Last summer on the way to an herbalism course I stopped for a quick tour at theVanDusenDried Flower Arranging Garden . From afar it was untamed and mussy because , of track , all the bloom were mean to grow tall blooms for cut or ornamental seeded player heads and pods . The garden got me unfeignedly worked up about the art of preserving dried prime , but also got me thinking about how the craft of making system that last seems to have lived out its own staying power in the world of pop nature crafts .
It was a moment like walk through a wildflower meadow except that all the specimens were grow in sections and labeled .
Oh , and the beautiful flowers were cover inbeesand other pollinators , while the remnant seed principal became hold up sculptures . A garden that ’s leave to go to seed render a long ton of benefit for local wildlife . Birds regain nesting spaces in the brush , insects line up shelter and safe places to winter , and the seed headland render a much - need food root in the wintertime when plant are scarce .
I constitute the garden very challenging . This wild and beautiful space allow the plants to truly blossom while supporting wildlife AND wild crafters . After expend some time photographing the garden ( and thoroughly enjoying myself ) I go home to do a bit more research on the bloom coif garden .
There was nothing to be found .
It seems this garden was created for the now out VanDusen Dried Flower Arranging club . Ironically , the practice of preserving flowers is not being uphold itself . I was lamentable to hear there were no longer crafters out fete the blank and the plants . I could just imagine a elbow room full of dried flowers and a bunch of well-chosen gardeners chatting away while make gorgeous arrangements from Stastice , Nigella , strawflowers , and more .
But , lamentably , it seems like the time for carry on flowers and make placement has passed . It was a craftsmanship that my mother was very passionate about as a nurseryman . She grew ornamental works in her garden and dried so many of them in her basement . When she went into nursing forethought for Alzheimer ’s disease , my stepfather gave me immense boxes of dried plant material that have been meticulously pick up , bear on , and label . I ’m grateful for this part of her story and feel like I can see the beauty through her eyes .
After she retired and became an greedy nurseryman , she filled her star sign with dried arrangements and gave them often as gifts . She even madeTussie Mussiesas the centerpieces for my nuptials ( dried flower arrangements where each flower came with a meaning or care for my union ) .
With the smasher , import , and doggedness of dried system , I ’m surprised they have fallen out of party favour . I think some masses believably think that these are junk collectors . Maybe they ’re not colorful enough . Or maybe it ’s just too one-time fashioned .
Every once in a while I ’ll tend into a florist shop who also treasure the lulu of what ’s forget behind after the garden has gone to bed and uses those things to create more modern exhibit . I grow quite a few plants simply for the come head teacher or for their time value as craft material . It seems to me this should be more pop .
Drying hydrangeas and lavender can be seen all over Instagram and décor cartridge , butCelosia , stastice , and amaranth dry in colors that are far more vivacious and lasting . And while crafting with pinecone has chiliad of final result on Pinterest , there are far more beautiful ejaculate heads like magnolia pods , poppy come heads , Lunaria , andNigellathat do n’t get the same ostentation .
How to Grow Your Own Dried Flower Arranging Garden
If you are interested in develop your own prime and seeded player heads to dry , VanDusen ’s garden is a wondrous example of how to do it . Please note that this garden is located in Vancouver , BC , which is in Zone 7 . Some of the plant life I saw in the VanDusen Flower Arranging Garden were :
Some of my preferent plants to grow are those that provide seed head that look wonderful throughout the yr . I growAllium Schubertiifor its 18”-diameter seed header that wait like a starburst . You do n’t even have to do anything to the seed pass except pluck it out of the garden and set it on a ledge for display .
I also loveCrocosmiabecause once the prime have fallen the doll - alike shape of the blossom produces orange ejaculate pods that last for month . This year I am loving the dingy chocolate brown flowers of the decorative Jean Francois Millet from myPatio Pollinator aggregation .
So , while I ’m unremarkably excited to bring you trendy garden ideas and brand new plant being released , today I ’m mourning the loss of a slyness that I think should be more renowned . Or perhaps there is a young wave of artists I do n’t have intercourse about yet who will pick up dry peak crafting and give it a modern twisting .
Regardless , if you want to invite backyard beneficials into your space , have a garden filled with prime , and cease up with a ton of marvelous craft stuff to work with throughout the year , then perhaps it ’s time to grow a dry out flower arrangement garden .
voguish or not , after my visit to the VanDusen Flower Arranging Garden , I ’ll certainly be expatiate mine .
Be sure to read my situation onPreserving the Ornamental Gardenfor tips on how to dry and carry on peak , seed head , foliation , pods , and more for dry placement .
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