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The words on wedding planners’ and gift givers’ lips in 2020 were dried flower bouquets. Did this trend from fresh to dried flowers happen overnight? Or have we been building up to recognising the advantages dried flower arrangements for some time now?
We dive a little deeper into the rich history of dried flowers here, and why we might be seeing dried flowers grace the tables and bouquets at weddings and special events near you soon.

 

Not just for potpourri

Before the advent of modern drainage and plumbing systems, city dwellers would make use of flowers to perfume the air and block out bad odours. It wasn’t so much a case of stopping to smell the roses, but carrying them around with you in dried form to stop other smells from coming your way.

(Potpourri Petal, Pixabay)

The way post-Renaissance urban inhabitants could carry around their dried flowers was in something called a pomander. Originally, pomanders were oranges studded with cloves and made transportable by tying a ribbon around the fruit. This was a good solution against the smells, but also used up valuable food resources. The same thing applied to the substance they first tried putting inside the spherical pomanders (derived from the word “pomme d’ambre/apple of amber”), which was the hugely rare and expensive ambergris.

The solution was to dry out fragrant flowers, stuff them into the pomander, and sprinkle crushed rose petal dust or orris root over the contents every week to freshen the perfuming effect. It was as cost effective as pomanders were ever going to get.

This tradition is kept alive today in the form of potpourri.

The ghastly history of fake flowers

There are many out there who will have bad memories of visiting elderly friends and family and finding a shallow bowl of old, dusty potpourri loitering on top of the toilet cistern. But this is not the only reason why dried flowers fell out of favour in the conspicuous consumption era of the 80s and 90s.

Fake flowers became popular in the post-war era for many reasons. There was no money to buy fresh flowers and flower farms and gardens had been sewn with vegetables during the war. There were no fresh flowers to dry out to create bridal bouquets and dried flower arrangements like there had been in the past. To fill the gap, manufacturers began producing artificial flowers.

Instead of taking a leaf out of ancient oriental and Italian craftsmanship, and creating flowers out of silk, glass, and metal, the West thought it would be a good idea to make flowers out of plastic. This is the reason why we associate plastic flowers with the 60s, reaching the peak of their popularity in the 70s.

Fortunately for dried flowers, the financial boom in the 80s made fake plastic flowers fall out of favour, and fresh flowers came to represent wealth and status.

What caused the change to dried flowers?

Why dried flower bouquets and wedding arrangements have become so popular in the second decade of the 21^st century can be summed up in two words: air miles.

Consumers are choosing to go seasonal with their fresh produce shopping and putting fruit and vegetables labelled “Import” back down on the shelf, and this is the same reason why they are turning their backs on exotic fresh flowers in favour of buying home grown or indigenous dried flower species – because it’s what’s best for the environment.

Dried flowers are lighter to transport, require no water or expensive misting machinery to maintain their freshness, and can be stored without recourse to climate controlled warehouses. That adds up to a far smaller carbon footprint, and consumers care enough to make the change.

Fresh flowers don’t have the same appeal as they did in the last century. Watching movies and TV shows on live streaming and seeing a traditional wedding with acres of fresh flowers now comes across as a little bit bourgeois and careless.

 Economically, dried flowers grown and delivered within a country’s borders is a great alternative for home decorating, and can keep overheads low in the tourism accommodation sector as well. Dried flower arrangements in hotel lobbies and budget-friendly bed and breakfasts give a nice welcoming touch without requiring daily replenishing.

There are dried flower suppliers in Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, in fact, all over Australia, who are dedicated to growing and harvesting the most beautiful native grass, fern, and flower species for dried flower bars across the country.

What are the most popular dried flowers?

Needless to say, you aren’t going to find bunches of withered roses in any Australian dried flower bars near you! Native blooms, such as the Silver Dollar eucalyptus, Ozzie daisy, and banksia hardly need any treatment before they are ready to use in a dried flower arrangement – they look the same whether dried or fresh.

Dried hydrangeas and South African King Proteas (related to banksias, waratahs, and grevilleas), now grown here in Australia because of the similar climates, are very popular dried flower choices. Their delicate colouring is perfect for arrangements and bridal bouquets.

All dried blooms and foliage have zero pollen, and this has two advantages for consumers: they are hypoallergenic and they don’t have pollenated stamens to stain clothing or surfaces.

Do dried flowers offer a wide variety and selection?

Dried flowers come in a rainbow of prettiest pastel shades and bolder vibrant colours. There is a wide choice of textures and lengths as well. You can visit your nearest dried flower bar for a pick and mix experience, or order a dried flower bouquet delivery online.

Because every flower, grass, and fern has the same preservation process used to capture their shape when they are at the peak of perfection, these beautifully unspoilt blooms stay presentation ready forever. They are dried out in a large, customized chamber or room, and treated with a solution consisting of glycerine, dye, water, and stabilizer. It is this process that provides dried flower arrangers with the huge array of colours from which to choose.

