This method helps to retain most of the colour of the petals, and works best for flowers with flatter heads and foliage such as verbenas, geraniums and daisies. Arrange the flowers on clean baking paper (this helps them to lift easily later without sticking). Once you’re happy with the arrangement, place another layer of baking paper on top, and put this between the pages of the heaviest book you can find.

Add extra weight by stacking books or other heavy objects, then leave for 10 – 14 days. After they’re dried, you can frame them or sandwich them between clear acrylic to make a pretty coaster.

This works best for roses and any other flowers with larger heads, since it preserves their shape. Choose a dry, shaded place away from direct sunlight, with good airflow for best results. Using twine or dental floss, tie your flowers to a hanger so that they hang upside down. Leave for two to three weeks, checking on them regularly. When the bouquet is dried, spray with unscented hairspray to help them keep their shape.

If you haven’t got time to wait, using the microwave can help to dry out flowers quickly. The effect will be similar to that of pressing the flowers. You’ll need two flat microwave-safe dishes and some paper towels.

Place a layer of the paper towels on top of one of the dishes and arrange your flowers on top as you would when pressing them, in a single layer. When you’re happy with the arrangement, set the other dish down on top of them (we prefer using glass for the top dish so we can still see the flowers).

Pop this into the microwave for 20-30 seconds. If your flowers are small, they should be dry after this first round. For those that aren’t completely dried out yet, continue microwaving in bursts of 15 seconds, checking each time if they’re dry. They shouldn’t brown – if they do, it’s been too long.

Some people suggest submerging the flowers in a layer of cat litter or silica gel before putting them into the microwave, but we wouldn’t recommend that for health and safety reasons.

This only works for foliage that’s already somewhat dry, as moisture can cause the leaves to rot. Using a large bowl or pot (ideally one that’s no longer being used for food), melt a block of beeswax until you have about an inch of melted beeswax. Make sure it’s not too hot, as extreme heat can cause the flowers to wilt or brown.

Use disposable chopsticks or tongs to hold the stem, carefully dip the flowers or leaves in, completely coating them. Work with one at a time. Let the excess wax drip off, then lay the blossom or leaf on clean baking paper to finish drying.

Mix two parts water with one part glycerine, and place the stems of your fresh flowers in this mixture for one to two weeks. The flowers will absorb the glycerine, preserving their look for months. If some parts begin to wilt before the glycerine mixture can reach them, take the flowers out of the mixture and hang them upside down, letting gravity do its work so glycerine can reach those parts more easily.

Text: Melody Bay/Home and Decor

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