When people ask me about AMBLE & TWINE, and when I explain that I work with dried flowers, I am always very, very careful with this explanation… real dried flowers, I usually say. I have to. Because when we talk about dried flowers these days, I know what people might be thinking.
While natural dried flowers are popular, the extensive range of chemically preserved flowers {bleached, synthetically dyed, altered, and imported} are, unfortunately, far more prevalent.
They can be found everywhere… filling boutiques, storefront windows, gracing checkout counters, reception desks, and restaurant tables. They fill offices and homes all around the world; they are available to buy in homewares stores, in flower shops, in online stores, and they are abundant across social media accounts, where they are used by floral designers, shopkeepers, wedding florists, and interior stylists.
This is an upsetting topic for me to discuss, and one that I actually try to avoid, for the most part, because I find it so troubling. I try to share my voice on this topic through my creations and show how beautiful and abundant mother nature is, all on her own. Every colour and texture imaginable already exist naturally in flowers, and the amazing quality and longevity that untreated dried flowers have is second to nome.
I also try to show that by connecting with natural, local flowers we are given an incredible opportunity to learn about our environment and appreciate the natural world for what it is. And perhaps, find the desire to nurture it and protect it. For many people, flowers offer one of the last remaining ways that we can connect with the real, seasonal world around us. I feel very strongly that we should not let a fad take that away from us.
In this Journal post, I am going to try to explain what preserved flowers are and present some concerns that I have. I will share reasons why we should all take notice of this unnecessary floral trend, and think about the impact that it is having on each other, the environment, and our quality of life. Coming from a place of kindness and concern, I hope that this will shine a little bit of light on the issue, especially for those who are unfamiliar with preserved flowers.
WHAT ARE PRESERVED FLOWERS?
To start with, I think that there may be some confusion around what these materials actually are. There was a time, when it was quite popular for florists to do a little bit of DIY preserving themselves, such as dipping some stems in glycerine, or dying a few stems with some food colouring. And so, I wonder, when someone sees a neon pink bunch of billy buttons, if they think that their florist was just having a wild night of creativity? No! This is not the case!
The chemically preserved flower industry is a big one, making up a good chunk of the multi-billion-dollar worldwide floral industry, which is why we need to talk about it. For the most part, these materials are mass produced in Asia, where production and labour is cheap, and flowers can be grown in large factory farms, preserved and processed quickly and distributed in vast quantities.
Shipping containers are sent all around the world, every day, filling markets with so many chemically preserved, plastic-wrapped materials, that in many flower shops they outnumber the domestically grown flowers that are available for sale. In Australia, most of this material does include an origin label when it is purchased in its original packaging, which is usually China. Once it is removed from this packaging, they can sometimes be harder to identify. Preserved flowers are used to create bouquets, wreaths, arrangements, and floral installations.
I think that preserved flowers can best be described as some sort of taxidermy. What starts with a living, breathing thing - is transformed into something zombie-like - resembling its original form, but eerily different. First, the plant material is drenched in bleaching agents and dehydrating alcohol solutions in order to strip all of the life and colour from the plant. Once there is nothing left but a brittle, empty shell, the material is embalmed… it is soaked in glycerine and preservatives, pumping the shell back up with an array of softening agents and additional chemicals to prevent mould and deter rats, mice, and cockroaches from nibbling. Then they are dyed. Some are also donned with a sprinkling of plastic glitter. The materials are sprayed with artificial fragrance, in an attempt to mask the toxic odours, and then they are fumigated for export - ensuring that not a single shred of life remains on the product.
All preserved flowers have been so heavily altered that they eventually must go to landfill. Nothing can be recycled or composted. That is a mind-boggling amount of unnecessary material that is going straight into the red bin regularly. And we’re talking about flowers here, not life-saving medical equipment. In terms of longevity, preserved flowers don’t actually last. They get coated with dust that sticks on and cannot be washed or shaken off, so their lifespan is cut short and they are binned.
