Finding Natural Materials for Your Dried Flower Displays

It is fun to dry flowers you pick from your garden or find growing naturally in the world around you. But there are other plants, and also parts of plants that you may not have thought of, that can be dried and used in your craft projects, wreaths and other dried plant displays. Here are some ideas on finding new ways to brighten your home with dried arrangements, and where to find your plant materials.

To find plant materials for your dried arrangements and wreaths, you can start by looking in your own garden. You may find materials that didn’t occur to you before that would be nice in your dried plant projects. You need to seek out the possibilities in all different types of plants. Use your imagination to visualize how a certain part of a plant might look as a part of your finished wreath or arrangement.

Try not to overlook the possibilities beyond the usual flowers in bloom. Look at the same plants in different seasons, and in different stages of growth. Look at flowers past their maturity, buds, berries, and even often the calyx of a flower can look interesting in an arrangement when dried.

Beaches are an excellent place to discover new natural materials for decorating your home. You may find unusual beach plants to dry and use in your displays. Unusual, sculptural pieces of driftwood can always be found on the beach, as well as shells and interesting rocks. I have even seen crafters create interesting sculptures using dried seaweed. If you can find a way to remove the sea odors, that is. I have not personally tried using seaweed, but have seen finished works that are extremely different and beautiful.

If you look in the forest, you can find neat plants to dry as well. Ferns, vines, mosses and other plants can be found in a forest that you might not find anywhere else.Certain mushrooms can be dried and look incredible in displays and wreaths, but be careful you know what you’re doing if you are collecting mushrooms, as many are poisonous. Be sure when you are collecting materials in public places that you respect laws concerning the gathering of plants. You should also respect Nature herself, taking only small amounts of any particular plant, and doing your best to reduce any damage you may cause in your gathering endeavors.

You might also find natural materials to use as crafting supplies in your kitchen. Cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices are a delicious addition to a Christmas wreath or display. Nuts, cleaned and dried pits from avocados, peaches and other fruits are useful for crafting dried plant displays. Herbs like fennel, rosemary, thyme and mint are often found in arrangements as well.