DRIED flowers can give all the joy of a fresh bouquet – and they do not wilt away after a few days.
So you save a bunch on fresh blooms and preserve them to enjoy for months longer.
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Follow this step-by-step guide to drying flowers . . .
FIND YOUR TYPE: Drying flowers is simple, but some varieties are better suited than others.
Chrysanthe-mums, carnations, gerbera daisies, lavender, peonies, roses and tulips are among those that work.
Lilies and other flowers with high water content are best avoided.
HUNG OUT TO DRY: Start by removing foliage from the stems of flowers and bunch together the same types using an elastic band at the bottom.
Use a clothing peg to hang the bunch upside down from a hanger or clothes horse.
Keep the flowers in a cool spot for two or three weeks.
Check the blooms seem to be drying during this time and move to a different area if not.
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When you feel they are finished, use a little hairspray on the bouquet to help preserve for longer.
SPEEDY METHOD: Drying naturally tends to produce the best results.
But if you do not have the space or patience to wait weeks, you can hurry along the process using your microwave.
Fill a microwavable dish bottom with silica gel.
You can find this from the pouches that come with new shoes.
Cat litter will also do the job.
Sort flowers by variety and dry in batches.
Place the flowers in the dish and cover with more silica gel or cat litter.
Place your dish in the microwave with a cup of water.
Because machines and flowers vary, start with just ten or 20 seconds and keep checking on your creations until they are all dried out.
Leave everything to thoroughly cool.
And please watch out because silica gel can get very hot.
As with fresh stems, dried flowers can be arranged into a bouquet and kept on display.
Or you can make pot pourri by breaking up the petals and adding essential oils.
Dried flower petals also are an eco alternative to confetti.
- All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
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