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 Pick the flowers when they are at peak bloom and
blossoms are dry. Cut flowers for drying mid-day when they contain
less moisture in order to reduce the dry time.
Use a bypass pruner or scissors to cut the stems. Remove the foliage
and gather them into small bundles. Secure the stems with rubber
bands that contract as the stems shrink and continue holding them
tight. Use a spring-loaded clothespin to hang the bundles from a
hanger, clothes line or nail. Allow the flowers to dry in a warm,
dark, dust-free location.
Flat-faced flowers like daisies tend to close a bit when dried
upside down. Try laying them face down on a flat surface. Simply cut
off the stem and place the flowers face down on newspaper in a warm,
dry location. Once dried, you can glue them in place or use florist
wire to create stems for arranging.
And don’t forget to pick a few seedpods from perennials and
ornamental grasses. These have dried, for the most part, on the
plants and make great additions to your dried flower arrangements
and projects.
Consider taking a trip to your local florist or craft store for more
ideas and materials for drying delicate flowers. Silica sand works
well for delicate blossoms like iris as well as roses, mums and
more. Simply fill the bottom inch of a container with silica sand.
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Remove all but an inch of the flower stem. Place the
flower, stem side up or on its side, on the surface of the silica
sand. Gently pour silica sand over the flowers until completely
covered. Follow label directions. Most flowers dried this way
maintain their beauty when dried in the silica sand. Just use a
small paint brush to gently remove any remaining sand.
Test flowers for dryness before putting them in an
arrangement or storing for future use. Carefully rub a piece of the
flower between your fingers. If it feels dry it is ready to use. If
it still feels moist, continue letting them dry.
Store extra dried flowers in a location with low humidity and away
from direct sunlight. Consider wrapping with newspaper or kraft
paper to prevent crushing and place in a box until needed.
Whichever drying method you choose, the result is the same –
year-round enjoyment of your garden’s beauty.
[Photo credit: Melinda Myers, LLC]
Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books and
is the host of The Great Courses’ How to Grow Anything DVD series.
Her website, www.MelindaMyers.com, offers gardening tips and videos.
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