I can’t really say when, exactly, these products started to emerge, but I do know that the first time I saw them was about 4-5 years ago, when the most on-trend colours were pale peach and ‘bohemian’ beige and white. I started to notice everlasting wreaths and dried flower arrangements that were made up entirely of these colours – all bleached grasses and pastel-dyed billy buttons and bunny tails. And so, perhaps it is the colour availability that has made preserved flowers so appealing?
Similarly, at the time I am writing this, I find that big, bold, neon colours are trending – and so again, I wonder if it is appealing to some that there are so many preserved materials that have all of these colours available in vast quantities. Perhaps neon-blue hydrangeas and fluorescent-pink grasses are somehow seen as artistic or in-style because they fit the current colour trend?
Maybe colour is to blame, and maybe the truth is that a lot of people just really like them. That, in a way, is easier for me to understand. There are a lot of people that prefer a can of artificially flavoured soda over some natural fruit juice.
Maybe food presents a really great analogy for this issue. I think of preserved flowers much like a ‘Fruit Drink’ that has a big fat label on the front saying ‘Real Fruit,’ but then as you look at the ingredients on the back, you can clearly see that the food is made overseas, with preservatives, sweeteners, artificial flavours and colours… and 1% fruit. I think that this is what preserved flowers are. They are 1% flower.
Maybe preserved flower bouquets should be labelled and sold with an ‘ingredients’ label, so people understand what they are buying, and so for those who might not know what real flowers actually look like {and who may be interested in a healthier choice} are not led to believe that they are buying something that actually occurs naturally on this planet.
THE UNSEEN DAMAGE
The most disturbing fact of all, I believe, is the unseen damage that this trend has. This is what is most upsetting to me. Bringing flowers into our homes and spaces is one of the last remaining ways that humans can connect with the natural world. Flowers should be something that foster a deeper connection to nature, that fill us with curiosity and leave us wanting more… maybe a desire to find flowers in the wild and develop an interest in the conservation of their habitat, or maybe to grow them at home and spend a bit more time in the garden.
Flowers should be a sensory experience, we should enjoy the natural feel and scent of them, whether they are fresh or dried. Preserved flowers take all of this away.
There is nothing to ponder about a fluorescent-pink billy button, because it does not exist. There is nothing that a neon-blue hydrangea can teach you about the seasons, because it does not exist. There is nothing to see but bleach and dye, nothing to feel but a slimy residue, and there is nothing to smell except chemicals. There is nothing that holds any wonder or meaning, nothing to talk about as it fills homes with emptiness, nothing that can teach us - or our children - about nature and our environment.
I have honestly struggled, through all of my attempts to research the source of preserved flowers, to find many facts at all about where exactly they come from, or any articles about how exactly they are produced. So, this post really just scratches at the surface.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
- Ask questions! – Ask your florist where their flowers are from before purchasing. Ask for natural, Australian grown {not 'sourced'} flowers and nothing preserved. Remember that there is nothing wrong with asking questions. The good news is that there are many amazing florists that do not use any imported or preserved flowers in their work.
- Be careful when shopping for dried flowers. How sad for me to say that! But if you are looking at them in person or online – look closely. Do they look natural? Do they look dry and crispy? Do they have an origin label? Do they look like something you can compost?
- Be wary of mixed arrangements. Chemically preserved flowers can often be found mixed in with naturally dried flowers and fresh flowers. This is very troubling because it makes purchasing very confusing. Again, asking questions is always a good idea.
- Buy fresh, local flowers and dry them yourself. I am so excited to share more about this wonderful {and simple} process with you soon! You can have a look at all of the flowers that I dry myself here.
I hope that this is helpful to someone out there. Thank you again for being here.
With complete kindness and concern,
Elizabeth xx
Maureen
Your claims in this article are simply untrue! Here’s the truth about preserved flowers…
1) Preserved flowers utilize glycerine which is a food grade product we all use on OUR SKIN! It is in face creams. This glycerine is a product derived from vegetable oils! It is utilized to replace the moisture in the flower. ( Not “harmful chemicals”)
2) Yes there is color added. These are also food grade colorings that are in the food you eat! ( Often color fades or disappears while drying or preserving natural products)
3) Preserved products last 3 to 7 years. That’s 3 to 7 YEARS that a fresh flower did not go into the waste stream! Preserved flowers definitely reduce waste dramatically!
