Picking and Drying Flowers

Amongst the usual flowers grown in the garden, there are a number that dry well, and can be used for stylish indoor decorations. Hydrangeas, statice, roses, gypsophila, sea holly, coneflowers and, of course, everlasting flowers all dry beautifully. In addition, there are flowers that have handsome seedheads — poppies, love-in-the-mist, allium, achillea and ornamental grasses — to add structure. Natural dried flower arrangements, pot pourri, confetti, wreaths, garlands and festive decorations are living reminders of beautiful flowers gathered during the warmer months. The golden rule when picking flowers, foliage or seedheads to dry is that they should not be picked when damp, for fear that mould develops during the drying process.