Arranging Permanent Flowers. Variety quality and variety of permanent flowers is continually improving requested frequently by customers.

Arranging Permanent Flowers

Variety• quality and variety of

permanent flowers is continually improving

• requested frequently by customers

Permanent Flowers• silk

• paper

• dried and or preserved

Design principles• that guide fresh flower

arrangement also apply to permanent flowers

• mechanics involved in arranging permanents are different

Permanent flowers• easier to arrange

• are not perishable

• may be manipulated and mechanically secured without concern for wilting

Silk• applies to a wide variety of

fabric flowers which are sold to florists

• silk, nylon, cotton, rayon and blends are commonly used

Silk• great variability in the grades

of fabric used

• resulting in a variety of quality and prices levels

Silk• available in two basic types

• molded, plastic stemmed

• hand-wrapped

Molded• usually made of polyester

• heat molded in a die form to create the petals

• placed on a stem made of wire covered with plastic

Molded• usually less expensive than

hand-wrapped silks

Hand-wrapped• usually produced with multiple

flowers on a single stem

• bushes and bouquets are frequently made with this type of silk flowers

Hand-wrapped• petals are usually cut with a

stamp

• then attached to wire and positioned to create the flower

Hand-wrapped• then secured to a wire stem

which is hand wrapped with floral tape

• flowers may be hand painted or dyed

Hand-wrapped• process makes the flowers

look real

• more expensive because of the labor required

• usually sold individually

Paper• created from rice paper,

parchment, and bark fiber paper

• formed in the flower shape and most are available with wired petals and leaves

Paper• flowers and leaves are

attached to a main stem

• wrapped with paper or floral tape

Paper• may be pre-dyed before

being formed into flowers or air brushed after the flower has been formed

Paper• more expensive that molded,

plastic-stemmed flowers because of the amount of labor required to produce them.

Dried and Preserved• in great demand for

arrangements in the home

• frequently used for wall hangings and for decorating wreaths

Dried and Preserved• can also be combined with

silk to create attractive arrangements

Freeze Drying• have all the moisture

mechanically removed from their cells

• flowers retain some suppleness to their texture

Freeze Drying• equipment is expensive

• cost is higher than flowers dried by other methods

Mechanics• similar to those for fresh

flowers

• precautions against wilting are not necessary

Mechanics• dry foam made especially for

dried materials is used to support the stems

• two types of foam available

Mechanics• one for delicate materials

• other for larger, sturdy stems

• styrofoam may also be used

Mechanics• delicate stemmed flowers are

placed on a wooden or steel pick before being inserted into styrofoam

Mechanics• dry foam is easily wedged

into containers without additional support

• may also be attached with hot glue

Mechanics• foam is hidden by covering it

with sheet moss or Spanish moss

• prevents foam from being visible in the arrangement

Mechanics• moss is held in place with pins,

similar to hairpins

• flowers may be glued in place, prevents flowers from turning or slipping out of the foam

Mechanics• dipping stems in pan glue

before inserting is the easiest method