dry their flowers to give them more time to appreciate the arrangement.

Here are a few of the most current trends for dried flowers:

Dried Arrangements/Bouquets

These types of arrangements are being seen at more and more weddings, either made completely out of dried flowers, or with dried flowers, seedpods, or lavender incorporated into a fresh floral arrangement.

Preserved Stems and Greens

Preserving larger stems and greens like eucalyptus can make a wonderful arrangement. Add them to a vase and make it a focal point in a living room or bathroom.

Pressed Flowers and Greenery

Frames and shadow boxes with pressed flowers and greens are becoming more popular, particularly with those who have smaller spaces. There are even clear phone cases that can display pressed flowers, a popular trend with Millennials.

Wreaths

These wreaths are used indoors, since the flowers need to be kept in a dry place. They are a lovely addition to a living room or dining room, and can be especially fragrant when made with plants like lavender or oregano.

Ways to Preserve Dried Flowers

Drying and Hanging: This is one of the most common ways to dry flowers. Simply remove all the leaves, tie them in small bundles and hang them upside down, out of direct sunlight and in a warm and well-ventilated place.  Each bunch should only contain one type of flower, and larger-bloomed flowers should be dried individually. Stems may need to be re-tied during the process as they tend to shrink. The drying process can take anywhere from one week to several weeks depending on the flower, humidity, and where the flower is being stored.

Silica Gel Drying: Silica gel dries florals very quickly. To use it, spread it on an open pan, in a layer ½ to ¾ inch thick, then place the flowers on top and bake in the oven. Once the crystals show that the moisture has been removed, flowers must be placed in airtight containers.

Pressed:  Pressing flowers involves using one of many different types of presses, depending on the flower type. The art is then framed in a flat frame, to hang on the wall.

There are other methods of preserving flowers such as freeze drying, but this can be cost-prohibitive. Choose the best method for your floral business.

With many customers looking to social media and websites for inspiration and references, they will soon start asking about dried flowers. Share these tips with them as well as images of some of your arrangements that have been dried, and watch your floral sales bloom!