Creative Ways to Style Roses with Dried Floral Accents

From tumbling grasses to vibrant everlastings and wispy seedpods, the organic textures and carefree forms dried elements bring add so much undone romance to seasonal rose arrangements. Not only do they stretch budgets affordably while extending longevity, but their sculptural interest helps craft those effortlessly “just gathered” displays that speak to the heart.

As you’re about to see, there’s an entire world of long-lasting loveliness beyond basic dried flowers waiting to be artfully paired with roses. I’m endlessly inspired by the creative possibilities – let’s start exploring some of my favorite ways to style these natural beauties together!

How to Incorporate Dried Grasses into Seasonal Rose Arrangements

With their sweeping lines and feathery plumes that sway at the slightest breeze, incorporating sculptural dried grasses into rose arrangements adds so much free-flowing movement and undone texture. While colorful pampas grass is always a showstopper, I also adore working with more delicate dried bunnytails, feather grass and wheat for autumnal contrast against lush rose blooms.

One of my favorite looks is letting gracefully arching stems of pampas billow out casually amid clusters of tightly spiraled garden roses in soft yet vibrant hues. There’s just something so irresistibly romantic about the juxtaposition of ethereal airiness with opulent, velvety rose petals.

What Are the Best Dried Elements to Pair with Fresh Roses?

• Strawflowers – These vibrant everlasting blooms add cheerful, long-lasting color that complements rose blossoms beautifully in arrangements both dried and fresh. The papery petals come in sunny yellows, rustic reds, blushing pinks and more.
  
• Statice – With its unique fuzzy texture and architectural stems, this affordable dried bloom offers visually interesting dimension alongside full rose heads. Look for shades of blue, lavender, pink, yellow and white to pair with any rose color.
  
• Nigella Pods – For bohemian whimsy, loosely mix these delicate green “love-in-a-mist” seedpods amid fresh roses. As they dry, the striped burgundy capsules create enchanting contrast.
  
• Money Plant Discs – The umbrella-shaped, golden tan seedheads of this annual make stunning filler with old English and antique rose varieties for a “just gathered from the garden” aesthetic.
  
• Globe Amaranth – Resembling quirky little orange orb flowers, these long-lasting blooms add harvest tones to rose designs. Dry them fully for longer vase life alongside fresh roses.
  
• Lunaria (Money Plant) – Incorporate the flat silver dollar-shaped seedpods of this unique dried botanical for unexpected sparkle and texture when arranged with rich red, pink or yellow rose blooms.
  
• Lavender – Few things complement roses more beautifully than the soft purple hues and heady fragrance of dried lavender sprigs. They add irresistible French countryside charm to any arrangement.
  

I’ve only just scratched the surface of all the incredible dried flowers and textural botanicals you can get creative with when designing seasonal rose displays on a budget. This post is jam-packed with even more unexpected material ideas, floral hacks, and decorating inspiration so don’t stop reading now!

How to Style Dried Flowers with Roses for Bohemian Decor

If you love bohemian, free-spirited vibes as much as I do, you’re going to obsess over styling dried florals and roses together in that quintessential carefree, wandering way. By thoughtfully combining different colors, textures and shapes, these elements bring all the undone, just-gathered romance you could want to earthy seasonal decor.

I adore the look of airy dried delphiniums and celosias dispersed among lush rose blooms, their whimsical flower spikes and feathery stamens extending in every artistic direction. Tuck in more structural dried elements like strawflowers, artemisia and safflower for visual anchoring amid all that delightfully natural disarray.

One of my go-to boho looks is clustering pink and peach garden roses together in a swag, then draping loosely arranged strands of dried achillea, lavender and ammobium over the top to effortlessly trail downwards. It creates this impossibly romantic “just pulled from the meadow” feeling that is utterly magical.

From hanging dried flower clouds over dining tables to filling reclaimed wood boxes with overflowing dried floral medleys starring roses as statement centerpieces, there are infinite ways to nail that quintessential homespun yet elevated boho chic vibe.

What Are the Most Cost-Effective Dried Botanicals for Rose Displays?

