Drying Flowers
Drying Flowers is easier than you might think!
Removing the moisture, preserves the color and beauty of your flowers.
Air Drying
by Hanging
Step #1
Cut flowers in early morning or late evening. Do not use ones wet from dew or rain.
Step #2
Tall flowers such as Lupine, Delphinum, Foxglove, or Larkspar, should be cut when there are still unopened flowers at the top of the spike.
Select "perfect" specimens. Chewed petals or imperfections in the flowers will be enhanced after drying.
Step #3
Strip leaves from stem
Step #4
Tie stems with an elastic band, string, cord etc., and hang on hooks or a pole, no closer than 6" from the ceiling.
Leave room in between the flowers to allow air to circulate.
The room should be warm and dry.
Drying flowers in this manner can take anywhere from one week to many.
Step #5
When fully dried, spray the dried flowers with hair spray to help preserve their color and keep them from falling apart.
Make sure to spray VERY lightly!! The very first flowers I dried ( baby roses) were ruined when I sprayed them to much!!!
Dried Baby's Breath, German Statice, or Lavender add delicate accents when mixed in an arrangement with your dried roses, or flowers.
If making a wreath out of your dried flowers, you'll want a nice variety of different textures.
Many flowers that are good for drying, are annuals that can be started from seeds.
If you don't have the space to grow them, scatter some seeds amoung the perennials in your garden.
Have you ever seen dried Peonys? They are so beautiful, you'll have to look closely to determine if they are roses or Peonys!
Looking for books on the subject?
Browse Amazon for many more books on the subject
follow this link to Drying Flowers such as Roses
follow this link to Drying Flowers by Microwaving
Tiny wild grasses, or seed pods, found locally will complement your arrangements nicely.
Add some Taffeta ribbon in the color of your choice, place in a vase or basket, and you have a beautiful centerpiece for your table!
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