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 Flowers
chosen should be harvested and prepared so that they hold their
color and form. These types are called everlasting flowers as they
dry out very easily.
Everlasting flowers are composed of colorful, papery petals or
bract-style modified leaves that, when mature, are stiff and dry
when still attached to the living plant. Planting annuals and
perennial flowers that are suitable for drying extends gardening
activities without elaborate equipment or previous experience for
the whole family to enjoy.
Types of everlasting flowers
Some plants and flowers that are suitable for air drying include
larkspur (Consolida ajacis), strawflower (Bracteantha bracteate),
statice (Limonium sinuatum), globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa),
love in the mist (Nigella damascena), yarrow (Achillea species),
money plant (Lunaria annua), blazing star (Liatris spicata), and
millet (Setaria italica). Ornamental grasses are another option that
adds an airy, whimsical element of what lies beyond the stems or
seed heads.
Tips for harvesting flowers for drying
Harvest flowers that are close to prime. Flowers to be air-dried
continue to open as they dry, so they should not be fully open when
picked. Poor shapes dry as poor shapes. The best time to pick is on
a sunny afternoon when plant parts contain the least amount of
moisture. Harvest flowers just before they have fully opened since
they will continue to mature after they have been cut. Remember, do
not harvest flowers that have already wilted, as they will not hold
shape. When picking, strip the foliage from the stem by holding the
stem just below the bloom and running your hand down the stem to
remove foliage. This will prepare the flower stem for gathering and
bundling prior to drying.
Tips for drying flowers
Air-drying is the easiest and most common way to preserve most
flowers. Stems dried in this process will be fairly straight.
• Cut flowers of good quality in prime condition
• Remove foliage from stems
• Gather the stems into small bunches and bind them with a rubber
band or twist tie instead of a string, as the bunches shrink as they
dry.
• Hang the bunches upside-down in a warm, dry, dark area with good
air circulation. Avoid direct sunlight that will fade the flowers. [to top of second
column] |
• Attach the tied bunches with a paper clip to the drying rack,
line, or nail.
• Allow hanging until thoroughly dried, which generally takes
two to three weeks.
A few large flowers, such as peonies and hydrangea, are
sometimes dried in this way but should be hung individually.
Going one step further with this activity, you can make dried
arrangements or posies. Remember, flowers dried in this manner
are extremely stiff once dried, and some flowers shrink like
roses and peonies. Blue and yellow flowers retain their colors
when air-dried, but pink flowers tend to fade. This drying
method is still an inexpensive and fun activity for any age to
enjoy.
Examples of drying using desiccants or substances used to create
dryness may include the process of borax combined with sand or
cornmeal, silica gel, oolitic sand, standard sand, microwave
oven drying, freeze-drying, water drying, or preserving foliage
with glycerin. What method will you try? Remember that each
method should be researched before attempting so that proper
precautions can be taken.
The last method for everlasting flowers would be to press plant
material or flowers. Pressing requires sandwiching flowers and
foliage between layers of absorbent material. One way is between
the pages of a book, which is closed and weighted down. Wooden
presses can also be used with bolts and wing nuts to apply
pressure to absorbent material for drying. Finally, heat
pressing can be done with a warm iron and wax paper. In
comparison, microwave ceramic tiles and paper towels can be used
for a quick heat press.
Pressing flowers is a trendy way to preserve flowers
from special occasions that can be arranged in framed displays or as
artwork. Use everlasting flowers to create everlasting memories.
For more information on cut flower gardening activities, connect
with your local Extension office at https://extension.illinois.edu/lms
.
[Christina Lueking, Horticulture
Educator, University of Illinois Extension]
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