Here’s what some dried flower fans have to say about their switch to this new floral medium:

“It’s nice to hand someone a bunch of flowers and know it’s not going to drip all over their carpet or clothing.”

“I love gifting dried flowers to my friends and family, because they don’t have to go running to find a vase right away.”

“I was more than happy to say goodbye to smelly old vase water that stinks out a room when the ‘fresh flowers’ inside it are not even one week old yet.”

“I’ve been let down in the past when I’ve bought fresh flowers that have wilted and drooped before I’ve even arrived home.”

“Dried flowers smell even better than fresh flowers after a spritz of refresher fragrance or dried flower scent.”

Conclusion

Suffice it to say that dried flowers are here to stay. There are so many reasons to appreciate the history of dried flowers – because it all got us to where we are now – with exquisite dried flower bars and bouquets in Australia.

Gather’s dried flowers explore the ideas of longevity and sustainability with impressive flower art authentically inspired and created on a daily basis.  Stretching the boundaries of traditional floral design, the Gather team support locally grown botanicals, working with Australian farmers who grow exquisite and undeniably beautiful native wildflowers, helping to keep their footprint light and support local economies and small business along the way.

The experienced floral team fuse dried and delicately dyed and preserved flowers and contrasting foliage with unexpected natural ingredients such as peach hakea branches, cotton stems to dried palms in soft shades of beige and olive green.  Playing with pastel shades of blush pinks and apricots, rusts and warm mustards to passionate, confident and fiery reds, the creative engines at Gather are continuously evolving.  New dried flower bouquets designs are added to the ever evolving ecommerce online store each and every week. 

 

The online store working in conjunction with the bricks and mortar space allows the team to send their dried flower masterpieces including everyday dried flower bouquets to dried wedding stories all across Australia.  Dried flowers Melbourne.  Dried flowers Sydney.  Dried wedding flowers Brisbane.  Dried wedding flowers Adelaide and Perth.  And yes, dried flowers Kirirrukura if you choose to live in a remote town in the Australian outback.  

Dried flower and vessel combos are recent additions to Gather’s online store and have been incredibly well received as well as large statement pieces aimed at the corporate market.  Unique handmade palm baskets housing native floral arrangements such as the Holiday House or if chasing a more coastal vibe, the Palm Beach in white tones might be more suited.  All the hard work has been done and these long lasting beauties are perfect for owners of air BnB’s or hotel/motel accommodation.  No need to water and replace each week - they are the flowers that just keep on giving.  The most important thing to remember is to keep them out of direct sunlight and they will require a dust off every now and then to keep them looking fabulous.

It must also be noted that Gather are the leading dried wedding flower specialists in Australia creating romantic dried flower bouquets … memorable wedding stories from understated minimalist designs such as Desert Dust to rambling and wild romantic stories such as Wild Woods or Cara Mellow.  If you are more of a coastal bride, Mykonos Days might be more your vibe or an understated and chic Aphrodite.  Hooray Mag bridal endorse Gathers bridal collection with their Editor Emily Coates purchasing a number of bouquets from the Everyday Bouquet collection for a home styling event.

 

Photo courtesy of @emmafosteportraits

Also worthy of mentioning is the fact that Gather’s dried wedding flowers can be re-purposed and enjoyed long-term.  Get this. Not only can the bride and groom enjoy their floral creations for their big day but they can, and most importantly, enjoy their wedding flowers for years after the big event.  Imagine being able to use dried flower wedding table centrepieces as a piece of wall art above a bed or in a living room!  A most precious and memorable keepsake for all newly weds from their big day.

Housing the first dried flower bar in Australia, the Gather bricks and mortar store situated at the southern end of the Gold Coast in Currumbin is a sensory packed space where all your dried flower dreams literally do come true.  You can pick out your favourite ingredients and let one of the team do the floral arranging magic for you or of course, you can stay and play and make your very own for a creative and unforgettable day out.   It must also be mentioned that Gather store is located right next door to the ‘fearlessly creative’ Dust Temple cafe and art gallery - a curious industrial space totally worthy of a visit on it’s own accord.  The two spaces are linked by an outdoor green space filled with outdoor patio plants and hanging lantern lights and rustic treasures from yesteryear. 

 

Gather’s bricks and mortar store also showcases a number of their popular dried wedding flower creations so locals or interstate visitors can come and play bride to be and check out the size and colours in the flesh but ultimately, it’s all about shopping online and the convenience of doing that from the comforts of your own home.  If you have a wedding ‘to do’ list as long as it takes a 15 year old teenager to clean their room, how convenient is it to order your wedding flowers online?  The floral treasures will arrive in tasteful but sturdy boxes, where one busy bride to be can set to one side and forget about until the big event.  No need to refrigerate for fear of wilting, these robust beauties will work in with brides and their busy plans.  They can even be ordered months ahead of the big day - it takes all the stress away!

From legendary local growers to floral design freaks who work with passion and undoubted mastery of their craft, Gather is entrenched in the dried flower revolution that has affected the way we look at beauty and consumption.  Gather are mindful of where their products come from and so too are their customers.   The process of drying, dyeing and storing flowers allows for year long solutions to seasonal supplies the fresh flower world continuously has to deal with.  This also allows for maximum year long inspiration and boundary free creations. 

