As summer gives way to the crisp embrace of autumn, there’s no better time to preserve the beauty of your favorite flowers. Drying these flowers allows you to enjoy their vibrant colors and delicate forms year-round.
Whether you’re creating a dried bouquet, a fall wreath or simply preserving a few sentimental blooms, drying your summer flowers and foliage is a rewarding and creative process.
Choosing the Right Flowers
Not all flowers dry well, so it’s important to choose varieties that not only dry beautifully but are also grown right here in the U.S. Some of the best American grown flowers for drying include:
Hydrangeas: These large, showy blooms, grown from May to December, dry beautifully and maintain their shape and color for months.
Lavender: This fragrant flower is a classic for drying, and its calming scent is an added bonus.
Strawflowers: With their papery texture, strawflowers are perfect for drying and retain their vibrant colors.
Roses: A timeless choice, roses dry well and can be used in a variety of arrangements.
Amaranth: Known for their cascading blooms, amaranths add a dramatic touch to dried arrangements.
Yarrow: With their sturdy stems and clustered blooms, yarrow retains its shape and adds texture to dried bouquets.
Drying Techniques
There are several methods for drying flowers, each suited to different types of blooms. Here are some popular techniques:
- Air Drying – Ideal for hydrangeas, lavender, roses and yarrow.
How to do it: Strip the leaves from the stems and bundle the flowers together, securing them with a rubber band. Hang the bundles upside down in a dry, dark place with good air circulation. Depending on humidity, the flowers should be fully dried within two to three weeks. This traditional method works beautifully with these flowers, allowing them to retain their natural beauty.
- Silica Gel – Ideal for roses, strawflowers and other delicate blooms.
How to do it: Fill a container with a layer of silica gel, then place the flowers on top, ensuring they are not touching. Gently pour more silica gel over the flowers until they are completely covered. Seal the container and leave it in a dry place for about a week. The gel will absorb moisture from the flowers, preserving their shape and color. This method is perfect for preserving the intricate beauty of these blooms.
- Pressing – Ideal for flat flowers like daisies, violets and pansies.
How to do it: Place the flowers between two pieces of parchment paper and press them in a heavy book, or use a flower press. Leave the flowers for two to three weeks, checking occasionally to ensure they dry evenly. Pressing is a wonderful way to create keepsakes with these flowers, preserving their beauty in a timeless form.
- Microwave Drying – Ideal for fast results with smaller blooms.
How to do it: Place the flowers between two paper towels and microwave them in 30-second intervals. Check after each interval until the flowers are dry. This method is quick, but be careful not to overheat the flowers, as they can become brittle. This technique is great for quickly preserving these flowers for last-minute projects.
Arranging & Displaying Your Dried Flowers
Once your flowers are dried, it’s time to showcase them in your autumn decor. Dried flowers can be arranged into beautiful wreaths and bouquets or used to decorate your Thanksgiving table. Dried flowers not only allow you to savor the memories of warmer days but also support local farmers and the American grown movement, making your autumn decor even more special.
Article and featured photo shared courtesy of Certified American Grown
