How to Make Peony Potpourri

Elegant, fragrant peonies combine with yarrow, rose petals and delphiniums to create a soft, feminine potpourri that captures the essence of an English cottage garden. This mix is so pretty and fragrant that it can be displayed in decorative containers in a living room or bedroom, or used as a welcoming fragrance near an entrance.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 oz. peony petals 1/2 oz. yarrow 1 oz. rose petals 1 oz. delphiniums Drying screen Gallon-size glass jar with a lid 1/2 oz. orris root powder Eyedropper 15 drops peony oil Stainless steel spoon

1. Gather the peony petals, yarrow, rose petals and delphiniums, and spread them on a screen to dry them. After the blooms have dried, place them into a gallon-size glass jar.

2. Sprinkle orris root powder, a botanical fixative, over the ingredients. This absorbs the scent of the potpourri mixture, and allows the fragrance to last longer.

3. Using an eyedropper, drip peony oil, a drop at a time, over the combined mixture, and gently blend with a stainless steel spoon. All stirring motions should be extremely gentle in order to avoid crushing the delicate petals.

4. Close the jar with a tight-fitting lid, and store the potpourri for 3 to 4 weeks to age the mix. This allows the fragrance of the flowers, herbs and oil to permeate one another.

5. After the potpourri has matured, place it in a decorative container. Fill the bowl to the brim, and form a slight mound in the middle to give the potpourri dimension.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are allergic to powdered orris root, try ground corncob or oakmoss as a safe substitute.
• Powdered orris root, which is derived from iris rhizomes, should be used with caution. The leaves and rhizomes of the iris are toxic, and should not be ingested. Keep the potpourri out of the reach of children and pets.