Preserved flowers can be described as the preserved remains of dried flowers. They can also be called the preserved or dried-out remains of these plants. Preserved flowers date back to ancient times when people found that making arrangements with flowers preserved them for long periods of time made it easier for them to present their flowers to their guests as gifts and presents. Preserved flowers are still a very popular method of preservation for today’s dried flowers because they are relatively cheap compared to others such as freezing or drying. Most dried flowers are sold in flower shows and on the Internet.

Types of Preserved Flower

Preserved flowers are best preserved in air tight glass containers or vases where the temperature and light do not affect them. These types of preserved flowers should be kept in cool areas away from direct sunlight and heat, which can cause shrinking, discoloration and wilting. Flower preservation has been around since prehistoric times, while intentional flower preservation is a relatively new phenomenon. In the Middle East, skeletons of pre-historic human beings have been found with beautiful fresh flowers preserved on the bones for long periods of time.

Today, conservators and preservationists use a wide variety of methods including, however, not using glycerin as an adhesive for the stems of dried flowers. Glycerin has been known to cause chemical reactions that can lead to shrinking and discoloration of the flowers, so conservators avoid using this compound when preserving the dried blossoms. It has been proven that when used as glue, glycerin does not cause any harm to the flowers, but when used in flower arrangements without proper precautions, they can cause harm to the environment and to the people working around them.