What plants can you dry?
Air drying statice (limonium), grasses, yarrow (achillea millefolium), poppy seedheads (papaver) and sunflowers (helianthus) are ideal for this method: select good quality flower stems and strip off the lower leaves. Tie with a rubber band and hang upside down in a place with low light levels and good ventilation. The best flowers for drying include gypsophila, strawflowers, hydrangea, lavender, globe thistle, eucalyptus & proteas. drying flowers is a fun and easy project and a great way to add some new decor to your home.Flowers that are easy to air-dry are baby’s breath, cattail, statice, strawflower, celosia, yarrow, blue salvia, artemisia, nigella, roses and goldenrod. Air-dried flowers are extremely stiff and good to use in arrangements.Pretty much any flower can be preserved by drying or pressing, but some turn out much nicer than others, depending on the type of flower or method. Wild-looking spring bouquets, like these, look lovely dried, and will turn out nicely with the quick drying methods listed above.
What are examples of dry plant materials?
Almost any plant part—flowers, leaves, or stems—can be dried naturally or artificially. Many interesting and decorative cones, nuts, gourds, seed pods, flowers, foliage, fruits, and even small, graceful tree branches can be obtained from natural areas, roadsides, or your yard. Naturally Dried Material Materials such as dry grasses, reeds, pine cones, and most seed heads should be harvested in the fall at the end of their growing season but before they become withered in appearance. Pick cattails when they first turn brown and flowers are still visible at the top of the spike.
How long do dried plants last?
While it does depend on the flower, generally dried flowers last between 1-3 years! As long as they are cared for properly, handled with care and kept out of direct sunlight, wind and humid conditions, you’ll be able to enjoy your beautiful blooms for years. Dried flowers do not require any water, in fact, they shouldn’t come into contact with liquids, moisture, or general dampness, as this will allow mould to grow and spoil the flowers.Generally, dried flowers are flowers that have been air-dried or dehydrated in an oven to retain their shape, hue and scent. Many florists offer a variety of dried flowers including roses, lilies, daisies and more, so you can choose the best option for your project.