The Origins Of Silk Flowers And Silk Plants

If you love the thought of having greenery in your home but you know that your thumb is every color but green, artificial house plants are exceptionally attractive alternatives to real flowers and plants. Over the years, silk plants and flowers have even become interior design staples.

Today, you can find eye-catching silk flower arrangements, bouquets, plants, and trees that can last a lifetime and look great from season to season. Why invest in live plants that perish when you could choose long-lasting silk plant arrangements? If you purchase wholesale silk flowers and plants from a retailer that specializes in artificial blooms, you'll end up with indoor greenery that has a magnificence beyond that of real flowers. Given a choice between real flowers that can wither and realistic and modern fake plant options that were made to last, there's no contest when it comes to determining the better deal.

The silk flower industry has blossomed to the extent that most popular varieties of artificial house plants are now available in silk. Using synthetic fibers and high-technology processes, companies around the world are creating silk flower and plant varieties that are botanically accurate. But why are silk plants and flowers called so? Let's explore their history to find out.

Early Silk Flowers And Plants

Silk flowers and plants originated centuries ago. They were originally crafted from silk. Having retained their original name, artificial flowers and plants have changed in composition as many are mostly made out of synthetic fibers these days.

While artificial and dried flowers began as a less-than-perfect alternative to real flowers, today's silk flowers are popular for their realism and versatility. If someone had to be credited for the creation of silk flowers in the past, it would be the Chinese. Hundreds of years ago, the flowers they created were extensively used by artists and their patrons.

Silk Flowers And Silk Plants in Europe and America

In Italy, the concept of silk plants and flowers originated in the twelfth century. The French also witnessed this event shortly after, along with other Europeans who improved the original concept by making fake flowers with high-quality fabrics and better workmanship. But silk flowers exploded in popularity during the French Revolution, when Marie Antionette chose a rosebud as her official emblem. Because of this, the art of making silk flowers spread rapidly across England and America.

When the Victorian period began, silk flowers assumed a certain extravagance and ornamental design. Silk artificial house plants became more and more popular in residences everywhere.

In America, artificial flowers began to make an appearance as part of couture purchased by ladies who appreciated high fashion. Hats, corsets, waistbands and handbags began to feature inspired variations of artificial flowers.

The extensive use of fake flowers in different industries gave way to today's silk flower industry, wherein these florals are used creatively for many different purposes. From wedding decor to restaurant decor and home decor, silk flowers and plants now have a multitude of use cases in various settings.

Why Are Artificial Plants So Popular?

Some of the silk greenery manufactured today is so realistic that it has to be touched even and smelled to distinguish it from real flowers. Silk plants and trees are being used to liven-up office spaces and bring a piece of the outside into boring, sterile environments. Silk flower arrangements are transforming rooms by adding color and aesthetic appeal beautifully and cost-effectively.

The top-notch quality of today's artificial flowers combined with the demand for budget-friendly, low maintenance home decor have caused the silk flower industry to magnify in size. And because of this growing demand, artificial plant manufacturers have been challenged to create better products and offer more options.

Fake flowers are allowing homeowners and business owners to adorn their interiors with blossoms even during the winter and fall. Some flower manufacturers even use real branches and details like thorns on roses to make flowers appear more realistic. Don't be surprised if you see holes in leaves of fake flowers to mimic how insects might have bitten off leaves. What's best is that these beauties don't even require sunlight, water or nourishing — and pests will never be an issue.

Silk flowers and plants are often referred to as "permanent botanicals" because of their durability. Not only are they a good option when it comes to longevity, but they're also great if you're looking for an allergen-free, reasonably-priced, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to natural flowers.

Raw Materials Used To Create Artificial Plants Besides Silk

Depending on their application, artificial plants and flowers can be made out of a wide variety of materials. Among the materials used, polyester has become a manufacturer favorite. Because of its low cost, manufacturers use it to produce massive quantities of faux flowers. Polyester also has the ability to accept various dyes and glues, making it easy to mold into desired forms.

Apart from polyester, plastic is another popular material used by artificial plant and flower manufacturers. It's used to make stems, berries, and other parts of flowers. Artificial flowers are also made out of paper, cotton, latex, rubber, parchment and ,sateen. Sometimes, dried plant materials, berries, feathers, and fruits are also included in arrangements to make them more realistic or modern.