• Lotus Pods – With their uniquely ornamental shapes and rich, woodsy hues, lotus seedpods add sculptural yet affordable filler between bigger rose blooms. They instantly elevate designs with an earthy, high-end look.
  
• Banksia Proteas – The rustic burlap-like textures, twisting forms and range of tans and browns in these dried Australian flowers makes them ideal budget-friendly companions for pairing with red, pink or yellow rose varieties.
  
• Gomphrena Globes – Need inexpensive pops of vibrant color to make your fresh roses sing? Sprinkle in dried bright orange, purple or fuchsia gomphrena globe amaranth for a long-lasting, carefree impact.
  
• Bunny Tails – Let feathery plumes of these whimsical tan dried grass stems float airily around rose blooms like enchanted wisps for affordable, free-spirited beauty with unbeatable longevity.
  
• Lunaria (Money Plant) – For bohemian romance on a budget, incorporate the dried silver dollar seedpods of this uniquely shaped botanical amid creamy garden roses and blushing spray roses.
  

As a floral designer always seeking the most show-stopping and distinctive yet attainable looks, I’m constantly amazed by the range of sculptural and textural dried materials that deliver high-end flair without the luxury price tags.

What Are the Best Containers for Combining Dried and Fresh Flowers?

• Woven Baskets and Pedestal Bowls – Few vessels showcase the free-flowing, wandering beauty of roses and dried florals better than naturally woven baskets and bowls. Their organic, textural qualities are the perfect bohemian complement.
  
• Vintage Ceramics – From artisan glazed vases to antique crocks and pitchers, the beautifully aged patinas and one-of-a-kind shapes found in thrifted ceramics provide all the soulful character to let these botanical elements shine.
  

How to Create Seasonal Wreaths with Roses and Dried Botanicals

As stunning as arrangements are, some of my favorite ways to showcase the undying beauty of dried elements alongside fresh roses is by crafting enchanting seasonal wreaths and floral hanging pieces. These artful displays are not only endlessly striking decor statements but wonderful ways to preserve the glory of roses long after their prime.

For early fall, I love weaving textural dried wheat, blushing ammobium and strawflower blooms together with bountiful garden rose blooms in shades of peach, raspberry and burgundy. Incorporating sentimental treasures like pinecones, acorns and grapevine tendrils adds such nostalgic flair. For longer-lasting drama, disperse faux berries, pomegranates and greenery throughout.

As winter fades into spring, usher in those first lush rose blossoms by pairing them with cheery dried accents like soft bunny tails, palm fronds and whimsical nigella pods on graceful grapevine wreaths. Add sculptural banksia, lotus heads and lavender for just the right hints of rustic charm.

What Are the Most Popular Dried Flowers to Pair with Roses?

Some of the most trendy and timelessly beloved dried flowers to artfully combine with fresh roses include billowy bunny tails, whimsical phalaris grass plumes, delicate fan palms, and the oh-so-chic strawflower and acroclinium daisies. Each offers its own unique texture, shape and color dimension that harmonizes so beautifully with any rose color palette and variety.

For instance, I’m currently obsessed with styling crimson roses amid shades of fiery orange and burgundy strawflowers with wispy pampas grass accents for show-stopping autumn opulence. Those dried lotus pods peeking through only amplify the upscale, almost Zen-inspired vibe.

Heading into the spring months, you can’t go wrong with combining soft peach garden rose blooms alongside pale pink phalaris plumes, silvery bunny tails and peachy acroclinium daisies. It’s the perfect blend of delicately feminine and fresh yet wonderfully airy and textural.

But easily one of the most swoon-worthy combinations has to be the rich, velvety burgundies and buttercreams of antique rose varieties punctuated by cheery golden fan palm branches and hints of softly muted pink ammobium. Pure vintage-inspired poetry!

Conclusion

With their ability to instantly add color that lasts, irresistible texture and that quintessential “just gathered” look, incorporating dried botanicals into seasonal rose arrangements is a must for creative florists and home decorators alike. From accentuating roses with sculptural seedpods and grasses to artfully combining fresh and everlasting blooms, these natural elements open up infinite possibilities for crafting romantic, distinctive floral designs overflowing with individuality.