Floral Design I

Flower of the Day:Cattails

Term of the Day:Everlasting Flowers

Cattails - Typha• Availability: year-round• Color: brown• This dried material has several varieties

available in varying sizes.• Small-large line: Spikes are a useful line

element, especially in autumnal designs, and are a good candidate for bundling. Large sizes add linear mass.

• Longevity: long lasting• Sold by bunch 10, $10.00

Everlasting Flowers

• Dried or artificial flowers

Everlasting flowers

• Artificial – good ones cost more but look more realistic– Silk– Fabric– Plastic

• Dried – Some types look better dried than others– Air dried– Freeze dried– Silica dried

• Preserved - embalmed– Glycerin replaces plant fluids

• Pressed– In a press or book

Advantages Disadvantages

• Can be made ahead• Don’t need to water• More time to design• Stems can be lengthened

or bent• Will not wilt or die• Can take apart & redo• Can match exact colors• Good for people w/

allergies• Cost divided over time of

use makes relatively inexpensive

• Can collect dust, fade• Can look outdated• Requires storage

space for holiday arrangements

• Lack fragrance freshness

• Must be cleaned, maintained, refurbished & updated.

Drying Flowers

• Air drying– Remove lower leaves & thorns– Bunch together with rubber-band– Hang upside down in a cool dark place

• Air dry in water– Don’t replenish the water– More natural shape: grasses & hydrangea

• Spray with hairspray or sealant to keep from shedding

Glycerin

• Place the flowers or foliage in a large container

• Use a solution of 1 part glycerin to 2 parts hot water

• The stems soak up the solution

• When beads of glycerin show on the flowers or leaves, it is preserved. 

• Good for leaves, ferns, & hydrangea

Freeze drying

• Used for wedding bouquets

• Take apart

• Dry

• Reassemble

Desiccants

• Microwave silica: faster, retains color

• Sand, borax, cornmeal– Takes 3 to 10 days

Pressing

• Best for flat or thin flowers

• Can use books or a flower press