4) Flowers are imported from all around the world. Fresh flowers are imported from all around the world too! It is costly & wasteful to heat greenhouses. Most of our flowers are not grown here in this country. During the summer time only, can you get local flowers in most of the United States. Local growers are terrific, but they are few and far between. Most of your roses you buy are from South America and have been for decades.
5) Fresh flowers are great but they only last a few days. Dried flowers may last a few months to maybe 3 years depending on the variety. The boho look is definitely trending. Preserved flowers will last 3 to 7 years. It is your choice to choose flowers whose natural colors appeal to you. The only thing I agree upon in this article is that I also do not like neon colored items in my home either. I wouldn’t choose it in the frosting on my cake either… It’s the same food grade color.
Please take down your article! You’re misleading the public. Have a good day.
Custom Filters
The Dark Side of Dried Flowers sheds light on the hidden risks of chemically preserved blooms. An important read for anyone looking to make more informed choices about floral arrangements! Custom Filters
Solar Installation Perth
This is such an insightful post! You’ve really captured the often overlooked dangers of chemically preserved flowers. It’s fascinating how something as beautiful as dried flowers can hide harmful chemicals that might pose risks to our health and the environment. Your thorough breakdown of the preservatives used in the drying process is eye-opening. https://www.linkedin.com/in/perth-solar-power-installations-96b9111b3/
Matteo potenza
Ciao mi chiamo Matteo potenza sono italiano sono un produttore di fiori secchi produco grandi quantità solo fiori naturali non colorati fornisco le più grandi aziende in Europa mio numero di telefono ☎️ 39 3315849465 email potenzamatteo74@libero.it vi elenco alcuni dei miei prodotti principali con prezzi ..lagurus naturale prezzo $5,00 al kg quantità quello che vi serve ..phalaris naturale prezzo $3,00 al kg quantità quello che vi serve ..setaria naturale prezzo $4,00 al kg quantità quello che vi serve e tanti altri prodotti se siete interessati inviatemi vostro numero WhatsApp così vi invio foto e video dei miei prodotti principali in attesa di una vostra risposta saluti cordiali Matteo potenza Italia..
Anika
This entire article’s logic doesn’t match up to the claims. There is also a lack of awareness on the tradition of preserving flowers, so I have provided people with actual information addressing your slanderous claims.
Preserved flowers are considered beneficial because you don’t have to constantly cut off real flowers for decoration. They are used, in east asia at least, as a good way to save flowers that may go in the landfill, and for floral artists to save their arrangements for the long term. They can decompose like the fresh thing if you bury them in dirt.
What’s really going in the landfill is the thousands of costco flowers that sit there on the shelves because people aren’t buying. Your flowers that sit on a vase for a week also go in the landfill. These businesses you hate on would be going out to buy more roses and waste more water all in the landfill because they want to keep their spaces decorated and don’t have a more permanent option.
Only drying the flowers makes it look unprofessional to businesses and customers. Flowers look more appealing when they look close to fresh and are arranged beautifully. A dried rose barely even resembles an undried one because it is shrunken, color deprived, and brittle. A raisin is not a substitute for a grape. So no, businesses would not use plain dried flowers as a substitute for fresh.
Preserved flowers are not magic or hardcore laboratory things. It is drying out the flowers and then replacing the moisture with oil, fat, or another liquid substance that preserves it and maintains its structure. That way the flower will not spoil. The act of rehydrating dried flowers with oil/fat/etc. And yes, you can make it edible.
Typically it is indeed usually dried with alcohol like ethanol because alcohols are cheap and fast at drying. And because people like the dyes since they think it’s beautiful and long lasting, so bleaching the flower is advantageous. The same reason people dye clothing or paint furniture, because beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And there is no guarantee for the color to remain.
Most people get flowers for beauty, not for nature. If you keep flowers because you love nature, keep some bugs in your house or raise a plant on the windowsill instead because that is much closer to nature, and you have to cut off less plant branches for your decoration.
