It's feeling like summer! But it's still technically spring, and that means one of our favourite yearly additions to Ottawa is still happening - all the gorgeous array of blooming flowers across the city!
If you're like us, you love taking cuttings from your garden (or a friends!) and bringing some of that beauty inside. And if you're also like us, you're probably looking for ways to incorporate those blooms into long term decor!
Below we are going to explore 2 easy methods you can use to dry your own bouquets and flowers at home! You'll want to ensure you're using your flowers when they're fresh - but if you're hoping to get a little more life out of your bouquet before drying, check out our post on how to make your floral bouquet last!
Method 1: Pressed Flowers
- Scissors
- Parchment paper
- Books
If you're looking for flattened flowers, pressing flowers is an easy and long-used method that achieves excellent results. First, you'll need to cut your florals down to size. Keep in mind, larger flowers (like roses) will be more difficult to press and may need to be taken apart or cut in half and reassembled. Next, sandwich your floral pieces between parchment paper. Make sure to space your florals out so they aren't touching while they dry. Place the parchment paper sandwich between pages of your book.
If you want to add more pieces, repeat the above steps with a separate piece of parchment paper, and space out the pages you use. Once done, add additional books or weight to the book containing your florals and let them sit. This method normally takes 3-4 weeks. Flowers that contain more moisture may take longer.
Method 2: Hang Drying
What you'll need:
- Scissors
- String
This is the easiest and most widely used method to drying flowers. First, you'll want to remove all additional foliage from your main stems and them down to size. Next, combine your flowers into small bundles. Tie each bundle together, then hang them upside down in a cool, dark, dry place. This method normally takes 2-3 weeks.
Both methods above create very different but both give beautiful results! To keep any dried florals staying fresh and lasting longer, make sure to keep them away from moisture and direct heat sources. Sunlight can also bleach your dried flowers and cause them to fade and break down quicker, so you'll want to avoid that too!