Forever in Bloom

Local florists’ tips on how to choose, dry, and style autumn blooms for décor that lasts well past the season

By Madison Bailey

Dried flowers have come a long way from the dusty arrangements of decades past. What began as a niche trend around five years ago has steadily grown into a mainstay of modern floral design. The appeal is rather straightforward: dried flowers are low-maintenance and long-lasting. No watering, no wilting, and no last-minute replacements when they start to droop. They're essentially fresh blooms that have been carefully preserved to maintain their shape and texture for months or even years.

As fall settles in and we start craving warmer, more textured spaces, we sat down with three florists who've dabbled in the art of working with dried blooms: Kylee Young of Bristol & Birch, Alyssa Ait of Mother of Wild, and Amanda Adkins of The Busy Bloom.

The Rise of Dried Flowers

While dried blooms may have started as a trend, Alyssa Ait of Mother of Wild says, “About four or five years ago, it was really big. I’d have girls coming to the shop every day looking for dried flowers.”

Overall, the demand for dried flowers is going strong. Ait shares that her shop sells about two of their popular “boho” dried flower bundles every day. Amanda Adkins of The Busy Bloom notes that they’ve become “a huge part” of their business, especially as people head into fall and look for flowers that last.

Sourcing Dried Blooms vs. DIY 

You might think every florist preserves or dries their flowers, but the truth is it’s a more involved process than most may think – and drying and preserving aren’t quite the same thing. Drying usually involves removing moisture naturally, like hanging flowers upside down or using silica beads to gently dehydrate them. It’s a slower process that requires patience, as Adkins explains: “We dry flowers ourselves at The Busy Bloom, but each flower dries differently, and it can take weeks.”

Preserving, on the other hand, often involves using chemicals to maintain the flower’s shape, color, and texture more intensely. Young shares, “The preserving process is really intensive and requires bleach, so we outsource most of it. It’s definitely not an easy or quick job.” 

If you’re inspired to try drying flowers at home, the basics are simple. Adkins suggests, “Hang flowers upside down using dried twine and clothespins. Silica beads help with delicate flowers, and patience is key.” Young adds a word of caution, reminding beginners that commercial preservation often uses chemicals, so sticking to hanging or pressing flowers is safer and more manageable for home projects. 

Are Dried Flowers for You?

“They can be more expensive because of the labor and space it takes to dry and preserve them,” Ait explains, “but they last for years if cared for properly.” When you break it down, you're not buying fresh flowers every two weeks. Instead, you’re investing in your favorite blooms for months to come.

The sustainability angle is a draw for many flower lovers, too, though maybe not in the way you'd expect. “Since many flowers are sprayed with pesticides, they're not great for composting,” Adkins points out. At The Busy Bloom, she dries everything instead of tossing. “It gives flowers a second life and helps reduce waste.”

Then there's the flexibility factor. Unlike fresh arrangements that you're stuck with until they die, dried flowers can be rearranged endlessly. Ait swaps out seasonal elements—adding berries for fall, removing them for spring—so the same base arrangement works year-round.

Of course, they also make meaningful, lasting gifts. Young shares, “People spend thousands on florals for weddings or events, but flowers are fleeting—they don’t last. Often, they get tossed or forgotten after the celebration.” She adds that preserving flowers through drying “adds a new layer of sustainability and meaning to floral design,” letting people hold on to special memories long after the event ends.

Dried Flowers to Use This Fall

When it comes to fall florals, dried flowers are the perfect way to bring in cozy tones and interesting textures. Adkins’ top pick for fall is amaranth. She describes it as “a dense filler in beige and burgundy that dries perfectly and looks gorgeous in fall bouquets.” Its rich look makes it ideal for adding depth to arrangements without overpowering other flowers. And because amaranth dries so well, it’s a florist’s favorite for keeping bouquets looking beautiful long after the season ends.

Ait notes that grasses and soft neutrals remain her go-to staples for any dried arrangements. “Bunny tails and pampas grass bring softness and movement, while dried wheat adds that natural, wild feel,” she says. 

No matter what flowers you choose, Young recommends giving dried blooms a little TLC to keep them looking their best. She swears by using an old-school keyboard cleaner to gently blow off dust without damaging the petals or stems.