Anyways, you don’t have to alcohol dry. You can freeze dry or silica dry. I think quick methods like freeze drying, or covering it in a desiccant like silica gel and then microwaving make the end result look much better. Air drying, sun drying, and pressing are more likely to shrink flowers.
Commercial manufacturers usually use glycerin or glycols like polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, etc. Or they use mineral oil. They use a proprietary mixture of oils, fats, and preservatives for the dehydrated flowers to soak up. It’s a mixture of what looks the best for the cheapest price. Glycerine is actually edible, but if you want to eat flowers, I recommend something tastier.
You could use the above oils, or you can use different oils depending on the texture you want for your rose. You can use a non drying oil or fat, use a drying one similar to what is used in oil paintings, or use a semi drying oil that has a final consistency in between. You can use an oil that take a long time to dry and put a siccative to speed it up. You add dye to the oil if you want.
Different oils have different levels of absorption by the flower. Some oils are also more likely to go rancid than others. If they have some minor level of hardening, the petals seem more durable while still being soft and flexible. Personally I use some imported premade preserving liquids, because I am lazy, but I am sure some people have a much better blend of oils. Premade flower preserving liquid is not available in America, but I have a japanese video down below showing how they work if you ever get them (you don’t need to understand the speaking because the context clues make it easy).
In your China phobia fearmongering, where you showed a big screenshot of the made in China logo as part of your justification for why these flowers are bad, you dismissed the actual origin of these flowers. In 1991, this preservation method of replacing a flower’s water with another liquid that prevented the flower from spoiling was created in Paris, France.
These flowers, however, ended up being a major hit in Japan. Japanese people like to do flower arrangement and things like that, so Japanese companies made a big industry out of it.
Also, I’m not sure what a product being from China proves. People assemble things in China because it is convenient due to China’s extensive transportation. China’s belt and road initiative builds roads all over the globe, so China has cheap transportation. The entirety of the world sends in materials to Chinese factories for that reason. What random companies do does not reflect on all Chinese people.
The underpaid migrants in the southwest and the cheap Latin American labor holding up American agriculture is not reflective of everyone in the United States. If someone were to point at every American on Ebay and claim they were using migrant labor because they were American, that would be ridiculous. So I’m not sure why 1/8th of the entire world recieves this type of slander without even proof simply by being born in China.
The yen and yuan are both weaker than the usd, and they didn’t have America’s abysmal inflation, so you can buy much more with them. Look at the sheer number of things you can buy in a 100 yen shop, and as of this comment, this amount is equivalent to 65 cents, which you can buy practically nothing with in the usa. If you only want to buy from Americans and don’t want to give foreigners your money, that is fine, but there is no need to baselessly slander the art of preserved flowers or every business perceived to be from China.
American/canadian/western sources seem to have a lack of information on preserved flowers. That is why I have linked some sources of foreign information. For the Chinese you use translate and the japanese you use context clues because they are easy to follow videos.
Here is the baidu encyclopedia entry on preserved flowers (highly informative):
https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%BF%9D%E9%B2%9C%E8%8A%B1/10206860
This is a preservation liquid that does both drying and rehydrating:
https://youtu.be/L0TaoZ8hfdg?si=xyfddpY9mXz5PSdI
This is someone showing the two different liquids, a for drying and b for rehydrating:
https://youtu.be/VokUHN0eLKE?si=GdX7UNzEuO7mZVG0
This is another two liquids one but you may not understand:
https://youtu.be/3EKCDSSP6YQ?si=VRU_pzMA-zHbIu5C
This is a preserved floral arrangement, using prewired flowers:
https://youtube.com/shorts/bHxl3Hvi5rs?si=arL1P1jsW98xsF4g
Here is an extensive tutorial video of someone wiring and arranging preserved flowers:
https://youtu.be/4Ao8lXaqtz0?si=rLaeSgtxEPuvo3Kg
And I don’t know korean, but koreans preserve their flowers too:
https://youtu.be/YKP4LR8rBaQ?si=fCIh6fsqdL6WYDXI
This korean video has auto translated english captions and rebuilds flowers by the petals:
https://youtu.be/nTvg_YvanYk?si=uljZmxR_IYx2Opwi