Silk is still used to make artificial house plants and flowers today. It's mostly used to make more elaborate versions. Typically, more expensive and high-quality artificial flowers are made of silk, rayon, and cotton fibers. To create stems and branches, wires various diameters are used. The wires are typically wrapped with tear-resistant, durable, and dyeable paper. Such support is used to stiffen flowers and prevent them from collapsing when placed on walls or in vases.

Common Silk Flower And Silk Plant Designs

Modern silk flower options are sold by the stem. Their designs are inspired by nature. For instance, when an artificial flower manufacturer wants to create a bouquet of peonies, they would begin by acquiring real-life samples to model the parts. The manufacturer then creates cutting dies modeled after petals and leaves of the actual flower. These dies are then used to cut silk or another material.

Today's artificial house plants and flowers are also heavily influenced by trends in the interior decor and fashion industries. Manufacturers often attend fashion and interior events to get a sense of the current colors and styles being used.

How Silk Flowers And Silk Plants Are Manufactured Today

Historically, silk flowers and plants were crafted by hand, making them expensive to own. Today, mass manufacturing of artificial flowers satisfies the enormous demand for them. Machines and automated factory lines are sometimes used to cut and assemble parts of artificial flowers for wholesale, depending on the final product being created. Smaller vendors buy these flowers and use them to embellish clothing or flower arrangements for various applications.

The manufacturing process for silk flowers and plants depends on each manufacturer's line-up, but the basic schematic remains consistent. Here's a step-by-step explanation of the manufacturing process:

1. Irrespective of the final design or color, artificial flowers and plants are made of white silk, cotton fabric or rayon. The fabric or material is then cut using dyes to form petals, leaves and other parts of the flower. The petals or leaves are then colored to be assembled by hand. The dyer may use cotton balls or paint brushes to create a realistic effect for these pieces. Sometimes, dying a single petal or leaf could take an entire hour.

2. Silk flowers and plants wouldn't be what they are without their textures, including wrinkles, folds, and patches. These textures are created by placing petals or leaves in molds and applying shapes to them using heat. After they're pressed into shape, some of them are stiffened using wires and rods of different diameters. The wires are coated with glue and wrapped using paper before they are manually fixed to the petals and leaves.

3. Flowers and leaves may be created separately, but many of them are bundled together to form bunches or bouquets. These assemblies are created based on the designer's eye for style, adding more variety to products from vendor to vendor. Some smart manufacturers coat stems with a self-sticking, waxy material to make assembly easy. The stems are then glued to flowers and sprays of leaves.

4. Once assembled, the flowers are arranged, packed in florist's paper, placed in boxes and stored in an organized manner for shipping.

When purchasing silk flowers, bear in mind the intricate process that goes into making them; doing this will tell you what to expect when purchasing artificial flowers. Remember, not all 'Silk' flowers are necessarily made of silk. But that doesn't compromise their quality. While many high-quality silk flowers are made of silk, you could also consider choosing from polyester, paper, rayon or cotton-based artificial flowers. And since the industry has greatly expanded to include a plethora of options, you can take your time when choosing the right flowers for your use.

Find Realistic Indoor Silk Plants And Silk Flowers At Silks Are Forever

When purchasing silk flowers, keep in mind the intricate process that goes into making them; doing this will tell you what to expect when purchasing artificial flowers. Remember, not all silk flowers or silk plants are necessarily made of silk, but that doesn't compromise their quality. You can find a variety of wonderful artificial plant and flower arrangements in polyester, paper, rayon or cotton. And since the industry has greatly expanded to include a plethora of options, you can take your time when choosing the right faux flowers for your use.

Wondering, "Where can I find artificial plants near me?" Since 2009, Silks Are Forever has been providing customers with top-quality artificial flowers, silk plants at wholesale prices. Whether you need artificial house plants for a living room, tall tropical artificial trees for a corporate space, vases and planters or seasonal decor, you'll find it here. If you have questions, contact us today. We always look forward to helping you find an option that best meets your needs.