Preserving Beauty:
Our Complimentary Drying Guide
The beauty of flowers need not be fleeting! Drying flowers helps preserves their charm for years of enjoyment. Use this free guide with helpful tips to preserve your blooms to be used in a custom JJ's Boutique art piece or your own creative work.
How Does JJ's Boutique Dry Flowers?
Our blooms maintain excellent color and shape due to the stringent process we use to dry them. Blooms are cut just prior to the flower being fully open, as an overripe blossom is likely to deteriorate during the drying process. This is done usually a week or more before a blossom would be cut for a traditional bouquet. We utilize a drying room equipped with a dehumidifier system especially made to remove moisture from flowers. This helps preserve color and shape. Our system is complex for a hobbyist, but our tips below can help you achieve good results.
DIY Drying Guide
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1. Select the right flowers for the best results
The first step in drying flowers is selecting the right ones. Not all flowers dry well, so it's important to choose varieties that can retain shape and color. Good options include:
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Roses
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Lavender
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Hydrangeas
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Peony
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Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)
Avoid flowers with any signs of wilting or damage, as these imperfections will be more pronounced once dried.
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Flowers that do not air dry well include:
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Lily
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Tulips
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Daffodils
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Daisies
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Orchids
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Geraniums
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Pansies
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2. Keep flowers in water until you're ready to dry
Keep your bouquet in water as long as possible-- just the ends need to be in water. This will limit the amount of wilting that will occur. If you're drying a wedding bouquet, have a vase of water to pop your flowers into on your table. Make sure all stems are in water if possible, as some may be shorter than others.
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The day of or the day after your event is the ideal time to start the drying process. That's because bouquet flowers-- especially for weddings-- are built to look beautiful for one day. The wilting process starts quickly, so fast action will ensure your flowers look their best.
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3. Pat dry and prepare your flower bundles
Carefully remove any ribbon and floral tape, which can hold moisture, and remove any wet foliage. Separate each of the flowers from the bouquet and dry stems-- any wetness can cause mold, which is why taking the bouquet apart is important.
Separate the blooms in your bouquet by type, bundling up to 5 stems together using a clean, dry piece of twine, jute, or string. A rubber band can also work-- just ensure what you use is not too tight and is not cutting into the flesh of your stems. Not putting too many stems in each bundle ensures good air flow between blooms. Bundle blooms about two inches above the ends to allow for shrinkage during drying and leave enough string at the end to hang. If using a rubber band, you'll need to add string or a hook to hang your bundle.
4. Hang flowers to dry
Hang your bundles upside down in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated area, ensuring there is a few inches between each bundle for good air circulation. An unused closet is a good option. Basements are only a good idea if you have no moisture issues. Flowers should be left undisturbed to dry for 3-5 weeks. Check periodically to ensure no mold is forming on blooms. Discard any that do form mold to prevent it from spreading.
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5. Store flowers until they're ready to be used.
Once your flowers are dried, it's important to store them properly to maintain their beauty. Keep dried flowers out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. A sealed container is a good option to prevent bugs and critters from infesting your flowers. Hairspray is NOT a recommended option for preservation, as the stickiness will attract dust and dirt, which will cause your preserved flowers to deteriorate.
6. Deliver your blooms to
JJ's Boutique
Whether you've been drying your blooms for a few weeks or a few years, as long as you are happy with their color and condition, we would love to preserve them in a custom art display for you.
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Our sealed pieces help prevent dirt, dust, and pests from deteriorating your flowers. Properly dried flowers will last for years to come. Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors forever by having us create a custom art piece for you with a vintage wood window or shadow box.