Have you recently been considering adding a little bit of nature to your home? What better way to bring this in, than with a nice bouquet of flowers. For many, buying a bunch of fresh flowers has always been the obvious go-to. However, when you’re working with a small budget, this isn’t always the most affordable route to follow, especially when we take into account one downside; fresh flowers have a considerably short life-span. What can you do then to ensure you are getting the most out of your money when it comes to decorating your home with flowers? The answer is simple: dried flowers. The direct benefit of dried flowers is simply that they can be bought in bulk or online, making them a more cost-effective option. However, this isn’t their only benefit. If you wish to discover more about the value of dried flowers, and how this directly compares to fresh flowers, then do read on. 



Why dried flowers are a growing trend

The history of dried flowers

There are a number of reasons to account for why dried flowers have become such a popular trend over the years. But in order to understand this, it is first important to understand how they originated throughout time. What would you say if we told you that the oldest preserved flowers ever discovered were estimated to be over 2000 years old? If you don’t believe us, you can see them for yourself on display in the British Museum. 

The use of dried flowers has appeared in multiple era’s throughout history. Some of the earliest known admirers of dried flowers were the ancient Egyptians. Artwork and hieroglyphics left behind from this time period shows how they were avid participants in the art of flower arranging. They would often use this practice in their burial rites, with garlands of flowers having been found buried and preserved in tombs. During the Middle Ages, it was common practice to cover church floors with lavender, as people believed it would protect them from demons. In the 16th century, drying flowers was elevated to an art form in Japan. Oshibana is the art of drying and pressing plants and/or flowers and requires a high degree of skill and patience. Once pressed, these flowers are placed on washi paper in order to create nature-inspired designs. In the 18th century, Oshibana was brought into Europe through trade, resulting in an increase in popularity for dried flowers in Victorian England, due mostly to their medicinal advantages.

However, it is most notably in modern times where the influx in dried flower use has really taken off. This in part could be due to the introduction of social media, where a 5 minute scroll on your feed could expose you to a variation of dried flower arrangements that you could recreate for yourself. Not only this, but the style of a dried flower arrangement is considered to be more rustic, adding a more trendy, cool style to your home. 

DIY-ing dried flowers

The increase in popularity of dried flowers could also be attributed to their use in a variety of DIY projects. They are a beautiful way to add natural colour and texture into any space, and often only need around 15-20 minutes to prepare. Crafting with fresh flowers can certainly be done, however it is their short shelf-life that lets them down once again. This is part of the reason why DIY-ing with dried flowers is so handy, as they are long-lasting and you hardly need to do anything to them at all to create something beautiful. If you find yourself with a free 10 minutes, and want an instant boost of serotonin, why not consider framing a small bunch of dried flowers for your wall? Or maybe you want to create a dried flower and branch garland? Or even having a go at flower-arranging yourself. The possibilities are endless!

The benefits of dried flowers

Dried flowers have been growing in popularity, and for good reason. Here, we list 5 of the most notable benefits we could think of to try and convince you to switch out your fresh flowers for something a little bit more environmentally conscious:

1. They are long-lasting. I know it seems like we keep repeating ourselves, but there really isn’t anything better than a bouquet of flowers that can last you for up to a year, in comparison to a bouquet that barely lasts a week. 
2. Dried flowers come in all shapes and sizes. Just like fresh flowers, dried flowers can come in any form. Since dried flowers are often dyed, they provide trendy and seasonal colours all year round. Whether it's summer or winter, you will be able to find an arrangement perfect to add seasonal value to your home. 
3. Dried flowers can be used for big events. For a lot of occasions, when using fresh flowers, they have to be prepared on the same day due to the fact that they will start to wither and die if they are arranged too soon. Dried flowers, on the other hand, will remain natural and look beautiful throughout the entirety of the event, and can even be kept as small momento’s. 
4. Dried flowers smell just as incredible as fresh flowers. In case you were worrying about whether or not dried flowers could be used to naturally scent your home, there is no need to panic! Dried flowers keep their scent throughout and after the drying process, and can be an easy way to bring in a floral scent to any room. 
5. Lastly, dried flowers require near to no maintenance. This means that you do not have to worry about keeping your dried flowers up to standard. For anyone who struggles with caring for fresh flowers or plants - this one's for you. 

