How to Create a Stunning Dried Flower Arrangement

Flowers & materials you'll need

Step 1 — Gather your dried flowers

Start by collecting everything you've pressed and preserved throughout the season. Lay it all out so you can see the full range of colours, shapes, and textures available to you. Straw flowers are a wonderful anchor — their warm, muted tones work beautifully as a base note in any arrangement, even when their colour palette is more subdued.

Step 2 — Explore colours and textures

Build visual interest by mixing contrasting colours and textures. Poppy heads from springtime add structure and sculptural form, while blue salvia, fever-few, and gumfrina bring delicate detail. Echinacea without its petals makes a striking geometric element, and yarrow — even with slightly faded colour — adds a soft, country charm that works in almost any arrangement.

Step 3 — Work in grasses and foliage

Pretty grasses and native verbena provide movement and airiness that prevent an arrangement from feeling too dense. Native verbena with its beautiful blue heads and long green stems is especially striking — its well-preserved colour makes it a standout filler. Marigold stems also have real potential here; experiment with them despite their dried leaves and see what works for your style.

Step 4 — Add your statement flowers

Now bring in your showstopper blooms. Amaranth in all its varieties — hoppy red dye, coral fountains, spike green, and love lies bleeding — adds dramatic tassels and rich colour. Siloja flowers are elegant enough for Christmas bouquets and make a wonderful handmade gift. Golden rod adds a soft cloud of yellow that works well as a supporting element rather than a focal point.

Step 5 — Preserve shapes and experiment

Zinnias and cosmos can be tricky to dry without losing their shape — the trick is to bind them with rubber bands while drying to hold their form. Once you have a collection of well-preserved blooms, experiment freely with different combinations. Every arrangement is a chance to discover something new about what works together.

Frequently asked questions

What flowers work well in dried flower arrangements?
Great choices include straw flowers, poppy heads, blue salvia, fever-few, gumfrina, echinacea (without petals), pretty grasses, yarrow, native verbena, amaranth varieties (hoppy red dye, coral fountains, spike green, love lies bleeding), golden rod, siloja flowers, zinnias, and cosmos.

Can I use marigold stems in dried flower arrangements?
Yes, marigold stems have real potential in dried arrangements despite their leaves being less appealing once dried. Experiment with both tangerine gem marigolds and larger varieties to find what works best for your bouquet style.

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