Jump online and check out their latest creations - we just know you’ll be drooling over something in no time.

There is no denying the last decade saw the resurgence of indoor plants. Plant nerds everywhere filling their urban apartments to the roof with rare and wonderful foliage and commercial spaces teeming with green tendrils. People transforming their bathrooms and living rooms into propagating greenhouses and bidding on rare variegated species online like they were Gucci handbags. The beautiful thing about the consumer and plant relationship is the everlasting capacity of a plant friend. The teachings embodied in growing something and nurturing it daily are invaluable.

Indoor garden shops popped up all over the globe and interior trends leaning into the green. Those in the know always know the next sought after plant, and gather new green friends like they are collectables.

The New York Times declared the last decade belonged "…undeniably to the fiddle leaf fig" in an article titled 'Have to Have it Houseplants’.

It seems everything good really does come back into trend again and again. Indoor gardening had it’s initial hay day back in the 70’s.  The first-ever ‘Earth Day’ marked the beginning of people filling their homes with African violets, philodendrons, ferns, palms and spider plants.

The 80’s saw malls filled with giant rainforest-like interior gardens and the 90’s saw the unfortunate rise of man made manufactured fake plants … only the orchid managed to stick around with interior trends looking for more sophisticated lines and easy care plants. This saw a stint where plants were nowhere to be seen - it was all frills, animal prints, neon signs and floral adorned everything. It’s safe to say, we are glad those days are gone and we can retreat in our nature filled homes.

 

Mudhavi | Zigzag Stumpaloompa Planter

 

The benefits of houseplants in the home are surely enough to keep them around for the next decade and beyond. Having house plants have been proven to improve concentration and productivity by up to 15% and reduce stress levels and boost your mood. Not to mention their super power of air purification whilst reducing carbon dioxide levels, increasing humidity and reducing pollutants. Say no more really “Indoor Plants for the win!” They really are a friend with benefits! 

The only question now is which plant will be the next sought after species? Our bets are on anything weird and colourful with a striking leaf. 

You think of rattan furniture and you envisage days lounging around in the tropics and dreamy days of the ’70s with flower power babes. The material evokes memories of slower days in a slower place and time.

The Frankie | Day Bed | Rattan Furniture

In recent years, rattan has been a hero of the boho lux vibe and is known to bring the outdoors in. Seen centre stage in many a big white room dripping with plants and crystals.

• Not only is rattan furniture a great way to bring a casual lux vibe to your home, but it is also an exceptionally sustainable wood.
• Rattan is the quickest developing tropical wood that can be totally renewed in only five years.
• Rattan belongs to the palm family and grows mainly in Southeast Asia.

Grown in tropical flood plains or as a palm vine dependant on other forest trees which means there is an incentive to maintain established forests, thus decreasing deforestation.

In a time where conscious shopping should be a top priority, rattan is an eco choice that is a renewable resource, recyclable and requires low impact production.

Using ancient low tech production methods means production requires very few chemicals and energy.

The more we look at using low tech, sustainable materials the growth in demand for unsustainable products decreases.

Moving into the new decade, may we all endeavour to fill our homes and lives with objects that are smart choices. Make days spent lounging in a slower time count on your rattan furniture.

O A K I E

Oakie is independently owned and based in South Queensland, the same hood as us. Oakie wants to give back and this is their little way of saying a simple 'thank you' to the generous Earth for giving us much in return. Creations being better for you and your skin, whilst being environmentally friendly and affordable.

                        

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The designer personally seeks the materials in their rawest forms to provide you with the most luxurious linens, cottons and hemps. Once Bianca is happy, she then personally passes it onto her lovely team of ethical sewers who start the next chapter of the process.

 

 

The Creative Director is all hands-on when it comes to all stages of Oakie from creating the designs to hand choosing the buttons ... you name it, she is there!

“I enjoy taking part in all stages of the process.  I want to know everything that goes on in the life of Oakie. The more involved and hands-on I am, the better."  (Bianca Hemsley - Creative Director and Designer)

Oakie’s aim is to help widen peoples understanding for what it really means to wear sustainable and ethical clothing. It's being kind, clever and helpful on our planet. When it comes down to it, Earth is our only resource, where would you be without it? This is just the beginning for Oakie.  They are constantly sourcing ways they can turn your favourite eco-friendly fabrics into unique and edgy designs that will last you forever.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE OAKIE FAMILY ...

They believe the biggest smiles live a simplistic, natural and pure life. Oakie wants to encourage the same for you - wake up earlier, enjoy the sunrise, adventure and appreciate the little things.

Fast fashion? No thank you! We are slow and thoughtful.  We take our time and we are all about that quality! Wouldn't have it any other way!

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With their contrasts of warm and earthy tones combined with purely raw, unique and edgy creations, let Oakie style you and live the Oakie style!