While there are lots of easy ways of drying flowers, from the traditional hanging method as explained by floral artist Bex Partridge, or pressing flowers, sometimes it's easier to get the experts to do it.
If you want a long-lasting flower arrangement then looking to dried flowers could be the perfect option. Most dried flowers will last a very long time, if cared for properly and not left too close to direct sunlight (as their colour will fade). While these blooms mostly don't smell (although they definitely can!), they can bring all the joy of a just grown rose and, arguably, could be better for the environment: if you're only buying one bunch to last a while, then there's no need to rely on lots of cheaper, unethical bunches from dubious sources.
There are certain flowers that are better for drying, and we explain which those are here. But if you're looking for pre-dried flowers - for a wedding, perhaps, or just for a table top - then there are lots of options out there. We'd always recommend buying from a reputable seller, who uses flowers from a sustainable source.
How long do dried flowers last?
Dried flowers, if properly dried and cared for, should last at least a year and could last up to three. A top tip to keeping your dried flowers happy is to place them away from sunlight - so their colour doesn't fade - and try to keep them away from water or anywhere humid. Dried flowers that have been preserved in glycerin or dyed can last for much longer, but we'd recommend keeping things natural and avoiding these artificial ways of prolonging your dried flowers.
Looking for vases to put your dried flowers into? Here's our pick of bud flower vases.
The best dried flowers to buy
Pampass Grass
As we wrote recently, pampas grass is back in fashion, but it's not just outside in your front gardens that it's catching people's eyes. Pampass grass can make the best dried flowers, as part of an overall arrangement, or just in a vase on its own - as seen here.
This selection of white pampas grass comes as 40 stems and measures at about 45cm in height. Though the grass is quite fluffy and feathery, if cared for properly, it shouldn't moult too much. It's advised that when you get it you should let it stand in a sunny and ventilated place so that any lingering odours dissipate.
Here's more on growing ornamental grasses in your own garden.
Lavender
The sight of a beautiful, purple, twine-bound bunch of lavender can prompt a lovely sense of the south of France, or other equally hot places. We love the traditional aesthetic and one of the great things about lavender is that often once dried it retains its absolutely gorgeous smell. These bunches are naturally wind dried and should still have its original scent. Included in the bundle is 140g of dried lavender, which comes at about 40 cm high. Lavender is great for sleeping but also good for putting off bugs.
Here's how to grow your own lavender.
Wheatgrass
Wheat stalks talk to us of the countryside in days gone by and corn dollies. Wheat is a great option to use in a bigger display and the texture and length will add lots of interest to a bunch in a vase in your home. This pack comes with 100 natural wheat stems that are around 40 cm heigh. What's nice about the length is that if you're using them for a celebration - a wedding table display for example - you can chop the stalks to whatever length you'd like.
Craspedia
Here's a great example of how to use wheat stalks alongside billy button flowers, or craspedia. Craspedia are a particularly interesting flower, which are native to Australia and New Zealand and when dried, can be enjoyed anywhere in the world. Their little round heads have a very uplifting feel to them and, as you can see, they will work very well in a natural floral bunch all together.
Gypsophilia
Baby's breath or gypsophilia is a beautiful plant when in a garden, but it also works brilliantly well when dried. These ivory flowers would be perfect for a wedding bouquet or simply popped into a vibrantly-coloured vase. The length of these are 17 inches and filled with tiny little blooms so be careful when you unwrap: they do quite easily fall off. But the number of flowers on a stem means you can afford to lose one or two.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a great option for dried flowers because of its vibrant colouring and it's interesting textures. Here you can buy either green or red and they come as 8-10 stems. These are Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue and are 50-65 cm high. They will look perfect either on their own or as part of a carefully curated bunch.
Dried flower bouquets
Small
- Buy now from Etsy (£6.75)
Delight your guests at a dinner party with these small dried flower bunches or pop them in tiny bud vases all around the house: however you display these small dried flower bunches they will bring lots of joy. Included are bunny tails lavender, flax and more in three different styles - white, pink and lavender. These are very small - great for button holes or hat pins too - stems are around 15 cm.
- Buy now from Etsy (£6.75)
With pink clove
- Buy now from Etsy (£17.99)
A lovely dried flower bouquet which would make a perfect present for someone special, or a perfect arrangement around the house. The arrangements include pink clover flowers, lavender, bunny tails and lots of others. This seller also can supply this in a bridal bouquet or combs on request. They use British dried flowers which should last and last.
- Buy now from Etsy (£17.99)
Dusty blue
- Buy now from Etsy (£15.02)
We love this dusty blue dried flower arrangement, which uses lots of great layers, textures and colours. There are several different sizes, from 4-5 inches overall to 9-10 inches overall. A beautiful arrangement that will look stunning in a vase on your dining or bedside table.
- Buy now from Etsy (£15.02)
Dried flowers and pottery sculpting kit
We love this idea from Bloom and Wild: why not make dried flowers into a big gift by combining it with pottery? The company have teamed up with Sculpd, a pottery company, so you can make lovely bud vases from air-dry pottery. There's an online tutorial that will show you exactly how to make the vases and the flowers come as part of the package, so as soon as you have your vases - they have something lovely to put inside them!
Here's more on 100 beautiful flowers for your garden.
