Four Ways to Preserve (Dry) Flowers
Preserve a bit of your summer garden by drying a few flowers.
Most gardeners have gathered a few stems from their favorite flowers, removed the lower leaves and secured them into small bundles. Next step - hang them in a warm dry place. Bright yellow, orange, pink and blue flowers tend to preserve their colors best.
Clipping off the blooms and drying with silica gel is the best way to preserve flowers to look as good as they did in the garden. It also works well for delicate blooms. You’ll find this drying compound at craft stores.
Speed things up by drying your flowers in a microwave. Place 4 cups of cat litter in a microwave safe bowl. Carefully cover a single flower and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. Gently brush off the litter and repeat until the whole bouquet has been dried.
Or allow your bouquet to dry naturally in the vase. This method works great with goldenrod, protea and even some roses.
A bit more information: Or press a few flowers between two layers of parchment paper or wax paper and place between the pages of a heavy book. Keep in mind, once pressed this is how your flowers will remain. More details on each method are available from Reader’s Digest at How to Dry Flowers.
Related
Article
Audio
Categories
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
Mar. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens
Register here
March 21 & 28, 2026
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
More information
March 24, 2026
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater
Community Program
Racine, WI
More information
March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
April 1, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Growing a Bountiful Harvest
Register here
April 9, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
April 11, 2026
A Day in the Garden
Fond du Lac, WI
Register here
April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here
April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information
April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL
April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space
Register here
May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI
May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here
May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here
June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind
Register here
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More
Book an Appearance
Sign up for Melinda's free e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!
ENTER NOW
