When it comes to flowers, nothing beats fresh bouquet flowers meticulously arranged to make anyone who receives them feel loved and appreciated. However, if you are looking to give a memento that will last for a long time, your best option would be dried and preserved flowers.
Though fresh and dried flowers are essentially just flowers at the end of the day, dried flowers have a reputation for being durable – they can last for a couple of years without withering or losing their integrity over time. They are the perfect decoration for any event as they are not required to be prepared on the same day, reducing the risk of wilting. That said, preserved flowers also do not need to be watered or maintained because they are, well, dried and preserved.
There are lots of options to choose from if you are interested in purchasing dried flower bouquets. They come in many shapes, sizes, and colours to suit your preference. Moreover, you can easily find blooms for all seasons – florists in Singapore preserve different flowers all year round, allowing customers to order flowers even when they are not in season.
Those are just some reasons why dried and preserved flowers are incredibly trendy nowadays. But have you ever wondered how they came to be?
How the process of drying flowers began
The act of preserving flowers dates back to ancient times. Ancient Egyptians used preserved blooms as tomb offerings and to make fragrances. Aside from that, dried flowers have also been used as a medicinal ingredient. Victorians, on the other hand, preserved flowers to enhance their appearance.
Records show that ancient Egyptians were flower enthusiasts. Preserving flowers was a common practice. The dried blooms were used in religious ceremonies, burial rites, and other occasions. It was even reported that the oldest preserved flowers on the planet could be found in a tomb in Egypt that is believed to be 2,000 years old. Although they had faded over time, the dried flowers are still intact.
Ancient Romans and Greeks were also quite fond of preserved flora, as they have the earliest users of garlands and wreaths that have been used throughout history and across different cultures. Garlands and wreaths both use preserved flowers to maintain the aesthetics of the arrangements for a long time.
Throughout the Middle Ages, dried flowers were popular in Europe as herbs with medicinal properties. They used preserved flowers in ointments, teas, and other concoctions.
The art of Oshibana
In the 16th century, Oshibana, the art of drying and pressing plants and flowers on washi paper, became popular. While this art form requires a great deal of skill and patience, it is relatively easy to do. All you need is a large book or something heavy to press the flowers and let them dry for weeks. You can find lots of nature-inspired designs in Japanese culture as proof of their reverence for the natural world.
It was only in the 18th century that the art of Oshibana spread to Europe. This led to the revival of the popularity of preserved flowers in Europe. Victorian women would preserve blooms to add to jewellery, accessories, garlands, or décor, often combined with intricate ribbons to make the arrangements look more sophisticated.
Trendy flowers of today
While a bouquet of freshly cut flowers will always be adored, dried and preserved flowers have now become a mainstay in homes and social media feeds of Singaporean Millennials and Gen Z – and for good reasons. Among the many benefits of these flowers are that they are maintenance-free and effortless chic compared to their fresh flowers counterpart.
Moreover, one of the most popular interior trends as of late is dried and preserved flowers. With over 2.5 million tags on Instagram, the flowers in recent months are varied in colour, texture, and style. These blooms can simply appear stylish when placed virtually anywhere in the house. To easily update the aesthetic of your interiors, all there is to it is to arrange a bunch of these flowers on the coffee table or in a designated area on a sideboard.
Apart from that, dried and preserved flowers are also becoming a more popular choice among couples for weddings. This is because they offer a sense of retro glamour to celebrations and will not wilt in the heat, whether it is fairy-tale-themed bouquets for table centrepieces or a small arrangement of wildflowers for going down the aisle.
Conclusion
As you can see, dried flowers have been a part of history and are still loved and enjoyed to this day. You can find a fantastic arrangement of dried flowers from 24Hrs City Florist, one of the leading florists in Singapore.
At 24Hrs City Florist, we can furnish you with fresh and dried blooms for all occasions, whether it be flowers for condolence, birthdays, or even graduation flowers! Contact us today for more information.
