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can be sprayed with hair spray or the strawflower, have a weak stem.
other aerosol lacquers or plastics Snip flower heads from stems to
to hold the heads in place and to use singly, or insert florist wire into
prevent shattering as the plants flower and gently wrap around
age. Lacquers or each stem for support.
shellac can be
Use the following tips to success-
sprayed or
fully air-dry plant materials:
painted
on fruits • Dry flowers in a warm, dry,
and cones dark area that has good air
to give circulation for best results.
them a
• Remove all leaves from stems
more
and branches.
shiny,
deco- • Tie flowers in small bundles
rative so that flower heads do
look not touch.
as well • Hang flowers upside down, or
as to help lay them on drying racks or
preserve them. screens raised off the ground.
materials should be harvested Remove seeds from pine cones to For faster drying, try your car
when they are still in good condi- prevent shedding that may occur at trunk during summer months.
tion, usually in the fall at the end a later time. It matches all the criteria
of their growing season but before (warm, dry, dark). Be careful
they become weathered in appear- Air-Drying
not to overdry your flowers.
ance. You might prefer to pick Air-drying is the easiest method
pods before they open to prevent of preserving flowers and plant • Wait for flowers to completely
the messiness of shedding seeds. materials. Many garden flowers and dry, and then sort the plants
Cattails, especially, should be wild plants can be collected, tied by flower types and sizes,
picked just as they first turn brown, together at the stem ends in loose and store them in an airtight
while flowers are still visible at the bundles with rubber bands or pipe container until ready to use.
top of the spike. cleaners, and hung upside down in Dried plant materials can be
a warm, dry, dark area. With good stored in cardboard boxes
Usually, a little grooming is all that such as shoe boxes; however,
air circulation, flowers take 1 to
is necessary for naturally dry mate- plants are better protected
3 weeks to dry completely. Large
rials. However, cones and pods from insects and rodents if
flower heads should be hung
may need to be washed in water stored in airtight containers.
individually. Most flowers can
and a mild detergent. Fragile seed Table 1 lists flowers that are
be dried on their own stems;
heads, such as those of pampas recommended for air drying.
however, some flowers, such as
grass, as well as mature cattails,
Drying and Preserving Flowers and Plant Materials for Decorative Use 3
Silica Gel the drying mixture. Elongated, depending on the flower texture.
Silica gel is a fairly spike-type flowers should Do not keep the flowers in the
expensive moisture- be dried horizontally. All drying agent for too long. Petals
absorbing chemical other flower types can will become brittle, and some
desiccant. It is an be dried faceup. flower color may be lost if the
excellent product for flowers dry too long.
Some flowers should
drying flowers. It be wired before When flowers are thoroughly dry,
is lightweight, dries drying. Remove the remove them by gently sliding
flowers faster than natural stem, and use one your fingers under the flowers
borax mixtures do, of the following stem-wiring tech- and lifting. As you lift the flowers,
and can be used niques. Flowers that have a small, gently shake off the loose mixture,
over and over again soft center should be hook-wired. and brush excess material from the
if dried properly. Using a 20- to 24-gauge florist petals, using a soft-bristled paint
Silica gel is sold under wire, push the wire up through the brush (remember to wear a mask).
many different trade center of the flower. Bend a small
Flowers that easily shatter or drop
names and is available hook in the end of the wire, and
their petals are unsuitable for
at most craft stores and at some pull it back into the flower head
drying. For some ray-type flowers,
garden supply stores and florists. so that it cannot be seen. Flowers
applying a drop of clear glue may
It must be kept in an airtight with hard centers, such as roses,
help prevent shattering after they
container at all times. As silica gel should be cross-wired. Push a piece
are dried. Table 3 lists flowers
absorbs moisture, the crystals in of florist wire through the base of
recommended for burying or dessi-
the gel change color. To dry silica the flower head at a right angle to
cant drying.
gel for reuse, spread it in a shallow the stem. Bend both ends of the
baking pan, and heat it at 250 wire down around the flower base Preserving Using Glycerin
degrees F for 1 hour. to form a stem. Wire stems can be
Some foliage can be preserved
bent out to the side as you bury the
using glycerin, which is available
Methods of Burying Flowers flowers in the drying mixture.
at drug stores. Glycerin will not
After choosing a drying agent To bury the flower, place at least preserve the green color, but the
(desiccant), select a container ½ to 1 inch of the drying mixture foliage will retain its soft, pliable
that will fit the flower types and in the bottom of the container. feel and can be painted or used
dessicant to be used. Flowers Make small mounds of the naturally in arrangements. Foliage
dried in borax mixtures should mixture where flowers will preserved with glycerin can be
be left uncovered during the be placed. Sift the drying wiped or cleaned and will last
drying process to allow for good mixture between and around indefinitely. The time to pick
air circulation and faster drying. the petals until the flowers foliage to preserve using
A shallow box can be lined with are completely covered. It is glycerin is in the
newspaper to strengthen the box. generally easier to work middle of the plant’s
The box should be deep enough with flowers when growing season and
to allow the flowers to be covered they are placed in early morning when
completely. If drying flowers face in one single fully hydrated.
down, it is not necessary to cover layer per container.
