Here's my wicker tray (these are about 2 1/2' diam.) filled with dried petals--almost all of them from cutting apart all the Hydrangea bloom-heads and cutting apart all the leaves of my colorful Sun Coleus last Fall.
Botanicals...Cut and dried!
Did this Sun Coleus-leaf sunburst arrangement before I took the scissors to them all.
They were just too pretty not to do something first with.
That's it for pictures....
Just as another thought--if any of you grow large amounts of Herbs or mints--you can add the leaves from all of those to the mix too. There are many plants in the Mint family!
I wish I had Lavender.....That would really smell good!
If any of you have any more questions re making these--I will be glad to help.
Gita
Hi Gitagal,
Thank you for all these great ideas! It has certainly given me the inspiration to find my box of dried flowers, I put away thinking they might come in handy sometime!!
Stunning coleus arrangement with the orange background!
The potpourri balls look lovely.
You dry the petals on a wicker tray, do you put tissue on the tray first?
Thanks for the tips with herbs also!
Gitagal, those are awesome! Perhaps someone has lavender and or other materials that could be traded for either cut or dried! I cant grow lavenders to save my soul. I got spots too wet here and very poor soil! I would be game to trade if I had anything to offer, but right now, I don't.
Well, will check back here later. Speaking of too wet.. well, thats another thread.... I am off to the Cafe for some hot cocoa.
terri--
NO! I di not put anything under the petals. That way, air can get in through the bottom part also. I mix them now and then too. Sometimes I just use a shallow cardboard box.
If it isn't too humid (that can be nasty here!)--I just leave the trays outside under my patio roof. If there is a slight breeze--and a hot day--they might all dry within 3-4 days.
A brick in the center of the tray or box will keep it from blowing away.
If the weather is dripping humid--or if it is raining--I take the trays inside.
If these picked petals get damp--they will all just rot!
Our weather here can be horribly hot and humid most of the summer. Like--95* hot--and 80% humidity. Nights do not cool off either. Often we have no rain for a month--so a lot of sprinkling goes on. Lots of Fungus on lots of plants because of this.
Down ONLY to the mid-70's or 80's is normal in the nights. That is why I think gardens here struggle so, they just don't get to take a cool, respite period--compared to areas where there is a lot of rain and cool nights--like the states of Washington and Oregon. Their gardens are spectacular!
If your saved petals are all completely dry--they all might just crumble as you gather them in your hands.....Have you thought of filling a huge glass vase, or a decorative container, with your dried flowers? Just to look at?
Ciao! Gita
Blossom--Where do you live? There is no town/Country under your name?
I didn't realise that about the air circulation, I thought the tissue would help to draw out the moisture!
Yes, my drieds will be completely dry!! they probably will crumble (hadn't thought of that)!
I'm sure I can find something to do with them now, Thanks Gita!
Here's the dried tin tin, one bundle!
One bundle and one bundle opened out!
Cool! Terri Can you show us the how to on the broom method you mentioned using other grasses please!!
Ok, its that time of year and folks are cutting daffodils by the score! I find to dry them, just make a fresh flower arrangement with them or put them in a vase, do add water to enjoy them fresh for a few days and then forget about them. Left the water dry up, let the daffs dry out and whalah, paper flowers.
Some flowers to use that will dry good the same way are freesia, lily of the valley, hyacinths, roses.. I am sure there are others, but thats just off the top of my head for now.
These shown below are not fully dry, but getting there. They hold their color for a while, so if "paper" flowers are your thing.. there ya go!
Grasses and Lavender ...
Cool!
I have not done any drieds,,, to busy weeding and mowing and this and that, but no drieds for now.
Thanks!
yw!