I love strolling through a flower garden. It is nature on show. I can gaze for hours at the colors, shapes and textures on display.
And while I admire fresh flowers, there are reasons that fresh flowers are not always the flower of choice.
Fresh flowers present some challenges:
- Allergies. And no matter how beautiful, if you feel miserable, they tend to lose their shine.
- Maintenance. Picked fresh flowers need care. Fresh water (and phew! if you don’t keep it fresh, the fragrance of the flower is quickly over shadowed by the manky water smell!) They also leave quite a mess as they wilt and decay. (I’ve damaged a few tablecloths in my day!)
- Fragility. Even beyond those tender blossoms that might break, fresh flowers are sensitive to temperature. It’s a sad day when big $$ is spent on flowers, only to have the flowers pass their prime at your important event.
- Limitations for placement. Florists are incredibly creative and talented people. And I have seen some amazing displays. But there are just some places that fresh flowers can’t go.
- Lack of longevity. It’s a tough truth. Fresh flowers don’t stay fresh. If you have an event, they have to be on the “last to be done” list. And after it’s all over, there is nothing harder than tossing into the garbage something that you have spent a fair bit of $$ on.
It’s fair to ask if sola wood flowers are really better.
Consider the following benefits of sola flowers:
1. Unique beauty. While they don’t look and feel exactly like fresh flowers, a sola flower can bring it’s own beauty that resembles fresh flowers (and many blooms, with conditioning, are soft and pliable). The styles and shapes of sola flowers available are vast. From “almost like fresh” to something completely unique that celebrates the beauty of shape and line. Sola flowers come as “skinless” ivory blooms and also “skin and bark” styles.
2. Not dependent on seasons. You can have an arrangement with your favorite style blooms anytime of the year.
3. Cost effective. Like seriously. And depending on whether you arrange your own or have someone else do it, you can count this as a serious budget saver. (Ask me! I had two daughters wed within 6 months of each other…sola flowers saved their budgets)
4. Versatile. One of the great things about sola wood flowers is that they can be used in so many applications and in places that are not practical for fresh flowers. And my favorite: they can be done well in advance of an event, leaving valuable time for other preparations (no one wants to be sweaty just before an event!)
5. Receptive to color. The sola wood is a natural material that is very absorbent. Skilled artists use a variety of painting methods to achieve a variety of effects -ranging from mimicking the natural beauty and translucence of fresh flowers to out-of-this-world colors that are never seen on a fresh petal.
6. Receptive to scent – or NOT. Sola wood is odorless and does not trigger allergies. But if a scent is desired, the absorbent material receives essential oils very well.
7. Longevity. One of the best things about sola wood flowers is that they last and last and last. One of the reasons I love to use them for gifts is that that gift bouquet or candle is going to brighten up a space and remind my friend or loved one that they are appreciated, over and over again. While other gifts will be consumed or outgrown, a sola flower gift will retain its beauty and its sentiment for years.
8. Can be repurposed. No need to toss out your flowers after your event. Place your bouquet in a vase, or take the flowers from the table centerpiece and tuck them into a wreath. Sola wood flowers are an economical investment that will continue to bring you return long after your celebration.
If you are considering sola wood flowers for your home or event- or as a gift for another- check out my collection of hand-painted arrangements. Single stemmed bouquets and bud vases offer you an affordable option to see them for yourself.
Check out my shop at www.AllTogetherNowDesigns.com
