Finding the Fun in Dried Flowers

There’s been a lot of firsts this year. My foray into growing cut flowers has been hugely fulfilling and I think I can safely say I’m now an addict. In fact, I’ve just done my seed order for 2022 and almost half (at least) are for the flower farm. I’m growing more of the same from this year; amaranthe, strawflowers, sunflowers, sweet pea and more. But I’ve delved into some new varieties too including some liatris, yarrow and sweet william.

Fresh flowers are really sublime. There’s nothing like going into the cutting garden, filling a bucket and then making up a wonderful array of bright, sparkly bouquets. Cold temperatures have now zapped the garden, frosting off all the tender plants. Herbaceous perennials have retreated into the ground and await the spring warm. And so now, as I prepare for the last market of the year, I’m left with hundreds of dried strawflowers and the urge to try and use them.

To this end, I’ve begun to practice and play with dried flowers. I’m extremely limited because I wasn’t counting on selling many bouquets, and definitely not anything dried. So I’ve been foraging in the fields and hedgerows of the farm and trying to find some lovely architectural stems. Teasels offer the perfect Christmas themed seed head; fat and spiky. There are numerous grass species on the farm too, each with a slightly different flower. Some are slight and feathery, the numerous stems caught in the wind. Others a clumped at the end of a long, wavering stem like a feather duster. Perfect for using in arrangements. The deep red and brown hues of dock seed heads contrast wonderfully with the cocooned seeds of the wild carrot. Even ragwort, having dropped its petals, creates quite the beautiful stem.

So far I’ve made up three bouquet types; a small bunch of strawflowers with grasses, and two larger varieties to sell at £5 and £10 price points. I’ve finished them off with some rosehips and ivy.

Whilst I deemed my wreaths a failure - I really didn’t like them and how can you sell something you’re not all in on? However, I still wanted something Christmas themed for the next market so I stripped all the final tiny buds of the strawflowers. I’ve taken off the leaves, dried them out and popped them inside baubles. I think they look lovely!