Dried Flower Arranging Tips

Preparation of Fresh Flower Stem

• Fresh flower blossoms, such as helichrysum, that are being prepared for a drying process may be removed from the stems of the plant. A piece of wire is inserted into the ovule area of the blossom for a stem substitute. The flowers are hung or set into containers to dry. The bottom of the flower blossom shrinks as it dries. The shrinking process causes the blossom to close in around the piece of wire securing itself in place. The wire is an asset for the florist to insert into floral foam for a faster pace when arranging a dry floral arrangement. Other blossoms are dried without wire for arrangements including floral wreaths with flower heads that are glued into place.

Stem Support

• The dried stems of some flowers may be too brittle or fine to insert into floral foam. A support stem is taped or wired to the stem for additional support. Toothpicks, dried stems, sticks and floral wire is held against the weak stem and floral tape is wrapped around both items creating a new stem. A wired floral stick may be used to add support to the bottom of a piece of dried grass or floral stem that bends when it is pushed against the foam.

Additional Height

• Dried flowers that are too short for a tall arrangement are given height with bamboo skewers or plastic card inserts. A florist will recycle a broken plastic cardholder or artificial flower plastic-coated wire stem by floral taping it to a stem to add height to the dried flower. Flower heads are hot glued or short stems floral taped to a bamboo skewer for even taller stems.

Drying Fresh Arrangements

• Flowers such as roses, carnations and black-eyed Susan can be arranged in floral foam and allowed to dry in a container. Hydrangea are cut and inserted into a vase to dry naturally. The dried flowers can be removed to a new container or left in place. More dried flowers are added to the existing arrangement when the drying process is fully complete.

Alterations

• The beauty of working with dried flowers is the ability to manipulate the materials to create altered arrangements. Dried flower heads are secured to twigs and branches of other flowers, trees or artificial supports with glue for wreaths, topiary and other arrangements. The authors of "Basic Dried Flower Arranging: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started" recommend a low temperature glue gun for dried projects.

Safety

• Dry flowers present a few challenges to the person who is arranging them. The florist or crafter may find wearing lightweight gloves and safety goggles an asset when working with particularly brittle or prickly sharp flowers and greens.