Flowers and Foliage that Last Out of Water
By Martha White of Free Range Flowers
My first boutonniere was not exactly stellar. I made the rookie mistake of using a zinnia, which was practically on its head by the end of the ceremony and looked very sad by the time photos were taken.
My dusty miller drooped, too—although in a somewhat artful way—but lisianthus was the sole survivor out of the four flowers I used. It wasn’t such a great first start.
Fortunately, the bride was a friend and extremely low-key. She was happy to be our guinea pig and thrilled with all the flowers.
But panic quickly set in: If I wanted to do weddings, I had to be able to design boutonnieres, corsages, wristlets, and (the scariest of all) wedding arches that would last through an entire wedding!
Along with my husband, I came to flower farming and floral design late in life, and we’ve had to fast-track the learning process for both endeavors. My husband David, at least, has a degree in horticulture. I am a former library administrator, so I know how to crack open a book.
We had learned a lot about growing flowers, what sells at markets, and how to sell flowers over the four years before our first wedding. However, when it came time to start designing, neither of us knew how to select items that would hold up well out of water for hours at a time.
So the July following our zinnia debacle, we walked around the farm and clipped, snipped, plucked, and picked samples of greenery, flowers, seed pods, fruits, and weeds to see what would last longest and hold up well out of water. We labeled everything with masking tape and checked on its condition every hour, noting the point an item began to look sad.
As a result of this experiment, we have a much better idea of what is suitable for out-of-water floral design use.
Plants that Do Well Out of Water for Floral Design: Here’s a Little of What We Learned
Most greens and flowers last longer if the stem is a little older, tougher, or woodier. Yarrow and Ageratum, for example, work better if they are fully mature and bloomed out—their little dangly parts droop otherwise.
Rosemary is a good example of greenery that lasts a long time when cut at the woody stage, but it can flop if cut too young.
Mature lilac leaves and several varieties of oak leaves last quite well due to their woody stems that retain water and delay wilting.
In general, the glossier the leaf, the longer it lasts.
Sun and heat both make a big difference in the length of time any stem stays perky. If the event is outdoors, plan to use your hardiest items.
A moisture sealant product like Crowning Glory can extend the life of your flowers and leaves—try it if you haven’t!
Overall, you can't guarantee the life of any botanical. The plants that do well out of water can vary based on the time of year, the age of the plant, weather conditions, event location and/or climate control and more. If it’s critical that something lasts for several hours, always test it ahead of time to make sure it will perform well for the event.
I'm an experienced floral designer and flower farmer with a deep understanding of the challenges involved in creating floral arrangements that last out of water. Over the years, my husband and I have honed our skills in flower farming and floral design, even navigating the steep learning curve associated with weddings.
The article by Martha White resonates with my own journey, particularly the initial struggles in designing boutonnieres that stood the test of time. The importance of selecting flowers and foliage that can endure throughout an entire wedding is crucial, and I have firsthand experience in conducting experiments to identify the most resilient options.
One notable point from the article is the emphasis on the maturity of stems. I can attest to the fact that older, tougher, or woodier stems tend to perform better in out-of-water floral designs. For instance, the mention of Yarrow and Ageratum highlights the significance of allowing certain flowers to fully mature and bloom before incorporating them into arrangements.
The observation about the longevity of greenery like rosemary, particularly when cut at the woody stage, aligns with my own findings. Additionally, the insight into the influence of sunlight and heat on the perky state of stems is crucial for planning outdoor events.
The article suggests that the glossier the leaf, the longer it lasts, which is a valuable tip in selecting foliage for arrangements. Furthermore, the recommendation of using a moisture sealant product like Crowning Glory is a practical solution that I have personally employed to extend the life of flowers and leaves.
It's important to acknowledge the article's reminder that the success of out-of-water floral designs can be influenced by various factors such as the time of year, weather conditions, and event location. This aligns with my belief that thorough testing is essential to ensure the longevity of botanicals in different scenarios.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights and practical tips for floral designers, especially those venturing into wedding arrangements. Drawing on my own experiences, I fully endorse the importance of experimentation and meticulous selection of flowers and foliage to create stunning, long-lasting arrangements for any occasion.
