One of the places where you’re sure to find interior design trends (any kind of trends, for that matter) is Instagram!
It’s no secret that interior design in the Netherlands is an influence for my home and my blog. So I follow a lot of dutch Instagram accounts and I try to find trends that are specifique to the Netherlands to write about on the blog. Decorating with dried hogweed is one of these trends.
What is this plant, hogweed and how do people-from-the-north style its dried versions, in their homes?
Let me show you!
La Berce:
Hogweed are herbaceous plants of the Heracleum genus, of the Apiaceae family.
The Heracleum genus has about sixty species widely distributed in the northern hemisphere and in several tropical mountains, including eight in Europe. In the french Picardy region, it’s very often called “chouelle” (it is sometimes given as food to rabbits).
Common hogweed is a biennial or perennial plant and can grow up to 2.50 m in height. The flowers are white in large umbels, with the outer flowers having very unequal petals.
!! Hogweed, in combination with sun exposure, is a toxic plant and can cause painful burns and blisters, sometimes leaving permanent scars. Hogweed juice is a colorless fluid and painless at contact. The sequelae of its photo-toxicity appears only after several hours and can persist for years after.
So there your go, some beautiful examples of Hogweed in home styling.
It’s a plant that’s dangerous but not in its dried version. With its big height (sometimes up to 2m50) is a decorative element that’s quite the eye-catcher, therefore only one rod is often enough to have a great impact.
Surprisingly I found this trend only in the Netherlands and in none of the other Nordic countries. I couldn’t say why, because in general fashionss and trends travel easily …
Anyway, who knows, this article could get something going.
At the vtwonen & designbeurs fair in Amsterdam last month, I also noticed this decorative canvas with a ovely hogweed and better yet, a lamp that owes its appearance to the trend this artcile is all about.
Quite amazing, right?
photo 1, 10 & 11 by me at the vtwonen & designbeurs fair.
Where can I buy large dried hogweed please ?
Author
Hi Elaine,
In your neck of the woods I wouldn’t know, but it might be an idea to check with your local flowershop.
Some people seem to find them in nature (and are very carefull to wait for the right moment to pick them and to use gloves etc.)
In the Netherlands it’s a trend so I guess flowershops can help.
Here in France, no such luck and I admit not having found them in shops yet.
Nature and gloves it is, for me!
Good luck on your side of the ocean!
Hi
i really want to pick some in the nature, can you tell more about the right time to do it and how?
i would love to use it for a wedding as decorations
Author
Hi Jani,
I’m sorry, I don’t know when is the appropriate time to pick them. I guess any time when they have the size you require.
However, in their non(dried state they’re very poisonous, so be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves.
To dry them, you need to store them upright and if possible upside-down even, in a dark and dry space.
Good luck, I hope it works!