Freeze Dry vs. Pressed

Q: What is the difference between freeze dried flowers and pressed flowers?

A: Freeze dried flowers are processed to remove the moisture while maintaining the shape and color of the flower. When they're finished they look like fresh flowers. Pressed flowers are, as they name implies, pressed. In most cases the petals are removed and pressed individually. This is because the moisture content in a whole, intact, flower would cause mildew to form before the flowers were completely dry. This would ruin the flower.

Both processes produce beautiful results. They are just different. Pressed floral pieces are framed in a flat frame...like a regular picture frame. Freeze dried flowers require more space, so when framed, they need to go in a shadow box frame or an oval with a dome.

Freeze Dried Flower Arrangements

Q: Do you make arrangements out of freeze dried flowers? What's the process? Can they be shipped?

A: You can pretty much do anything with freeze dried flowers that you can do with fresh. The difference is...they last longer. Unprotected freeze dried flowers, ie. those not contained in something like a shadow box of glass bowl, will not last as long as those protected by a container of some kind. They will eventually get soiled and there really isn't any good way to clean them. Also, they are very fragile. If you don't want to put your flowers in a shadow box, we suggest you consider a glass bowl. They are beautiful and will protect your flowers for many years. If you insis, however, we will make you an arrangement. They are too fragile to be shipped and you will need to pick them up.

Flower Shadow Boxes

Q: I just love flower shadow boxes! Is there any way I could just send you some flowers and you could make one for me? Not a wedding or a funeral or anything. I just want one to hang in my home.

A: Of course! We create some beautiful floral collage shadow boxes. Generally, they are a keepsake...but they don't have to be. They are truly works of art and I don't blame you for wanting one. Just send us your flowers and we'll do the rest.

Dried Flower Ideas

Q: Do you have any ideas for dried flowers? I know you make shadowboxes and such...but is there anything else...more unusual?

A: Yes. We have several ideas for you. I'm not sure if your looking for yourself...a personal gift...or a gift for someone else. One of our Keepsake Balls, personalized with a special message or a name, would be very unique. Also, our Glass Bowl is something special. It can be placed vertually anywhere in the home...used as a centerpiece...on a dresser...practically anywhere. It looks like a fresh garden of flowers. The good news is...it takes no care.

Dry Flower Gift

Q: I'm looking for a dry flower gift. My sister just loves flowers...but she's too frail now to care for them. What do you suggest?

A: We have many dry flower gift ideas on the website. The one that comes to mind that might be perfect for your sister is our Glass Bowl. You could send us flowers to be freeze dried (perhaps she has received birthday flowers) or we could create a beautiful indoor garden for her with our stock of freeze dried flowers. Either way, she's sure to enjoy her flower gift every day.

Preserving Yellow Roses

Q. - I have a yellow rose that I got at a concert last night. I would like to preserve it.


A. - Yellow roses freeze dry beautifully, regardless if they are open or closed. They look like fresh flowers.

We have a number of items that include yellow roses that you can browse for ideas on how best to display your rose. Our "Texas Wildflowers" selection might be of interest to you.

We also have a nice example of what to do with a single yellow rose preserved in a hanging ball ornament.

Dried Flowers on Wedding Cake?

Q. - I want to decorate a wedding cake with the flowers - is this okay? I want would like to try to preserve my flowers with silica granules, but I'm worried about it being poisonous.

A. - We would suggest you use freeze dry flowers. They look like fresh flowers sitting on a cake.

All preserved flowers have a preservative on them, therefore, I would suggest that you not lay the flowers directly on the edible part of the cake.

Is a silver container appropriate to arrange dried flowers in?

It depends on what you are using in the arrangement. A more simple designed vase/container, one that is not too ornate, would be better, since, it might pull the focus away from the dried flower arrangement. Dried flowers will intensify in color depending on their variety, like reds and purples. Other colors may turn a little lighter such as yellows and light pinks. The right silver container would be a lovely complement to your arrangement for a dining room center piece, or in a cozy corner that needs some sparkle or color. Also, you may mount the dried flowers in a shadowbox, which would make a beautiful decorative piece, or you may, also, rest the dried flowers on a easel.

Look at our selection of freeze-dried flowers mounted in shadowboxes for more ideas.

I am trying to create posies for a historical re-enactment event.

Q.- I would like to use native flowers, trees, & shrubs from our area. I am interested to see if you can freeze dry the following so that they could be made into posies afterward by the event attendees:

• Dogwood( on or off stem),
• azaleas( on or off stem?),
• small pine twigs ( 6 inches in length)
• oak leaves,
• bluebonnets,
• magnolia flowers,
• musk rose,
• jasmine,
• sweet basil,
• ivy,
• dwarf sunflowers,
• carnations, and
• gardenias.

A.- We specialize in freeze-drying flowers and arrangements. Dogwood, Azaleas, Jasmine, sunflowers, carnations and gardenias should freeze dry well, depending on their freshness. The jasmine and gardenias discolor and wilt very easily so they need to be freeze dried immediately. The greenery loses its color when freeze dried due to the extraction of the moisture. Therefore, we enhance the color afterwards.

You said you would want them freeze-dried first and then they will be arranged into bouquets afterward?

I think the only problem with that is the flowers are very fragile and prone to break after they've been freeze-dried and are Not pliable. Some are stronger than others such as the carnations and sunflowers. It is hard to make poesy arrangements with freeze-dried flowers because of the fact that they can break off their stems so easily. It is not impossible, but it takes a lot of practice, time and experience working with freeze-dried flowers.

I'd like to recommend that you have the posies made up first and then freeze-dry them, OR the flowers can be freeze-dried individually and arranged into a vase or bowl instead of binding them together in a poesy shape. Also, mounting the dried flowers in a shadowbox, would make a beautiful decorative piece, or you may, also, rest the dried flowers on a easel.

I would like to freeze dry my flowers, and arrange them in a vase.

Q.- What is the best way to do this?

A.- Most flowers freeze dry beautifully, and look like freshly cut flowers. The colors tend to become somewhat richer when dried. Depending on how special the flowers are to you, if they represent a meaningful event, and how long you want them to last, you should consider whether displaying them in a vase is the best way to keep them.

Freeze dried flowers kept in the open for a period of time will collect dust, and after several months and years will start to look very tired and drab. Therefore, if they are from a special occasion and you want to cherish the memories, we recommend that you have them mounted in a shadowbox keepsake. You may add meaningful mementos, or writings that have a special importance to create a beautiful piece that will give you lasting memories.

We offer a selection of freeze dried flowers mounted in attractive shadowboxes for your consideration.