Ordinarily I'm not a big fan of dried flowers. They just never seem to have the same vibrant energy as a bunch of fresh flowers. But the beauty of these arrangements from Flores del Sol, made from "professionally preserved" flowers and moss, is that the designer, Christina Moreno, does not attempt to mimic the look of fresh flowers; instead she creates unusual designs that celebrate the preserved plants almost as sculpture in themselves.

Moreno uses vintage containers—milk glass compotes, rustic pots—as the vessels for her simple, elegant preserved gardens. She combines soft tones in some designs, and in others uses just one plant, like the yellow craspedia pod, to build a lovely monochromatic mound.

If you're looking for something a bit more traditional, Flores del Sol also has designs made with showy blooms like garden roses and hydrangea. The flowers are preserved in such a way that their color and texture remains intact. Since they are actual plants, they will break down eventually, but they will last much longer than a fresh bouquet. A great Mother's Day gift idea!

Moreno will also make custom designs; just contact her through her Etsy shop. You can also see more of her work, including her lovely and colorful garden designs, at her Flores del Sol blog.

(Images: Flores del Sol)