Why dried flowers are a cheaper alternative to fresh flowers 

So, how come dried flowers are cheaper? The answer is simpler than you would think. As we have already established, dried flowers have a considerably longer shelf-life in comparison to its fresh-of-the-market competitors. In fact, it is possible for your dried flowers to remain intact indefinitely with the proper care and upkeep.  It is also a lot more environmentally friendly to invest in a bouquet of flowers that you can keep in your home year-round without needing to replace them. Buying dried flowers in bulk provides a cheap, and more durable alternative to being able to decorate your home with flowers. There has been a lot of discourse online about the delicacy of dried flowers, with many claiming that dried flowers are nearly always crunchy, fragile and delicate. However, that is not entirely true. Dried flowers are no more delicate than fresh flowers, and damage to them is easily preventable with proper handling. 

Is it cheaper to use dried flowers for a wedding? 

If you are as Pinterest-obsessed as we are, then you are probably already aware of the current hottest wedding trend going around; replacing the traditional fresh flower bouquet with a more trendy, long-lasting alternative. You guessed it, dried flowers! This trend first exploded in the media during late-2019, due to Mandy Moore’s iconic back garden wedding. Mandy and her now-husband, Taylor Goldsmith, held their ceremony at their mid-century home in November, having decorated their entire set-up with an array of dried flowers. The wedding arch was embellished with both dried and fresh baby’s breath, mimicking the airy feel of Mandy’s gown, but before even reaching the arch, Mandy notoriously walked up an aisle engulfed in dried pink pampas grass; a path fit for the disney princess herself. 

If you are stuck on whether or not you should use dried flowers in your own wedding, then you have come to the right place. In the UK, the typical cost of wedding flowers can be anywhere between £800-£2,000. For some this may be manageable, however, for others, it might be entirely too expensive. This is why looking at alternatives can be a quick and easy way to save money. Although it is a less traditional option, dried flowers have a lot of added benefits that can come in handy for your big day. Most notably, one of the biggest benefits with switching up your fresh bouquet to a dry option, is how it will save you a decent amount of money (it is important to note that this can depend on the type of flowers you wish to incorporate, as well as the quantity used).  If you plan to integrate a significant amount of flowers into the styling of your venue, then you will be pleasantly surprised at how much cheaper dried flowers are when bought in bulk. This means you can get more bang for your buck, in comparison to buying from an entirely fresh source. Another benefit is that due to the long shelf-life of dried flowers, you can keep your bouquet, or any other floral arrangements you use, for as long as you like. It makes preserving precious memories from your big day even easier.   

Frequently Asked Questions around: Dried Flowers vs Fresh Flowers

How long do flowers last once dried? 

Generally speaking, dried flowers can last up to one year after purchase. However, it is possible for them to last even longer with the proper maintenance. For example, keeping the flowers out of direct sunlight will help them retain their colour. 

Why are dried flowers better?

In comparison to fresh flowers, dried flowers do not require a high amount of upkeep. They do not need feeding or watering, and do not require any effort to maintain their appearance. This is especially beneficial for people who struggle to look after their plants/flowers. 

Do dried flowers keep their colour?

For the most part, dried flowers can keep their natural colour for a significant period of time, however fading is natural. In order to combat this, you can help maintain their colour by placing them somewhere where they are out of direct sunlight, or heat.  

Is it good to keep dried flowers at home?

In short: yes. In comparison to fresh flowers, dried flowers have a long shelf life, and can be maintained easily, with little interference needed. They are a more environmentally friendly alternative, and can easily spruce up any living space.