Follow these steps to preserve
the stems, just the flower. Silica Place the flowers
foliage, using glycerin:
gel must be used in an airtight so that they do
container. Plastic containers not touch. 1. Remove damaged or withered
or tins with airtight lids are leaves, and prune the foliage as
Drying times vary depending on
excellent choices. desired for end use.
the flower thickness and the drying
Flowers can be dried in one of agent used. Silica gel requires 2 2. Make sure to have a fresh cut
three positions: faceup, facedown, days for thin-textured flowers and stem just as you are placing stems
or horizontally. Flat-faced flowers, 5 to 7 days for heavier-textured in glycerine mixture.
such as daisies and coneflowers, flowers. Borax mixtures generally
dry well when placed facedown in require from 5 days to 3 weeks,
4 Alabama Cooperative Extension System
3. Mix 1 part glycerin to 2 parts gold, depending on the species. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii)
water, and heat the mixture to The preserving process is complete
Forsythia
near-boiling. when all the leaf parts have
changed color. Holly (Ilex spp.)
4. Pour the mixture into a heavy
container that will not tip over, Before using or arranging Hornbeam
being sure to use enough to cover the branches, wipe away any (Carpinus caroliniana)
several inches of the stem. excess fluids that seep from the Ivy
leaves. These fluids may stain or
5. Stand the branches upright in Leucothoe (Leucothoe spp.)
damage surfaces.
the solution.
To preserve single leaves or vines, Ligustrum
6. Check the branches often, and
use a 1:1 solution of water and Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
add water to keep the solution
glycerin, and completely submerse
several inches up on the stem. Mahonia spp.
the plant material, and leave it until
(The solution does not have to
the leaves have changed color, Maple
be reheated.)
usually 2 to 3 weeks.
7. Allow the branches to Nandina (Nandina domestica)
absorb the solution for 2 to 6 Plants Oaks
weeks, depending on the texture
and size of the leaves and branches.
Recommended for Oleander (Nerium oleander)
This method is somewhat Preserving in Osmanthus (Osmanthus spp.)
unpredictable. You may have to Glycerin Pittosporum (Pittosporum tobira)
experiment with different plant
species to determine the exact Aspidistra (Aspidistra elatior) Viburnum spp.
length of time required. Beech (Fagus grandifolia)
As the branches are preserved, Cotoneaster
the leaves will change color from
glossy green-brown to black or Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens)
Drying and Preserving Flowers and Plant Materials for Decorative Use 5
Foliages and Fruits for Decorative Use
The following is a list of plants you can grow to use in arrangements or for decorations. Heavy pruning of these
landscape plants will make larger quantities of these foliages available for use at certain times of the year.
Scientific Name Common Name Landscape Use and Size Decorative Use
Aspidistra elatior Common Aspidistra Border, 15 to 20 inches Line and tailoring all
year
Aucuba japonica Japanese Aucuba Foundation, 4 to 15 feet Mass, focal all year
Berberis mentorensis Mentor Barberry Foundation, hedge, border, Line, summer, fall,
7 feet winter
Buxus sempervirens American Boxwood Foundation, hedge, border, Mass, corsage
10 feet
Callicarpa americana American Beautyberry Border, 10 feet Line when in fruit in
(Purple balls of fruit) early fall
Ternstroemia gymnanthera
(Cleyera japonica) Japanese Cleyera Corner or border, 15 feet Line and mass all year
Cytisus scoparius Scotch Broom Border, 6 feet Line, all year, yellow
flowers in spring
Elaeagnus pungens Yellowedge thorny Corner or border, Line and mass all year,
Elaeagnus 8 to 12 feet corsage foliage
Eriobotyra japonica Loquat Small tree, 10 to 25 feet Mass all year, effective
for tailoring
Euonymus japonicus Goldspot Evergreen Foundation, 8 to 15 feet Line all year, corsage
Euonymus foliage
Feijoa sellowiana Pineapple Guava Border, 18 feet Line all year
Ilex cassine angustifolia Alabama Dahoon Foundation or border, Line all year, orange-
up to 36 feet red fruit in fall and
winter
Ilex cornuta Chinese Holly Corner, hedge and border, Line mass all year,
9 to 15 feet red fruit in winter
Ilex cornuta (Burfordi) Burford Chinese Holly Foundation, border, hedge Line mass, red fruit
in winter
Ilex vomitoria Yaupon Border, hedge, foundation, Line, red fruit in
15 to 25 feet winter
Juniperus conferta Shore Juniper Ground cover, 1 foot Line all year
Ligustrum lucidum Yellowleaf Glossy Privet Small tree up to 30 feet Line all year
Magnolia grandiflora Southern Magnolia Large tree, 50 to 75 feet Mass all year
Mahonia bealei Leatherleaf Mahonia Foundation, 4 to 6 feet Mass all year
Myrica cerifera Southern Waxmyrtle Foundation, border, small Line all year, Bayberry
tree to 36 feet fragrance
Nandina domestica Nandina Border entrance, 8 feet Line-filler, red fruit in
fall and winter
Osmanthus americanus Devilwood Osmanthus Borders, screens, small Line, summer, fall, and
tree, 15 to 40 feet winter
Photinia fraseri Birmingham Fraser Photinia Specimen, screen, hedge, Line mass, continual
foundation, 15 to 20 feet red, new growth if
pruned frequently