How to Save Fresh Flowers

Dried flowers make excellent displays.

Fresh flowers are a short-lived treat. Preserving the flowers from a wedding or funeral, keeping a gift of flowers as a keepsake, or finding a way to extend the life of fading blooms are easy to do with items you probably already have at home. Drying flowers can be done with a single bloom, or with a whole bouquet.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Hanger
• Rubber band
• String

Instructions

1. Snip away any excess foliage with scissors and trim each flower stem to about 6 inches long.

2. Wrap up to 6 stems together with a rubber band. If you have more than 6, but less than 12 stems, separate them evenly.

3. Tie each bunch of stems, flower end down, to the hanger with string. If you have two bunches, tie one on each end of the hanger. If you have one bunch, tie it to the center of the hanger.

4. Place the hanger in a dry, dark place such as a basement, an attic, or a closet. Leave the flowers two to three weeks, until they are completely dry.

5. Arrange the dried flowers in vases, hang them in bunches, or remove the petals for potpourri.

References

• Pro Flowers: How to Dry Flowers

Resources

• Dried Flower House: "Do it Yourself" Dried Flowers