The Best Types of Artificial Roses

Silk Roses

• When it comes to artificial flowers, silk flowers are one of the most common and inexpensive options for faux arrangements. Cheap silk flowers can look flimsy, especially for flowers with structured or waxy petals like calla lilies. Roses, however, are one of the best flower types for silk. Roses feature soft, delicate petals with slightly wavy edges that can be accurately replicated with high quality silk, notes Emilio Robba, author of "The Art of Arranging Silk Flowers." For wedding bouquets, boutonnieres or table top arrangements, silk flowers are a realistic and cost-effective option. If you are concerned about durability, look for silk roses that have been dipped in latex to preserve them for outdoor use. Some silk roses incorporate understated lace elements to add softness and romance ideal for wedding arrangements.

Wood Roses

• If you are willing to spend a bit more for your artificial roses, consider wood roses as an alternative to silk. Wood roses are carved from thin strips of birch, basswood or tupelo. Most wood roses are carved by hand though some large manufacturers rely on machines to produce consistently shaped petals. One of the benefits of wood roses is that each petal can be individually crafted to create truly unique roses every time. Though carving is an essential component to crafting wood roses, realistic painting techniques that add color and shading are equally essential to high-quality, realistic roses, according to master flower carver Wanda Marsh. Wood roses are suitable for special occasions like wedding or indoor arrangements, but moisture and sunlight will cause discoloring if you keep the roses outside.

Clay Roses

• Like wood roses, clay roses are usually hand crafted by individual artisans with exception carving skills. Clay is a more flexible material than wood, and artisans are able to create striking detail using simple carving tools and skilled painted finishes. Clay is a particularly useful material for artificial roses because the finished petals are thin and wavy, much like a real rose, according to clay flower artist Noriko Kawaguchi. Clay roses are particularly delicate and may crack if they strike a hard surface, so only invest in more expensive clay roses if you can treat them carefully to extend their lifetime.