The drying process - Part 2: Techniques for trickier flowers

The Drying Process - Part 2: Techniques for Trickier Flowers

As you learn more about drying flowers, you'll discover that some varieties take a bit longer to dry, or that it's harder to achieve a great result with them.

Some flowers need a bit more TLC too, but it's still worth having a go and experimenting with trickier blooms.

Generally, the upright method using a vase will not work with these flowers, as the stems are less sturdy and might not be able to support the flower head.

Flowers in this category include:

• Zinnias
• Dahlias
• Cosmos
• Chrysanthemums
• Asters

An Alternative Upright Method to Try

• To dry these flowers upright, use a flat surface with holes in it, such as a riddle or a cardboard box with holes poked in it, so that the flowers can then be placed in the holes and will be supported as they dry.

Individual Hanging Method

• Hang these flowers upside down individually
• Make sure that all the rules regarding the temperature and moisture levels are followed very strictly for these fleshy flowers, otherwise they will not dry.
• To tie them up, make a loop with your string, place your stems on top of the loop and then pull the ends through the loop – this will allow you to tighten the loop as they dry to ensure they stay in place.
• These flowers will take four to six weeks to dry.

Paper Clip Hanging Method

• Unfold a paper clip and force one of the ends through the bottom of your flower stem, and then attach the hook at the other end to some chicken wire or to a line of wire and leave it to hang upside down.
• Any fleshy flowers that you have dried need to be stored somewhere completely free of moisture, otherwise they will develop mould.

Autumnal Seasonal Flowers

Early autumn is a great time to explore your garden and the fields and hedgerows near where you live. At this time of year, you'll find flowers that are beginning to dry in situ anyway.

Some of My Favourite Local Examples:

• Candelabra primrose - pick before the first frost comes, this will keep the stems sturdy.
• Phlomis - great for Christmas wreaths or displays because of the star-shaped clusters in the seed heads
• Crocosmia - although this is quite an invasive plant in Devon, it looks beautiful drying out in a vase thanks to its bright orange flowers and berries
• Umbellifers - when cutting umbellifers make sure you include the side shoots and mini florets, which will also dry really well – To dry, simply hang upside down
• Solidago - with solidago, it can be easier to dry the whole plant and then to cut it down into smaller pieces if you need to
• Sweet Annie - this makes a beautiful filler plant

Your Assignment

To put your theoretical knowledge into practice, try out all the drying methods I have listed above and make notes on which ones worked best for you and for which flowers. Use the chart below to make notes on your successes and failures.

| Drying flowers in bunches | Single stem hanging method | Paper clip hanging method | Upright drying method |

|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------|

| | | | |