Freeze-dried roses are rose blossoms or petals that have been subjected to quick freezing and pressurization, such that they are almost instantly dehydrated and preserved. They look and smell just like fresh roses in most cases, but are brittle and firm to the touch, rather than being soft. Roses prepared in this way are popular in dried wreaths and floral arrangements because of how closely they resemble fresh-cut flowers. It is also common to find freeze-dried rose petals at weddings and other special ceremonies. Preserved petals are often much less expensive than fresh petals, but they have the fragrance and the “real life” look that many silk imitations do not.
The actual freeze-drying process is not complicated, but it is challenging for many home gardeners because of the equipment involved. Most of the time, casual florists and gardeners looking to preserve roses will simply hang them out to dry. Roses dried in the air are preserved, but tend to lose much of their color and adopt a more muted fragrance in the process. They also tend to look shriveled, and take on a decidedly “dried” look. The same is not usually true with freeze-dried roses.
Usually, freeze-dried roses usually look exactly the same before drying as after. Most people will be able to tell the difference upon closer inspection, but at first, the resemblance between fresh and freeze-dried flowers is striking. The color, petal angle, and overall vibrancy remains constant.
Freeze-dried roses are very popular amongst florists who want to create fresh-looking bouquets that will last. It is often less expensive to freeze-dry a particularly pretty bouquet than it is to pay for an arrangement to be recreated in silk, or constantly refresh the arrangement with new blooms. Preserved rose wreaths and decorative arrangements are also easy for florists to sell ready-made, as they will look fresh for many months on display.
Different uses for dried roses:
Dried roses are beautiful in dried floral arrangements.They can be added to foods as a decorative and edible accent, and used as an ingredient in a facial mask. The more fragrant varieties retain their aroma after drying, making dried roses a popular choice for scented water, sachets, and potpourri. Dried rose petals are sometimes scattered for romantic events such as weddings. Crafts are another popular use for dried roses, and they can even be made into beads for jewelry.
Dried roses can be added to bowls of potpourri, and their scent can be renewed occasionally with a drop or two of rose oil. They can be added to sachets and placed in a closet or drawer. Dried roses can be used to make many other crafts as well.
When making candles, rose petals can be pressed into the soft wax. The petals can be used to make greeting cards and stationery. Dried roses are a beautiful accent for centerpieces, wreaths, and wall hangings, and they can be glued onto lampshades and other objects for a country cottage look.
Roses are traditionally associated with romance. The petals are sometimes scattered around the table for a romantic dinner, or scattered on bed linens to set the stage for a romantic tryst. A flower girl in a wedding will often scatter rose petals to create a floral path for the bride.
