How to Dry Artichoke Flowers

When steamed or boiled, the artichoke makes an interesting and delicious appetizer, comprised of leaves and a tender heart. If left to mature on the plant, the artichoke's fruit will develop into a lovely purple thistle-like flower. The flower can be dried and used in floral arrangements or craft projects.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gardening shears
• Heavy string

1. Harvest the flower just before it reaches its peak and hasn't started to wilt. Cut the flower head from the stem, keeping a portion of stem attached to the head.

2. Tie a heavy string to the stem of the artichoke flower.

3. Hang the string so that the flower is suspended, hanging upside down. The sting can be attached to a curtain rod or a similar site. Choose a warm, dry location.

4. Leave the flower hanging upside down for several weeks, until it has dried. The time required to dry will depend on the humidity, since the goal is to remove moisture from the flower. It should be brittle and not flexible.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a location with good ventilation.
• Avoid hanging in direct sunlight or damp environments.

References

• Preserving Flowers
• Edible Flower Buds
• University of Missouri Extension; Drying Flowers and Foliage for Arrangements; David Trinklein; 2006