If you have a fresh wedding bouquet or flowers from another special event, it can be difficult to say “goodbye” to them, but with flower preservation, you don’t have to! Our florists at Blossom Flower Shops in Yonkers and White Plains want to remind you that by drying your flowers, you can enjoy their beauty and be reminded of your happiest memories for years to come. Take a look at this guide to drying and displaying special flowers as decorative keepsakes in your home.

Bouquet of Dried Roses

Three Easy Techniques for Drying Flowers

When you dry flowers, it’s best to start the process while they’re still fresh and not wilted. In fact, flowers like roses will hold up best if they’re dried before their blooms have opened completely. It’s essential that — whichever method you choose — you allow the flowers to dry completely before displaying them because any remaining moisture will cause the flowers to decompose. Once dry, give the bouquet a few gentle coats of hairspray to strengthen the flowers and protect them from moisture in the air.

Dried Peach Roses

1. Air Dry

The most common and effective method for drying flowers is to hang them. Gather your bouquet and tie the stems together with string. Then use the other end of the string to hang them upside down in a dry, low-humidity location. Be sure to dry them in a place free from direct sunlight to prevent the blooms from fading. Leave the flowers for several days. This tried and true method requires the most time, but also yields the best results. We recommend hanging your flowers to dry, if you have the time.

Hanging Dried Flowers

2. Oven Dry

To speed up the process, you can remove moisture with heat. Preheat your oven to its lowest heat setting and prepare a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper. Arrange flowers so there’s no overlap and pop them in the oven, leaving the door cracked so moisture can escape. Depending on the type of flowers, they’ll need about eight to twelve hours to dry completely.

Dried Pink Roses

3. Microwave Dry

With a microwave and the right supplies, you can dry flowers completely in a matter of minutes. You’ll need to trim unwanted foliage from your flowers and shorten their stems, so they’ll fit inside a microwave-safe container. Then cover them completely with silica sand. Put them in the microwave with a cup of water and heat them in 30-second intervals. Check on them after every 30 seconds, so you’ll know when they’re ready. Most flowers dry within two or three minutes total.

Our Favorite Ideas for Decorating with Dried Flowers

Marrakesh Mood

Either a bouquet of large, sumptuous blossoms or one with more delicate, feathery flowers can be dried and used to decorate your home. The great thing about drying a special bouquet is that all the flowers are already perfectly selected to blend and complement each other, so there’s no guesswork involved in choosing the right flowers to use. You can display a dried bouquet as it is in a vase or pitcher, but our favorite way to display dried flowers is to trim the stems and arrange the dried flowers around a wicker wreath base to make a beautiful floral wreath that can be displayed anywhere in your home. You can also create a pretty shadow box of dried flowers. This will help preserve them longer and prevent them from getting dusty.

Bouquet of Dried Flowers in Glass Vase

For more information about drying flowers or for personalized assistance picking out a bouquet for your next special occasion, we welcome you to stop by Blossom Flower Shops to speak with a florist.