These are the steps involved:
- SELECT & CUT
- STABILISE
- ADD PRESERVING SOLUTION
- WASH & DRY
Preserved flowers are placed in a mixture made from glycerine and other plant elements. The liquid rises through the plant’s stem until it replaces the sap. This process takes a few days, and once complete, the plant is ready to be used. This method is more expensive than drying but it yields a result more akin to a fresh flower.
Let's unpack that!
SELECT & CUT
The best stems are selected and cut when in full bloom. Once these blooms are collected they need to be carefully taken from the field to the factory so they can be prepared for stabilisation.
STABILISE
The blooms are placed in a stabilisation chamber. This chamber is designed to offer the perfect mix of humidity, temperature, and light. This dehydrates the plant ensuring it is ready to be preserved.
SOLUTION
A special blend of water, glycerine, stabilisers, and dye are added. This is where the magic happens. Over many days, the dehydrated plant draws up this special mixture, which steadily replaces the sap. This prevents the plant from decomposing as a fresh flower would.
WASH & DRY
This part of the process happens over a number of days. As with all good things, these preserved flowers come to those who wait. After several more days of careful cleaning and drying, the plants have been prepared and are ready for dispatch!
What are the benefits of preserved flowers?
- Do not dry out
- Low maintenance
- Long-lasting
- Economical
- Sustainable
What Is Best Preserved?
Many flowers and foliages are preserved, one of the most popular being Eucalyptus. Naturally dried Eucalyptus is beautiful and takes on a soft, faded grey colouration. Once handled after drying, the leaves will shatter making commercial supply impossible – not yet anyway! The best option is to preserve the stems, allowing them to remain supple, and the process can also include colouring the stems - there are many possible colour options!
Images below, clockwise from top left: Preserved Plumosum, Preserved Eucalyptus Stuartiana, Preserved Gypsophila, Preserved Beech, Preserved Ruscus, Preserved Hydrangea, Preserved Reindeer Moss
How do I care for these products to keep them looking great?
Preserved flowers and foliage can only be used inside, protected from the elements. This is because the stems are spongelike. They have been dried and the stem cells replaced with glycerine and colouring, so they still react to humidity and temperature changes as a living stem would. The stems can sweat, and as the water cannot evaporate quickly, beads of liquid (coloured liquid if the stems are coloured) collect on the leaves and at the bases of the stems. This can get messy!
We recommend protecting preserved products from extreme temperature changes and humid conditions to prevent this from happening. It's advisable to keep these products away from porous, light-coloured, or other delicate surfaces that could stain easily. The colourants used are of vegetable origin and water-based, but stains can be hard to remove. Don't ever use water or liquid cleansers on preserved products, only lightly dust with a soft cloth to clean them.
Inspired to try out preserved flowers and foliage? Head over to our website now and take a look at our collection!
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