Drying and Preserving Flowers and Plant Materials for Decorative Use

Drying and preserving
flowers and plant materials
is a form of artistic
expression that was very popular
during the Victorian age and is
still very popular today. There are
many reasons for preserving plant
materials, whether your interest is
in drying flowers from an arrangement
that has special meaning or
preserving beautiful cut flowers,
foliage, ornamental grasses, and
plant materials from the landscape
or garden. Dried flowers are used
in arrangements, wreaths, swags,
pressed art, and other decorations.
To improve your success with
drying plant materials, and to
enhance their longevity, refer to
the following methods for drying
plant materials.
Collecting Plant
Materials
Plant materials should be collected
at the most suitable time of the
year for drying and preserving that
specific plant part. In general, all
plant materials should be collected
when they are in peak condition.
Plant parts can be harvested at
different stages of development for
variation in color, form, and texture.
Flowers, for example, can be cut
at the bud stage and at any later
stages until just before full flower.
Do not use flowers that have begun
to fade.
Almost all plant materials can be
dried—everything from flowers,
foliage, and branches to seed pods,
grains, cones, nuts, berries, and
other fruits. One person’s weed
is another’s treasure! Some plant
materials, however, are more “everlasting”
than others, particularly if
the best drying method is used to
preserve the plant.
Other tips for collecting plant
materials are as follows:
• Avoid collecting plants when
they are wet or moist from
dew.
• Use a sharp knife or pruning
shears to cut flowers and
plant materials.
• Select plant materials that
are without insect or disease
problems.
• Place stems in water while
harvesting to prevent wilting.
Some flowers may hold color
better if allowed to stand in
water for a few hours. Start
the drying process as soon as
possible after cutting.

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