Verdila Flowers: Dried Flowers Part 3- How to buy dried flowers and foliage

So you fancy a bunch of dried flowers. You are right on trend! Part 3 of my dried flowers series is all about named commercial dried material out there that you can order or buy to enhance your vase or bunch. Part 1 was all about garden plant material that you can grow and dry yourself easily, part 2 considered dried wedding flowers. Lastly part 4 will be all about caring for those dried flower vases.
So this post is all about good dried material that is out there to buy. Some of this is bleached and some preserved to enhance the flower or foliage so that, amazingly, it can be even better than the fresh version!

Dried bunches of Helichrysum ( Zerochrysum) and Limonium with wheat on the far RHS

Here is my top 10 of dried flowers commercially out there.

1. Helichrysum/Zerochrysum- straw flowers. A round papery flower you would draw at school. Comes in a range of beautiful warm colours but also paler versions too. Very popular
2. Dried gypsophila -baby's breath .For a softer dotty feel to a design
3. Limonium-sea lavender. I use this  filler flower to dot about all the time in purples and whites but there is also a red one out there.
   
4. Carthamus-orange thistle. The commercially dried versions are beautifully fluffy.
5. Lavandula or lavender to you and me. Commercial bunches retain a greater blue colour and scent.
6. Eryngium- blue thistle. Especially useful as a symbol for Scotland's national flower.
7. Echinops- round blue thistle-like head
8.  Achillea- yarrow. Vivid yellow when commercially dried but other colours are also available.
9. Hydrangea- everlasting and lovely blues or pinks as a dried head.
10. Rose- the commercially dried ones retain great petal structure and come in a wide range colours where as if you try to DIY they can be crinkled and deformed and the colour leaks out.

.
Now for my top 10 dried foliage that you can buy. These are really fabulous. Consider just showing a few together on their own or include them with a few fresh roses for a wonderful arrangement

My Top 10 dried foliage, pods and dried  grasses

1. Pampas grass- relatively expensive per stem but a large head cut just right to preserve the silky plume
2. Lagurus-Bunny ears; a grass head that is so soft and cute
3. Bleached ruscus- even better than the fresh kind because it adds a new dimension to your  floral designing with its pale bleached colour. Perfect for a  muted, vintage feel or wintry piece.
4. Eucalyptus- preserved to be soft or leathery to touch. Note that the dyed ones are often not colourfast!
5. Palm leaf spear- usually come cut into a neat diamond spear. Other dried parts of a palm are also available like 'palm cups'.
6. Dried oats-surprisingly pretty multi grain heads
7. Wheat ( triticale or tarwe) - especially for that rustic country look
8. Poppy seed pods- available comercially in all sizes and colours
9. Nigella seed pods-soo pretty with their central seed pod surrounded by  curls
10. Christmas pine cones-  christmas is not the same without them!

Where can you find out more ?
  Try  https://www.atlasflowers.co.uk/blog  This site is all about  comercially prepared dried flowers or ask your local florist as more are now selling dried bunches.

Just drop me a line if you are interested in a bespoke dried flower bouquet too!
x Helen at Verdila