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Silk and Dried Options :: Flower Power
by
Wenona Napolitano
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Silk and Dried OptionsSome retailers may offer silk flowers as greener alternatives to regular pesticide-laden blooms. However, the vast majority of silk flowers are actually made from plastic, polyester, and other petroleum-based products— not very eco-friendly materials.
If you choose to use fake flowers, look for ones that are made with environmentally friendly materials such as organic cotton, real silk, hemp, bamboo, or handmade paper. The one good thing about artificial flowers is that they will last if you want to preserve them. If you would like to keep your bouquet, one made from artificial flowers will never wilt, fade, or die. You can display it in a case or curio cabinet for years to come.
The goal is to keep material out of landfills. If you choose wisely, artificial flowers can be an option as long as you look for green materials, plan to keep or reuse the flowers, or donate arrangements to nursing homes or some other place that could use pretty, cheerful arrangements.
Dried flowers are a good green option, especially if you go with organically and sustainably grown ones. Many flower and herb farms will carry dried flowers or you can purchase fresh flowers and dry them yourself.
However, do not use silica gels or unnatural products to dry the flowers.
Most flowers and herbs dry nicely by being hung upside down somewhere where they will not be disturbed. Baby’s breath, delphinium, larkspur, rose (bud form dries best), statice, and tansy all look very nice when they are dried. Dried flowers that are commonly found in arts and crafts stores and floral shops have often been treated with loads of chemicals, both while they were being cultivated and afterward to preserve them for drying. Look for organic labels or labels that say “dried naturally” to make sure you are getting good, quality green products.
If you can’t find any organic dried flowers locally, another option is, of course, ordering online.
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