Will Pressed Flowers Last Forever or Fade Over Time?
Pressed flowers are a beautiful and nostalgic way to preserve the fleeting beauty of nature. From cherished wedding bouquets to delicate wildflowers collected on a summer's day, pressing flowers has long been a popular method of keeping memories alive. However, a common question arises: Will pressed flowers last forever?
The Reality: Pressed Flowers Are Not Eternal
The short answer is no, pressed flowers are not eternal and like all organic materials, will eventually degrade over time. However, the methods used to preserve them, and how they are stored, will have the biggest impact on the longevity of your pressed flowers. Sealed within an appropriate medium and with proper care, they can last for decades, even hundreds of years while retaining much of their natural beauty.
Factors that affect the longevity of pressed flowers:
Ireland's humid climate can be a challenge for preserving pressed flowers. Moisture in the air can cause pressed flowers to deteriorate more quickly, leading to mould growth or a loss of structural integrity.
For flowers that are very special or have a lot of sentimental meaning to you, we recommend our professional flower pressing service, ensuring 100% moisture-removal. We carefully check and gently tend to your flowers every week, which are stored in our very own custom made flower presses - made right here in County Kildare, Ireland. Our specialist studio and equipment ensure all moisture is removed and your flowers are completely preserved before we begin your pressed floral artwork. Each piece of pressed flower art is sealed and framed in a custom made frame to protect your special flowers for a lifetime to come.
Will the colours in my Pressed Flower Art fade over time?
For the most part pressed flowers are able to maintain their natural colour for a very long time, but without any colour enhancement, eventually some amount of fading is inevitable.
- Light Exposure: Direct sunlight and UV rays can cause the vibrant colours of pressed flowers to fade over time. The more light exposure, the quicker the fading.
- Type of Flower: Different flowers have varying levels of durability when pressed. For example, flowers with thin petals, such as pansies, may fade faster than those with thicker petals, like roses. The initial colour of the flower also plays a role, with darker hues generally retaining their colour longer than light or pastel shades.
Colour Fade & Enhancement
At SIÓG Botanicals, we now offer you the choice to add a subtle colour enhancement to your pressed flower art at no extra cost. Here is an example of pressed flower art we completed just over five years ago. The image on the left shows the natural colour fade without any colour enhancement, and the image on the right shows the piece with colour enhancement.
Learn more about preserving your special flowers with a bespoke piece of pressed flower art here. If you had your flowers pressed in the past, and would like to like to enhance the colour now, just send us a message and we'll be happy to discuss your options.