A Guide to Choosing Your Flowers

Choosing the right flowers for preservation is an important part of creating a timeless keepsake. While many blooms can be beautifully preserved, some naturally respond better to the drying and resin process than others. This page offers an honest overview to help you decide what may work best for your keepsake.

Every bouquet tells a story, whether it’s from a wedding, a farewell, or a meaningful celebration. Because flowers are organic and ever-changing, preservation is about honouring their natural beauty rather than freezing them in time. Subtle changes in colour, texture, and shape are all part of what makes each preserved piece unique.

If you’re unsure about any of the flowers in your bouquet, please don’t worry. I’m always happy to guide you through the process, discuss options, and help you make informed choices so your preserved flowers feel both personal and beautifully considered.

What Flowers Work Best in Preservation?

Flowers that preserve well in resin

· Roses / Spray Roses

· Peonies

· Lisianthus

· Carnations

· Hydrangeas

· Ranunculus

· Thistle & eucalyptus

· Gypsophillia (baby’s breath)

· Multi-petaled/pom pom dahlias

Some that are trickier than others
(single petaled or delicate flowers)

· Larkspur

· Large (plate sized) & single petals dahlia’s

· Sunflowers

· Cosmos

· Antirrhinums

Flower types that don't preserve well or at all include

· Calla lilies

· Gerberas

· Lilies

· Protea

· Tulips

· Daffodils

· Orchids

· Tropical varieties

· Succulents

· Berries

A Few Notes on Preserving Flowers

• Flowers are organic and will naturally change during preservation.

• Fresh, multi‑petaled blooms preserve best; delicate flowers are more unpredictable.

• Colour, shape, and texture may shift — this is part of their beauty, not a flaw.

• I never bleach or colour‑correct flowers; everything is kept true to nature.

• When in doubt, just ask — I’m always happy to guide you.

Flowers must be as fresh as possible when they arrive for preservation, which is why I request they are delivered no later than two days after your event. From the moment a flower is cut, it begins to naturally deteriorate, and freshness has a significant impact on the final result.

As organic materials, flowers will change during both the drying and resin stages. Colours may deepen, fade, or become translucent; petals may shrink or alter in texture. Pale blooms are especially prone to translucency, while darker flowers—particularly reds—often intensify in tone. The gentle heat created as resin cures can also contribute to subtle colour shifts over time.

Any existing bruising, wilting, or stress in the flowers will become more visible throughout the preservation process. Unfortunately, these signs cannot be reversed. I choose not to bleach or colour-correct blooms, as I believe preservation should celebrate flowers in their natural state.

Because every bouquet is different, it’s important to approach preservation with an open mind. I’m always happy to advise on which flowers are suitable, discuss design options, or liaise directly with your florist to ensure your blooms are cared for correctly before they reach me.